India E-Visa Guide: How to Get an e-Visa for India: Step-by-Step Guide and Common Pitfalls

You booked flights to Delhi. You found a guesthouse in Jaipur. Then you hit the visa application page and felt your stomach drop. Which e-Visa type do you pick? Do you need a photo with a white background or off-white? And why does the website look like it was built in 2008?

I spent a weekend untangling the Indian e-Visa process. Here’s what actually works, what gets your application rejected, and how to avoid the traps that waste your time and money.

Which India e-Visa Type Do You Actually Need?

The Indian government offers three main e-Visa categories. Pick the wrong one and your application gets denied. No refunds.

Tourist e-Visa: For Sightseeing and Visiting Friends

This covers tourism, casual visits, and short yoga retreats. You can enter twice (e-Tourist Visa) or five times (e-Tourist Visa long-term). The standard one gives you 30 days from arrival. The long-term version allows up to 90 days per visit across a one-year window.

Cost: $25 for 30-day Tourist e-Visa (peak season April–June). $10 off-peak. Long-term: $40 for one year, $80 for five years.

Business e-Visa: For Meetings and Conferences

If you’re attending a conference, signing contracts, or setting up a trade booth, apply for the Business e-Visa. You need an invitation letter from an Indian company. The visa allows multiple entries and stays up to 180 days per visit.

Cost: $25 for one year, $80 for five years.

Medical e-Visa: For Hospital Treatment

This is for scheduled medical treatment at a recognized Indian hospital. You need a letter from the hospital confirming your appointment. The visa allows three entries within 60 days.

Cost: $80.

Verdict: 90% of travelers need the 30-day Tourist e-Visa. Only pick the Medical or Business visa if you have documents proving your purpose.

Step-by-Step Application Process (No Fluff)

Every step matters. One wrong file format and your application gets kicked back.

1. Go to the official website: indianvisaonline.gov.in. NOT any .com or .org site. Those are third-party agencies that charge triple the fee.
2. Fill out Part 1: Personal details exactly as they appear on your passport. Middle name? Include it. Use the name field as printed, not your nickname.
3. Upload your photo: 2×2 inch, white background, JPEG under 300KB. Smile closed mouth. No glasses. No shadows.
4. Upload passport scan: First two pages. PDF under 300KB. Must be clear and legible.
5. Pay the fee: Credit card or PayPal. Save the receipt number.
6. Wait for approval: Typically 3–5 business days. Check your email and spam folder daily.

Pro tip: Apply at least 7 days before your flight. The government says 4 days is enough, but delays happen. I’ve seen applications take 10 days during Diwali season.

5 Common Pitfalls That Get Your Visa Rejected

These mistakes cause 90% of rejections. Avoid them.

• Wrong photo format: The system rejects photos with shadows, red eyes, or non-white backgrounds. Use a professional photo booth. Cost: $10–15 at a pharmacy or post office.
• Mismatched passport details: If your passport name is “John A. Smith”, type “John A. Smith” not “John Smith”. The system compares your input to the passport scan. One mismatch = rejection.
• Applying on the wrong website: Third-party sites like indiavisaonline.com charge $100+ for the same $25 visa. They also submit your data to the same government portal. You waste money and risk data theft.
• Using a U.S. or UK passport with less than 6 months validity: India requires 6 months of passport validity from your arrival date. If your passport expires in 5 months, renew it first.
• Missing the arrival port requirement: Tourist e-Visa holders can only enter through 28 designated airports and 5 seaports. Flying into a smaller airport like Goa’s Mopa Airport? Double-check it’s on the list.

When NOT to Apply for an e-Visa

The e-Visa is convenient. But it’s not always the best option.

You plan to stay more than 180 days total. The e-Visa limits total stay to 180 days per calendar year. If you’re teaching English for 8 months, apply for a regular visa at the Indian consulate instead. Processing takes 2–4 weeks, but you get a one-year multiple-entry visa with longer stays.

You need to work in India. The e-Visa explicitly forbids paid employment. If you’re a freelance photographer shooting a wedding, that’s considered work. Apply for a Business visa or a regular Employment visa.

You have a criminal record. The e-Visa application asks about criminal history. If you answer “yes”, the system automatically flags your application. You’ll need to apply at the consulate with supporting documents.

Your passport is from certain countries. Citizens of Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and a few other countries cannot use the e-Visa system. Check the official list before applying.

Verdict: Use the e-Visa for standard tourism, short business trips, or medical visits under 6 months. For everything else, go the consulate route.

Processing Times and Costs: What to Expect

Here’s the real-world timeline and fee breakdown, including the hidden costs.

Key insight: The government fee is non-refundable if rejected. That’s why getting the photo and document format right saves you $25 and a lot of frustration.

Bottom line: The 30-day Tourist e-Visa at $25 is the best deal for short trips. For frequent visitors, the 5-year Tourist e-Visa at $80 pays for itself in two trips. Apply early, double-check your documents, and stick to the official government portal.