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Heading to India to soak up its sights and vibrant culture? Before you pack your bags, make sure you’ve got your visa sorted. India’s e-tourist visa process can seem complicated with long forms and document uploads, but if you follow the steps carefully, it’s straightforward. Complete the application online, and you’ll have your visa in three days.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through all the details you need: from the different visa types and costs to the documents required, and even payment options. Plus, we’ll share answers to some of the confusing questions we faced during our own application, so you can breeze through the process with confidence.
Here’s everything you need to know about India’s tourist visa requirements!
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Important: There are many fake websites. Only apply through the official government site: indianvisaonline.gov.in.
Indian Tourist Visa
Most travelers need a visa for India, and the easiest option is the e-tourist visa, available online. It’s open to citizens of 172 countries, including those in Europe, North America, Australia, New Zealand, and much of Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. Check the full list online here.
Visa-on-Arrival
Citizens of Japan and South Korea can get a Visa-on-Arrival. It’s recommended to fill out and print the application form in advance, though you can complete it upon arrival.
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Types of Tourist E-Visas for India
One Month (30 Days): Double entry
One Year (365 Days): Multiple entries
Five Years: Multiple entries
Tourist E-Visa Costs
One Month: The cost varies depending on your travel dates—$10 from April to June and $25 from July to March.
One Year: $40
Five Years: $80
Required Documents
Before applying for your e-tourist visa online, ensure you have the following:
- Passport valid for 6 months
- At least two blank pages in your passport
- Scanned passport bio page with your photo and details.
- A passport-style photo
- A credit card or PayPal for visa fees
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Applying for an Indian tourist E-Visa
Getting an Indian tourist e-visa is straightforward, though filling out the application takes some time and some questions may be a bit unusual.
Application Form
For visa applications, apply only through the official government site: indianvisaonline.gov.in. Many unofficial sites exist, so double-check before applying.
You can apply for a 30-day visa up to 30 days in advance. For a 1-year or 5-year visa, apply up to 120 days ahead.
Note: You must apply online at least 4 days before your trip to India. Applications can’t be submitted closer to your departure date.
Confusing Questions
The application form is long but mostly straightforward. Some questions, like Citizenship/National ID No. and Visible Identification Marks (tattoos or moles), can be confusing. If they don’t apply to you, just enter “NA” (Not Applicable).
The question “Have you lived for at least two years in the country where you are applying for the visa?” refers to the country you’re applying from, not India. So, if you’re applying from Canada, it asks if you’ve lived in Canada for at least two years.
Reference Name in India
You’ll need to provide a reference name in India. Simply list any hotel where you plan to stay, even if you haven’t booked it yet, and list their address and phone number.
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Final Submission Steps
After entering your details, you’ll be prompted to upload a PDF of your scanned passport bio page and a passport-style photo. Make sure your photo meets the requirements to avoid size errors.
Payment Methods
After confirming your details, you can choose to pay now or later. Payment options include credit card or PayPal.
Note: Additional banking fees apply—2.5% for credit cards and 3.5% for PayPal.
E-Visa Processing Time
If your application is approved, processing can take up to 72 hours (3 working days). In our case, we received our visas in 2 days.
For any questions about your visa application, email indian-evisa@gov.in or call +91 82 7808 7808 or +91 11 24300666.
Downloading Your E-Visa
You’ll receive an email once your Indian visa application is approved. Download your e-visa from the official website: indianvisaonline.gov.in and print it to show the immigration officer upon arrival.
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Approved Entry Points
You can arrive at 31 designated airports in India, including Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata. For cruise tourists, entry is allowed at 6 major seaports, including Mumbai, Cochin, and Chennai.
Find the full list of authorized immigration checkposts here.
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Arriving at the Airport
Arriving at Delhi airport was smooth, likely because we landed late at night. The immigration process was quick and easy, with separate kiosks for different visa types and groups. Clear signs and helpful staff made it straightforward, and we got through in no time. It was one of the easiest immigration experiences we’ve had in Asia.
Note that you’ll need to register your biometric details at immigration. First-time travelers can use electronic kiosks right before the immigration area. It takes no more than 5 minutes to register your photo and fingerprints, which will help speed up the process.
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That’s your quick guide to Indian tourist visa requirements!
Now that you’re all set, you’re ready to travel to one of the most vibrant countries in the world. To make sure you’re fully covered, consider getting travel insurance for peace of mind in case of any emergencies. Get your insurance today at Heymondo and enjoy a 5% discount for being our reader.
If you have any questions about the tourist visa process, leave a comment below.
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