india tourist visa how much

Here's how to get a visa to visit India

Dec 20, 2023 • 7 min read

From applying for an e-Visa to extending your stay, here's what you need to know about entry requirements for India © beavera / Getty Images

With its dense tapestry of cultures and landscapes, India feels like dozens of countries rolled into one, but a single visa will cover you for travel across more than 3 million sq km (more than a million sq miles) of territory, taking in everything from steamy jungles to the high passes of the Himalayas.

Every Indian state is as large and diverse as a nation, so take your time navigating this enormous and fascinating country. The good news is that visas are easy to obtain and allow plenty of time for exploring.

Here’s everything you need to know about visa requirements for India, from the application process for e-Visas to overland travel and extending your stay.

You'll probably need a visa to go to India

Almost everyone needs a visa to visit India , but for most nationalities, tourist visas are easy to obtain online or through your local Indian embassy or consulate. Citizens of 166 countries – including most nations in the EU and EEA, the UK, the US, Australia and New Zealand, and many countries in Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Latin America – can apply for an e-Visa before traveling via a simple online form .

Applying online is a fairly painless process, and it will save you hours compared to applying in person at an embassy or through a visa agency (in countries where Indian embassies no longer issue visas directly). Tourist e-Visas are available with a validity of 30 days, one year or five years, with the one- and five-year visas allowing for multiple entries for a maximum stay of 180 days on each visit.

For one- and five-year tourist visas, applications are accepted up to 120 days in advance of travel. The 30-day visa allows two entries into India, which is handy if you’re planning a side trip to Nepal , and you can apply up to 30 days in advance of travel. All e-Visas take at least 72 hours to process, so be sure to apply in plenty of time (at least 4 days in advance is recommended).

Applying online is the most hassle-free way to obtain a visa

The Indian government’s online e-Visa portal can be used to apply for tourist visas, business visas, and visas for medical treatment and attending conferences. The cost and duration of the visa vary depending on your nationality, and you may need to show proof of return travel arrangements and sufficient funds to support yourself during your trip.

Rules for non-tourist visas can be complex. Business travelers usually need to provide letters of introduction from Indian companies and organizations that they plan to meet. Assuming you meet the requirements, business visas are usually valid for multiple entries over the space of one year.

Working for an Indian company is more complicated. You’ll need an employment visa and a work permit, and most people need a firm job offer and assistance from an Indian employer to complete the paperwork. As with all visa requirements, the situation is subject to change; contact your local Indian embassy or consulate for the most up-to-date information.

Applying for a tourist e-Visa is fairly straightforward

To apply for an Indian e-Visa, visit the government’s official e-Visa portal . You’ll need to upload a digital passport-style photo and copies of your passport ID pages, and pay the visa fee, which varies depending on your nationality.

Your passport must be valid for six months beyond the date of entry, and you’ll need two spare pages for the visa, which will be physically stamped into your passport on arrival. Assuming your application is accepted – which is the case for most applicants – you’ll receive a digital Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA), which you should print out and carry with you when you travel, so you can present it to the immigration authorities on arrival. 

Enter India via air or sea on your e-Visa

E-Visas allow entry to India through 25 designated airports: Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum), Bengaluru (Bangalore), Hyderabad, Kochi (Cochin), Goa, Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Gaya, Jaipur, Lucknow, Trichy (Tiruchirappalli), Varanasi, Kozhikode (Calicut), Mangaluru (Mangalore), Pune, Nagpur, Coimbatore, Bagdogra, Guwahati, Chandigarh and Visakhapatnam.

They’re also valid for entry via the designated seaports at Mumbai, Chennai, Kochi, New Mangalore and Mormugao (in Goa).

Apply for a visa before you travel to enter India overland

If you plan to enter India overland – for example, from Nepal or Pakistan – you’ll need a visa stamped into your passport before you leave home, which you’ll need to obtain from the Indian embassy or consulate in your home country, or through an approved visa application office.

If you plan to visit India and Nepal on the same trip, get a multiple-entry visa – it used to be possible to arrange a new Indian tourist visa through the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu , but the authorities may now insist on a two-month gap before issuing a new visa.

There’s no need to worry about applying for a visa for Nepal in advance – they’re available on arrival at border crossings (bring passport photos and US dollars to pay the fee).

If you can't apply for an e-Visa, get one in person in advance

Contact your local embassy or consulate to check the application process in your country; the Indian Ministry of External Affairs maintains a list of diplomatic missions online. It’s best to apply for a visa in your home country – obtaining an Indian visa from an embassy in another country can be tortuously slow, assuming it’s possible at all. Fees and the permitted duration of stay will vary depending on your nationality.

As an alternative to applying through an Indian embassy or consulate, you may be able to apply for a visa through a visa agency – however, this tends to be more expensive than applying directly. In practice, many of these agencies just collect together applications and then send over a staff member to the embassy to apply in person.

Student visas are available to those on full-time courses in India

Student visas are reserved for people enrolled in approved full-time educational courses in India (which can include training courses in yoga, meditation, and traditional Indian art forms). Student visas are valid for up to five years, depending on the length of the course, but the rules are strict, and you’ll need documentation from the institution where you are studying to apply. The Ministry of Home Affairs provides some information online, but contact your local Indian embassy or consulate for the most up-to-date requirements.

Extending your stay in India is for exceptional circumstances only

E-Visas cannot be extended, but other types of visas can, though only in exceptional circumstances, such as medical emergencies or theft of your passport. To apply, you’ll need to use the government’s special online portal , providing evidence of a valid reason for extending your stay in India (e.g., a letter from the hospital where you are being treated or a police report).

You may then be called in for an in-person interview at the Foreigners’ Regional Registration Office (FRRO) in Delhi. If there is a fee, it will be made clear during the application process.

Some border areas in India require additional travel permits

Under a system carried over from British colonial rule, special permits (known as “protected area permits” or “restricted area permits”) are required to visit many areas close to India’s disputed external borders with China , Pakistan and other territories – a zone known as the “inner line.” Applying for these permits outside India is tricky, but you can apply locally in India without too much difficulty.

Permits are especially important for highly sensitive border areas (which tend to be off-limits to all travelers). Applications can be made through local government offices or local travel agencies; contact the state government offices for these regions to get the latest information. In some areas, you may need to register with the local Foreigners Regional Registration Office on arrival, but this is an easy process.

This article was first published Mar 12, 2022 and updated Dec 20, 2023.

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Visa Traveler

Exploring the world one country at a time

India tourist visa from the embassy in 2023: A complete guide

Published: June 7, 2023

This article is a complete guide to obtaining India tourist visa from the embassy or consulate. You can learn everything about India tourist visa types, requirements, eligibility, documents needed, fee and application procedure.

Indian missions around the world issue India tourist visas for those that require a visa to enter India. Most nationalities are eligible to apply for an e-Visa or Visa on Arrival. But there are a handful of nationalities that are not eligible. These nationalities must apply for a tourist visa at their nearest Indian embassy or consulate. 

Nationalities that are eligible for India e-Visa or India Visa on Arrival are also eligible to apply for an Indian tourist visa from their nearest Indian embassy or consulate. There may be occasions where a tourist visa from the embassy is a better choice than an India e-Visa or India Visa on Arrival . For example, US nationals can get a 10-year tourist visa from the embassy vs an Indian e-Visa which is only valid for 5 years. So a tourist visa from the embassy is a better choice in this case.

There are three types of tourist visa categories T-1, T-2 and T-3. T-1 is for tourists. T-2 is for tour groups and T-3 is for cruise passengers. 

Table of Contents

Requirements for india tourist visa from the embassy (sticker visa).

Who is required to apply for India tourist visa?

Following nationalities are REQUIRED to apply for an Indian tourist visa from the embassy in order to travel to India.

• Congo, Dem. of
• Congo, Dem. Rep. of
• North Korea
• Saudi Arabia
• South Sudan
• Turkmenistan

NOTE Nationals who are eligible to apply for e-Visa or Visa on Arrival can also apply for an India tourist visa from the embassy. 

Pakistan citizens are restricted from obtaining Indian tourist visas from the embassy. They must apply for a special visa. 

Anyone of Pakistan origin is granted only a 3-month single-entry tourist visa. Applicants whose parents or grandparents were born or ever lived in Pakistan are considered of Pakistan origin. 

What are the different types of India tourist visas available?

Indian embassies offer three types of tourist visas depending on whether the applicant is an individual, a tour group or a cruise passenger. Below is a summary of the three categories of Indian tourist visas offered at the embassy. 

NOTE For this article, we will focus only on the T-1 category meant for individual tourists. 

What is the validity of India tourist visa?

India tourist visa is valid for 1 year, 5 years and 10 years. Your tourist visa validity varies depending on your nationality. Below is a summary of various nationalities and the corresponding tourist visa validity. 

How many days can you stay in India on a tourist visa?

You can stay up to 90 days in India on a tourist visa. Canada, Japan and US nationals can stay up to 180 days. Below is the summary of permitted stay for your tourist visa depending on your nationality.

How many times can you enter India on tourist visa?

All tourist visas from India are multiple-entry, except for those of Pakistan origin. That means you can enter India as many times as you like. But there are some restrictions on how frequently you can enter India on your multiple-entry visa.

When can you enter India on a tourist visa?

You can enter India anytime during the validity of your tourist visa. You are allowed to stay 90 days on each entry (or 180 days if you are a Canada, Japan, UK or US national).

Even if you enter India on the last day of your visa validity, you will still be given 90 days of entry (or 180 days if you are a Canada, Japan, UK or US national)

When should you apply for India tourist visa?

Indian tourist visas can be applied for up to 180 days in advance. But the latest is 30 days as the visa processing takes 15-20 calendar days in some locations. 

Where should you apply for Indian tourist visa?

You can apply for an India tourist visa from any Indian embassy/consulate in any country. You don’t have to be a citizen or resident of that country. You can be a tourist as well. 

In case you are a non-resident or a tourist in a country, the Indian embassy where you have applied may consult the Indian embassy in your home country for the visa process. This usually does not delay the visa process. 

Which airports or land borders you can enter India from using tourist visa?

You can enter India from all international airports, sea ports and land borders using an India tourist visa obtained from the Indian Embassy. There are no restrictions on where you can enter or exit the country with a tourist visa.

What is the minimum passport validity required for India tourist visa?

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of arrival.

How many blank pages are required in the passport for India tourist visa?

You need at least two blank pages in your passport for your Indian tourist visa. One blank page is necessary for the visa sticker and another is for entry and exit stamps when entering and leaving India. 

What are the documents needed for India tourist visa?

The following documents are needed for tourist visa.

• Completed and signed India visa application form
• One digital photo for the online application
• One physical photograph to affix on the completed application form
• Proof of residence (ID, passport or visa)

What are the India tourist visa photo requirements?

You must upload one digital photo during your online application. The photo must meet the following specifications.

• Must be in JPG or JPEG format only
• Must be a minimum of 10 KB and a maximum of 300 KB
• Must be square in dimensions
• Must not have any borders
• Background must be white or light color
• Must not have any shadows on the face or on the background
• Must show full head from the top of the hair to the bottom of the chin
• Head must be about 1 inch to 1 ⅜ inches, i.e roughly 25mm to 35mm
• Eye height must be between 1 ⅛ inches to 1 ⅜ inches

What is the current India tourist visa fee?

The visa fee varies depending on the visa period, the embassy’s location and the nationality. For example, the fee for a 10-year India visa for a US citizen applying from the US is $160 plus VFS charges. The fee for a 1 year India visa for Bangladesh nationals applying from Bangladesh is free of charge. 

What is the current India tourist visa processing time?

The India tourist visa processing time is 3 working days the application is submitted directly at the Indian embassy/consulate. 

The processing time is 15 calendar days or more if applied through a visa application center such as VFS. 

Whether you must apply at the visa application center or directly at an Indian mission depends on your location and whether or not the Indian embassy/consulate has outsourced its visa application process. 

INDIA TOURIST VISA APPLICATION PROCESS

How to apply for Indian tourist visa from the embassy?

The India tourist visa application is a two-step process.

STEP 1: Online Application

Step 2: appointment.

The first step in the Indian tourist visa application process is to fill out an online application on the India visa portal . 

If you are a family or group, each person must complete one online application form. There is no family application. Similarly, each person must schedule one separate visa appointment for document submission. 

In the online application, you must select the Indian embassy/consulate where you plan to apply for your visa. 

After filling out the application, you must print and sign it. 

If the Indian embassy/consulate did not outsource the visa application to a visa application center, then you can walk into the embassy/consulate any day to pay the fee and submit your visa application. 

If the Indian embassy/consulate has outsourced the visa process to a visa application center, then you will have to go to the visa application center’s website and schedule an appointment. You may be able to pay the visa fee while scheduling the appointment. 

On the day of the appointment, you must submit your completed and signed application form, photographs and original passport. You must also pay the fee if you haven’t while scheduling the appointment. 

If there is no visa application center near you, you can also send your completed application and documents to the visa application center by mail. 

Word of caution on India tourist visa fake websites

If you search on the internet, you will see that there are many Indian visa websites posing as “official websites”. There is ONLY one OFFICIAL website for Indian tourist visas. The rest are all fake. The OFFICIAL website is below.

India tourist visa OFFICIAL website: https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/index.html  

How to track India tourist visa application?

If applied directly at an Indian embassy or consulate: There is no option to track your application. But the processing time is fairly quick. The Indian mission where you are applying will tell you when to come back and pick up your passport, which is usually within 3 working days. 

If applied at a visa application center such as VFS: You can track your visa application status on the visa application center’s website. 

How to receive the approved India tourist visa?

If applied directly at an Indian embassy or consulate: At the time of submitting your documents at the embassy, the visa officer will tell you when to come back to pick up your passport. You will simply have to go back on that day to pick up your passport with your India visa. 

If applied at a visa application center such as VFS: When your visa is processed, you will be notified by email to pick up your passport. If you have opted for returning the passport via mail/courier, your passport will have mailed to your address.

Is there a priority service for India tourist visa?

Unfortunately, there is no priority visa service for Indian tourist visas. You must apply at least 30 calendar days prior to your travel to avoid any delays. Or you can opt for an India e-Visa which usually is processed within 72 hours. 

How to contact India tourist visa customer service?

You will have to contact your nearest embassy or the visa application center for any questions.

WRITTEN BY THIRUMAL MOTATI

Thirumal Motati is an expert in tourist visa matters. He has been traveling the world on tourist visas for more than a decade. With his expertise, he has obtained several tourist visas, including the most strenuous ones such as the US, UK, Canada, and Schengen, some of which were granted multiple times. He has also set foot inside US consulates on numerous occasions. Mr. Motati has uncovered the secrets to successful visa applications. His guidance has enabled countless individuals to obtain their visas and fulfill their travel dreams. His statements have been mentioned in publications like Yahoo, BBC, The Hindu, and Travel Zoo.

PLAN YOUR TRAVEL WITH VISA TRAVELER

I highly recommend using these websites to plan your trip. I use these websites myself to apply for my visas, book my flights and hotels and purchase my travel insurance.

01. Apply for your visa

Get a verifiable flight itinerary for your visa application from DummyTicket247 . DummyTicket247 is a flight search engine to search and book flight itineraries for visas instantly. These flight itineraries are guaranteed to be valid for 2 weeks and work for all visa applications.

02. Book your fight

Find the cheapest flight tickets using Skyscanner . Skyscanner includes all budget airlines and you are guaranteed to find the cheapest flight to your destination.

03. Book your hotel

Book your hotel from Booking.com . Booking.com has pretty much every hotel, hostel and guesthouse from every destination.

04. Get your onward ticket

If traveling on a one-way ticket, use BestOnwardTicket to get proof of onward ticket for just $12, valid for 48 hours.

05. Purchase your insurance

Purchase travel medical insurance for your trip from SafetyWing . Insurance from SafetyWing covers COVID-19 and also comes with a visa letter which you can use for your visas.

Need more? Check out my travel resources page  for the best websites to plan your trip.

LEGAL DISCLAIMER We are not affiliated with immigration, embassies or governments of any country. The content in this article is for educational and general informational purposes only, and shall not be understood or construed as, visa, immigration or legal advice. Your use of information provided in this article is solely at your own risk and you expressly agree not to rely upon any information contained in this article as a substitute for professional visa or immigration advice. Under no circumstance shall be held liable or responsible for any errors or omissions in this article or for any damage you may suffer in respect to any actions taken or not taken based on any or all of the information in this article. Please refer to our full disclaimer for further information.

AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. Please refer to our full disclosure for further information.

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Your Essential Guide to Getting an E-Visa for India

Understanding India's New Electronic Visa Scheme (Updated)

All visitors to India require a visa , except for citizens of neighboring Nepal and Bhutan. Visitors must either apply for a regular visa or an e-Visa (citizens of Japan and South Korea can also get a visa on arrival at six major airports in India). The e-Visa is hassle-free to obtain, and will be suitable for most tourists. Here's what you need to know about it.

Latest News as of September 2019

Three types of e-Tourist visas are now available with validity of one-month, one-year and five-years. The one-month e-Tourist Visa permits two entries. The one-year and five-year e-Tourist visas allow multiple entries but are subject to limitations on length of continuous stay. The fee for the one-year e-Tourist Visa has been reduced, while the fee for the new one-month e-Tourist Visa is discounted during the off-peak summer season from April to September.

The Indian government introduced a tourist visa on arrival scheme on January 1, 2010. It was initially trialed for citizens of five countries. Subsequently, a year later, it was extended to include a total of 11 countries. And, from April 15, 2014 it was extended to include South Korea.

Effective November 27, 2014, this visa on arrival scheme was replaced by an online Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) scheme. It has been implemented in phases and progressively made available to more countries.

In April 2015, the scheme was renamed "e-Tourist Visa" by the Indian government, to remove confusion over the previous ability to get a visa on arrival without applying in advance.

In April 2017, the scheme was further extended to passport holders of 158 countries (up from 150 countries).

The Indian government has also widened the scope of the visa scheme to include short duration medical treatment and yoga courses, and casual business visits and conferences. Previously, these required separate medical/student/business visas.

The aim is to make getting an Indian visa easier, and to bring more business people and medical tourists into the country.

To facilitate this change, in April 2017, the "e-Tourist Visa" scheme became known as "e-Visa". Furthermore, it was divided into three categories:

• e-Tourist Visa
• e-Business Visa
• e-Medical Visa

Two additional categories—e-Medical Attendant Visa and e-Conference Visa—have since been added. Up to two e-Medical Attendant visas will be granted against one e-Medical Visa.

The visa categories can be clubbed together. However, e-Conference visas are only permitted to be clubbed with e-Tourist visas.

Be sure to research the different types of Indian visas .

Who is Eligible for an E-Visa?

Passport holders of the following 165 countries: Albania, Andorra, Angola, Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Bolivia, Benin, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Cayman Island, Chile, China, Hong Kong, Macau, Colombia, Comoros, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Cote D'lvoire, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, East Timor, Ecuador, El Salvador, Eritrea, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lesotho, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Montserrat, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger Republic, Niue Island, Norway, Oman, Palau, Palestine, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Christopher and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and The Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Island, Tuvalu, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Uruguay, USA, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Vatican City-Holy See, Venezuela, Vietnam, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

However, do note that if your parents or grandparents were born in or lived in Pakistan, you will be ineligible to get an e-Visa even if you're a citizen of the above countries. You will have to apply for a normal visa.

What is the Procedure for Obtaining an E-Visa?

Applications must be made online at this website, no less than four days and no more than 30 days before the date of travel (for a 30-day tourist e-visa). A sample form with screen shots can be downloaded here .

As well as entering you travel details, you will need to upload a photograph of yourself with a white background that meets the specifications listed on the website, and the photo page of your passport that shows your personal details. Your passport will need to be valid for at least six months. Additional documents may be required depending on the type of e-Visa required.

Following this, pay the fee online with your debit or credit card. You will receive an Application ID and the ETA will be sent to you via email within three to five days (often earlier). The status of your application can be checked here . Make sure it shows "GRANTED" before you travel.

You will need to have a copy of the ETA with you when you arrive in India, and present it at the immigration counter at the airport. An immigration officer will stamp your passport with your e-Visa for entry into India. Your biometric data will also be captured at this time.

You should have a return ticket and enough money to spend during your stay in India.

What are the Fees?

The visa fees depend on the nature of the reciprocal relationship between India and each country. Citizens of some countries can get visas free of cost. There are also differing fees for e-Tourists visas and other types of e-Visas. The details can be found in this e-Tourist Visa Fee Chart and Fee Chart for Other E-Visa Types .

Citizens of the following countries are entitled to free visas:

• Argentina, Cook Islands, Fiji, Indonesia, Jamaica, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Micronesia, Myanmar, Nauru, Niue Island, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Seychelles, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Tonga, Tuvalu, Uruguay and Vanuatu.

Citizens of all other countries, except Japan, now pay the same fees for e-Tourist visas. These are as follows:

• One-month e-Tourist Visa (April to June): $10.
• One-month e-Tourist Visa (remainder of the year) : $25
• One-year e-Tourist Visa : $40.
• Five-year e-Tourist Visa : $80.

Japanese citizens only pay $25 for one-year and five-year e-Tourist visas.

The fees for other types of e-Visas are as follows:

• $100 Citizens of US, UK, Russia, Ukraine and Mozambique.
• $80 : Citizens of the majority of countries including Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Hong Kong, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Jordan, Kenya, Malaysia, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam.
• $25: Citizens of Japan, Singapore and Sri Lanka.

In addition to the visa fee, a bank charge of 2.5% of the fee must be paid.

How Long is the Visa Valid For?

The one-month e-Tourist Visa is valid for 30 days from the date of arrival in India, with two entries permitted. One-year and five-year e-Tourist visas are valid for 365 days from the date the ETA is granted, with multiple entries permitted.

E-Business visas are valid for one year from the date the ETA is granted, with multiple entries permitted.

E-Medical and e-Medical Attendant visas are valid for 60 days from the date of arrival in India. E-Conference visas are only valid for 30 days from the date of arrival. Three entries are permitted on e-Medical visas and e-Medical Attendant visas. Only one entry is permitted on e-Conference visas. The visas are non-extendable and non-convertible.

How Long Can You Stay in India?

It's important to note that although your e-Tourist Visa may be valid for one year or five years, this doesn't mean you can stay in India continuously for the whole time. The length of continuous stay must not be longer than 90 days—except for citizens of US, UK, Japan and Canada. Citizens of these countries can stay for up to 180 days at a time.

Citizens of all countries can stay in India for up to 180 days continuously on an e-Business visa.

Which Indian Entry Points Accept E-Visas?

You can now enter at the following 28 international airports in India : Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Bagdogra, Bangalore, Bhubaneshwar, Calicut, Chennai, Chandigarh, Kochi, Coimbatore, Delhi, Gaya, Goa, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Madurai, Mangalore, Mumbai, Nagpur, Port Blair, Pune, Tiruchirapalli, Trivandrum, Varanasi, and Vishakhapatnam.

You can also enter at the following five designated seaports: Kochi, Goa, Mangalore, Mumbai, Chennai.

In addition, separate immigration desks and help counters have been set up to assist medical tourists at Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, and Hyderabad airports.

Once you have the e-Visa, you can leave India (and return) through any immigration point.

How Often Can You Get an E-Visa?

You can apply as often as you want. The limit on the number of times in a calendar year has been removed.

Visiting Protected/Restricted Areas with Your E-Visa

The e-Visa is not valid for entry into areas such as Arunachal Pradesh in Northeast India, by itself. You'll need to obtain a separate Protected Area Permit (PAP) or Inner Line Permit (ILP), depending on the requirements of the particular area. This can be done in India after you arrive, using your e-Visa. You don't need to hold a regular tourist visa to be able to apply for a PAP. Your travel or tour agent can take care of the arrangements for you. If you're planning on visiting Northeast India, you can read more about permit requirements here.

Need Help with Your Application?

Call +91-11-24300666 or email [email protected]

Important: Scams to be Aware of

When applying for your e-Visa, do be aware that a number of commercial websites have been created to look similar to the government of India's official website, and they claim to provide online visa services to tourists. These websites include but are not limited to:

• e-visaindia.com
• e-touristvisaindia.com
• indianvisaonline.org.in

The websites do not belong to the government of India and they will charge you hefty service fees.

Expediting Your E-Visa

If you do need to get your e-Visa in a hurry, iVisa.com offers 24-hour and 2-day processing times. However, this comes at a price— $100 for 24-hours, and $65 for 2-days. Their standard fee for a 4-day processing time is $35. These fees are all additional to the e-Visa fee. The company is legitimate and reliable though.

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Fake Indian Currency and How to Spot It

How to a Make an Indian Railways Train Reservation

15 Easy Ways to Save Money on Your India Trip

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Essential Guide to Domestic Airlines in India

How To Apply & Get An Indian e-Visa Online

India has some amazing architecture and natural sights, with famous landmarks like the Taj Mahal in Agra, and snow capped mountains in the Himalayas.

Most nationalities (except for Bhutanese and Nepali citizens) will need a visa to visit India, which is given in the form of an electronic Indian visa (eVisa) since November 2014.

This guide explains everything about how to get an Indian tourist visa using the e-Visa India website! I wrote it in 2019 and last updated it in 2024.

I went through this process as a tourist, but the process on the e-Visa India website is very similar for the other visa categories as well.

What Is The India eVisa?

The Indian e-Visa is for visitors coming to India on a short term trip for sightseeing, visiting friends or relatives, short term medical treatment or casual business related things.

The 5 eVisa types are as follows: e-Tourist, e-Business, e-Medical, e-Medical Attendant, or e-Conference.

The eVisa is valid for 30 days, 1 year, or 5 years from the date of your arrival in India, and it’s a double entry visa (for e-Tourist or e-Business), single entry visa (e-Conference), or triple entry visa (e-Medical). It’s non-extendable and non-convertible.

You can apply and pay online anywhere from 4 to 120 days in advance of your date of arrival in India, but no later than 4 days prior to arrival, otherwise the application will not be processed.

The eVisa is valid for entry through 26 designated airports and 5 seaports in India, including Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur, and Goa. The full list of airports and seaports permitted for the India eVisa can be found here (click the Instructions For Applicant link on the left side).  

Who Is The eVisa Available To?

The eVisa is available to US citizens and those of 170+ other places , and the fee depends on your country/territory.

The current fee for American citizens and other countries can be found in their full list of fees by country on the website .

An additional bank transaction charge of 2.5% may be applicable on the eVisa India online website.

The visa fee is non-refundable, even if for some reason your application is rejected.  

How Can I Get The India eVisa?

The visa process may sound complicated, but don’t worry, it’s actually pretty simple! Here it is broken down in 4 short steps:

• 1. Apply Online. You will need to submit an application with a personal photo and passport page.
• 2. Pay Visa Fee. Credit or debit cards (or Paypal) are accepted for online payment.
• 3. Receive e-Visa. The visa will be sent to you by email.
• 4. Visit India. You will need to print the India eVisa and carry it with you at the time of travel.

Before You Apply For The Indian e-Visa

It’s important to fill out your visa application completely and accurately, otherwise it may be rejected.

Before applying on the eVisa India website, make sure of the following:

• Passport Validity. Your passport should have >6 months validity
• Visa Pages. Your passport should have at least 2 blank visa pages for stamping
• Sufficient Funds. You should have enough money for your stay in India (this is rarely questioned), and also a return ticket or onward ticket.

You will also need to have the following items on your computer:

• Personal Photo. This should be a recent, clear photo of your face with a white background. JPEG format is required.
• Passport Photo. This should be your main passport page with your name, date of birth, nationality, etc. PDF format is required. If you need help changing your passport image to a PDF, you can use the following website: https://smallpdf.com .

Note: If you’re applying for an e-Business or e-Medical visa, in addition to the above you will also need a copy of the business card (for the e-Business visa) or a copy of the letter from the hospital concerned in India on its letterhead (for the e-Medical visa).  

How To Apply For The India eVisa (Indian Tourist Visa)

When you’re ready to proceed, you can begin your visa application at the Indian government’s official eVisa website:

https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html

THIS IS IMPORTANT. There are other websites circulating on the internet that mimic this one or pretend to grant speedy visas, but those are often scams and they will take your money. DO NOT USE ANY OTHER WEBSITE.

I’ve provided some photos below as EXAMPLES to guide you through the application, but these are not from my actual eVisa submission. In other words, the addresses and other data I used in the images below are only examples. With that said, the pages you see in your visa application will resemble the ones shown in these images.

If anything has changed in the application process since this guide was written, please let me know in the comments at the bottom of this page and I will update the guide ASAP. I will do my best to keep this entire page up to date.

To begin your visa application, click the button circled in red that says Apply here for e-visa .

Visa Application Page 1

E-visa application.

Passport Type*:  Select Ordinary Passport Nationality*:  Select your country from the dropdown list Port Of Arrival*:  Select the airport you will be flying into Date Of Birth*: Email ID*: Re-enter Email ID*: Expected Date Of Arrival*: Visa Service*: Select from the list, and then choose an activity that best fits your trip to India Please Enter Above Text*: Enter the captcha code given

(Items above marked with  * are required.)

Page 1 of the Indian visa online application on the eVisa India website. Very straightforward.

After selecting continue, if you’re applying for the Indian tourist visa (e-Tourist), then a small message will appear: “The following documents are required to be submitted. 1) Photograph. 2) Passport.” Select OK.

(For some reason the photo dimensions here state 2″ x 2″ but when you come to the actual uploader, the correct minimum dimensions will be 350 x 350 pixels. You’ll use the latter. Side note: separate messages may appear for Business/Medical eVisa applications.)

You can ignore this message on the Indian visa application and click OK.

You have now arrived at the second page of the Indian visa online application form. It’s a good idea to write down the Temporary Application ID  because it will be required if you have issues or need to come back to your application later.  

Visa Application Page 2

Applicant details form.

Surname: Exactly as in your passport Given Name*: Exactly as in your passport Have You Ever Changed Your Name?* If yes, click the box and give details Gender*: Date Of Birth: Automatically filled in Town/City Of Birth*: Country Of Birth*: Citizenship/National ID No*:  If not applicable, type NA Religion*: Visible Identification Marks*:  List any tattoos if you have them, otherwise put NONE Education*: Nationality:  Automatically filled in Did You Acquire Nationality By Birth Or By Naturalization?* Select yours Have You Lived For At Least Two Years In The Country Where You Are Applying Visa?* Select yes or no  

Passport Details

Passport Number*: Place Of Issue*: Whatever nationality is on your passport Date Of Issue*: Date Of Expiry*: Any Other Valid Passport/Identity Certificate (IC) Held?* Yes or no. If yes, give details

Page 2 of the e-Visa India application form. Personal identification details.

Visa Application Page 3

Applicant’s address details.

House No./Street*: Village/Town/City*: Country*: State/Province/District*: Postal/ZIP Code*: Phone No.*: One phone number is required Mobile No.: Email Address: Automatically filled in Click Here For Same Address*: Click here if your permanent address is the same address as above, and then it will be applied.

Page 3 of the Indian visa online. Personal address details.

Visa Application Page 3 (continued)

Father’s details.

Name*: Nationality*: Previous Nationality:  Leave blank if it never changed. Place Of Birth*:  Use the state/province/district of birth if you don’t know the town/city Country Of Birth*:  

Mother’s Details

Name*: Nationality*: Previous Nationality: Leave blank if it never changed. Place Of Birth*:  Use the state/province/district of birth if you don’t know the town/city Country Of Birth*:

Applicant’s Marital Status:  Select whether you’re single or married. If married (or separated but not divorced), enter your spouse’s details. If divorced, just select single. Were Your Parents/Grandparents (Paternal/Maternal) Pakistan Nationals Or Belong To Pakistan Held Area?  Select yes or no  

Profession / Occupation Details Of Applicant

Present Occupation*:  Select your occupation from the dropdown list. If it’s something else, select ‘Others’ and then enter it. The image below gives an example. Employer Name/Business*: Designation: Address*:  Phone: Past Occupation, If Any: Are/Were You In A Military/Semi-Military/Police/Security Organization?* Select yes or no. If yes, a dropdown will appear asking for the following: Organisation, Designation, Rank and Place Of Posting.

Page 3 (continued). Family and occupation details for the Indian visa online.

Visa Application Page 4

Details of visa sought.

Type Of Visa:  Automatically filled in Visa Service:  Automatically filled in Places To Be Visited*: Enter any cities or areas (e.g. Delhi) you will be visiting in India Places To Be Visited Line 2:  Duration Of Visa:  Automatically filled in No. Of Entries:  Automatically filled in Port Of Arrival In India:  Automatically filled in Expected Port Of Exit From India*:  Select the correct airport from the dropdown  

Previous Visa/Currently Valid Visa Details

Have You Ever Visited India Before?*  Select yes or no. If yes, enter the name and address of the place you stayed previously. Cities In India Visited*:  Enter details from previous visits Last Indian Visa No/Currently Valid Indian Visa*:  If your previous visit was with an eVisa, the number will be written on the stamp given in passport. If you don’t know the number, type unknown. Type Of Visa*:  Tourist Place Of Issue*:  United States (if it was a regular visa). Enter the airport name in India if it was an eVisa. Date Of Issue*:  The date it was issued. For an eVisa, you can use the date of entry from the stamp on your passport, or possibly in your email. Has Permission To Visit Or To Extend Stay In India Previously Been Refused?*  Select yes or no. Hopefully the answer is no  

Other Information

Countries Visited In Last 10 Years:  List any countries you’ve recently visited. I didn’t have room to list all of them, so I included a partial list. This field is not mandatory.  

SAARC Country Visit Details

Have You Visited SAARC Countries (Except Your Own Country) During Last 3 Years?*:  The list of SAARC countries can be found in the dropdown list.

Page 4 of the eVisa application. Your travel details.

Visa Application Page 4 (continued)

Reference Name In India*:  Your accommodation details will work Address*:  For a hotel this can usually be found on Google Maps or the listing at Booking.com or Agoda.com Phone*:  For a hotel this can usually be found on their website or on Google Maps Reference Name In Home Country*:  A relative or friend will work Address*:  Phone*: 

Page 4 (continued). Travel and reference details.

Visa Application Page 5

Additional question details.

• Have You Ever Been Arrested/Prosecuted/Convicted By Court Of Law Of Any Country?*  Yes or no
• Have You Ever Been Refused Entry/Deported By Any Country Including India?* Yes or no
• Have You Ever Been Engaged In Human Trafficking / Drug Trafficking / Child Abuse / Crime Against Women / Economic Offense / Financial Fraud?* Yes or no
• Have You Ever Been Engaged In Cyber Crime / Terrorist Activities / Sabotage / Espionage / Genocide / Political Killing / Other Act Of Violence?* Yes or no
• Have You Ever By Any Means Or Medium, Expressed Views That Justify Or Glorify Terrorist Violence Or That May Encourage Others To Terrorist Acts Or Other Serious Criminal Acts?* Yes or no
• Have You Sought Asylum (Political Or Otherwise) In Any Country?* Yes or no

Page 5 of the Indian visa online application. Background questions.

Visa Application Page 6

Upload photograph.

At this point you will be asked to upload a personal photo.

If you need to come back and do this later, you can save and exit the application (but make sure to write down the Temporary Application ID  because it will be required if you want to reuse your application later).

The photo format will need to be JPEG, with a minimum size of 10 KB and a maximum size of 1 MB. Minimum dimensions are 350 pixels wide x 350 pixels high. The personal photo needs to be recent and front facing, with a white background.

The picture needs to be a clear photo of your face. You can get these done at places like Walgreens, for example. Unfortunately you cannot crop your passport photo to use for this, it needs to be a separate photo.

It’s important to follow all of these specifications and rules, otherwise your eVisa India application may be rejected. Click choose file and navigate to the photo you want to choose; then click upload photo .

After uploading the photo, you’re given an opportunity to crop the photo or upload it again if you’d like.

Page 6 of the Indian visa online guide. Upload your personal photo.

Visa Application Page 7

Upload passport.

Next, you will be asked to upload a copy of your passport page.

This should be the photo page with personal details like name, date of birth, nationality, expiration date, etc. It should match the passport details entered in your eVisa application.

The file should be in PDF format with a minimum size of 10 KB and a maximum size of 300 KB. If you need help changing your passport file from an image to a PDF, you can use the following website: https://smallpdf.com .

Again, it’s important to follow all of the specifications and rules, otherwise your eVisa application may be rejected. Click choose file and navigate to the PDF file you want to choose; then click upload document .

Page 7 of the Indian visa online guide. Upload your passport.

Verification & Payment

After submitting your passport upload, the next page will ask you to confirm ALL of the previous details from your Indian e-Visa application.

Look these over thoroughly to make sure you entered everything correctly, because this will be your last chance to edit anything. Once you verify and continue, you will be brought to the visa payment page.

At this point, you can pay for the visa now or later. Follow the instructions on the page for either option. You should also write down the visa Application ID so you can access the application again.

You can pay with international credit or debit cards, or you can make your visa payment with Paypal. I used Paypal and I would recommend this. It was easy to process.

If you don’t have a Paypal account, then the next best option is probably using your card via the Axis option.  

After submission and payment, you will get an email from the Indian government saying that your Indian visa online application was submitted successfully and will take 72 hours for processing.

Generally you will hear back in much quicker time; in my case the Indian visa application was processed and granted in under 24 hours.

You MUST print the email you receive containing the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) and present it to the immigration officer when you arrive in India. I would recommend printing and bringing at least two copies.

The government of India emphasizes that you should also track your application and make sure that the status says  granted on the official eVisa India website ( same link as above ) before making your journey to India.  

What If My India Visa Is Rejected?

If your India visa is rejected, don’t worry. You can apply again, and there’s no minimum amount of time you have to wait before re-applying for a visa. If the online system allows you to re-apply, then you can go ahead and do it when you’re ready.

However, it’s important to find out why you were rejected so you can fix it in your next application. Unfortunately a reason is not always given, but generally the most common reasons for India visas being rejected are simple errors like typos, wrong dates, or wrong photo specifications.

When reapplying, you’ll be faced with this question: “Has permission to visit or to extend stay in India previously been refused?”

How you answer this question will depend on why you were rejected in your first application. If it was a simple clerical error like a wrong date or wrong photo specifications, then I would answer no, because you weren’t actually refused a visa for visiting India due to being ineligible for some reason, you only made a minor mistake in the submission process that can easily be corrected.

Good luck and happy travels!

Best India Tours

More travel guides.

Thanks for looking! I hope you were helped by this guide on how to fill out an Indian e-visa application.

While you’re waiting for your visa to be processed, don’t forget to check out the other travel guides on my blog!

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I’m very impressed by the quality of information on this website. There are a lot of good resources here. I’m sure I will visit this place again soon.

I have an extra copy of my passport photo. Although it is the same picture as in my passport it is not just a cropped version of the photo in the passport. Is this acceptable?

Hi Jeanne, I haven’t tried that myself but it should be okay as long as it meets the other requirements for the personal photo. Regards

I used my extra copy of my passport photo this past week for my India E-visa, and it worked!

Thank you, David, for providing the details regarding the E-visa information. It was really helpful and guided me as I entered the required fields in the application.

Good to hear. Thanks Esther!

why is it that when i filled the places to be visited form, it says invalid characters

What are you trying to enter there?

Once we receive ETA the first name and last name are shuffled is it the same for everyone?

Yes, it was the same on my ETA. No problem.

Hi David, thank you SO MUCH for this helpful post. I’m flying to India in a month and my e-visa application was just rejected (I traveled to India in early 2020 and had no issues at all) so I’m now going through the process of carefully re-applying… one question I’m hoping you can help me with: I just got married 2 weeks ago, do you expect it to be an issue to check the “married” box despite the fact my (USA & Israeli) passports say nothing about being married (or single, for that matter?) also -I can’t seem to find anything online about a minimum amount of time to wait before re-applying… any idea? Trying to minimize all odds of being rejected again. Thanks so much again, really appreciate your guidance.

Hi Abigail! Glad the post was helpful for you. Yes, it should be okay to put married on the application. Like you say, the marital status isn’t shown on the passport anyway, and spouse names aren’t always changed right away after marriage either, or sometimes they never change. So that should be fine. As far as I know, there’s no minimum amount of time to wait before re-applying. If the online system allows you to re-apply, then I would go ahead and try again. Do you know why you were rejected the first time? I would figure that out before re-applying. Good luck!

Hi David! Another important question – for the “Has permission to visit or to extend stay in India previously been refused?” question on page 4 – would my previous e-visa rejection quality as a “yes”?

For this question, I think it would depend on the reason why you were rejected on the first application. Was it a simple error like a wrong date, wrong photo specifications, etc? If so, I would answer no, you weren’t refused a visa for visiting India, your application was only rejected because of a minor mistake. This is different from refusing you a visa because you aren’t eligible for some reason.

My e-visa application just got rejected without any specific reason provided. All they mention in the remark is “You may apply for Regular/Official Visa at nearest Indian Mission/Embassy abroad”. I compared my application to yours and the only difference I see is that for “city/town” of birth I put down city and state as opposed to state only. Would you happen to know if this could have caused the rejection?

Hi Jan! That shouldn’t cause a rejection. I’ve heard of people doing it either way (city and state, or city only). Both are correct answers. Do you think there might be another issue on your application? The most common things are simple errors like typos, wrong dates, or wrong photo specs.

Thanks so much. This is very helpful.

Question – on page 2 it asks if you ever changed your name. Am I correct in assuming that I put yes because I changed my name when I got married?

Hi Judy! If your passport still has your maiden name, I would use that name in the application and answer no to the question about name change. If your passport has your married name, I would use that name in the application and answer yes to the question about name change. However, I know of people who have applied successfully either way. It shouldn’t affect your application.

Thank you, this was very helpful. I have a question on section “Previous Visa/Currently Valid Visa Details”. I have traveled to India multiple times, but as an Indian citizen and held an Indian passport. Now I am no longer Indian citizen and applying for India Tourist visa for first time. What do I click in this “Previous Visa/Currently Valid Visa Details” section’s “Have you ever visited India before?”

Hi Sylvia, in that case you can answer “No” for the question “Have you ever visited India before?” because they’re asking if you’ve visited India on a visa before, and you haven’t. You were a citizen and resident, not a visitor. They should be able to understand this since you will list your country of birth as India on page 2 of the application, and also when they ask “Did You Acquire Nationality By Birth Or By Naturalization?” you can put Naturalization.

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A Step-by-Step Guide to Applying for an India Tourist Visa (for U.S. Citizens)

Traveling to India as a U.S. citizen has become more accessible post-pandemic, with streamlined visa processes. In this comprehensive step-by-step guide, I’ll walk you through the steps to show you how to get your Indian visa if you’re a U.S. citizen. Understanding the visa application process is essential for a smooth journey and with that out of the way, you can focus on your India trip planning .

This post contains affiliate links. I never leave home without travel insurance- I use World Nomads  but here’s a  trip insurance finder tool   to find a plan that matches your budget. Read more about  coverage options for U.S. travelers.

Differences between a regular Indian visa and Indian e-visa?

Table of Contents: A Step-by-Step Guide to Applying for an India Tourist Visa (for U.S. Citizens)

• 0.1 Differences between a regular Indian visa and Indian e-visa?
• 0.2 What is the official India Visa application website?
• 0.3 What documents do I need for an India tourist visa?
• 1.0.1 1. Getting a regular India Tourist Visa in the U.S. (paper or sticker)
• 1.0.2 Regular India Tourist Visa (Paper Application)
• 2.0.1 The Indian eVisa Application process is easy
• 2.1.1 What are the Photo Upload Requirements?
• 2.1.2 Which internet browser should I use for applying for my India tourist visa?
• 2.1.3 Listing References for your India Tourist Visa
• 2.1.4 What are the India Tourist Visa Photo Requirements
• 2.1.5 What profession should you list on your visa application?
• 2.1.6 Do I need an India visa for layovers in India?
• 2.2 Related Posts on India Trip Planning
• 3 Watch India Travel Guides for Solo Travelers!

There are two ways to apply for your Indian Tourist Visa: the regular paper India visa application and the Indian e-Visa. Both options offer the same visa types and durations.

But the differences end there. Determining which to get is based upon how you wish to use it in entry points and how much cost and processing time you can afford. From a tourist standpoint, the only caveat to getting a regular paper India visa is that you will have more flexibility with entry points as they are not only limited to airport access, but sea and land as well. When I was researching how to do an overland passage to India after my group adventure in Pakistan , crossing the Wagah-Attari border into Amritsar required the regular Indian tourist visa .

With the regular India tourist visa, the price is also more expensive with the VFS mail-in/courier process and processing time can be much longer, especially if there is an issue with your application or documents. The paper Indian tourist visa is a process you will need to start well over a month in advance of your travel dates .

Meanwhile, the Indian e-Visa can be done online and you’ll get it lickety-split and for tons cheaper. It’s almost as if the Indian government prefers for tourists to just get the Indian e-Visa. The drawback is that  you can only enter India via the airport. Land and sea is not allowed.

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What is the official india visa application website.

Both regular and eVisa can be accessed through the Indian Visa Online website at https://indianvisaonline.gov.in

Although the India eVisa is a bit tricky and it is in a sub section of the website and they do not link to it (duh!). You won’t be able  access the Indian evisa easily unless you Google it or so I’ve listed it here. Note: There are other India visa sites that you’ll find on the internet, but this is the official one. I don’t believe the other sites are scams, but you may end up paying more to get it expedited through one of the other visa sites.

What documents do I need for an India tourist visa?

Gather these following documents for a successful application:

• A copy of your passport bio page with at least 6 months’ validity.
• How to remember dates and countries you’ve been? Check your passport for immigration stamp dates!
• Previous India visa details (if applicable). If  you traveled to India in the past, you will need to know your last visa number and the date it was authorized . Again, check in your passport or in your email if you still have the information. I found my passport had all the dates I needed.
• Current citizenship details
• Your visa application form
• Reference contact in India. This can also mean your tour operator/friend/family you’re staying with or hotel information. I list my hotel information at Booking.com

How to Apply for a regular Indian Visa for U.S. Citizens

In the past, getting an Indian tourist visa was complex. After the pandemic, requirements changed and they made it much easier to get a tourist visa, a long term visa (i.e. 5 year and 10 year) and multiple entry.  But there’s still aspects that can be confusing to U.S. travelers.

Read Essential trip planning tips for India

1. getting a regular india tourist visa in the u.s. (paper or sticker).

Applying for the regular India Tourist Visa (paper or sticker) in your home country is a time consuming route because it is a mail-in service and India uses a third party service to facilitate this process.

Regular India Tourist Visa (Paper Application)

• Application process: Requires mailing the application and using a third-party service.
• Processing time: Up to 15 days, potentially  30-60 days if scrutiny is needed.
• Visa validity: Starts on the issuance date. So you might not want to apply too far in advance if you want to use the most of your allowance stay.
• Application link: The Indian Online Visa website is where you apply. It is confusing because it says says “ online ” which can feel like the same thing as e-visa .  Rest assured, this is it. The window opens to the process and you’ll see the photo below.
• Fill out the form and remember to keep your ID number. You will be able to save your form and return back to it in the case you cannot complete it in one sitting. But you will need your ID number. I forgot to keep mine the first time. But I was filling out the regular India visa; not the evisa, which I ultimately decided upon.
• When you’re complete with your form, download it and print it out to mail in.
• Indian Tourist Visa Application (Mail in process): Here’s where it gets a little extra. The outsourced service that handles the regular Indian tourist visa application for U.S. citizens is  VFS global website (2023) . 
• You may walk your application into a VFS center nearest you; otherwise, mail your application and passport in. VFS locations in the U.S.: Washington DC ,  New York ,  Chicago ,  Houston ,  San Francisco  &  Atlanta  .
• VFS Global Indian Visa Application Centre, 128 East, 32nd Street, 2nd Floor, New York, 10016.
• Email only for questions [email protected] , Helpline: +1-800-320-9693
•  They are very specific about the type of visa photo, application and packaging when mailing it in.  
• There is a 3.5% fee for the online payment convenience and another $18 for return courier service.

Cost and Duration of regular India Tourist Visa for U.S. Citizens, Entry   &   Fee

10 Years –   Single Entry $178 5 Years   –   Multiple Entry $178 6 Months – Multiple Entry $178

How to Apply for an Indian e-Visa for U.S. Citizens (Online Application)

Getting an Indian Tourist eVisa online is probably the easiest and fastest and cheapest method if you were ever in a hurry and you’re afforded the same amount of stay. But you can only enter through airport entry points.

The Indian eVisa Application process is easy

Getting a tourist eVisa for India is an easy online application through the official Government of India Online Visa website. The processing time is quick and easy, and takes around 10-15 minutes.  You want to apply at least four days before departure, as validity starts from date of arrival. Once your visa is processed, you will get your visa sent via email and you should print it out as well as have a copy of your visa snapshot on your mobile phone. Your email notification of a granted visa processed an granted IS NOT THE INDIA E-VISA. You must still log into your account and download the actual printable visa. I made this mistake where I thought the email saying that my visa was GRANTED was enough and when I arrived at the check-in gate, I was declined. Luckily, I was able to use the airport WiFi to access the India visa website with my account, where I could download my actual eVisa.

 A one year Indian tourist e-visa $40, a five-year Indian tourist visa $80. Expect an 2.5% online fee.

• Official India eVisa Website Application (you can see the ports of entry on this page)
• Entry points : Limited to major international airports in India. Applicant can arrive at 30 e-Visa designated airports i.e. Ahmedabad , Amritsar , Bagdogra , Bengaluru , Bhubaneshwar , Calicut , Chandigarh , Chennai , Cochin , Coimbatore , Delhi , Gaya , Goa (Dabolim), Goa (Mopa), Guwahati , Hyderabad , Jaipur , Kannur , Kolkata , Lucknow , Madurai , Mangalore , Mumbai , Nagpur , Portblair , Pune , Tiruchirapalli , Trivandrum , Varanasi , Vishakhapatnam and 5 designated seaports (i.e. Chennai , Cochin , Goa , Mangalore , Mumbai ) . However, he/she can depart from any of the authorized Immigration Check Posts in India.
• e-Visa is not allowed for employment, NGO activities and journalism purposes
• Avoid using any other websites that sell the Indian e-Visa. There are a lot of sites that masquerade as the Indian visa site, especially because the government website in the past did not look very official (the regular India visa website is still confusing to navigate; whereas the eVisa site is much easier)! While some of these other sites may legitimately get you an India visa, they are not the official website and the Indian consulate is very specific about that .
• This is a sample of the application
• Passport photos and passport bio page must be scanned for online upload.

Frequently Asked Questions about the India Tourist Visa Application Process

What are the photo upload requirements.

Ensure your visa photo meets these specifications and read carefully because the passport conditions are tricky if you’re submitting documents for an India eVisa.

• Visa Photo Format: JPEG, maximum 1 MB, 2 inches by 2 inches.
• Photo must show 80% of your face against a white background
• Scanned or photo of passport bio page in PDF format (for e-Visa applications). Size must be under 300kb!

To be honest, uploading your scanned bio page will take the most amount of time and is probably the trickiest aspect of the entire application process. I despise it.

First, you can scan or take a photo of your passport information page. Whatever you use, you want to make sure  the details are sharp, crisp and easy to make out.

Secondly, when you export your jpg or png photo to pdf, it will naturally uprez your photo. So your photo might be 300kb, but after exported into pdf, it can be 3 mb! This is the tricky part, because your image cannot be the regular size of your passport . It must be smaller to get through that upload gate keeper.

My settings were 72 dpi resolution but ultimately, I had to take the size below 500 dpi width. Yep, it’s small, when you view it on the application form but it is bigger when you open your pdf on your laptop. This is why you want to ensure your information is clear and easy to read.

Which internet browser should I use for applying for my India tourist visa?

The website is best viewed in Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Internet Explorer (Windows) version 9.0 and Android and iOS.

Listing References for your India Tourist Visa

Listing references for your stay in India is the part which trips up a lot of travelers applying for the Indian visa. This part forces you to lock itinerary details and long-term travelers, digital nomads and flexible travelers -like myself- like to keep part of their trip itinerary open-ended and loose. There are many travelers who visit India on an open backpacking trip and don’t have many solidified details such as hotels or departure dates, so you’re not alone.

If you’re not staying with an Indian friend or family, you can list your hotel or tour company as a reference. I like to use Booking.com. Check out my Ways to Show Proof of Onward Travel . I was inspired to write this article because of this India visa process!

What are the India Tourist Visa Photo Requirements

Read the website specifications for the passport photos you must send in. The trickiest part of this is not the visa photo but getting your passport bio data page down to under 500kb as a pdf (tip: it’s small)!

I always make extra copies of my passport photos, for future travel purposes and the fact, if you’re getting an Indian SIM card , you’ll need two photos for your application.

What profession should you list on your visa application?

Firstly, if you’re applying for a Tourist visa, then your sole reason for visiting should be Tourism .

If you’re a travel blogger on a press trip with the India tourism board, on a business trip to meet with clients, a travel writer, photographer, freelance/professional media, yoga student (going for yoga teacher certification ), etc… do not list these as your professions, unless you’re applying for a Journalist,  Business  or Student visa . These latter visas require more information and possibly professional credentials.

Acknowledging these professions or any other reason for being in India, outside of tourism, your visa will be under additional scrutiny and you may be declined or flagged.

I claim “Artist” or Salesperson or something standard to a tourist.  Even when I did my yoga teacher’s certification , I was told to not mention that unless I wanted the hassle of applying for a Student visa and being a yoga student in India is a casual and touristic thing. It is not the same as attending a Indian university.

Do I need an India visa for layovers in India?

If you have a layover in India, and do not plan to leave the airport terminal (and do not need to go past immigration), then you do not need an Indian visa or a transit visa.

However, if your baggage is not checked all the way through to your destination an you need to retrieve it and re-check it, you will need an Indian visa.

Hope this guide on how to apply for an India visa was helpful to you! Applying for an Indian visa can feel overwhelming but visiting India is so worthwhile. Hope you love India as much as I do.

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• Travel Destinations

How Much Is An Indian Tourist Visa?

Published: November 7, 2023

Modified: December 28, 2023

by Hettie Swaim

• Plan Your Trip

Introduction

India, with its rich cultural heritage, diverse landscapes, and vibrant traditions, has long been a popular travel destination for tourists from around the world. If you are planning to visit this incredible country, one of the most important things you need to know is how much an Indian tourist visa will cost you. Understanding the visa fee structure will not only help you plan your travel budget but also ensure a smooth visa application process.

India’s visa fee structure is determined by various factors such as the type of visa, duration of stay, nationality, and the urgency of processing. The fees for Indian tourist visas are subject to change, so it is advisable to check the latest rates on official government websites or consult with reputable visa service providers.

In the following sections, we will take a closer look at the different categories of Indian tourist visas and their associated fees, including the e-tourist visa option, fees for different nationalities, urgent processing fees, fees for children and senior citizens, accepted payment methods, and the refund policy.

Visa Fee Structure

The visa fee structure for an Indian tourist visa varies based on several factors. These factors include the type of visa, the duration of stay, and the applicant’s nationality. It’s important to note that the fees mentioned here are subject to change, and it’s always advisable to check the official websites for the most up-to-date information.

The Indian visa fee is typically divided into two parts: the base visa fee and the additional service fee. The base visa fee is determined by the duration of stay and the type of visa. The additional service fee covers various administrative costs and processing fees.

It’s also worth mentioning that visa fees are non-refundable irrespective of the outcome of the visa application. Therefore, it’s essential to carefully review the requirements and eligibility criteria before applying to avoid any unnecessary expenses.

Now let’s explore the visa fee structure for different categories of Indian tourist visas in more detail.

Visa Fee for Different Categories

The Indian tourist visa fee varies depending on the type of visa you apply for. The most common categories for tourist visas include:

• Tourist Visa (T Visa): This is the standard visa option for tourists visiting India for recreational purposes, sightseeing, and visiting friends or relatives. The visa fee for a Tourist Visa ranges from $10 to $100, depending on the duration of stay.
• Business Visa (B Visa): If you are planning to visit India for business-related activities such as attending conferences, meetings, or exploring potential business opportunities, you will need a Business Visa. The visa fee for a Business Visa is typically higher compared to the Tourist Visa and can range from $30 to $200.
• Medical Visa (MED Visa): If you are seeking medical treatment in India, you will need to apply for a Medical Visa. The visa fee for a Medical Visa is usually similar to that of a Tourist Visa, ranging from $10 to $100.
• Conference Visa (C Visa): If you are attending a conference or seminar in India, you will need a Conference Visa. The visa fee for a Conference Visa can range from $10 to $100.

It’s important to note that the duration of stay allowed on these visas can vary from 30 days to 180 days, depending on the applicant’s nationality. The visa fee is determined by the duration of stay, with longer durations generally incurring higher fees.

Additionally, there are specific visa categories for journalists, film crews, and missionaries, and the fees for these categories may differ as well. It’s recommended to consult the official Indian embassy or consulate in your country for the most accurate information on visa fees for these specialized categories.

Next, let’s explore the visa fee structure for the convenient e-tourist visa option available to certain nationalities.

E-Tourist Visa

The E-Tourist Visa (eTV) is a popular and convenient option for travelers wishing to visit India for tourism purposes. This electronic visa allows eligible nationals to apply for their visa online, eliminating the need to visit an embassy or consulate in person. The E-Tourist Visa is available for a duration of 30 days or 1 year, with multiple entries permitted during the stay.

The visa fee for the E-Tourist Visa is typically lower compared to other visa categories. The current fee for a 30-day E-Tourist Visa is $25 (for most nationalities), and for a 1-year visa, it is $40 (with additional service charges applicable). The fees for the E-Tourist Visa may vary depending on the nationality and country of residence of the applicant.

It’s important to note that the E-Tourist Visa is available to citizens of over 160 countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, and many European countries. However, not all nationalities are eligible for this visa option, so it’s crucial to check the official Indian government website or consult with the nearest Indian embassy or consulate to determine your eligibility.

The application process for the E-Tourist Visa is relatively straightforward. Applicants are required to fill in an online application form, upload a digital passport-sized photograph and a scanned copy of their passport, and pay the visa fee electronically. The visa is typically processed and issued within a few business days, and the approved visa is sent via email.

It’s important to note that the E-Tourist Visa is non-extendable and non-convertible, and travelers must enter India through one of the designated airports or seaports mentioned by the Indian government.

Now that we have explored the E-Tourist Visa option, let’s dive into the visa fee structure for different nationalities.

Visa Fee for Different Nationalities

The visa fee for Indian tourist visas can vary depending on the nationality and country of residence of the applicant. Indian visa fees are typically divided into different categories based on the country of residence, and each category has a different fee structure.

India has categorized countries into four groups – Group A, Group B, Group C, and Group D – based on visa fees. The visa fees for each group may differ, with Group A being the most expensive and Group D being the least expensive.

The categorization of countries is determined by various factors including reciprocity, bilateral agreements, and the number of visa applications received from a particular country. It’s important to note that the categorization of countries and visa fees can change periodically, so it’s advisable to check the official Indian government website or consult with the nearest Indian embassy or consulate for the latest updates.

As an example, Group A consists of countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and most European countries. The visa fee for these countries can range from $80 to $120 for a 30-day Tourist Visa.

Group B comprises countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, South Africa, and some South American countries. The visa fee for these countries can range from $40 to $60 for a 30-day Tourist Visa.

Group C includes countries like Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and some Middle Eastern countries. The visa fee for these countries can range from $10 to $30 for a 30-day Tourist Visa.

Group D consists of countries like Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, Nigeria, and some other African countries. The visa fee for these countries can range from $10 to $20 for a 30-day Tourist Visa.

It’s important to note that the visa fee for the E-Tourist Visa is the same for all eligible nationalities and is not categorized based on the country of residence.

Now that we’ve explored the visa fee structure based on different nationalities, let’s move on to discussing the visa fee for urgent processing.

Visa Fee for Urgent Processing

If you require your Indian tourist visa to be processed urgently, you may opt for expedited or fast-track visa processing. This service allows you to receive your visa in a shorter period than the standard processing time. However, it’s important to note that expedited processing usually incurs an additional fee.

The fee for urgent processing will depend on the duration in which you need your visa to be processed. The Indian government typically offers different options for urgent processing, such as the following:

• Express Processing: If you need your visa processed within a specified time frame, such as 2-3 days, you may choose the express processing option. This service usually involves an additional fee on top of the regular visa fee.
• Same Day Processing: In urgent cases where you require your visa on the same day, some Indian embassies or consulates may offer a same-day processing service. This service usually involves a significantly higher fee.

The specific fee for urgent processing may vary depending on the country and embassy or consulate you are applying through. It’s essential to check with the appropriate Indian embassy or consulate for the exact fees and procedures for urgent processing.

While urgent processing allows you to receive your visa quickly, it’s important to plan your travel and visa application well in advance whenever possible to avoid additional financial burden and stress associated with urgent processing fees.

Next, let’s discuss the visa fee for children and senior citizens.

Visa Fee for Children and Senior Citizens

When it comes to Indian tourist visa fees, there are specific considerations for children and senior citizens. The visa fee structure for these groups may differ from the standard fees applicable to adults.

For children under the age of 12 years, the visa fee is generally lower compared to adults. The exact fee varies depending on the age of the child and the duration of stay. Typically, children under the age of 6 years may be exempt from paying a visa fee, while children between the ages of 6 and 12 years may have a reduced fee.

Senior citizens, usually defined as individuals aged 60 years and above, may also have a discounted visa fee. The exact discount may vary depending on the age of the senior citizen and the duration of stay. It’s advisable for senior citizens to check with the Indian embassy or consulate regarding the specific visa fees for their age group.

It’s worth noting that children and senior citizens are also eligible for the E-Tourist Visa and can avail the reduced visa fee based on their age. However, the same rules and restrictions apply to them as to other travelers.

When applying for a visa for children or senior citizens, it’s important to provide the necessary documents, such as birth certificates or age proofs, to verify their eligibility for the reduced fee. Failure to provide the required documents may result in the standard visa fee being charged.

Now that we’ve covered the visa fee considerations for children and senior citizens, let’s discuss the accepted methods of payment for visa fees.

Visa Fee Payment Methods

When it comes to paying the visa fee for an Indian tourist visa, there are several accepted methods of payment. The available payment methods may vary depending on the country and the Indian embassy or consulate through which you are applying. Here are some commonly accepted methods of payment:

• Online Payment: Many Indian embassies or consulates allow applicants to make online payments for visa fees. This can typically be done through a secure payment gateway on the official visa application website. Accepted payment methods may include credit cards, debit cards, or online banking.
• Bank Transfer: In some cases, applicants may be required to make a bank transfer for payment of the visa fee. The specific details, including the bank account number and the payment reference, will be provided by the embassy or consulate.
• Money Order or Bank Draft: Some embassies or consulates may also accept payment through money orders or bank drafts. These can be obtained from a bank or postal service and must be made payable to the appropriate authority as specified by the embassy or consulate.
• Cash Payment: Depending on the embassy or consulate, cash payments may be accepted for visa fees. It is important to check with the specific Indian embassy or consulate regarding their policies on cash payments.

It’s essential to note that personal checks are generally not accepted as a form of payment for visa fees. Additionally, the payment methods accepted may vary, so it’s important to verify the accepted payment methods with the Indian embassy or consulate that is processing your visa application.

Now that we’ve discussed the visa fee payment methods, let’s move on to the refund policy for Indian tourist visas.

Refund Policy

When it comes to Indian tourist visa fees, it’s important to understand the refund policy. The general rule is that visa fees are non-refundable, regardless of the outcome of the visa application.

Once you have submitted your visa application and paid the required fees, it is considered as a processing fee and will not be refunded under most circumstances. This means that even if your visa application is rejected or if you decide to withdraw your application, you will not be eligible for a refund of the visa fee.

It’s crucial to carefully review all the requirements and eligibility criteria before applying for a visa to avoid unnecessary expenses. Ensuring that you meet all the necessary criteria and have all the required documentation can increase your chances of a successful visa application.

It’s worth noting that in case of any technical issues or errors during the payment process, you may request a refund. However, the refund policy can vary depending on the payment method and the specific circumstances. It’s advisable to contact the appropriate Indian embassy or consulate to inquire about the refund procedure in case of any payment-related issues.

It’s also important to keep in mind that visa fees can be revised periodically, so it’s essential to check the latest visa fee information on the official government websites or consult with reputable visa service providers to ensure that you have the most up-to-date information.

Now that we’ve covered the refund policy for visa fees, let’s conclude our article.

Understanding the visa fee structure is an essential part of planning your visit to India. Whether you are applying for a tourist visa, business visa, medical visa, or any other category, knowing the visa fees can help you budget accordingly and ensure a smooth visa application process.

In this article, we explored the various aspects of Indian tourist visa fees. We delved into the visa fee structure for different categories, including the standard tourist visa, business visa, medical visa, and conference visa. We also discussed the convenient option of the E-Tourist Visa and its associated fees.

Furthermore, we covered the visa fees for different nationalities, emphasizing that visa fees can vary based on the country of residence. We also highlighted the reduced visa fees for children and senior citizens, and the accepted methods of payment for visa fees.

It’s important to note that visa fees are generally non-refundable, regardless of the outcome of the visa application. Applicants should carefully review the requirements and eligibility criteria to avoid unnecessary expenses.

For the most accurate and up-to-date information on visa fees, it’s recommended to check the official Indian government websites or consult with the nearest Indian embassy or consulate. They will provide the most reliable and updated information regarding visa fees and the application process.

Planning your trip to India involves many important factors, and understanding the visa fee structure is certainly one of them. By being aware of the visa fees and following the proper procedure, you can ensure a smooth and hassle-free journey to this incredible country that offers a myriad of experiences and adventures.

Now that you’re equipped with knowledge about Indian tourist visa fees, you can confidently plan your visit to the land of rich cultural heritage, diverse landscapes, and warm hospitality.

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India Tourist eVisa: Apply online now

How to apply: tourist evisa.

Complete our easy online application and pay with credit card or PayPal

No need to deal with the embassy. We do it for you so you don't lose valuable time

Present your Passport and the Document we provide upon entry to destination country

Learn More: Tourist eVisa

What you need to know.

The India Tourist eVisa permits international travelers to enter India for tourism purposes

Your passport needs to be valid for at least six months after you enter India and have at least two blank pages

This eVisa isn’t allowed at every port of entry in India, keep reading to learn which ports of entry allow this visa

Apply today for the India Tourist eVisa with us

Last updated: April 2024

Ready to immerse yourself in the vibrant culture and breathtaking beauty of India? The India Tourist eVisa is an essential requirement. With us, applying for this eVisa is as easy as pouring a cup of chai.

Apply online for the India Tourist Visa or use our handy app for an even smoother experience.

What is the India Tourist eVisa?

The India Tourist eVisa is an electronic authorization that allows travelers to enter and explore India for tourism purposes.

The online application process eliminates the need for physical paperwork and visits to embassies or consulates.

Officially known as the "e-Tourist Visa," it provides a convenient and quick way to secure travel permissions for those looking to experience India's rich cultural heritage and stunning landscapes.

What you can do with the India Tourist Visa:

Visit tourist sites across India.

Attend cultural and festival events.

Take short-term yoga or cooking classes.

Visit family or friends.

What you cannot do with the India Tourist Visa:

Work or volunteer.

Enroll in long-term educational courses.

Engage in journalistic activities.

Conduct business or start a business.

Enter protected or restricted areas without special permission.

Who requires the India Tourist eVisa?

The India Tourist eVisa is available to citizens of many countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Australia, Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Switzerland, and the Netherlands.

To see if you are eligible, please check at the top of this page, where you can input your nationality to determine your visa requirements.

Requirements to apply for an India Tourist Visa:

Travel purpose: Your visit must be for tourism purposes such as sightseeing, meeting friends or family, or attending a short-term yoga program.

Passport validity: Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your date of entry into India.

Digital photo: You must provide a digital photograph that meets the eVisa requirements.

Email address: An email address is required to receive the eVisa electronically.

Payment method: A credit or debit card is needed to pay the eVisa processing fee online.

By providing these details and meeting the conditions, you can apply for the India Tourist eVisa comfortably and efficiently.

Visa-exempt: Who doesn't need to apply for India Tourist eVisa?

Citizens of Nepal and Bhutan do not require a visa to enter India. These travelers can enter, live, and work in India without a visa. For all other nationalities, a visa or eVisa is typically necessary to travel to India. For specific conditions and a full list of visa-exempt countries, please check the eligibility section at the top of this page.

Do children also require the India Tourist eVisa?

Yes, children require an India Tourist eVisa just like adults. The application process is the same for minors, and they must have a visa to enter India regardless of their age.

When applying for a visa for a minor, legal guardians need to provide additional documents:

A copy of the minor’s birth certificate.

Copies of the passports of the child's parents or legal guardians.

A consent letter signed by both parents or legal guardians, which authorizes the child's travel to India.

These extra steps ensure the safety and proper documentation of minors traveling to India.

India Tourist eVisa validity: How long can I stay in India?

Here are the options for the India Tourist eVisa we offer, along with their validity and entry types:

30-day double-entry visa: This eVisa allows two entries into India and is valid for 30 days, so you must use it to enter India within that time. You also have 30 days max stay from the date of your first entry.

1-year multiple-entry visa: This visa is valid for one year from the date of issuance. You can enter India multiple times during the year, and it permits stays of up to 90 days per visit for most nationalities, except for the U.S., UK, and Canada, who can stay for up to 180 days per visit. The maximum stay for all nationalities is 180 days per year.

5-year multiple-entry visa: This eVisa offers the greatest flexibility. Valid for 5 years from the date of issue, it allows multiple entries, with each stay capped at 90 days. Except for those from the U.S., UK, and Canada, who can stay for up to 180 days. The maximum stay within a year for all nationalities is 180 days.

For comprehensive information on your India Tourist e-visa validity check out our blog .

For both the 1 and 5-year India visas, you need to ensure that your first entry into India is within 120 days from the date the visa is issued. Plan your trips according to these rules to make the most of your India Tourist Visa.

How to read your Tourist Visa validity

Validity period: How long can your visa be used for.

Max stay: The longest you can stay in India each time you visit.

Expiry date: This depends on which visa type you have.

For example:

If you've got a 30-day India Tourist eVisa, and the expiry date is March 14:

The latest date you can enter India is March 14, 2024.

This is the expiry date of your visa. From this date, you're allowed to stay in the country for up to 30 days.

If you've got a 1-year or 5-year India Tourist eVisa, and the expiry date is March 14:

The latest date you can leave India is March 14, 2024.

The expiry date, in this case is the date by which you must depart India.

You can stay in India for as long as your maximum stay but not longer than the validity period.

Can I extend my India Tourist eVisa?

Generally, the India Tourist eVisa cannot be extended. Tourists are expected to adhere to the validity period specified on their eVisa—either 30 days, 90 days per visit on the 1-year visa, or 90 days per visit on the 5-year visa.

If you need to stay longer than the terms of your original visa due to exceptional circumstances, you must apply through the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) or Foreigners Registration Office (FRO) in India. For detailed procedures and exceptions, it’s advisable to consult the official Indian government immigration website .

India Tourist eVisa required documents

To apply for the India Tourist eVisa online, you generally need:

Passport : A scan of the information page of your valid passport, which must have at least six months of validity from the date of arrival in India and at least two blank pages.

Photograph : A recent passport-style color photo, which can be uploaded during the application process.

Email address : To receive the visa confirmation.

Payment method : Credit or debit card for the visa fee payment.

Additional documents:

Depending on your circumstances and the purpose of travel, you may also need:

Travel itinerary : Details of your stay, including flight bookings and accommodation.

Financial proof : Statements or other documents showing you have enough funds for your stay.

Invitation letter : If visiting friends or family, an invitation letter may be required.

Note : This is a general list, and we will send a complete list of required documents via email upon application. This service ensures you are fully prepared for your application.

Once your visa is approved:

Confirmation delivery : You will receive an email containing your eVisa in PDF format.

Recommendation : We recommend printing out the eVisa and carrying it along with your passport when you travel to India, as immigration officers will want to see a copy upon your arrival.

We will be in touch by email if we need any more information from you during the application process.

India financial requirements

For the India Tourist eVisa, applicants should provide proof of financial stability to cover their stay in India. This can typically be shown with:

Bank statements : Recent statements indicating sufficient balance.

Sponsorship letter : If someone is sponsoring your trip, a letter from them stating their commitment to cover your expenses is accompanied by their financial documents.

These financial documents help demonstrate that you can support yourself during your visit to India. We will guide you on how to provide these proofs effectively as part of our visa application services.

India Tourist eVisa costs and processing times

The cost of processing your visa depends on the chosen validity and your nationality.

For those exempt from government visa fees, the only cost incurred will be our iVisa service fee. Countries exempt from the government fees include:

Argentina Cook Islands Fiji Micronesia Indonesia Jamaica Kiribati Marshall Islands Myanmar Mauritius Nauru Niue Papua New Guinea Palau Solomon Islands Seychelles Tonga Tuvalu Uruguay Vanuatu Samoa South Africa

You can check if you should expect to pay government fees at the top of this page. Note: all nationalities applying through us will still need to pay our processing fees. You will be shown a detailed breakdown of the costs during your application.

Typically, the processing time for an India Tourist eVisa ranges from 2 to 5 days. However, in certain cases, it might extend to a few weeks.

Opting for our services can streamline and expedite this process, making it more efficient and less time-consuming for you.

Benefits of applying for India Tourist eVisa with us

When you apply for your India Tourist eVisa with us, you get more than just guidance. You get:

Do you have more questions about India Tourist eVisa?

If you want to learn more about India Tourist eVisa or have questions about the application process, we’re here to help.

Our dedicated online team of customer service agents is available via online chat, or you can speak with them via WhatsApp .

Steve J, USA | July 2, 2024

I'm planning a three-month backpacking trip across India, and my tourist eVisa just got approved. But I noticed the visa isn't valid for the full duration of the trip I outlined in my application. What I want to know is, why doesn't the visa validity cover my entire trip? Does that mean I'll have to cut my trip short and leave India once it expires?

Martin, iVisa | July 3, 2024

The India Tourist eVisa's validity may not align perfectly with your travel plans due to the preset maximum durations and entry rules associated with different visa types.

For example, if you were issued a one-month visa, you can’t stay longer than 30 days in the country. Even if you have a 1-year or 5-year visa, each stay cannot exceed the stipulated maximum duration (usually 180 days per visit).

If your visa doesn't cover the entire duration of your planned stay, you'll need to either adjust your travel dates or explore options for extending your visa in India, though extensions might not always be possible for eVisas.​

Barbara F, USA | July 9, 2024

I’ve got a one-year multiple-entry tourist eVisa for India, which is awesome because there's so much I want to see and do! But, it turns out each visit can't be longer than 180 days. I was really hoping to stick around longer than that. Is there any way to extend my stay while I’m there? What do I need to do, and how much will it cost?

Martin, iVisa | July 9, 2024

Generally, the 1-year tourist eVisa doesn't allow stays longer than 180 days per entry. If you wish to stay longer, you would need to leave India and re-enter if your visa type allows multiple entries. Direct extensions of a tourist eVisa within India are not typically granted. You might need to check if a different type of visa is more suitable for longer stays or consider structuring your visits within the allowed limits.​

Katie L, UK | July 15, 2024

I’m going to India in a couple of weeks. Can I use my flight tickets as proof that I have enough money for the trip, or do I need to show something else for the visa application? Just want to make sure I get everything right!

Cami, iVisa | July 17, 2024

Flight tickets can serve as part of your proof of intent to leave India, which is helpful for your visa application. However, they can’t be used to prove your financial means. To do this, you’ll need to provide bank statements, payslips, or other financial documents to show that you can support yourself during your stay in India.​

Unforeseen events happen and can change your travel plans. This is why we understand you may want to request a cancellation of your visa application and a credit for the amount paid. However, these are the iVisa refund policy guidelines:

If your application has not been reviewed by our team , nor submitted to the government for approval, then you will receive a credit for the full amount of the iVisa processing fee and government fee .

If your application has been reviewed by our team but has not yet been submitted to the government for approval, you will receive a credit for the full amount of the government fee .

If your application has been submitted to the government for approval or a visa is already issued , unfortunately, no credit is available.

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The Ultimate Guide to the 5-Year Indian Visa: Everything You Need to Know

Are you a frequent traveler to India or planning an extended stay in the country? Look no further! The 5-year Indian visa is your golden ticket to hassle-free travel and long-term residency. But, with so many options and complexities involved, obtaining this visa can be a daunting task for any traveler. Fear not! Our ultimate guide has got you covered with everything you need to know about the 5-year Indian visa, from eligibility criteria to application process and more. Get ready to embark on your journey worry-free as we help unravel the mystery behind this quintessential document. 5 YEAR INDIAN VISA

What is the 5-Year Indian Visa?

The 5-Year Indian Visa is a visa that allows you to stay in India for up to five years at a time. You can apply for this visa at any Indian consulate or embassy, and it is valid for both tourism and business purposes. This visa is multiple entry, so you can come and go from India as often as you like during the five year period.

There are a few requirements for the 5-Year Indian Visa. First, you must have a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond your planned stay in India. Second, you will need two passport-sized photographs of yourself. You will need to submit a completed application form, which you can get from the consulate or embassy where you are applying.

Once you have all of your documents in order, the process of applying for the 5-Year Indian Visa is relatively straightforward. First, you will need to schedule an appointment at the consulate or embassy where you are applying. During your appointment, an officer will review your documents and ask you a few questions about your travel plans. Once everything is in order, they will issue your visa and give you instructions on how to activate it when you arrive in India.

The 5-Year Indian Visa is a great option for those who want to spend extended periods of time in India. It is also a good choice for those who plan to travel frequently to India over the course of several years. If you meet the requirements and

Eligibility Requirements for a 5-Year Indian Visa

To be eligible for a 5-year Indian visa, you must: URGENT EMERGENCY INDIAN VISA

-Be a citizen of the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, or the United Kingdom

-Have a valid passport with at least 6 months of remaining validity

-Have a completed and signed visa application form

-Provide two recent passport-style photographs

-Pay the visa processing fee

Benefits of a 5-Year Indian Visa

If you’re planning a trip to India, you may be wondering if it’s worth getting a 5-year visa. Here are some of the benefits of having a 5-year visa:

1. You won’t have to apply for a new visa every time you want to visit India.

2. A 5-year visa allows you to stay in India for up to 6 months at a time.

3. You can use a 5-year visa to multiple times throughout the year.

4. A 5-year visa costs the same as a 1-year visa.

5. You can apply for a 5-year visa from outside of India.

If you’re planning on spending any significant amount of time in India, a 5-year visa is definitely worth considering. It will save you time and money in the long run, and give you the flexibility to come and go as you please.

Emergency and Urgent Visas in India

If you need to travel to India for emergency or urgent reasons, there are a few different visas that you can apply for. The most common is the Emergency Visa, which is valid for up to 3 months. You can also apply for an Urgent Visa, which is valid for up to 1 month. Both of these visas allow you to enter India multiple times during their validity period.

If you need to stay in India longer than the validity period of your visa, you can apply for an Extension of Stay. This will extend your visa for another 3 months, and can be done multiple times if necessary.

It is important to note that if you are applying for an Emergency or Urgent Visa, you will need to provide proof of the emergency or urgency of your travel. This can be in the form of a letter from your employer, doctor, or other official documentation.

How to Apply for a 5 YearIndian Visa

Assuming you already have a passport, there are only a few steps to apply for a 5 year Indian visa.

1. Visit the official website for India’s Ministry of External Affairs:

2. On the website, select “Visa” from the top menu and then choose “Visa Application Center” from the drop-down menu that appears.

3. Find the correct visa application center for your nationality and click on the link to be redirected to their website.

4. Follow the instructions on how to apply for a tourist visa to India on the specific website. You will likely need to fill out an online form and submit required documents like your passport and photographs.

5. Once you have submitted your application, wait for a response from the visa processing center. If your application is approved, you will receive an e-mail or letter with your visa attached. Print out this document and bring it with you when you travel to India.

The 5-year Indian visa is an excellent way to make India your home for the long term. With its multiple entry and exit options, you can come and go as needed while spending more time in India than ever before. It’s a great way to explore the country, take up jobs or pursue higher education without worrying about having to constantly renew your visa. With our ultimate guide above, we hope that you will now have all the information you need to apply for this type of visa with ease and confidence.

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INDIA VISA REQUIREMENTS + APPLICATION for Filipinos

by thepinay solobackpacker | Feb 10, 2020 | India , Visa | 0 comments

If you plan to travel to India soon,  then you need to apply for the India Visa online.  India is a vibrant country, with amazing culture, jaw-dropping architecture, exquisite arts and handicrafts, rich history, and warm people. I can go on and on.  When I first visited some parts of South India during our Kerala blog express trip, I was really mesmerized.  It was definitely one of my most memorable trip, especially seeing elephants, deers and other animals in the wild. Yes, unknown to many Filipino tourists,  India has a plethora of protected national parks where you can catch a glimpse of tiger, elephants, wild buffalo, deer, rhinoceros, etc. living in the wild.  I hope to return to India in the near future, and explore more destinations.

So, how do you apply for the India Visa? But don’t worry, applying for an Indian visa is not as hard as it looks, compared to other countries requiring a visa, you don’t need tons of documents to submit.  Without further ado, here’s my India Visa Blog.  I wrote here the India Visa requirements and application for tourists to help you prepare. I decided to blog this since some readers are still confused, I am still getting inquiries about my old visa blogpost.

TRAVEL BLOG CONTENTS

The  India E-Visa

The India E-Visa or the ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) replaced the India Visa on Arrival. That means, Filipino tourists and other foreigners that will be traveling to India needs to apply online for an Indian visa or E-visa prior to their India trip. So please disregard my old blogpost for India Visa on Arrival, this is the new process.

There are 5 categories for the Indian E-Visa:

• E-Tourist Visa
• E-Business Visa
• E-Medical Visa
• E-Medical Attendant visa
• E-Conference Visa

For this India Visa blog, I will only discuss the details for the Indian E-Tourist Visa Requirements and Application process .

There are 3 types of India E-Tourist Visa and the visa fees varies depending on the visa:

1 Month India E-Tourist Visa:

  Validity: 30 Days (1 month)

Entries: Double Entry, non-extendable, and non-convertible

Visa Fee: $25 (approximately ₱1,268, SGD 34, MYR 103, AUD 37)

  This type of Indian E-Visa for tourists is valid for 30 Days (1 Month) and for double entry, meaning you can enter India twice, however, it is non-extendable or non-convertible. So, if you plan to extend your stay in India for more than 30 days or to apply for a regular India Tourist Visa after 30 days, you can’t do that if you have this type of India visa .

1 Year India E-Visa:

  Duration: 365 Days (1 Year) from the date of grant of ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization)

Entries: Multiple

  This type of India E-Tourist Visa is valid for 365 days or 1 year and you can enter India multiple times in a year. This is great if you plan on traveling to India a couple of times in a year.

5 Years India E-Visa:

Duration: 5 years from the date of grant of the ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization)

IMPORTANT: Even if you apply for the 1 Year or Five year of Visa, take note that you shall not exceed 90 days in India.

The only citizens allowed to stay in India for over 90 days are from USA, UK, Canada, and Japan, but they should not stay for over 180 days.

INDIA VISA REQUIREMENTS

What are the India Visa requirements for Filipinos tourists (Philippine Passport Holder)? Unlike other tourist visa for other requirements, you’ll be glad to know that there are only a few requirements for the Indian E-tourist visa.  Take note that the following requirements should be in digital files as you need to submit them online:

Scanned Copy of Your Passport Bio Page (PDF file):

Photo (jpeg file):.

Important: Do not crop your Passport image and upload it as your photograph.  You can have your photo taken at photography shops for less than ₱100, to make sure it’s clear. Then you can ask for a digital copy (if they allow it) or just scan it. Your India visa application can be denied if the photo you upload is not clear as specified.

Required Information:

•   Entry Point (Entry Airport or Seaport)
• Hotel Address and Contact Number
• Travel Dates

INDIAN VISA APPLICATION PROCESS

1. ENSURE THAT YOU ARE ELIGIBLE FOR AN E-VISA :

  You are visiting India for the purpose of tourism only (e.g. vacation, sightseeing, visiting friends or relatives).

Citizens of Southeast Asian countries like the Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, and East Timor are eligible for an India E-Visa.  Australia, Japan, South Korea passport holders are also eligible for the Indian Tourist Visa.

Your passport should have at least 6 months validity from the intended date of departure from India and have at least 2 blank pages for India Immigration stamping.  So, for the duration of your stay in India, your passport should still be valid for at least 6 months.

2. MAKE SURE THAT YOUR ENTRY AND EXIT POINTS IN INDIA ACCEPTS INDIA TOURIST E-VISA

  Before applying for an Indian E-visa, make sure you will enter India and exit India at the airport or seaport that accept India Tourist E-Visa.  Double check your airplane ticket or cruise ticket.

• Entry Airports in India that Accepts E-Visa:
• Seaports in India that Accept Indian E-Visa:
•   Exit Airports that Accept E-visa: 

If you are departing India, take note that these are the only airports in India that accepts E-visa. So you can only exit at these India airports:

• Exit Land Borders in India that Accept E-Visa:
• Exit Seaports in India that Accept E-visa:

3. PREPARE THE REQUIRED INDIAN VISA DOCUMENTS

  Complete the requirements for the Indian Visa, as I stated above, you need the following:

• Scanned copy of your passport bio page (your photo and personal details should be clear)
• Recent Photo (2×2 photo, front-facing, white background, no glasses, JPG file)
• Other  Requirements:
• Make sure that you also have the following information because you will need to input this on the Indian E-Visa application form online, but you don’t necessarily need to book the flights and hotels, you can do that once your India visa is approved already:
• Entry Point (Entry Airport or Seaport)

4. APPLY FOR THE INDIA E-VISA ONLINE

  Once you’re done preparing your Indian visa requirements and you are sure that you are eligible for the India E-Tourist Visa, you can now apply online at  Indianvisaonline.gov.in  

Important: You can do it yourself (DIY), or if you’re not comfortable applying for an Indian Visa yourself online, you can ask for assistance (with a fee) from travel agencies nearest you or there are many travel agencies online. But since I wrote this India E-visa guide for you, I hope it helps.

5. MAKE YOUR PAYMENT

  After completing the form, you will need to choose a payment option.  There are 2 options so far: SBI e-pay or Axis Bank.

SBI e-pay is the payment aggregator service of the State Bank of India. They have multiple payments options and accepts International Cards (debit and credit cards) issued by Visa, Maestro, and Mastercard, both with or without 3D secure authentication. You can also pay via PayPal if you opt for SBI e-pay.

Meanwhile, Axis Bank facilitates online payments with Visa, Maestro, and Mastercard.

6. WAIT FOR YOUR INDIA E-VISA

You can check your e-mail after 72 hours for the status of your Indian E-tourist visa. So make sure that your e-mail is correct. You should be able to use the visa within 120 days from the date it was issued.  Please also double check your India visa status HERE  , make sure it is stated as GRANTED before your travel to India.  If you have further questions, you may contact the E-visa helpdesk at: [email protected] .

7. PRINT YOUR INDIA E-VISA

You need to print the India E-visa and show it at the Immigration upon your arrival in India.

INDIA VISA FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

What are the reasons for the Indian visa rejection?

While I am not in the position to answer this, as I don’t work in the embassy, the decision is up to them, but some of the possible reasons are:

• Incorrect information
• Submitted requirements did not meet the specifications (e.g. photo not clear, scanned bio page is not clear)

So make sure your submitted requirements are correct and clear.

How long will it take to process the Indian E-visa?

The India E-visa processing may take 72 hours or more. You will be informed of your visa status (approved or rejected) via e-mail. So make sure you provide the correct e-mail address.  You may also check your visa status HERE. 

How early can I apply for an Indian E-visa?

  You may apply online minimum of 4 days in advance of the date of travel, however, to avoid inconvenience, best to apply a few weeks before your intended travel date. The Indian E-tourist Visa is valid for 120 days, so don’t earlier than that.

Can I reprint my India E-visa since I lost it?

  Yes, you can. Visit this page.    But you will need your Port of Arrival (the one you indicated on your application form), Application ID, Date of Birth, and Passport Number.  So I would suggest you write down your visa application number.

Do I need to book my flights and hotel to apply for an India visa?

If you are applying for a 1 month India E-tourist visa, you don’t need to book your flights and hotel yet.  You can do that after your visa is approved.  But take note that the airline in the Philippines and the Immigration in the Philippines and India requires a return or onward ticket.  So make sure you book your return of onward flights prior to your trip.  The Immigration might also ask you for your hotel bookings and places that you will visit, so make sure you have a sample itinerary.

Do I need a travel insurance?

A travel insurance is not required, but I recommend you get one for your peace of mind and safety. It’s affordable. I usually pay around ₱1000 – ₱1,500. You can apply online or visit the nearest travel agency.

Do I need a Yellow Fever Vaccine?

The Yellow Fever Vaccine is only required for citizens of Yellow Fever affected countries or travelers arriving from these countries.  They must carry a Yellow Fever Vaccination Card at the time of arrival in India, otherwise, they will be quarantined for 6 days upon arrival in India. If you are coming from the Philippines, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, or other Southeast Asian countries, you are not required to bring one.

What are the yellow fever affected countries? CHECK HERE .

INDIA VISA TIPS AND REMINDERS

• A bank account and flight and hotel bookings are not required when applying for an Indian E-Tourist Visa, however, the Immigration Officer might ask you about your budget, itinerary, hotel bookings, and return or onward flights.  A return or onward flight is required when leaving the Philippines, so once your India visa is approved, book your roundtrip flights and hotels.
• Your biometric will be mandatorily captured at Immigration upon arrival in India.
• You must travel on the Passport which you have applied for Indian Visa. Entry will be allowed into India on the new passport even if the India E-tourist Visa has been issued on the old passport, however, you must bring the old passport on which the India Visa was issued.

INDIA TOURS

Pocket Wi-Fi for India (Delivery or Pick up in India): RESERVE HERE

Delhi tours.

•   Delhi Airport Transfer: RESERVE HERE
• Taj Mahal and Agra Fort Day Tour from Delhi: RESERVE HERE
•   Golden Triangle Tour from Delhi: RESERVE HERE
• New and Old Delhi Day Tour: RESERVE HERE

JAIPUR TOURS

• Jaipur Sightseeing Day Tour: RESERVE HERE
•   Cultural Walking Tour of Jaipur: RESERVE HERE
• Jaipur Nahargarh and Jaigarh Fort Half Day Tour: RESERVE HERE

CHENNAI TOURS

• Chennai Heritage Walking Tour: RESERVE HERE
• Chennai Aiport Transfer: RESERVE HERE
• Chennai Private Car Charter: RESERVE HERE

WHERE TO STAY IN INDIA

DELHI BUDGET HOTELS

For first-timers in Delhi, Karol Bagh is a popular area to stay because it has easy transportation and shopping.  Meanwhile, Paharganj is popular for budget travelers and backpackers. It’s quite noisy and crowded though. For families traveling, your best bet is South Delhi , which is more relaxed.

•   Wood Castle Hotel New Delhi

Location: Karol Bagh

CHECK RATES HERE OR RESERVE HERE

• Bloomrooms @New Delhi Railway

Location: Pahar Ganj

• The Prime Balaji Deluxe @ New Delhi Railway
• Hotel City Star

Location: Pajar Ganj

• Orania B&B By Atsar

Location: South Delhi

• Letsbunk Posh Hotel
• Hari Piorko by Backpacker Panda

RELATED VISA BLOG:

Japan visa requirements, greece visa (schengen visa), related posts.

GREECE VISA FOR FILIPINOS: HOW TO APPLY AND REQUIREMENTS

JAPAN VISA : REQUIREMENTS + TIPS + APPLICATION (Philippines)

TAIWAN VISA-FREE PHILIPPINES/FILIPINOS 2018 -2019 Requirements

Trivandrum, Kerala : Eat, Pray and Beach Bum

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Information

Application fees, document requirements, photo specifications, processing time.

Who can apply?

• The Tourist visa is issued to people who wish to visit India for tourist purposes i.e., Recreation, sightseeing, casual visit to meet friends and relatives etc. The visa is non - extendable and non-convertible. No other activity is permissible on Tourist visa.
• Govt. of India has started issuing 5-10 years duration for Tourist and Entry visas for Canadians starting from the 4th Dec 2017.
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# subject to regular/sticker visa endorsements $ check authorised entry points for e-visa.

• Bhubaneshwar
• Tiruchirapalli
• Vishakhapatnam
• Attari Road
• Changrabandha
• Gauriphanta
• Kailashahar
• Lalgolaghat
• Srimantapur
• Kawarpuchia
• Bedi Bunder
• Mormagoa Harbour
• Mumbai Seaport
• Nagapattinum
• Nhava Sheva
• Vishakapatnam
• New Mangalore
• Agati and Minicoy Island Lakshdwip UT
• Vallarpadam
• Krishnapatnam
• Munabao Rail Check Post
• Attari Rail Check Post
• Gede Rail and Road Check Post
• Haridaspur Rail Check Post
• Chitpur Rail Checkpost

India Allows Visa-on-Arrival for 3 Countries – India Report

Bulbul Dhawan , Skift

August 6th, 2024 at 11:00 PM EDT

India's move to allow visa-on-arrival to Japan, South Korea, and the UAE nationals can significantly boost international tourism, given the close ties and proximity of the three countries to India. But is it enough?

Bulbul Dhawan

The Skift India Newsletter is your go-to platform for all news related to travel, tourism, airlines, and hospitality in India.

India now allows nationals from Japan, South Korea, and the United Arab Emirates to get a visa-on-arrival for tourism, business, conferences, and medical purposes. The visa will be valid for 60 days, and travelers will be able to visit India up to two times during that period. 

The facility is currently available at six airports: Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Mumbai. 

India also offers e-visas with electronic travel authorization (ETA) to citizens from 167 countries for these four categories.  

International Travel to India: In 2023, more than 9.2 million foreign tourists visited India, up 44% from 2022, according to the government’s latest Economic Survey for 2023-24 . However, this figure has still not recovered to the pre-pandemic figure of over 10.9 million in 2019. 

Last year, India earned INR 2.3 trillion ($27.5 billion) in foreign exchange through tourism. While this was 66% higher than 2022, according to a report by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) , international visitor spending last year was over 14% behind the 2019 levels. 

Small Steps: In the Indian budget announced last month , Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the focus would be on making India a global destination. 

Perhaps to this end, last month , India made its e-tourist visa free for Malaysian nationals, allowing them to obtain a 30-day double entry e-tourist visa for free between July 1, 2024, till June 30 next year. India also issued a similar visa waiver for Thai passport holders till the end of 2024.

However, these are small steps to boost international tourism, along with India’s participation in international trade shows. Even with a goal to make India a global destination, the government made no change in the global promotion budget, which had been earlier reduced by 97% in the interim budget announced in February.

Oyo Has Big Plans for Sunday Brand

Hotel aggregator and operator Oyo has announced it plans to open 25 new hotels in India under its premium Sunday brand by March 2025. For its expansion, the company has decided on Gurgaon, Manesar, and Corbett as the next three locations. 

Launched in 2023, the Sunday brand is a joint venture between the Softbank Group and Oyo’s parent company Oravel Stays. Currently, three hotels across Jaipur, Vadodara, and Chandigarh are operational under Sunday. 

Oyo had started as a budget hotel aggregator, but has been moving towards premium offerings recently. Last year, the company launched premium hotels and resorts brand Palette , with the aim of having a total of 50 hotels under it by the second quarter of 2024. 

Oyo has raised hundreds of millions of dollars in equity and debt over the years, with most of it going towards rapid expansion in different sectors of the business. The 2024 fiscal marked Oyo’s first-ever profitable year , with the company having a net income of nearly $12 million. 

IndiGo’s Business Class and Loyalty Program Launch Dates

IndiGo is set to launch its business class service – IndiGoStretch – on the Delhi-Mumbai route starting mid-November, Skift Asia Editor Peden Doma Bhutia reports . The airline has also unveiled its loyalty program IndiGo BluChip. 

IndiGo’s decision to introduce a business class service aligns with its wider priorities. The airline’s vision sees it tapping into the growing demands of India’s rapidly evolving economy and its changing consumer expectations. 

In a departure from its traditional no-frills service, IndiGoStretch customers will enjoy complimentary perks, including a curated meal box from Oberoi Catering Services, a no-convenience fee policy, priority check-in, and advance seat selection at no extra charge.

IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers had earlier told Skift that the airline would stay faithful to the IndiGo brand and that it’s the right time for an “IndiGo-like product” to serve a new wave of Indian air travelers.

Air India Express Launches Virtual Interlining Platform

Budget airline Air India Express has launched a virtual interlining platform called AIX Connect . The platform will allow customers to book connecting flights where one leg of the journey is operated by Air India Express and the other leg by its partner airline.

The first airline to partner with Air India Express for this initiative is Singapore-based Scoot. The partnership would expand the connectivity of the Air India Express customers to Australia, China, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. 

The move comes less than a month after Air India Express partnered with online travel agency MakeMyTrip to launch Xpress Holidays – a platform that would allow travelers to book end-to-end holiday packages. 

Cygnett Hotels Launches Cozzet Hotel in Sonipat

Indian hospitality chain Cygnett Hotels and Resorts has opened Cozzet Sonipat in Haryana. The hotel has been opened under the hotel chain’s budget brand Cozzet. 

At present, the company has 25 operational hotels, with 15 others in the pre-opening stage. It aims to have 33 operational hotels in its portfolio by the end of this year. 

“We will soon open doors for our guests in destinations like Jaipur, Jamshedpur, Mahad, Puri, and Dibrugarh this year. We will continue to explore destinations with a demand for branded, value-for-money hotels,” said Sarbendra Sarkar, founder and managing director of Cygnett Hotels and Resorts.

India Needs More Than 2 Airlines: IndiGo Managing Director

IndiGo managing director and shareholder Rahul Bhatia has spoken up about the fact that India currently has two major airlines – IndiGo and the Air India group. He said that a country like India deserves more than two airlines. 

In comparison, China has five to six major airlines, he added. According to data from aviation consultancy firm OAG, the top 10 airlines in China have a market share ranging from 3-15%. 

In India, IndiGo held a market share of about 61% in the domestic market in the April to June quarter. The Air India group, including Vistara, was a distant second at a nearly 29% market share. 

Bhatia said that IndiGo’s market share domination was not entirely due to its own ability, as over the past 12 years, three Indian airlines went bankrupt: Kingfisher, Jet Airways, and GoFirst. Apart from this, low-cost carrier SpiceJet has also been facing financial and legal difficulties. 

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Tags: air india , Air India Express , airlines , budget hotels , business class , e-visas , hotels , india , india budget , india outbound , india travel , indian airlines , indigo , indigo airlines , international tourism , international travel , loyalty , oyo , premium travel , skift india report , tourism , visa , visa waiver , visas

Photo credit: India currently offers e-visas with electronic travel authorization (ETA) to citizens from 167 countries. (Image: Red Fort) PDPics / Pixabay

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What’s It Like Traveling to China These Days?

China has been rolling out new visa-free programs and promising to make travel easier for foreigners. But challenges remain.

By Vivian Wang

Reporting from Shanghai

By some measures, visiting China has never been easier.

China has been making a huge push to attract foreign tourists in recent months. It has rolled out a visa-free program for dozens of countries, with the list still growing. It has pledged to make it easier for visitors to pay for things, book hotels and get around.

The goal is to signal that China is open for business — and fun! — again, after three years of pandemic controls made it literally impossible for most foreigners to enter. The government is especially keen to attract visitors as it tries to rev up growth .

China also wants to show that it is still connected to the world, despite tensions with the West and the growing reach of its security apparatus at home.

In a sign of its eagerness, Beijing has offered the visa waivers to countries that have not done the same in return — a rare move for a government that usually insists on reciprocity.

But actually traveling to China can still be a major challenge. Here’s what to know:

What’s new?

China is unilaterally offering visa-free entry for 15 days to citizens from a slew of countries, mostly Western European ones like France, Germany and Spain. The program began in December and has continued to expand; Australia, New Zealand and Poland were included last month. It is set to run through 2025.

In addition, citizens of more than 50 countries, including the United States, are now eligible for visa-free transit. They can enter China for 72 or 144 hours, depending on their port of entry, if they are continuing on to other destinations.

Transit travelers must stay within certain areas. For example, people flying into Shanghai can only visit the city and the neighboring provinces of Jiangsu and Zhejiang.

China has also promised to reduce logistical headaches for foreigners. WeChat and AliPay — the so-called super apps that most Chinese use for every aspect of daily life, from digital payments to ride hailing to ordering at restaurants — can now be linked to international credit cards, not just Chinese ones. (Most businesses do not accept credit cards directly.) And in May, the government told hotels not to refuse foreign guests, which was once a common practice.

Why is China doing all this?

Simply put: It needs money.

As China’s economy slows, its consumers have been hesitant to spend, fanning fears of deflation. The government also wants to win back foreign investment, after many overseas companies were spooked by China’s long Covid lockdowns and tightening political environment. Visitors on the 15-day visa-free program are allowed not only to sight-see, but to conduct business.

Attracting more visitors would also help the government rebut accusations from the United States and other Western countries that China has become more hostile to foreigners.

Beijing last year revised its counterespionage law to broaden the definition of spying, and state propaganda has warned that seemingly harmless foreigners might be trying to undermine China’s national security. Still, the government insists that reports of xenophobia and rising nationalism are just spin, orchestrated by countries trying to stop China’s rise.

Are more visitors coming?

In the first half of this year, there were 14.6 million arrivals from overseas, according to Chinese statistics. Most of them were visa-free.

That’s 2.5 times as many as China had during the same period last year, but well below the 24 million in the first half of 2019, before the pandemic.

China’s efforts to smooth out visitors’ experiences have also had mixed results.

On a recent Friday in Shanghai, Luka Lefevre, 24, and Charlotte Collet, 21, were cramming as much sightseeing as possible into a 10-hour layover between Paris and Vietnam. They had visited Yu Garden, a temple complex, and were taking photos on East Nanjing Road, a major shopping street.

But they’d had trouble using their phones to pay for things, and had to resort to cash, they said. They were also surprised by the ubiquitous surveillance cameras.

“For us, it’s a little bit too much, because we don’t have this in France,” Ms. Collet said. “But we know that it’s for safety.”

“For 10 hours, it’s O.K.,” Mr. Lefevre added.

Even visitors who’d figured out the Chinese apps said it had taken a while.

Walking along the Bund, Shanghai’s historic waterfront area, Maeline Lachaud and Nadia Hofmann, both Swiss university students, said they had linked their credit cards to AliPay while traveling through Xi’an, Chongqing and now Shanghai. The convenience was “amazing,” they said.

But Ms. Lachaud, a first-time visitor, said she had relied heavily upon Ms. Hofmann, who is minoring in Chinese studies and had visited once before. She hadn’t realized that AliPay had to be used not only to pay, but also to order at restaurants, and that the in-app menus were in Chinese.

Many major tourist attractions across China, such as the Forbidden City in Beijing, also require advance reservations through platforms like WeChat that are largely in Chinese. (Because of the super apps’ ubiquity, many websites in China are poorly maintained.)

“China’s not for beginners,” Ms. Hofmann said.

Vivian Wang is a China correspondent based in Beijing, where she writes about how the country’s global rise and ambitions are shaping the daily lives of its people. More about Vivian Wang