India Visa Guide
India Visa Documents - What You Need to Apply
The documents required for an India visa are a passport valid 6 months from arrival with 2 blank pages, a recent white-background photograph, the passport bio page scan (for e-Visa), and category-specific proof - a business card or invitation for business, a hospital letter for medical, and an onward ticket for transit. All documents are uploaded online for e-Visas and submitted in person for sticker visas.
- Processing time
- Same as the chosen visa type
- Cost
- No separate document fee
- Validity
- Documents must be valid at the time of travel
- Eligibility
- All applicants
- How to apply
- Online upload (e-Visa) or in-person (sticker)
Exact upload specifications
| Upload | Format | File size | What reviewers look for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Photograph | JPEG, square (height = width) | 10 KB to 1 MB | Full face, eyes open, no glasses, plain white/light background, no shadows or borders |
| Passport bio page | 10 KB to 300 KB | Upright, sharp, all four corners and the two MRZ lines readable | |
| Business card / invitation (e-Business) | 10 KB to 300 KB | Company name matching the form; signed letter on letterhead | |
| Hospital letter (e-Medical) | 10 KB to 300 KB | Letterhead of an Indian hospital, patient name, treatment and dates |
Source: Government of India e-Visa rules, indianvisaonline.gov.in.
Documents by visa category
| Category | Extra document |
|---|---|
| e-Tourist | None beyond photo and bio page |
| e-Business | Business card, plus an invitation letter from the Indian company |
| e-Medical | Letter from the Indian hospital on letterhead |
| e-Medical Attendant | Details of the patient’s e-Medical application |
| e-Conference | Invitation from the organiser and event clearance |
Source: Government of India e-Visa rules, indianvisaonline.gov.in.
- Photo against a plain white wall, no glasses — Crop to a square; save as JPEG between 10 KB and 1 MB.
- Scan the bio page flat, in good light — Save as PDF under 300 KB with the MRZ lines readable.
- Category document as PDF — Signed, on letterhead, names matching the passport.
- Carry printouts on the trip — e-Visa grant, return ticket and the category document.
| Mistake | What happens | Time lost |
|---|---|---|
| Photo with a coloured background, glasses or shadow | Application refused or sent back | A fresh 72h–4 day wait, often a new fee |
| Blurry, cropped or over-300 KB bio page | Upload rejected | Re-scan, re-upload, wait again |
| Name split differently from the passport | Mismatch at review or at immigration | New application |
| Wrong category (e.g. tourist for a business meeting) | Category cannot be changed | New application and new fee |
| Arrival port not on the e-Visa list | Boarding or entry can be refused | Rebooked flight |
| No e-Arrival Card | Asked to complete it at check-in | Stress at the airport |
Source: Government of India e-Visa rules, indianvisaonline.gov.in.
Step-by-step process
- Confirm your visa category and its specific document list.
- Scan your passport bio page as a PDF (10 KB to 300 KB).
- Take a white-background photo and save as JPEG (10 KB to 1 MB).
- Gather category documents (invitation, hospital letter, onward ticket).
- Upload all documents on the e-Visa portal or carry originals to the visa application centre.
Requirements
| Passport | 6 months validity, 2 blank pages. |
|---|---|
| Photo | White background, JPEG, 10 KB to 1 MB. |
| Bio page scan | PDF, 10 KB to 300 KB. |
| Category proof | Business card/invitation, hospital letter, or onward ticket. |
| Old visa | If you held a previous Indian visa, reference it in the form. |
Common mistakes
- Photo with coloured background
- Blurred or sideways passport bio scan
- Name mismatch between passport and form
- Missing the category-specific document
Expert tips
- Re-scan the bio page if it is unclear - clarity prevents rejections.
- Match the photo to embassy specs exactly.
- Keep PDFs under 300 KB to avoid upload errors.
- Carry originals to the airport even on an e-Visa.
Frequently asked questions
What documents are needed for an India e-Visa?
A passport valid 6 months with 2 blank pages, a white-background photo (JPEG 10 KB to 1 MB), and the passport bio page scan (PDF 10 KB to 300 KB). Business and medical visas need an extra category document.
Do I need to send my physical passport for an e-Visa?
No. The e-Visa is fully online - you upload scans and print the granted e-Visa. Your physical passport is checked at the airport.
Is a photo mandatory for the India visa?
Yes. A recent white-background photograph is required for every Indian visa application.
What if my passport has less than 6 months validity?
Renew your passport before applying - India requires 6 months validity from the date of arrival.