The planning of a trip to India begins with one simple process: getting your Visa. For the majority of travellers from abroad, this visa India e Tourist Visa is the fastest, simplest and most affordable method to be approved for entry before you even arrive.
The positive side lies in the fact that India has simplified the process. There is no need to go to an embassy, stand in a line to be interviewed, or wait for weeks to receive an answer. It is possible to apply for the India e-Tourist Visa completely online, and it can be granted in as little as three working days.
The complete guide for 2026 covers everything you must be aware of to apply Indian Visa online. What is the India e-Tourist Visa? Who qualifies for it? How to apply? What documents are required? What does it cost? What to anticipate at the immigration counter upon arrival?
What is the India e-Tourist Visa?
This India e-Tourist Visa is an Electronic Travel Authorization, commonly called ETA. It permits travellers who are eligible to submit an application and get the Visa online prior to getting to India. There's no paper application to mail, no visit to the embassy is required, and no physical stamp is required prior to departure.
After approval, once the application is approved, the ETA is delivered to your registered email address. Print it and show it at the immigration counter upon arrival. A police officer stamps your passport, and you're officially admitted to the country.
This Indian e-Tourist Visa falls in the larger e-Visa scheme, which also covers medical, business or conference categories. For those who travel for leisure, this category is the best choice.
Citizens of more than 155 countries are qualified to obtain the India e-Tourist Visa. This includes travellers who are from the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, most of Europe and many more nations.
Types of Indian e-Tourist Visa Available in 2026
There are three kinds of Indian e-Tourist Visa available that are each suitable for the different lengths and styles of trip:
30-Day e Tourist Visa
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Validity: The validity period is 30 days starting after the day of entry into India
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Entries: Double entry
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Ideal for: short excursions, first-time visitors, and those who combine India with other countries.
1-Year e Tourist Visa
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Validity: 1 year from the date that the ETA is granted.
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Entries: Multiple entries
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Recommended for: Regular visitors, travellers planning multiple India visits in the course of a year
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Maximum duration of stay is 90 days for most nations, 180 days for the US, UK, Japan and Canada
5-Year e Tourist Visa
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Validity: 5 years from the date that the ETA is granted.
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Entries: Multiple entries
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Recommended for: Regular travellers to India who are looking for long-term flexibility
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Maximum duration of stay per Visit: Similar to 1-year limitations
It is important to note that all three kinds of Indian e-Tourist Visa are non-expandable and not convertible. The Visa cannot be changed after it has been issued. If you want to stay longer in India beyond the time period of your Visa, it is necessary to leave the country and reapply.
Documents Required for the India e-Tourist Visa
The requirements for the document required in order to obtain the Indian e-Tourist Visa are easy to meet. It is necessary to submit the following documents:
1. Valid Passport
Your passport should be valid for a minimum of 6 months after your planned day of entry into India. It must also contain at least two pages of blank space for immigration stamps. Upload a clear, vibrant image of your biographical page, which contains your photo and other personal information. Accepted formats include PDF, JPG and PNG with the maximum file size of 5MB.
2. Digital Photograph
You must have a current passport-style photo. It should be taken with your face facing forward, with your head in the centre of the frame. The background should be white or lighter colored. The image should be in JPEG format, be at 2" x 2" and no more than 1 1 MB. The image taken using a smartphone against white walls is fine if it's clear and well-lit.
3. Travel Details
You'll need to provide the date you expect to arrive as well as the port of entry. India's ports of entry and entry airports that accept the India e-Tourist Visa are described in detail in the following section. There is no requirement for an approved booking in order for the application, but you must indicate a planned departure date in the form.
4. Payment Method
A valid credit or debit card must be present to make a payment for the Visa on the internet. A bank fee of 2.5 per cent of the total fee for Visa is added at the time of checkout. The fee is non-refundable once it is paid, regardless of whether or not the Visa is granted.
How to Apply for the India e-Tourist Visa: Step by Step
The application process for the India e-Tourist Visa online is easy. Follow these steps with care to avoid rejection or delays:
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Go to the official Indian government e-Visa portal at indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa. This is the only valid site for applications. Avoid using third-party agents or sites that are not official.
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Choose the Tourist Visa category and fill out an online form to apply. You will be asked to provide your personal information, including passport details and travel dates, as well as the country of your citizenship, and the airport you will be entering. It is essential to be precise. Small mistakes in your passport's numbers or name could lead to rejection.
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You can upload your passport's scan as well as a photo. Be sure that both documents meet the formatting and size requirements as stated above.
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Check your application thoroughly before you submit. Once the application is submitted, modifications cannot be made.
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Pay the visa fees using your credit or debit card. Your application won't be processed if there is no payment.
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When you submit your application, keep a note of the Request Reference Number. This can be used to determine the status of your Visa through the same portal.
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After approval, the Electronic Travel Authorisation will be delivered to your registered email address. Be sure to check your spam folder in case it doesn't appear within five business days.
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Two copies should be printed of the ETA. Take one with you at the time of immigration and save the other one to use as a backup.
How Long Does the Indian e-Tourist Visa Take?
The standard time to process e Tourist Visa India takes three working days. But, this isn't guaranteed. Processing times can be longer during busy times and public holidays. It could also take longer in the event that your application requires further examination.
These India visa 2026 guidelines strongly suggest applying at least 4 days in advance of the date of your arrival. In actual practice, many experienced tour operators and travellers recommend applying 10-14 days prior to your arrival date in order to allow you a buffer of time.
You may apply up to 120 days prior to your planned date of departure for the 30-day e-Tourist Visa. For the one-year and five-year visas, the window for arrival is extended up to one year after the application date.
When you receive your ETA by email, ensure that the status is "Granted" before you make any bookings that are not refundable.
Approved Entry Points for the India e-Tourist Visa
The Indian e-Tourist Visa is valid to enter through 31 designated international airports as well as six major ports at sea. It is necessary to indicate one of them as your entry point when filling out the form for the application.
31 Designated Entry Airports
Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Bagdogra, Bengaluru, Bhubaneshwar, Calicut, Chandigarh, Chennai, Cochin, Coimbatore, Delhi, Gaya, Goa (Dabolim), Goa (Mopa), Guwahati, Hyderabad, Indore, Jaipur, Kannur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Madurai, Mangalore, Mumbai, Nagpur, Port Blair, Pune, Tiruchirapalli, Trivandrum, Varanasi, and Vishakhapatnam.
6 Designated Entry Seaports
Chennai, Cochin, Goa, Mangalore, Mumbai, and Port Blair.
Exiting is more flexible. Tourists with an Indian e-Tourist Visa can exit through any of the 104 official immigration checkpoints in the country, which include seaports, airports and border crossings on land. This means that you can travel through Delhi and leave via Mumbai as well as Kochi without issue.
Common Reasons for Visa Rejection and How to Avoid Them
A substantial proportion of India e-Tourist Visa rejections result from errors that could be avoided. These are the most frequent issues and ways to avoid them:
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Low-quality or blurry document scans. Make sure you use a high-quality scanning device or an even and well-lit smartphone image. Verify the clarity of the image prior to uploading.
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Names that are not matching. The name you enter on the application must match the name on your passport precisely, including middle names, if they are present.
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Incorrect passport number. Double-check each number. A single error can invalidate your application.
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The wrong category of Visa. Choose Tourist, not Business or Medical, unless you are travelling specifically for these purposes.
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Not applying in time. The fee should be paid at least four days prior to arrival; you should aim for 10-14 days.
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Passport validity is less than six months. Verify the expiry date of your passport prior to applying.
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Using unofficial websites. Only apply via the official portal of the government. Third-party sites cost a lot of money and pose security risks.
India Visa Requirements: What to Carry on Arrival
Being able to meet the tourist visa India process doesn't stop once your ETA is accepted. Also, you must be ready at the counter for immigration. Take the following items with you upon landing:
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A printed copy of your approved ETA. A digital copy of your phone can be useful for backup purposes; printing a copy is required.
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A valid passport that has at least two blank pages and at least six months of validity remaining.
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Return or onward travel ticket, if requested by the immigration officer.
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Hotel confirmation or the details for your accommodation, which indicate where you'll be staying.
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Certificate of vaccination if you're travelling from a risky yellow fever country.
At the counter for immigration, you can use the e-Visa queue, which is generally quicker than the normal queue. Bring your scanned ETA along with your passport. The officer will take your biometric data and then stamp your passport. The procedure usually takes one minute if your documents are correct.
Visa Sorted. Now, Plan the Trip of a Lifetime.
When you have your Indian e-Tourist Visa accepted, the actual planning commences. We at Janu Private Tours are experts in custom-made India itineraries that are based on your travel preferences, interests and budget. From airport transfers for private guests to professional local tour guides to Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur, we ensure that every detail is taken care of starting from the moment you arrive.
No matter if you're looking to make your first Golden Triangle trip or a more extensive experience through Rajasthan, our team will plan an experience that is exactly what you want.
Get in touch with Janu Private Tours today and begin planning your dream India trip.
