Step 1: Determine Your Visa Category
Identify the appropriate visa type based on your travel purpose. India offers e-Visa in 14 sub-categories including e-Tourist Visa for 30 days, 1 year, or 5 years, e-Business Visa, e-Medical Visa, e-Medical Attendant Visa, e-Conference Visa, e-Ayush Visa, e-Ayush Attendant Visa, e-Student Visa, e-Student Dependent Visa, e-Transit Visa, e-Mountaineering Visa, e-Film Visa, e-Entry Visa, and e-Production Investment Visa. Consider your intended duration of stay and entry requirements. Verify current visa policies as regulations frequently change.
Step 2: Gather Required Documentation
Collect essential documents including:
- Valid passport with minimum 6 months validity from date of arrival in India
- Recent passport-sized photograph with white background, less than 1 MB in file size
- Passport scan of bio page, clear and in color
- Supporting documents specific to your visa category
- Return ticket or onward journey ticket and sufficient financial means for your stay
Ensure your passport has at least two blank pages for stamping by the Immigration Officer on arrival. All documents must be in English language.
Step 3: Complete Online Application
For e-Visa applications, access the official Indian visa online portal at indianvisaonline.gov.in or use the official Indian Visa Su-Swagatam Mobile App. Provide personal details, passport information, travel dates, and your entry or exit airports with complete accuracy, as small errors can delay approval. The entire process takes 10 to 15 minutes to complete the application and make the payment. For regular visa applications, fill the online application form, then print the completed application, sign it, and submit the physical copy along with supporting documents and passport to the Indian Visa Application Center or directly at the Indian Mission on the scheduled appointed date.
Step 4: Upload Required Documents and Pay Fees
Upload a clear passport-size photo and a scanned copy of your passport bio page. Visa fees depend on the visa type, duration, and nationality of the applicant. Short-term tourist visas usually cost less, while long-term tourist visas, business visas, and medical visas cost more. All fees must be paid online and are non-refundable, even if the visa application is rejected. Payment channels include credit and debit card transactions for all cards issued internationally by Visa and MasterCard.
Step 5: Receive Electronic Travel Authorization
In most cases, e-Visa applications are approved within 3 to 5 working days. However, during peak travel seasons or if additional verification is required, processing time may increase. It is wise to apply at least 10 days in advance. For regular paper visas processed through Indian Missions, visa processing requires a minimum of 3 working days. Your e-Visa approval letter, known as Electronic Travel Authorization or ETA, arrives by email. Print it and carry a copy for both arrival and hotel check-ins.
Step 6: Track Application Status
Monitor your application progress through official tracking systems using your reference number. The status of visa applications can be checked on the link for Visa Enquiry. The e-Visa fee payment status may take up to 2 hours to update due to technical reasons or network delays. Wait for 2 hours for payment status updating after final submission before re-applying.
Step 7: Attend Biometric Enrollment if Required
For regular visa applications, biometric requirements apply to all visa types including short stay, long stay, and transit. If required to provide biometric information, you must attend at a visa application center where you can enroll your biometric information after submitting your application. Biometric data consists of 10 fingerprints collected via scanner and photo captured by facial cameras. The process is quick, discreet, and non-intrusive. Applicants below age 12 years or above 70 years are exempted from fingerprint requirements. For e-Visa holders, biometric details will be mandatorily captured at Immigration on arrival in India.
Step 8: Arrival in India
Carry a copy of your Electronic Travel Authorization along with your passport at the time of travel. Confirm that your ETA status shows as GRANTED on the official website prior to commencement of your journey. Entry into India with e-Visa is allowed only through designated 31 international airports and 6 major Indian seaports. You can exit India from any authorized immigration checkpoint. If you have obtained a new passport after receiving your e-Visa, entry will be allowed on the new passport, but you must also carry the old passport on which the e-Visa was granted. Verify all details for accuracy upon entry.
Step 9: If Application is Rejected
E-Visa processing fees once submitted are non-refundable as the fee is for processing of the application and is not dependent on either grant or rejection of the application. If rejected, review reasons provided and consider reapplication with corrected information or additional documentation. Consult the official e-visa portal helpline or contact support for clarification on rejection reasons.
.svg)
.svg)
.svg)
.svg)
.svg){kind=small}
.svg)
.svg)
.svg)
.svg)
.svg)
