India Visa FAQ

Indian eVisa eligibility

Do US citizens need a visa to travel to India?

Most US passport holders need a valid visa before travelling to India. If you hold another valid status that allows entry, such as an OCI or eOCI card, you generally do not need a separate Indian visa. For most US tourists, the e-Tourist Visa is the simplest option because the application is completed online before travel.

Can US citizens apply for an Indian eVisa?

Yes. Ordinary U.S. passport holders are generally eligible to apply for an India eVisa for qualifying short-term visits. However, eligibility varies by traveler and trip purpose, so review the India visa eligibility requirements before applying.

What is the difference between an India eVisa, a visa on arrival and a regular visa?

An eVisa is approved before you travel. You apply online, receive an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA), and present it when you arrive in India. A visa on arrival is different: it is obtained after arrival. US citizens are not eligible for India's Visa on Arrival program; that facility is currently limited to nationals of Japan, South Korea and certain UAE nationals. A regular or paper visa is processed through an Indian Mission or Post and may be necessary if your travel purpose or personal circumstances are not covered by the eVisa scheme.

Which India eVisa should I apply for?

Your visa should match the actual purpose of your trip. Tourism and visiting friends or relatives will normally fall under the e-Tourist route, while business activities, medical treatment, study and other purposes may require their own eVisa category. If your trip includes more than one purpose, do not simply choose the category that looks easiest. The correct route depends on what you will actually be doing in India. 

If you apply through us, we can help you identify the appropriate category before the application is prepared.

Should I choose the 30 day, 1 year or 5 year Tourist eVisa?

It depends mainly on how often you expect to visit India. The 30 day e-Tourist Visa is usually suitable for a single short trip. The 1 year option can make more sense if you expect to return within the next year, while the 5 year visa is intended for travellers who want longer term flexibility. 

All three currently allow multiple entries. For the 1 year and 5 year versions, your total stay in India for tourism must not exceed 180 days in a calendar year for nationals of the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Japan; travellers of other nationalities are limited to 90 days in a calendar year.

Can I use an eVisa to work in India?

No. The eVisa scheme does not cover employment in India. If you are taking up employment, you need the appropriate regular Employment Visa rather than an eVisa. Short unpaid voluntary work may be permitted under specific conditions, but that is different from employment.

Applying Directly or Using a Visa Service

Can I apply directly with the Indian government?

Yes. You can apply directly through the official Indian government website if you are comfortable managing the process yourself. 

A private Indian visa service is optional but can provide professional assistance if you are short on time, unsure whether your documents meet the requirements, or encounter problems uploading files or completing payment.

Why would I use a visa service if I can apply myself?

Some travelers prefer to handle everything directly. 

Others choose private Visa agency like My EVisa for personal guidance from real people with years of experience in Indian visa applications. Our visa experts can help you select the appropriate visa, prepare your application, check your passport and photo files, review your information for common mistakes, and answer questions throughout the process.

Our service fee covers this personalized application support and is separate from the applicable government fee. The Indian government remains solely responsible for reviewing your application and deciding whether to grant the visa.

Is it safe to use a third party visa service?

A legitimate private visa service should clearly explain that it is not the Indian government, tell you what assistance is included and distinguish its own service charges from government visa fees. No private company can issue an Indian eVisa, guarantee approval or override an immigration decision. A visa service can assist with the application process, the decision itself always remains with the Indian authorities.

Can a visa service guarantee that my application will be approved?

No. Neither we nor any other private company can guarantee an Indian visa approval. We can help reduce avoidable application problems by checking information and documents before submission, but eligibility and the final decision are determined by the Indian authorities.

Fees and Timing

How much does an India Tourist eVisa cost for US citizens?

As of September 2026, the Indian government fees for US passport holders are:

Tourist eVisa	Government fee
30 days, April to June	$10
30 days, July to March	$25
1 year	$40
5 years	$160

The Indian government currently adds a 3% bank transaction charge. Government fees can change, so the applicable amount should be checked when you apply. 

If you use our application service, the price shown usually includes the government visa fee, our service fee, and applicable taxes. Your final price is calculated based on your visa type, selected processing time, and any additional services you choose. Before payment, our online application system will show the total price and a clear breakdown of all charges. There are no hidden fees.

How early can I apply for an India eVisa?

For the main eVisa categories, applications can generally be made up to 120 days before the proposed date of travel and must be submitted at least four days before arrival. Four days is the minimum application window, not a guarantee that every application will be approved within four days. Applying earlier gives you more time to deal with document requests or other problems if they arise.

How long does India eVisa processing take?

The Indian government does not publish a guaranteed approval time for every eVisa application. Some applications are decided quickly, while others can take longer if documents need to be replaced or additional checks are required. For that reason, we recommend applying well before your departure rather than relying on the four day minimum.

Can I get an urgent, same day or express India eVisa? What does your "Express Service" mean?

There is no official emergency or express eVisa service that allows the government for faster approval. 

However, if you choose our Express Service, we will prioritize the review and preparation of your application and submit it as soon as all required information and documents are complete. This service speeds up our handling time.

Why is my India eVisa still under process after a few days?

A few days without a decision does not necessarily mean that something is wrong. Processing time can vary, and the government does not guarantee a fixed decision time. Check your email, including spam and junk folders, in case you have been asked to re-upload a photograph or document. You can also check the application status online. If you applied through us and your departure is approaching, contact us so we can help you review the current status and next steps.

Documents and Application

What documents do I need for an India eVisa?

For a standard Tourist eVisa, you will normally need a clear scan of the biographical page of your passport and a recent digital photograph. Additional documents depend on the purpose of your trip. For example, short courses or voluntary work may require a letter from the relevant organization, while Business and Medical applications have their own supporting document requirements. Your passport must also meet the eVisa validity requirements.

How long must my passport be valid?

Your passport should have at least six months' validity when applying for the eVisa. Each traveller must have their own passport; an applicant cannot use an eVisa while travelling solely as an endorsement on another person's passport.

What are the photo requirements for the India eVisa?

The photograph should be a recent JPEG image. It should be square, show your full face from the front with your eyes open and without spectacles, and have a plain light colored or white background.

Does my child need a separate India eVisa?

Yes. Children need their own passport and their own eVisa application. They cannot be included on a parent's eVisa. The child's passport must also satisfy the applicable validity requirement.

What if my passport expires after my eVisa has been issued?

If your ETA was issued against your old passport and remains valid, the Indian government states that you may be allowed to travel using your new passport, provided you also carry the old passport on which the ETA was issued. Do not travel with only the new passport and assume that the immigration system will automatically transfer the eVisa. Carry both passports.

What if I made a mistake on my eVisa application?

Check names, passport number, nationality, date of birth and other key information carefully before the application is submitted. If you discover an error after submission, do not automatically submit another application without checking what action is appropriate. 

If you applied through us, contact us first so we can review the issue.

After You Apply

Will I receive confirmation after my application is submitted?

The application process as well as the visa decision are communicated by email. 

I have not received my eVisa approval email. What should I do?

First check your spam and junk folders, then check the application status online rather than assuming that no email means no decision. If the status shows Granted, make sure you can access your ETA before travelling. 

If you applied through us, contact our support team if you cannot locate the document or are unsure what the status means. 

What happens if my India eVisa application is rejected?

Government eVisa processing fees are non refundable, including when an application is rejected. What to do next depends on the reason and your circumstances. Avoid repeatedly resubmitting the same information without first understanding the likely problem. 

If you applied through us: We have years of experience assisting with Indian visa applications and carefully review your application before submission to identify potential issues and help you prepare appropriate supporting explanations and documentation.

If your application is refused and you purchased our Refusal Protection service at the time of your application, you may be eligible for a full refund of your visa service fee, provided that the refusal meets the terms and conditions of the Refusal Protection service.

Travelling to India With an eVisa

Which airports and seaports can I use with an India eVisa?

You must enter India through an immigration checkpoint authorized for eVisa arrivals. The government currently lists 33 designated airports and 19 designated seaports, but this list can change, so it is better to check the current list before finalizing your travel plans rather than relying on an old number. Departure is permitted through authorized Indian Immigration Check Posts.

Can I enter India through a land border with an eVisa?

No. An eVisa cannot currently be used to enter India through a land border. You must make your initial entry through one of the designated eVisa airports or seaports.

How long can I stay in India with a Tourist eVisa?

A 30 day Tourist eVisa is valid for 30 days from your first arrival in India and currently allows multiple entries during that validity period. The 1 year and 5 year Tourist eVisas allow multiple entries. For both, the total amount of time spent in India for tourism must not exceed 180 days in a calendar year for nationals of the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Japan; travellers of other nationalities are limited to 90 days in a calendar year.

Can I extend my India eVisa or change it to another visa?

In general, no. India's eVisa is officially non extendable and non convertible. If your plans change and you need a different immigration status or a longer stay, you should establish the correct route before your permitted stay expires rather than assuming the eVisa can simply be extended.

Can I visit restricted or protected areas with an eVisa?

An eVisa on its own does not authorize travel to Protected, Restricted or Cantonment Areas. Additional permission from the appropriate Indian authorities may be required depending on the area you intend to visit. Requirements vary by location, so check the rules for the specific destination rather than relying on a general processing time or a single permit procedure.

What happens if I overstay my India visa?

Do not ignore an approaching visa expiry. India publishes overstay penalties for foreign nationals, and an overstay may need to be resolved through the relevant FRRO or FRO. If you realize that you may not be able to leave before your permitted stay expires, seek guidance before the expiry date where possible. If you have already overstayed, contact the appropriate immigration authority promptly instead of relying on unofficial penalty figures or simply attempting to leave without resolving the issue.

Before You Travel

Is the India e-Arrival Card the same as an eVisa or ETA?

No. The e-Arrival Card records information for arrival immigration purposes. It does not give you permission to enter India and does not replace a visa, eVisa or OCI card. Foreign travellers and OCI cardholders can currently complete the e-Arrival Card online within 72 hours before arrival.

What should I carry with me when I travel to India on an eVisa?

Before departure, check that your visa status shows Granted and keep a copy of your ETA available for travel and immigration. You should travel using the passport connected to your application. If you have since received a new passport while the ETA remains linked to the old one, carry both passports.

Apply for your Indian eVisa Here

Useful India Visa Links

Use these links to confirm the requirements for your trip or begin your application.

• Check India eVisa eligibility
• Review India eVisa entry rules