India Visa Requirements

Yes, almost all foreign nationals require a visa to enter India. However, citizens of 160+ countries can apply for a convenient e-Visa online. Only citizens of Nepal and Bhutan are exempt from visa requirements.

The e-Visa is an electronic authorization that allows entry for tourism, business, or medical purposes. Apply online at indianvisaonline.gov.in, receive approval via email, and present the printout at immigration. No embassy visit required.

Most e-Visa applications are processed within 3-5 business days. Apply at least 4 days before travel, though 7+ days is recommended. Standard paper visas from embassies take 5-7 working days.

e-Tourist Visa fees vary by nationality and duration: 30-day visa costs $25, 1-year multiple-entry costs $40, and 5-year multiple-entry costs $80. US, UK, and Canadian citizens pay $25 for 30 days or $80 for longer durations.

India has an excellent approval rate averaging around 95% for e-Visas and regular tourist visas. Applicants with proper documentation and genuine travel purposes see very high success rates.

The 30-day e-Visa allows a single stay of up to 30 days. The 1-year and 5-year e-Visas allow multiple entries with each stay limited to 90 days (180 days for US, UK, Canada, Japan citizens). The 5-year visa allows stays of up to 90 days continuously.

Required documents include a valid passport (6+ months validity, 2 blank pages), recent passport-sized photo with white background, return flight ticket, and proof of accommodation. Business visitors need a letter from the Indian company.

e-Visa is valid for entry at 28 designated airports including Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Goa, plus 5 seaports. Land border crossings generally require traditional visas.