Applying for an India e-Visa sounds simple — fill a form, pay online, get approved. But mistakes in the application cause delays, rejections, or denied boarding. Here is exactly how to apply, what the fees actually cover, and the five errors that trip up most travelers.
Eligibility Check: Which e-Visa Type Do You Actually Need?
India offers three main e-Visa categories. Pick the wrong one and your application is rejected instantly.
- e-Tourist Visa — for sightseeing, visiting friends/family, or short yoga retreats. Valid for 30 days (double entry) or 1 year/5 years (multiple entry).
- e-Business Visa — for meetings, conferences, or trade fairs. Requires a business card or invitation letter from an Indian company.
- e-Medical Visa — for medical treatment. Requires a letter from the Indian hospital.
Most leisure travelers need the 30-day e-Tourist Visa. It costs around $25 USD and allows two entries. The 1-year version runs about $40 USD and allows multiple entries but each stay is capped at 180 days.
One critical detail: the e-Visa is only valid for entry through 28 designated airports and 5 seaports. If you land at a non-designated port like Goa International Airport (which is on the list), double-check the official list on indianvisaonline.gov.in before booking flights.
Countries That Qualify for e-Visa
Over 160 countries are eligible, including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and most EU nations. Citizens of Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and a few others must apply for a regular visa at an Indian embassy. Check the official list — it changes occasionally.
Step-by-Step Application Process (What the Official Site Doesn’t Tell You)
The application lives at indianvisaonline.gov.in. That is the only official site. Third-party sites charge 2–3x the fee and often submit incorrect data.
- Fill the online form — Takes 20–30 minutes. You need a valid passport (6+ months remaining), a digital photo (white background, 2×2 inches), and a scanned passport info page.
- Pay the fee — Credit/debit card or PayPal. The fee is non-refundable even if the visa is denied.
- Receive Application Reference Number (ARN) — Save this. You need it to check status.
- Wait for approval — Most are processed within 72 hours. But some take 4–5 business days. Do not book flights until you have the approved e-Visa in hand.
- Download the e-Visa — Print two copies. Carry one with your passport at all times during the trip.
The e-Visa is electronically linked to your passport number. You do not need to visit an embassy or submit your physical passport anywhere.
Photo and Document Specs That Reject Automatically
The system rejects photos that are too dark, too bright, or have shadows. Use a plain white wall, natural light, and no glasses. The scanned passport page must be a clear JPEG under 300 KB. Blurry scans get kicked back.
5 Common Pitfalls That Derail Your India e-Visa Application
These mistakes cause delays or outright denials. Avoid every single one.
| Pitfall | What Happens | How to Avoid It |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Wrong visa type | Instant rejection | Read the eligibility section above. Tourists need e-Tourist, not e-Business. |
| 2. Name mismatch | Visa issued but denied at immigration | Enter your name exactly as it appears on your passport — including suffixes like Jr. or III. |
| 3. Using a third-party site | Overcharged + data errors | Only use indianvisaonline.gov.in. Third-party sites charge $80–$120 for a $25 visa. |
| 4. Applying too early or too late | Visa expires before travel | Apply 4–7 days before departure, but no more than 30 days early for the 30-day visa. For 1-year visas, you can apply up to 120 days early. |
| 5. Incorrect port of entry | Denied boarding by airline | Check the official list of 28 airports and 5 seaports. Landing at a non-designated port = no entry. |
One more hidden trap: the 30-day e-Tourist Visa starts counting from the day you enter India, not the day it is issued. So applying 20 days early is fine — the clock starts when you land.
Fees, Processing Times, and When to Choose a Regular Visa Instead
The e-Visa is cheaper and faster than a regular visa in most cases. But not always.
e-Visa fees (as of 2026):
- 30-day e-Tourist Visa: ~$25 USD
- 1-year e-Tourist Visa: ~$40 USD
- 5-year e-Tourist Visa: ~$80 USD
- e-Business Visa (1 year): ~$80 USD
Processing time is typically 72 hours. But during peak season (October–March), it can stretch to 5 business days. Do not pay for “expedited processing” — the official site does not offer it. Any site promising faster approval for extra money is a scam.
When a regular visa makes more sense:
- You plan to stay longer than 180 consecutive days.
- You need to enter India through a land border (e.g., from Nepal or Bangladesh). e-Visas do not cover land entry.
- Your passport expires within 6 months. You must renew it first.
Regular visas require an embassy appointment, more paperwork, and 2–4 weeks processing. The cost is similar ($50–$100 depending on nationality), but the hassle is higher. For 90% of short-term travelers, the e-Visa is the better choice.
What to Do If Your e-Visa Is Rejected or Delayed
Rejections happen. The official site does not explain why. Here is the fix.
First, check the status using your ARN on indianvisaonline.gov.in. If it shows “Rejected,” you can reapply immediately with corrected information. Common reasons for rejection:
- Photo did not meet specs (re-take it with better lighting)
- Name mismatch (double-check passport spelling)
- Previous visa violation (overstaying a prior visa = automatic rejection for 1–5 years)
If your application stays “Under Process” for more than 7 business days, email the Indian Visa Helpdesk at [email protected] with your ARN and passport number. They usually respond within 48 hours.
One final warning: do not book non-refundable flights or hotels until you have the approved e-Visa PDF in your inbox. I have seen travelers lose $1,200 on flights because their visa took 6 days instead of 3. Wait for the green light.
