Who can apply? How does it work? Requirement

Understanding the Indian e-Tourist Visa Process

A step-by-step guide for eligible foreign nationals planning a trip to India — no embassy visit required.

What Is the Indian e-Tourist Visa?

The Indian e-Tourist Visa (eTV) is an electronic travel authorisation issued by the Government of India that allows eligible foreign nationals to visit India for tourism, short-term medical treatment, or casual business visits. Unlike a traditional visa, it is issued entirely online — no in-person appointment, no physical stamp in your passport, and no need to mail your documents to an Indian embassy or consulate.

The visa is linked electronically to your passport number, which means immigration officers at Indian ports of entry can verify it directly through their system. You are, however, required to carry a printed copy of your approval email at all times during your stay.

👉 Fully electronic: No physical visa sticker or stamp is placed in your passport.

👉 Linked to your passport: The authorization is tied to your specific passport number.

👉 Multiple entry: The e-Tourist Visa allows multiple entries into India within the validity period.

👉 Stay duration: Eligible nationals can stay between 90 and 180 days per visit, depending on their country of citizenship.

How to Apply: Indian e-Tourist Visa The Step-by-Step Process

Applying for an Indian e-Tourist Visa is designed to be straightforward. The entire process takes place online, and most applicants can complete their application in under 15 minutes. The key is to have your documents ready before you begin, as the form must be submitted in one session — there is no option to save a draft and return later.

Once your application is submitted, the processing is handled by the Indian immigration authorities. You do not need to follow up or send anything by post. All communication is done by email.

Complete the online application form

Fill in your personal details, travel dates, and passport information on the official e-Visa portal. All fields are mandatory.

How does the Indian e-Tourist Visa work?

Upload your documents

Attach a scanned copy of your passport’s bio-data page (PDF, 10–300 KB) and a recent digital photograph (JPEG, 10 KB–1 MB) meeting official specifications.

Pay the visa fee

Pay the applicable fee online by credit or debit card. The fee varies by nationality and visa duration. It is non-refundable regardless of outcome.

Receive your application reference number

After submission, you receive a receipt number by email. Use it to track the status of your application on the official portal.

Receive your approval and print it

Once approved — typically within 4 working days — you receive a confirmation email. Print it and carry it with you throughout your trip.

Validity, Entry, and Length of Stay

Once issued, the Indian e-Tourist Visa is valid for 365 days from the date of approval. It allows multiple entries into India, meaning you can leave and re-enter the country within that period without applying for a new visa. However, the total continuous stay permitted per entry is between 90 and 180 days, depending on your nationality.

It is important to note that the 365-day validity clock starts from the approval date, not from your first date of entry into India. If you do not travel within those 365 days, the visa expires and you would need to apply again.

Visa validity: 365 days from the date of approval.
Maximum stay per entry: 90 days for most nationalities; 180 days for citizens of select countries including the USA, UK, Canada, and Japan.
Multiple entry: You may enter and exit India more than once during the 365-day validity period.
Application window: Apply no earlier than 240 days before travel and no later than 4 days before your arrival date.

The e-Tourist Visa cannot be extended or converted to another visa category once inside India. If you need a longer stay, you must apply for the appropriate visa category through an Indian embassy before travel.

Arriving in India with an e-Tourist Visa

The Indian e-Tourist Visa is valid for entry through designated immigration checkpoints, including major international airports such as Delhi (Indira Gandhi International), Mumbai (Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International), Bengaluru (Kempegowda International), and several others. Entry is not permitted through all ports — holders should verify that their point of entry is an authorised eVisa checkpoint before travel.

Upon arrival, you will pass through standard immigration procedures. The officer will scan your passport, verify the electronic visa record in the system, and review your printed confirmation. It is therefore essential to carry both your valid passport and the printed copy of your e-Tourist Visa approval at all times.

Print your approval email: Carry a hard copy throughout your trip — it is required at immigration.
Authorised entry points: Entry is only permitted through designated airports and seaports that support eVisa processing.
Passport validity: Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your date of arrival in India.
Blank passport pages: Ensure you have at least two blank pages in your passport for entry and exit stamps.

No Embassy Visit Required

One of the principal advantages of the Indian e-Tourist Visa is that the entire process is handled online. Applicants do not need to visit an Indian embassy, consulate, or visa application center, and there is no requirement to submit original documents or surrender your passport at any point. This makes the process accessible to travelers regardless of their proximity to an Indian diplomatic mission.

The application form, document upload, fee payment, and status tracking are all managed through the official online portal. Once approved, the visa is delivered electronically to your registered email address — no physical dispatch, no waiting for documents to be returned by post.

Good to Know

Visa requirements, eligible nationalities, and permitted ports of entry are subject to change by the Indian government without prior notice. It is strongly recommended that you verify the current requirements on the official Indian e-Visa portal each time you plan to travel, even if you have obtained an e-Tourist Visa before.

Processing times may also vary during public holidays or peak travel seasons, so applying well in advance — ideally 2 to 3 weeks before travel — is advisable.

How does the Indian e-Tourist Visa work – Q&As

The e-Tourist Visa comes in three duration options: 30 days, 1 year (365 days), and 5 years. The 1-year and 5-year options allow multiple entries, but the continuous stay per visit must not exceed 90 days for most nationalities, or 180 days for citizens of the USA, UK, Canada, and Japan. The 30-day option permits double entry only, with a maximum stay of 30 days in total.

No. Since the Indian e-Tourist Visa is issued electronically, you do not need to visit an Indian embassy, consulate, or diplomatic mission at any point. You do not need to submit or send your original passport or any physical documents. The entire process — from application to approval — is completed online.

The application is completed entirely online. You will need to fill out the official application form and upload two documents: a scanned copy of your passport’s bio-data page and a recent digital photograph meeting the official specifications (front-facing, white background, correct file size). The application is liable to be rejected if the uploaded photo or passport scan does not meet the required standards, so it is important to review the specifications carefully before submitting.

After submitting your application, processing takes a minimum of 4 working days — not calendar days. The 4-to-5-day estimate is a general guide, but processing times may be longer during public holidays or peak travel seasons. It is advisable to apply at least 2 to 3 weeks before your intended travel date to allow adequate time.