India e-Visa Guide: How to Apply on the Official Government Portal
Apply for an Indian e-Visa the right way — official portal only, typical steps, timing tips, and how to avoid fake visa websites.
The only website you need
Apply for an Indian e-Visa through the Government of India portal:
https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/
Type it into the browser yourself. Search results are full of private sites with similar names and government-style logos. They charge a markup on top of the official fee, and some take your money and passport scans and never file anything.
Who can use the e-Visa
Citizens of a large number of countries can apply online. The portal lists eligible nationalities and the visa categories open to each. Tourists usually choose the e-Tourist Visa. There are separate e-Visa types for business, medical, conference and other purposes, so pick the one that matches why you are travelling.
The validity options and fees depend on your nationality and the duration you choose. The portal shows the current options when you start an application. Do not rely on a figure from a blog or a friend who went two years ago.
What to prepare before you start
Having these ready makes the form much quicker:
- Passport valid for at least six months from your arrival date, with at least two blank pages
- A recent photo, front facing, plain light background, no glasses glare, in the size and format the portal asks for
- A scan of your passport bio page in the required format
- Your travel plan: arrival airport or port, rough dates, and the address of your first stay
- A reference name and address in India (your hotel usually works) and one in your home country
- A card for payment
Read the photo and scan specifications carefully. Rejected photos are one of the most common reasons applications get delayed.
Step by step
- Open the official portal and choose the e-Visa application
- Select your nationality, passport type, port of arrival and visa type
- Fill in personal, passport and family details exactly as in your passport
- Add travel details and references
- Upload your photo and passport scan
- Review everything on the summary page, slowly
- Pay the fee online
- Note your application ID and save the receipt
Keep the application ID. You need it to check status or fix a problem.
How far ahead to apply
The portal sets a minimum number of days before arrival and a window within which you can apply. Many tourists receive approval within a few days, but some take longer, and you will not get a refund on flights because the visa came late. Two to four weeks before travel is a comfortable margin.
Check the status on the portal using your application ID. Approval comes as an Electronic Travel Authorisation, which you print or keep on your phone.
Common mistakes
- Using a private agency site by accident
- Typing a different name order from the passport
- A photo with shadows, a cropped head, or a busy background
- Choosing the wrong port of arrival. The e-Visa is linked to designated airports and seaports, so check yours is on the list
- Selecting travel dates that do not match the validity window
If you notice an error after submitting, contact the official helpdesk listed on the portal. Do not apply again on a different site.
At the airport in India
Carry the printed approval or keep the PDF on your phone. Airlines check it at check-in. On arrival in Delhi or another major airport, go to the e-Visa immigration counters. Biometrics are taken there and the visa is stamped into your passport.
Queues can build up when several long-haul flights land together in the early morning or late night. Do not book anything tight for the first hours.
Getting from the airport
Delhi's international flights mainly use Terminal 3 at Indira Gandhi International Airport. If you have bags and it is your first visit, a pre-booked car with a driver holding your name is simple. We run Delhi Airport T3 to Delhi NCR pickups and a dedicated Delhi Airport to Gurugram transfer. For the return, book a Delhi NCR to Delhi Airport drop with enough buffer for traffic. You can also search all transfers. The longer Delhi airport pickup and drop guide covers terminals and timing.
After you have the visa
With the paperwork sorted, plan the trip itself. A lot of first-time visitors start in Delhi and add Agra. Options we offer include a same-day Delhi to Agra round trip, an overnight Delhi, Agra and Fatehpur Sikri trip, and the 4 nights 5 days Golden Triangle tour covering Delhi, Agra and Jaipur.
Then read First day in Delhi and India SIM, eSIM and UPI payments for practical setup on landing.
FAQ
Can I enter through any airport on an e-Visa?
No. Only designated airports and seaports accept e-Visa arrivals. The list is on the portal.
Can I extend an e-Tourist Visa?
Generally it is not extendable or convertible in the way regular visas can be. Check the portal's FAQ for your case.
Do children need their own e-Visa?
Yes. Every traveller, including infants, needs a separate application.
My approval email has not arrived. What now?
Check the status on the portal with your application ID. Also check spam. If it shows approved, print the status page.
Is an e-Visa enough for restricted or protected areas?
Some border regions need extra permits. If your plan includes remote areas in the north-east, Ladakh or islands, check the permit rules separately.
For destination ideas, the official Incredible India site is a good place to start, and our Delhi page lists bookable trips from the capital.