Almost every visitor needs a visa to enter India, but for citizens of more than 160 countries the process is now fully online. The Indian e-Visa takes a few minutes to apply for, is usually approved within 72 hours, and is emailed to you as a PDF. This guide walks you through the types of tourist e-Visa, the documents you need, the costs and what to expect at the airport.
Which e-Visa should I choose?
The Indian government offers three tourist e-Visa validities. For a single holiday with us, the 30-day double-entry e-Tourist Visa is enough; frequent visitors should look at the longer options.
| e-Visa type | Validity | Entries | Maximum stay |
|---|---|---|---|
| e-Tourist Visa (30 days) | 30 days from arrival | Double | 30 days |
| e-Tourist Visa (1 year) | 365 days from issue | Multiple | 90 days per visit (180 for some nationalities) |
| e-Tourist Visa (5 years) | 5 years from issue | Multiple | 90 days per visit |
Fees vary by nationality and season and are paid online by card. Apply at least 7 days before departure, and no earlier than 120 days (30-day visa) before your trip.
Documents and photo requirements
- Passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of arrival, with 2 blank pages.
- A scanned copy of the passport bio page (PDF, 10 KB to 300 KB).
- A recent colour photo with a white background (JPEG, square, 350×350 px minimum).
- A return or onward ticket and proof of sufficient funds may be requested at immigration.
- The address of your first hotel in India – we send this with your booking confirmation.
Arrival and immigration
Print your e-Visa approval (ETA) and keep it with your passport. On arrival at one of the 30+ designated airports (Delhi, Mumbai, Kochi, Chennai, Goa and Jaipur among them), follow the signs to the e-Visa counters, where an officer scans your fingerprints and stamps your passport. The process takes 15 to 45 minutes depending on the queue.
Important: the e-Visa is valid only for entry by air or at designated seaports. If you plan to enter by land from Nepal or Bhutan, you need a regular visa from an Indian embassy.
Restricted areas and permits
Some regions require an additional Inner Line Permit or Protected Area Permit. For our tours this applies to Nubra Valley and Pangong Tso in Ladakh; the permits are included in the tour price and arranged by our team in Leh. Travellers to the Andaman Islands, Sikkim or Arunachal Pradesh also need permits – ask us if you want to extend your trip there.
Frequently asked questions
Only Japanese, South Korean and UAE citizens (with previous Indian visas) qualify for a visa on arrival. Everyone else should apply for the e-Visa online in advance.
No. Tourist e-Visas cannot be extended or converted. Plan your stay within the permitted days.
Yes. Every traveller, including infants, needs an individual e-Visa linked to their own passport.
Still have questions? Our team answers within one working day. Call +44 7915 382603, write to contact@visit-to-india.com or see the FAQ.