India e-Visa — The Fastest Way In
India's e-Visa system (launched 2015, expanded 2019) allows citizens of 165+ countries to obtain a tourist visa entirely online — no embassy visit, no paper forms, no courier. Apply at indianvisaonline.gov.in. Processing takes 72–96 hours (often 24 hours) and costs USD 25–80 depending on nationality and duration.
e-Visa Types for Tourists
- e-Tourist Visa (30 days) — ₹2,000 (approx. USD 25). Single or double entry. Valid from date of arrival. Suitable for a short holiday or Golden Triangle tour.
- e-Tourist Visa (1 year) — USD 40. Multiple entry. Valid for 1 year from date of issue (not arrival). Maximum continuous stay: 90 days per visit. Best for travellers planning to visit more than once or for a long trip.
- e-Tourist Visa (5 years) — USD 80. Multiple entry. Maximum continuous stay: 90 days per visit. Best for frequent India visitors.
Step-by-Step e-Visa Application
- Visit indianvisaonline.gov.in
- Click 'Apply for e-Visa'
- Select 'e-Tourist Visa'
- Enter your nationality, passport number, planned arrival date, and port of entry (select Delhi — IGI Airport for most North India trips)
- Fill personal details — match exactly to your passport
- Upload: (a) colour photo on white background (full face, no glasses), (b) passport bio page scan
- Pay by international credit/debit card
- Receive ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) by email within 72–96 hours
- Print the ETA and carry with your passport on arrival
Common e-Visa Rejection Reasons — How to Avoid Them
- Photo issues: Must be a recent, colour photo on a plain white background. No shadows, glasses, or hats. Size: 10 KB – 1 MB JPEG.
- Passport validity: Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your planned departure date from India.
- Blank passport pages: You need at least 2 blank pages for immigration stamps.
- Name spelling mismatch: Names in the application must exactly match the passport — including middle names, hyphens, and suffixes.
- Return ticket required: Some ports of entry ask for proof of onward travel. Book a return or onward flight before applying.
OCI Card — For Persons of Indian Origin
Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) card holders (Indian-origin nationals who hold foreign citizenship) travel to India visa-free on a lifelong basis. OCI card application is done at the Indian High Commission in your home country. If you are of Indian origin and regularly visit India, applying for OCI is worth the one-time process.
Nationalities That Cannot Get e-Visa
Citizens of Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Nigeria, and a small number of other countries are not eligible for the e-Visa and must apply through the Indian embassy or High Commission in their country. Check the official Indian visa website for the current eligible country list.
Do I Need a Visa to Visit Char Dham?
A standard Indian tourist visa covers the entire country including Uttarakhand and all Char Dham destinations. No additional permit is needed beyond the standard Char Dham Yatra registration (for which your passport number is used instead of Aadhaar). Some remote border areas (beyond Mana village near Badrinath, toward Tibet) require an Inner Line Permit — but standard Char Dham tourism does not enter these zones.