India's visa portal now lets travelers move valid e-Visas to a new passport if the old one is lost, stolen, or not returned. The service works only for one-year and five-year authorizations, not shorter visas.
Travelers who still have both passports can continue using the old rule: present both documents at immigration. Official details on processing time and fees have not yet been announced.
India's online visa portal introduced a new feature to transfer an active e-Visa or ETA from an old passport to a new one. The service allows eligible travelers to submit a request online and upload new documents rather than apply for a fresh visa.
The transfer service has clear limits:
The portal requires travelers to select one of three reasons: loss of passport, theft of passport, or non-return of old passport. There is no option for routine passport renewal when the old passport is still held.
To request a transfer, upload a new photo and a copy of your new passport's biographical page. You will also need to provide your new passport number, issue date, expiration date, and the reason for the transfer.
The portal will verify your eligibility and existing authorization before processing. Official guidance on processing times, any fees, and what document you receive after approval has not yet been published.
If you still have your previous passport, the existing rule remains in effect: you can travel to India with both your old and new passports, as long as both are presented at immigration. The new transfer service appears to supplement this option, not replace it.
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