India Visa Guide
Indian Visa - Complete Guide for Foreign Travellers
An Indian visa is the official authorisation a foreign citizen needs to enter, stay in or transit India. Most leisure and business travellers apply for an e-Visa online at indianvisaonline.gov.in, which issues in 72 hours to 4 business days; longer stays, work or nationality-ineligible cases use a sticker visa through the Indian embassy, consulate or visa application centre.
- Processing time
- e-Visa: 72 hours to 4 business days; sticker: 5 to 15 working days
- Cost
- USD 10 to 200 for e-Visas; bilateral for sticker visas
- Validity
- 30 days, 1 year or 5 years (e-Visa); up to 10 years (long-term sticker visas)
- Eligibility
- Citizens of 170+ countries for e-Visa; all nationalities via sticker visa
- How to apply
- Online e-Visa portal or in-person at an Indian mission / the visa application centre
Which Indian visa do you need?
- Are you a citizen of Nepal or Bhutan?
- Yes: No visa needed — Carry valid identity documents
- No: You need a visa — Continue below
- Is your nationality on the e-Visa list?
- Yes: Apply online for an e-Visa — Tourism, business, medical, conference
- No: Regular visa via an Indian mission — Embassy, consulate or visa centre
- Going to work, study or stay long term? — Employment, student and long-term visas are applied for through a mission, not the e-Visa.
- Latest you can apply
- 4 days — Minimum gap between applying and arrival
- Earliest you can apply
- 120 days — Maximum window before arrival
- Typical decision
- 72h–4d — From a complete, paid application
- e-Visa entry points
- 88 — 37 airports · 38 seaports · 13 land ports
Source: Government of India e-Visa rules, indianvisaonline.gov.in. Entry points: MHA notice, 10 Aug 2026.
Every e-Visa category compared
| 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.
How the application works
- Start on indianvisaonline.gov.in — Choose nationality, port of arrival, expected arrival date and visa category.
- Save your Temporary Application ID — You need it to resume the form, upload documents or pay later.
- Complete the full form — Address, family, profession, previous visits and references — exactly as in your passport.
- Upload photo and passport bio page — Photo: square JPEG, 10 KB–1 MB, white background. Bio page: PDF, 10 KB–300 KB.
- Pay the fee — Processing starts only once payment is confirmed. A 3% bank charge is added.
- Are the uploads and details compliant?
- Yes: e-Visa granted by email — Usually 72 hours to 4 business days
- No: Refused or sent back — A new application and a new fee may be needed
What it costs
| 30-day e-Tourist (Apr–Jun) | USD 10 |
| 30-day e-Tourist (Jul–Mar) | USD 25 |
| 1-year e-Tourist | USD 40 |
| e-Medical / Attendant | USD 80 |
| e-Business (1 year) | USD 120 |
| 5-year e-Tourist | USD 200 |
Some nationalities pay more or less than the standard rate — for example a 5-year e-Tourist visa is USD 160 for US citizens, USD 484 for UK citizens and USD 25 for Japanese citizens.
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.
Arriving in India
- 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
- Confirm whether your nationality is e-Visa eligible on indianvisaonline.gov.in.
- Choose the right visa category - e-Tourist, e-Business, e-Medical, e-Conference or e-Medical Attendant.
- Upload your passport bio page and a compliant white-background photo.
- Pay the e-Visa fee online (USD 10 to 200 by category and duration).
- Receive the e-Visa by email; print it and carry it with your passport to India.
Requirements
| Passport | Valid for 6 months from arrival with 2 blank pages. |
|---|---|
| Photograph | Recent white-background JPEG, 10 KB to 1 MB. |
| Passport bio page | Scanned PDF, 10 KB to 300 KB. |
| Return ticket | Onward/return travel evidence may be checked at entry. |
| Funds proof | Sufficient funds for the stay; rarely asked at the airport. |
Common mistakes
- Applying too close to travel (allow 4+ business days)
- Uploading a non-white-background photo
- Passport with less than 6 months validity
- Picking the wrong category (e.g., e-Business for tourism)
Expert tips
- Apply at least 7 days before departure for the e-Visa.
- Keep a printed and digital copy of the e-Visa grant.
- Long-stay or work trips need a sticker visa, not an e-Visa.
- Double-check the photo size limits - rejections are mostly photo-related.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa for India?
Yes. Every foreign national except citizens of Nepal and Bhutan needs a visa to enter India. Most travellers use the e-Visa; others apply for a sticker visa at an Indian mission.
How long does an Indian e-Visa take?
The e-Visa is usually issued in 72 hours to 4 business days of submitting a complete application with valid uploads and payment.
What is the fee for an Indian e-Visa?
The e-Visa fee ranges from USD 10 to about USD 200 for most passports depending on the category and duration (30-day, 1-year or 5-year tourist; business; medical).
Can I extend my Indian visa in India?
Tourist e-Visas and sticker visas generally cannot be extended. Extensions are possible only in exceptional cases through the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO).