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Country Guides15 minutesUpdated October 2025

India Visa Guide 2026: How to Get an Indian e-Visa (Tourist, Business, Medical)

Complete guide to India visa applications in 2026. Learn about e-Visa options (tourist, business, medical), online application process, eligibility for 169 countries, fees, processing times, visa on arrival, and document requirements for visiting India.

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Annual Visitors

10 million+

Foreign tourists yearly

E-Visa Fee

$10-$100

Varies by duration

Eligible Countries

169 Countries

For e-Visa online

Processing Time

24-72 hours

E-visa approval

Visiting India in 2026: The Land of Colors, Culture & Spirituality

India welcomes over 10 million international visitors annually, drawn by the Taj Mahal, Kerala backwaters, Himalayan adventures, yoga retreats, Bollywood, and vibrant festivals. From the bustling streets of Delhi to the beaches of Goa, India offers experiences unlike anywhere else on Earth.

Good news: India's e-Visa system is one of the most streamlined in Asia. Citizens of 169 countries can apply online in just 15 minutes, with approvals in 24-72 hours, and fees as low as $10.

🇮🇳 India E-Visa Facts 2026:

  • 169 countries eligible for e-Visa (including US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia)
  • 5 e-Visa types: Tourist, Business, Medical, Medical Attendant, Conference
  • 100% online application - no embassy visit required
  • 24-72 hour processing for most applications
  • $10-$100 fees depending on visa type and duration
  • Entry at 28 airports and 5 seaports

This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about India visas in 2026.

India E-Visa Types Explained

India offers 5 main e-Visa categories:

E-Visa TypeDurationPurposeEntriesCost
Tourist E-Visa (30 Day)30 daysTourism, sightseeingDouble entry$10
Tourist E-Visa (1 Year)1 yearTourism, visiting familyMultiple entry$40
Tourist E-Visa (5 Year)5 yearsFrequent tourismMultiple entry$80
Business E-Visa1 yearBusiness meetings, tradeMultiple entry$100
Medical E-Visa4 monthsMedical treatmentTriple entry$80
Medical Attendant E-Visa4 monthsAccompanying patientTriple entry$80
Conference E-Visa4 monthsConferences, seminarsSingle entry$40

E-Visa Eligibility: 169 Countries

Citizens of 169 countries can apply for India e-Visa online. Here are the major eligible countries:

✓ Major Eligible Countries for India E-Visa:

Americas:

  • • United States
  • • Canada
  • • Mexico
  • • Brazil
  • • Argentina
  • • Chile

Europe:

  • • All EU countries
  • • United Kingdom
  • • Switzerland
  • • Norway
  • • Russia
  • • Ukraine

Asia-Pacific:

  • • Australia
  • • New Zealand
  • • Japan
  • • South Korea
  • • Singapore
  • • Thailand

❌ Countries NOT Eligible for E-Visa:

  • Pakistan, China (PRC) - require traditional visa at embassy
  • Afghanistan, Iraq, Sudan, Somalia - embassy visa required
  • Pakistan passport holders born in India require special clearance
  • Diplomatic/Official passport holders (except certain countries)

Check the full list at indianvisaonline.gov.in before applying.

Tourist E-Visa (30 Day, 1 Year, 5 Year)

India offers 3 tourist e-Visa options to fit different travel plans:

30-Day Tourist E-Visa

$10

  • Duration: 30 days from arrival
  • Entries: Double entry
  • Processing: 24-72 hours
  • Best for: Short vacations
  • Extension: Not allowed
  • Stay limit: 30 consecutive days max

1-Year Tourist E-Visa

$40

  • Duration: 1 year from issue
  • Entries: Multiple entry
  • Processing: 72 hours - 5 days
  • Best for: Visiting family, long trips
  • Extension: Not allowed
  • Stay limit: 90 days per visit

5-Year Tourist E-Visa

$80

  • Duration: 5 years from issue
  • Entries: Multiple entry
  • Processing: 72 hours - 5 days
  • Best for: Frequent visitors
  • Extension: Not allowed
  • Stay limit: 90 days per visit

⚠️ Tourist E-Visa Important Rules:

  • Continuous stay limit: Max 180 days per calendar year (Jan-Dec)
  • No conversion: Cannot convert tourist visa to other visa types
  • No extension: Must leave India before visa expires
  • Protected/restricted areas: Some border regions require special permits
  • No employment: Tourism and visiting friends/family ONLY
  • Registration: Stays over 180 days require FRRO registration

Business E-Visa Guide

The Business E-Visa is for short-term business activities in India:

What You Can Do on Business E-Visa:

✓ Allowed Activities:

  • ✓ Business meetings & negotiations
  • ✓ Attending trade fairs & exhibitions
  • ✓ Setting up industrial/business ventures
  • ✓ Recruiting manpower
  • ✓ Technical meetings
  • ✓ Short-term training

✗ NOT Allowed:

  • ✗ Paid employment
  • ✗ Long-term contracts
  • ✗ Journalism/media work
  • ✗ Mountaineering/research
  • ✗ Missionary work
  • ✗ Film production

Business E-Visa Details:

  • Cost: $100
  • Validity: 1 year from date of issue
  • Entries: Multiple entry
  • Stay per visit: Up to 180 days
  • Processing: 72 hours to 5 days
  • Documents needed: Business letter, invitation from Indian company

Medical & Medical Attendant E-Visa

India is a major destination for medical tourism, offering world-class healthcare at affordable prices:

Medical E-Visa:

For Patients Seeking Treatment

  • Cost: $80
  • Validity: 4 months from date of issue
  • Entries: Triple entry
  • Stay per visit: 60 days max
  • Required: Letter from recognized Indian hospital
  • Processing: 72 hours to 5 days

Medical Attendant E-Visa:

For Accompanying Family/Friends

  • Cost: $80
  • Validity: Same as patient's medical visa
  • Limit: Max 2 attendants per patient
  • Required: Copy of patient's medical visa
  • Note: Cannot be granted without patient's medical visa

E-Visa Online Application Process (Step-by-Step)

Applying for an India e-Visa is 100% online. Here's the exact process:

1Visit Official E-Visa Portal

Go to indianvisaonline.gov.in (official government website - beware of fake sites!)

2Choose Visa Type

Select: Tourist, Business, Medical, Medical Attendant, or Conference

3Fill Online Form

Personal details, passport info, travel dates, address in India (hotel/residence)

4Upload Documents

Passport bio-page scan, recent photo (white background, 2x2 inches), supporting docs

5Pay Visa Fee

Credit/debit card payment ($10-$100 depending on visa type)

6Wait for Processing

Check application status online. Most approved in 24-72 hours.

7Receive E-Visa via Email

Print e-Visa (electronic travel authorization - ETA) and bring to immigration

Document Requirements for India E-Visa

Required Documents (All E-Visa Types):

  • Passport scan (bio-data page)

    Valid for at least 6 months from arrival date, 2 blank pages

  • Recent passport photo

    White background, 2x2 inches (51x51mm), square format

  • Return ticket (not mandatory but recommended)

    Proof of onward travel

  • Address in India

    Hotel booking or host's address and contact

Additional Documents by Visa Type:

Business E-Visa:

  • Business card or company letterhead
  • Invitation letter from Indian company
  • Details of Indian company (name, address, contact)

Medical E-Visa:

  • Letter from recognized Indian hospital
  • Medical records/diagnosis (if available)
  • Hospital registration details

Conference E-Visa:

  • Conference invitation letter
  • Conference details (dates, venue, organizer)
  • Political clearance (if required)

Fees & Processing Times (2026)

E-Visa TypeFee (USD)Bank ChargesTotal CostProcessing Time
Tourist E-Visa (30 Day)$10$2.50$12.5024-72 hours
Tourist E-Visa (1 Year)$40$2.50$42.5072 hours - 5 days
Tourist E-Visa (5 Year)$80$2.50$82.5072 hours - 5 days
Business E-Visa$100$2.50$102.5072 hours - 5 days
Medical E-Visa$80$2.50$82.5072 hours - 5 days
Medical Attendant E-Visa$80$2.50$82.5072 hours - 5 days
Conference E-Visa$40$2.50$42.5072 hours - 5 days

💡 Processing Time Tips:

  • Apply at least 4-7 days before travel for buffer time
  • • Most e-Visas approved in 24-72 hours
  • • Peak season (Oct-Mar) may have delays
  • • Check application status at indianvisaonline.gov.in
  • • If rejected, you'll receive email with reason and can reapply

Entry Ports & Restrictions

India e-Visa allows entry at 28 designated airports and 5 seaports:

Major Entry Points:

🛫 Major Airports (28 total):

  • • Delhi (Indira Gandhi International)
  • • Mumbai (Chhatrapati Shivaji)
  • • Bangalore (Kempegowda)
  • • Chennai (Chennai International)
  • • Hyderabad (Rajiv Gandhi)
  • • Kolkata (Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose)
  • • Goa (Dabolim)
  • • Kochi (Cochin International)
  • • + 20 more airports

🚢 Seaports (5 total):

  • • Mumbai Seaport
  • • Cochin Seaport
  • • Mormugao Seaport (Goa)
  • • Chennai Seaport
  • • New Mangalore Seaport

Note: Popular with cruise ship passengers

⚠️ Exit Restrictions:

  • Exit allowed: Any authorized immigration checkpoint (not just e-Visa ports)
  • Land border crossings: Can exit via Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan borders
  • No special permission needed to exit at different port than entry

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I extend my India e-Visa?

No. India e-Visas cannot be extended. If you need to stay longer, you must:

  • Exit India before visa expires
  • Apply for new e-Visa (60-day gap NOT required for re-application)
  • Or apply for regular visa at Indian embassy if you're already in India (requires justification)

What if my India e-Visa is rejected?

You'll receive email with rejection reason. Common reasons:

  • Poor quality passport scan or photo
  • Passport validity less than 6 months
  • Incomplete application
  • Previous overstay or visa violation
  • Security concerns (wrong info provided)

You can reapply immediately after fixing the issue. Visa fees are non-refundable.

Is travel insurance required for India e-Visa?

Not mandatory, but strongly recommended. India does not require proof of travel insurance for e-Visa, but medical costs can be high for foreigners. Get coverage for medical emergencies, accidents, and repatriation.

Can I work on India tourist e-Visa?

Absolutely NOT. Tourist e-Visas are strictly for tourism, sightseeing, and visiting family/friends. Any form of paid work is illegal and can result in:

  • Deportation
  • Entry ban (1-10 years)
  • Blacklisting
  • Legal prosecution

For work, you need an Employment Visa sponsored by an Indian employer.

How early should I apply for India e-Visa?

Apply 4-7 days before travel. While most e-Visas are approved in 24-72 hours, allow buffer time for:

  • Potential delays during peak season
  • Document corrections if needed
  • Re-application if rejected

Maximum advance: You can apply up to 120 days (4 months) before travel for most e-Visa types.

Do I need to print my India e-Visa?

YES! You must print your e-Visa (ETA) and present it at:

  • Airline check-in (they will verify before boarding)
  • Immigration arrival in India

While some airports may accept digital copies on phone, printed copy is required per official guidelines.

Can US Green Card holders get India e-Visa?

Depends on your passport nationality:

  • • If you hold passport from one of the 169 eligible countries, YES
  • • If from Pakistan, China (PRC), or other excluded countries, NO (must apply at embassy)
  • • Your US Green Card does not make you eligible - passport nationality matters

Ready to Apply for Your India E-Visa?

SwiftPass simplifies the India e-Visa process with expert guidance, document review, and 24/7 support. We've helped 12,000+ travelers get India visas with 99.2% approval rate.

✓ 99.2% Approval Rate • ✓ 24-72 Hour Processing • ✓ Expert Document Review • ✓ 24/7 Support

Last updated: October 2025 • Next review: January 2026

India visa policies are subject to change. Always verify current requirements at indianvisaonline.gov.in or consult SwiftPass experts for the most up-to-date information.

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Disclaimer

This article is based on publicly available information, user reviews, government statistics, and our platform capabilities. Visa approval is ultimately decided by immigration authorities. SwiftPass Immigration is operated by SwiftPass Global LLC (EIN: 98-1841660, 131 Continental Dr Suite 305, Newark, DE 19702, USA). Not affiliated with any government agency or embassy.

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