Types of India e-Visa

To visit India from overseas, you can apply for different types of visa online. Depending on your reason for travel, you can select the e-Visa that best fits your needs:

Whichever type of online visa you need, you can make your application using the same easy-to-complete form. Simply select the purpose of your visit when prompted.

Here are the key details of each type of travel permit, so you can find the right one for your trip.

Online Tourist Visa for India

If you’re planning to visit India for leisure, the Tourist e-Visa is the right entry permit for you. It allows you to:

There are 2 options: 1-month and 1-year tourist e-Visa. Find out more below.

Choose between 1-month and 1-year tourist visas

Depending on the length of your trip, you can apply for the online tourist permit that suits you best.

For short trips, opt for the 1-month visa, which allows you to stay for 30 days. You can leave and re-enter India once during this period if you want to visit neighboring countries.

To spend more time in India, apply for a year-long visa. You’ll be allowed to stay for up to 180 days at a time, with multiple entries permitted during the validity period.

Restrictions for travelers with a tourist visa

Many travelers with a Tourist e-Visa visit religious monuments or places as part of their trip. While typical visits are permitted, it’s important to note that some activities are not allowed.

This includes making speeches in religious places, and Tablighi work — preaching ideology, or distributing pamphlets related to spiritual reform of the Islamic faith.

If you’re found to have engaged in such activities, this will be deemed a violation of visa rules, resulting in a fine and possible entry ban.

Can I volunteer in India with an e-Visa?

With an approved India online tourist visa, you can carry out volunteer work for a maximum of 1 month. This applies even if you’re staying for longer in the country. Your voluntary work must be unpaid.

If this is the main purpose of your visit, you should apply for a Tourist e-Visa and provide a letter from the organization you’ll be volunteering with. It should feature the company’s name, as well as your full name.

The online business visa for India is designed for travelers visiting the country for professional reasons. These include:

The online business visa grants multiple entries over a 365-day period. You’re permitted to stay for up to 180 days in the country on each visit.

Supporting documentation for business visas

If you’re applying for a Business e-Visa, you must answer certain questions about the organizations you’ll be working with in India.

You’ll also be required to provide a business card and letter from the company who has invited you to visit. It’s important that each additional document features the official name, and letterhead or logo of the business.

The invitation letter must be written in English, and addressed to you, using your full name.

The Medical e-Visa is issued to people seeking healthcare consultation or treatment in India. It’s valid for short-term care plans (less than 60 days).

Here’s the key information on how to travel with your online medical visa:

You’ll be asked to provide a letter from your Indian healthcare provider as part of your e-Visa application detailing your treatment or consultation plan. It must come from a recognized medical institution.

Visa for medical attendants traveling with a patient

If you want to accompany a family member who is traveling for treatment, you can apply for a Medical Attendant e-Visa.

A maximum of 2 people can apply to accompany a patient traveling to India. Only family members are eligible. The validity of your visa and travel conditions are the same as those listed above for the Medical e-Visa.

Whatever type of online visa you apply for, you must have the following documentation:

You must carry these documents along with your approved e-Visa when you travel. They are required for entry to the country, and may be requested by border officials in India.

Rules for travelers holding e-Visas

The following rules apply to all types of e-Visas for India:

It’s essential to comply with the specific terms of your online visa, whichever type you apply for.

If the different types of e-Visa do not suit your travel needs, you can apply for other types of visas for India.

Visa on arrival in India

Certain passport holders can apply for a visa on arrival, but only when entering India through one of the following airports:

To avoid waiting in lines on arrival, and for greater flexibility on entry ports, most travelers prefer to secure an e-Visa before traveling.

Visas for transit passengers

If you do not plan to pass immigration controls in India, or you have a short layover, you will not need a visa to transit.

A visa is required if your stopover is more than 24 hours, or if you want to leave the airport’s transit area.

To apply for a transit visa, you must have valid tickets for your onward journey and, if required, a visa for your final destination. Transit visas allow you to stay for up to 3 days. Applications must be made at the embassy.

For convenience, many travelers prefer to apply online for a Tourist e-Visa to transit in India. The same visa can be used to transit in India more than once—double and multiple-entry permits are available.

Embassy visas for India

To work or study in India, you must apply for a visa at an Indian embassy.

Along with a completed application form, you must submit 2 passport style photographs. You’ll also be asked to provide documentation from your educational institution or employer in India.