India e-visa: Everything You Need to Know Before You Go
When you plan a trip to India, the India e-visa, a digital travel permit issued by the Indian government for tourists, business travelers, and medical visitors. Also known as India tourist visa online, it’s the fastest and simplest way to get approved for entry without visiting an embassy. You don’t need to mail paperwork, wait in lines, or pay extra fees for rush service—just fill out a form, upload a photo, and pay online. Most people get approved in under 72 hours.
The India e-visa, a digital travel permit issued by the Indian government for tourists, business travelers, and medical visitors. Also known as India tourist visa online, it’s the fastest and simplest way to get approved for entry without visiting an embassy. You don’t need to mail paperwork, wait in lines, or pay extra fees for rush service—just fill out a form, upload a photo, and pay online. Most people get approved in under 72 hours.
But here’s the catch: not all e-visas are the same. There are three types you’ll actually use—Tourist e-visa, for sightseeing, visiting family, or short-term stays under 60 days; Business e-visa, for meetings, conferences, or short-term work assignments; and Medical e-visa, for treatment at approved hospitals, with up to two attendants allowed. Each has different rules on how long you can stay, how many times you can enter, and which airports you can land at. You can’t switch types once applied, so pick the right one.
And yes, you can apply from anywhere. Whether you’re in New York, Sydney, or Lagos, the portal works the same. But make sure your passport has at least six months left and two blank pages. Your photo must be white background, no glasses, no hats. Mess that up, and you’ll get rejected—even if your form is perfect. Also, don’t try to use the e-visa to enter by land. It only works at 28 designated airports and five major seaports. If you’re crossing from Nepal or Bangladesh, you’ll need a regular visa.
Once approved, you’ll get an email with a PDF. Print it. Keep it with your passport. Border agents don’t always have reliable internet, and they need to see the stamp on paper. You’ll also need to fill out an arrival card on the plane or at the airport. It’s simple—name, flight number, address in India. No need to overthink it.
And what about fees? The tourist e-visa costs $80 USD for most nationalities. Business and medical are a bit more. There are no hidden charges, no service fees from third-party sites you don’t need. Go straight to the official portal: India e-visa. Skip the middlemen. They charge you extra and don’t speed things up.
You can apply up to 120 days before your trip, but not less than four days before. Plan ahead, but don’t panic if you’re last-minute. Most approvals come within a day if you apply on a weekday. Weekends and Indian holidays slow things down. And no, you can’t extend an e-visa. If you want to stay longer, you’ll need to leave and reapply after a gap.
Below, you’ll find real traveler stories about how the e-visa worked—or didn’t—for them. From last-minute airport scrambles to smooth arrivals in Delhi and Goa, these posts cut through the noise. You’ll learn what to pack, how to handle customs, and what questions they actually ask at immigration. No theory. Just what you need to know before you book your flight.
