India Visa Guide
India Tourist Visa - Guide to the Indian Tourist e-Visa
The India tourist visa is for leisure, sightseeing, visiting friends or family and short yoga or retreat programmes. The e-Tourist Visa is the fastest route - apply online at indianvisaonline.gov.in, get approved in 72 hours to 4 business days, and choose 30-day, 1-year or 5-year validity with double or multiple entry.
- Processing time
- 72 hours to 4 business days (e-Tourist)
- Cost
- USD 10 to 80 by duration
- Validity
- 30 days, 1 year or 5 years
- Eligibility
- Citizens of 170+ e-Visa eligible countries
- How to apply
- Online at indianvisaonline.gov.in
30-day, 1-year or 5-year: which e-Tourist visa?
| 30-day | 1-year | 5-year | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Validity | 30 days from first arrival | 365 days from grant | 5 years from grant |
| Entries | Double | Multiple | Multiple |
| Stay per visit | Up to 30 days | 90 days (180 for US, UK, Canada, Japan) | 90 days (180 for US, UK, Canada, Japan) |
| Standard fee | USD 25 (USD 10 Apr–Jun) | USD 40 | USD 200 |
| Best for | One short holiday | Several trips in a year | Frequent visitors |
Source: Government of India e-Visa fee schedules (e-Tourist 8 Sep 2026; e-Business/e-Medical 15 Apr 2026), indianvisaonline.gov.in. A 3% bank charge is added to every fee.
- One trip of 30 days or less?
- Yes: 30-day e-Tourist — Cheapest; USD 10 for April–June arrivals
- No: Go to the next question
- Coming back several times within 5 years?
- Yes: 5-year e-Tourist — Compare its fee with yearly 1-year visas for your nationality
- No: 1-year e-Tourist — USD 40 for most nationalities
| United Kingdom | USD 484 |
| Most nationalities | USD 200 |
| United States | USD 160 |
| Russia | USD 120 |
| Japan | USD 25 |
| Sri Lanka | USD 25 |
| South Africa | USD 25 |
| Indonesia | Free |
Source: Government of India e-Visa fee schedules (e-Tourist 8 Sep 2026; e-Business/e-Medical 15 Apr 2026), indianvisaonline.gov.in. A 3% bank charge is added to every fee.
When to apply
- Up to 120 days before: Earliest you can apply
- ≥ 4 days before: Apply and pay — the cut-off
- 72h–4 days later: e-Visa arrives by email
- ≤ 72 hours before: File the e-Arrival Card
- On landing: Biometrics + stamp at immigration
Step-by-step process
- Select e-Tourist Visa on the e-Visa portal.
- Choose 30-day, 1-year or 5-year validity.
- Fill in personal, passport and travel details.
- Upload passport bio page and white-background photo.
- Pay the fee and receive the e-Tourist Visa by email.
Requirements
| Passport | 6 months validity, 2 blank pages. |
|---|---|
| Photo | White background JPEG, 10 KB to 1 MB. |
| Purpose | Tourism, sightseeing, visiting friends/family only. |
| Return ticket | Recommended; may be checked at entry. |
| Funds | Enough to cover the stay. |
Common mistakes
- Using a tourist visa for business meetings
- Applying for 5-year when a 30-day trip suffices
- Photo background not white
- Passport under 6 months validity
Expert tips
- Pick 30-day for a single short trip - it is the cheapest.
- 1-year and 5-year e-Tourist allow multiple entries.
- Tourist visas cannot be converted to business in India.
- Keep the printed e-Visa with your passport.
Frequently asked questions
How long can I stay on an India tourist visa?
30-day e-Tourist allows up to 30 days per entry; 1-year and 5-year allow 90 days per entry (180 days for UK, US, Canada and Japan nationals).
Can I visit India for tourism on a business visa?
You can travel, but the purpose must match the visa. For pure tourism use a tourist visa; business visas are for business activities.
Is the 5-year tourist e-Visa multiple entry?
Yes, the 1-year and 5-year e-Tourist visas allow multiple entries.
Can I extend a tourist visa in India?
No. Tourist visas are not extendable except in exceptional circumstances through the FRRO.