India Visa Guide
India Visa Requirements - Eligibility and Documents
India visa requirements are a passport valid 6 months from arrival with 2 blank pages, a compliant white-background photo, the passport bio page scan, and category-specific proof. Eligible nationalities can use the e-Visa; all others apply for a sticker visa. The exact list changes with the visa type - tourist, business, medical, transit or conference.
- Processing time
- e-Visa: 72 hours to 4 business days
- Cost
- USD 10 to 200 (e-Visa)
- Validity
- Per the visa category
- Eligibility
- 170+ countries for e-Visa; all nationalities for sticker visa
- How to apply
- Online (e-Visa) or in-person (sticker)
Are you eligible for the e-Visa?
- Citizen of Nepal or Bhutan?
- Yes: No visa needed
- No: Continue
- Nationality on the e-Visa list?
- Yes: Apply online (e-Visa) — indianvisaonline.gov.in
- No: Regular visa — Through an Indian mission
- Passport valid 6+ months from arrival with 2 blank pages?
- Yes: Ready to apply
- No: Renew your passport first
Core requirements for every applicant
| 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.
Category-specific requirements
| Category | Valid for | Entries | Stay per visit | Standard fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| e-Tourist 30-day | 30 days from first arrival | Double | Up to 30 days | USD 25 (USD 10 Apr–Jun) |
| e-Tourist 1-year | 365 days from grant | Multiple | 90 days (180 for US, UK, Canada, Japan) | USD 40 |
| e-Tourist 5-year | 5 years from grant | Multiple | 90 days (180 for US, UK, Canada, Japan) | USD 200 |
| e-Business | 1 year from grant | Multiple | Up to 180 days | USD 120 |
| e-Medical | 60 days from arrival | Triple | Within 60 days | USD 80 |
| e-Medical Attendant | 60 days from arrival (max 2 per patient) | Triple | Within 60 days | USD 80 |
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.
Requirements at the border
- The passport you applied with (or your new passport plus the old one, if you renewed after the e-Visa was granted).
- A printout or digital copy of the e-Visa grant.
- A filed e-Arrival Card.
- A return or onward ticket and your first address in India.
- Biometrics — fingerprints and photo — are taken at immigration.
- Designated entry points
- 88 — Your first entry must be through one of these
- Airports
- 37 — Incl. Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, Goa
- Seaports
- 38 — Cruise and ship arrivals
- Land ports
- 13 — Overland crossings added from 2025
Source: Ministry of Home Affairs notice, 10 Aug 2026. Always confirm your port on indianvisaonline.gov.in before booking.
Step-by-step process
- Check your nationality on the e-Visa eligible list.
- Confirm the visa category matches your purpose.
- Prepare a 6-month-valid passport with 2 blank pages.
- Gather the category-specific document (invitation, hospital letter, onward ticket).
- Apply on the e-Visa portal or at the visa application centre with all documents.
Requirements
| Passport | 6 months validity, 2 blank pages. |
|---|---|
| Photo | White background, JPEG 10 KB to 1 MB. |
| Bio page | PDF scan, 10 KB to 300 KB. |
| Purpose proof | Invitation, hospital letter, or onward ticket. |
| Funds | Sufficient funds for the stay. |
Common mistakes
- Wrong visa category for the purpose
- Passport under 6 months validity
- Photo with a non-white background
- Missing category-specific document
Expert tips
- Match the visa category to the real purpose - mismatches cause refusals.
- Renew an expiring passport before applying.
- Check the e-Visa eligible-country list before choosing the route.
- Carry originals to the airport.
Frequently asked questions
What are the basic requirements for an India visa?
A passport valid 6 months from arrival with 2 blank pages, a white-background photo, the passport bio page scan, and category-specific proof of purpose.
Who is eligible for the India e-Visa?
Citizens of 170+ listed countries. Nationalities not on the list apply for a sticker visa at an Indian mission.
Is a return ticket mandatory for an India visa?
It is not always mandatory for the application, but immigration may ask for an onward/return ticket at entry.
Can I apply if my passport expires in 5 months?
No. India requires 6 months passport validity from the date of arrival. Renew first.