Getting an Indian e-visa is genuinely straightforward and also the step where more tourists lose money, get rejected, or create problems for themselves than at any other point in trip planning. Fake websites, avoidable photo errors, and a widely misread ETA expiry date catch thousands of applicants every year.
Eligibility, fees by nationality, the exact application steps, the rejection reasons worth knowing, and everything to sort before you land. It is all here.
Key highlights
- India’s e-Tourist Visa is available to citizens of 166 nationalities and can be applied for entirely online at indianvisaonline.gov.in without visiting an embassy.
- Three visa durations are available: 30 days (double entry), 1 year (multiple entry), and 5 years (multiple entry).
- Most tourists from the US, UK, Japan, and Canada can stay up to 180 days per visit. Most other nationalities are capped at 90 days per visit.
- Standard e-tourist visa fees for most nationalities are $10 (April to June) and $25 (July to March) for the 30-day visa, $40 for the 1-year visa, and $80 for the 5-year visa per the official February 2026 Bureau of Immigration fee schedule.
- A 3% bank transaction charge applies to all credit and debit card payments on the official portal. Fees are non-refundable whether your application is approved or rejected.
- The e-Arrival Card is mandatory for all foreign nationals from 2026. It must be completed online within 72 hours before your flight or you risk being denied boarding.
What is the India e-visa and who needs one
The India e-Tourist Visa is an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) issued entirely online that allows foreign nationals to enter India for tourism, visiting family and friends, short yoga courses, and medical treatment without visiting an Indian embassy or consulate. Once approved, the ETA is sent to your email. You print it and present it at immigration on arrival, where a visa stamp is added to your passport.
Citizens of 166 nationalities are eligible for the e-Tourist Visa as of 2026. Pakistani passport holders and holders of diplomatic or official passports cannot use the e-visa system and must apply for a regular visa through an Indian mission. Holders of travel documents other than a standard passport are also ineligible. Each individual must have their own separate passport; endorsement on a parent’s or spouse’s passport is not accepted.
India e-visa types: which one is right for your trip
30-day e-Tourist Visa
Valid for 30 days from your first arrival date in India. Allows double entry within that 30-day window. Apply up to 30 days before your intended arrival date and no later than 4 days before departure. This suits short leisure trips and first-time visitors who plan to stay in India without extended side trips.
1-year e-Tourist Visa
Valid for 365 days from the date the ETA is granted, with multiple entries permitted. The maximum continuous stay per visit is 180 days for US, UK, Japanese, and Canadian passport holders. For most other nationalities, the maximum continuous stay per visit is 90 days. Total stay across all visits within one calendar year must not exceed 180 days. Apply up to 120 days before your intended arrival date.
5-year e-Tourist Visa
Valid for 5 years from the date the ETA is granted, with multiple entries. The same per-visit stay limits apply as the 1-year visa. UK passport holders pay a different rate for the 5-year visa ($484) per the official fee schedule. US citizens pay $160 for the 5-year visa. This suits frequent visitors and those planning multiple India trips across several years.
India e-visa fees by nationality in 2026
Standard fees for most nationalities
The following fees apply to most nationalities, including UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, EU countries, Canada, and Australia, per the official February 2026 Bureau of Immigration fee schedule.
| Visa type | April to June | July to March |
| 30-day e-Tourist Visa | $10 (Rs 943) | $25 (Rs 2,360) |
| 1-year e-Tourist Visa | $40 (Rs 3,770) | $40 (Rs 3,770) |
| 5-year e-Tourist Visa | $80 (Rs 7,540) | $80 (Rs 7,540) |
A 3% bank transaction charge applies to all card payments. Fees are non-refundable.
Nationality-specific exceptions
Japan and Sri Lanka pay a flat $25 for all three visa durations, including 1-year and 5-year, and $10 for the 30-day visa during April to June. South Africa’s 30-day visa is free; the 1-year and 5-year visas are $25. UK passport holders pay $484 for the 5-year visa. US citizens pay $160 for the 5-year visa. Always verify your specific nationality’s fee at indianvisaonline.gov.in before applying, as the schedule is updated periodically.
How to apply for an Indian e-visa step by step
Step 1: go to the official portal only
Go to indianvisaonline.gov.in. This is the only official Indian government e-visa portal. Dozens of fake third-party websites mimic the official portal’s design and charge significantly higher fees for processing applications that often result in delays or rejections. Never apply through a third-party site unless you are using a verified visa assistance service for a specific reason like payment difficulties.
Step 2: Fill out the application form
Select e-tourist visa and your intended duration. Enter your personal details, passport information, travel dates, and your intended entry airport and accommodation address in India. Every detail must match your passport exactly. Name mismatches, incorrect dates of birth, or wrong passport numbers are the most common causes of rejection.
Step 3: upload documents
You need two documents: a clear colour scan of your passport bio page and a recent passport-size photograph with a plain white background, under 1MB in file size. The photo must show your full face without glasses, hats, or shadows. Incorrect photo specifications are the single most common reason for rejection.
Step 4: pay the fee
Pay via credit or debit card on the portal. A 3% bank transaction charge applies. PayPal attracts a 4% charge. Fees are non-refundable whether your application is approved or rejected. Double-check every detail before submitting payment.
Step 5: check your ETA status
Processing typically takes up to 72 hours, though peak season from October to March can take longer. Do not just wait for an email. Log back into the portal and check your application status. Confirm it shows GRANTED before your travel date. Download and print the official ETA document showing your photo and QR code. Airlines check it at boarding and Indian immigration checks it on arrival.
Common mistakes that cause India e-visa rejections
Photo specification errors
The most frequent rejection reason. The photo must have a plain white background, no glasses, a full face visible, no shadows, and be under 1MB. Mobile phone photos taken against a white wall often fail the specification check. Use a passport photo app or a professional photo service to ensure compliance.
Passport detail mismatches
Your name, date of birth, and passport number on the application must match your passport exactly, including middle names. Even a single character difference causes rejection. Check your passport before entering any details.
Wrong entry airport selected
Your ETA is valid for entry through designated airports and seaports only. There are 33 designated airports, 19 seaports, and 4 land border crossings for e-visa holders as of 2026. If your itinerary changes after approval and you now enter through a different airport, contact the Indian Bureau of Immigration before travel.
Misreading the ETA expiry date
The expiry date on your ETA is the last date you can enter India, not the last date you must leave. If your ETA expires on March 30, you can enter India on March 29 and stay for the full permitted duration beyond that date. This confusion causes unnecessary cancellations and rebookings every year.
The e-Arrival Card: what it is and how to complete it
The e-Arrival Card is mandatory for all foreign nationals and OCI cardholders entering India from 2026. It replaced the paper disembarkation form that was previously filled on the aircraft. You must complete it online at indianvisaonline.gov.in within 72 hours before your scheduled arrival in India. Airlines at departure check for e-arrival card completion before allowing boarding. Failure to complete it risks being denied boarding at your departure airport.
The form asks for your flight details, entry airport, accommodation address in India, and health declarations. It takes around five minutes to complete. Do it the day before your flight rather than the morning of departure.
What to sort before you land in India
Your visa approval is the beginning of trip preparation, not the end. Three things directly affect how smoothly your first 48 hours in India go.
Setting up payments for your trip
India runs on UPI QR-code payments for the vast majority of daily spending, from street food to local transport to market shopping. Your international card will work at hotels and airports but fail at most local merchants. CheqUPI is an RBI-licensed prepaid payment instrument that gives foreign tourists a UPI ID loaded via their international credit or debit card. The loading fee is 2.95% + applicable taxes for all foreign users. Every merchant payment after that costs zero. CheqUPI is free to join for tourists from 180+ FATF-compliant countries. Set it up before your flight so it is ready the moment you clear customs. For a full guide on how UPI works for foreign tourists, see our complete UPI guide.
Travel budget and costs to expect
India is an excellent value across all budget levels. Budget travellers can manage comfortably on Rs 2,500 to Rs 4,000 ($27 to $42) per day, including accommodation, food, and local transport. Mid-range travellers typically spend Rs 6,000 to Rs 12,000 ($64 to $127) per day. Heritage site entry fees for foreign tourists run Rs 300 to Rs 700 ($3.20 to $7.40) per site across major monuments.
Safety tips for first-time visitors
Book accommodation through verified platforms. Use Uber or Ola for all city transport to avoid fare disputes. Keep your passport in your hotel safe and carry a certified photocopy. Drink bottled water only.
Conclusion
India’s e-visa process is fast, affordable, and entirely online once you know exactly what to do. Apply through the official portal only, give yourself at least two weeks, get the photo right the first time, and complete the e-Arrival Card the day before your flight. Everything after that is India itself, which is considerably more rewarding than the paperwork that preceded it.
FAQs
1.Which countries are eligible for the India e-visa in 2026?
Citizens of 166 nationalities are eligible. Pakistani passport holders and diplomatic passport holders are not eligible and must apply through an Indian mission. Check the full list at indianvisaonline.gov.in.
2.Does India have a visa on arrival in 2026?
India does not offer a standard visa on arrival. The e-Tourist Visa must be applied for and approved before travel. It is processed entirely online and requires no embassy visit.
3.How long does India e-visa processing take in 2026?
Processing typically takes up to 72 hours. Apply at least 2 weeks before your trip and no later than 4 days before departure. The peak travel season from October to March can take longer.
4.How much does the India e-visa cost in 2026?
For most nationalities: $10 (Rs 943) for the 30-day visa during April to June and $25 (Rs 2,360) during July to March. The 1-year visa is $40 (Rs 3,770), and the 5-year visa is $80 (Rs 7,540) for most nationalities. A 3% bank transaction charge applies. Fees are non-refundable.
5.How do I apply for an Indian tourist visa online?
Go to indianvisaonline.gov.in , select e-Tourist Visa, complete the form, upload your passport bio page and white-background photo, and pay online. Apply at least 4 days before travel, ideally 2 to 3 weeks ahead.
6.What are the India visa requirements for 2026?
A passport valid for at least 6 months from arrival with at least 2 blank pages, a white-background passport photograph under 1MB, and a completed e-Arrival Card within 72 hours before your flight.
7.Can I extend my India e-visa once I am in India?
No. Tourist e-visas cannot be extended inside India. You must exit and re-enter with a new e-visa application if you need a longer stay. Overstaying requires an immediate visit to the nearest FRRO office.
8.Which airports in India accept the e-visa?
33 designated international airports, including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Goa, Kochi, and Ahmedabad. Entry through non-designated airports is not permitted on an e-visa.
9.What is the India e-Arrival Card, and how do I complete it?
The e-Arrival Card is a mandatory online form replacing the paper disembarkation card. Complete it at indianvisaonline.gov.in within 72 hours before your flight. Airlines check for completion before boarding.
10.What should I do after my India e-visa is approved?
Print your ETA document, complete the e-Arrival Card within 72 hours of your flight, set up a UPI wallet for payments, and plan your travel budget. Your visa approval is step one of a trip that needs two or three more practical steps before you land.
“The visa was the hard part. Everything from here should be effortless. One UPI wallet loaded before your flight means you land in India with a payment method that works at every market, restaurant, and rickshaw from minute one.
Download CheqUPI. Activate your wallet after arriving in India and start paying with UPI in minutes.”
