Visa rules change frequently — always verify before you book.
This guide was last reviewed in May 2026. Entry requirements, fees, and stay lengths can change at short notice. Confirm the current rules with the official government sources linked below before booking flights or travelling.
- Visa needed?
- Yes — an e-Visa (applied online before travel) is required for most nationalities. India is not visa-free.
- Maximum stay
- 30 days, 1 year, or 5 years depending on the e-Tourist visa option chosen
- Cost
- Varies by nationality and duration (paid online during application)
- Validity
- 30 days / 1 year / 5 years multiple-entry options
- Processing time
- Typically a few business days — apply at least 4–7 days before travel
India requires almost all foreign visitors to obtain a visa in advance — it is not a visa-free or simple visa-on-arrival destination for most travellers. The good news is that the e-Visa system makes the process entirely online for citizens of more than 160 countries, including the US, UK, EU, Canada, and Australia.
This guide explains how the India e-Visa (e-Tourist visa) works, the duration options, and how to apply through the official portal without falling for the many lookalike commercial sites.
The India e-Visa (e-Tourist Visa)
The e-Tourist visa is applied for entirely online through India's official e-Visa portal. You upload a passport photo page scan and a photograph, complete the application, pay the fee, and receive an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) by email — which you carry (printed or digital) to show on arrival.
It comes in several durations: a 30-day double-entry visa, a 1-year multiple-entry visa, and a 5-year multiple-entry visa. The 1-year and 5-year options allow multiple visits within the validity period, with limits on the length of each individual stay.
How to Apply
Apply only through the official Government of India e-Visa portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in). Many commercial sites charge large markups for the same service. The basic steps:
- Complete the online application with your passport and travel details
- Upload a scan of your passport bio page and a recent photograph
- Pay the visa fee online (the amount varies by nationality and visa duration)
- Receive the e-Visa (ETA) by email, usually within a few business days
- Carry the e-Visa approval (printed or on your phone) to show at immigration
Entry Requirements
- A passport valid for at least six months from your arrival date, with at least two blank pages
- A confirmed e-Visa (ETA) obtained before travel
- You must enter through one of the designated airports or seaports that accept e-Visa holders
- Proof of onward/return travel and sufficient funds may be requested
Travel insurance is often required
Many visas and entry systems require proof of travel medical insurance — and even where it is not mandatory, it protects you against medical bills, cancellations, and lost baggage. Compare cover that meets visa requirements.
Compare travel insurance →Visa on Arrival (Limited)
India offers a true Visa on Arrival only to a very small number of nationalities (such as Japan, South Korea, and the UAE, under specific conditions). US, UK, EU, Canadian, and Australian citizens are not eligible for Visa on Arrival and must use the e-Visa or a regular visa.
Official Sources
Always confirm the latest requirements directly with the official government website before travelling:
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. India is not visa-free for US, UK, EU, Canadian, or Australian citizens. You must obtain an e-Visa (e-Tourist visa) online before travel through the official Government of India portal, or a regular visa from an Indian embassy. There is no visa on arrival for these nationalities.