If you apply for an India e-Visa on the wrong website, you will pay triple the fee and may not get your visa at all. The official site is indianvisaonline.gov.in. That is the single most important fact in this guide.
This article explains the exact application process, the documents you need, and the mistakes that cause rejections. It is not legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney for questions about your specific situation.
Step 1: Determine Which e-Visa Category You Need
India offers five e-Visa sub-types. Choosing the wrong one is a common rejection reason.
| e-Visa Type | Purpose | Max Stay | Entry Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| e-Tourist Visa (eTV) | Tourism, sightseeing, visiting friends | 30 days (double entry) or 1 year / 5 years (multiple entry) | Double or multiple |
| e-Business Visa | Business meetings, conferences, trade | 1 year (multiple entry, max 180 days per stay) | Multiple |
| e-Medical Visa | Medical treatment (including Ayurveda) | 60 days (triple entry) | Triple |
| e-Medical Attendant Visa | For 2 attendants accompanying a medical patient | 60 days (triple entry) | Triple |
| e-Conference Visa | Attending government-recognized conferences | 30 days (single entry) | Single |
Tourists almost always need the e-Tourist Visa. If you plan a single trip under 30 days, the 30-day double-entry option is sufficient. For multiple trips over a year, choose the 1-year or 5-year variant. The fee increases with validity, but it saves time if you travel frequently.
Documents You Must Upload
You need a scanned copy of your passport bio page (PDF or JPEG, max 300 KB) and a recent passport-style photograph (square aspect ratio, white background, max 1 MB). The passport must have at least two blank pages and be valid for at least six months from your arrival date in India.
For the e-Business Visa, you also need a business card or a letter from your company. For the e-Medical Visa, you need a letter from the Indian hospital where you will receive treatment.
Step 2: Fill Out the Application Form Correctly
The online form has 12 sections. Most rejections happen because of small errors in sections 3, 5, and 8.
Section 3 – Personal Information: Your name must match your passport exactly. If your passport has a middle name, include it. Do not abbreviate. If your passport uses initials, use those initials. The system cross-checks against passport data.
Section 5 – Travel Details: Enter your intended arrival date and port of entry. You must enter India through one of the 28 designated airports or 5 seaports. Land borders are not valid for e-Visa entry. The major airports are Delhi (DEL), Mumbai (BOM), Chennai (MAA), Kolkata (CCU), Bengaluru (BLR), and Hyderabad (HYD). If you arrive at a non-designated port, your e-Visa will be invalid.
Section 8 – Previous Visa History: If you have ever been denied a visa to any country, you must disclose it. Hiding a previous rejection is grounds for immediate denial and a possible ban.
Common Data Entry Mistakes
- Entering the passport number with spaces or special characters. Use only letters and numbers exactly as printed.
- Selecting the wrong nationality. If you hold dual citizenship, choose the passport you will travel on.
- Uploading a photo with shadows or glasses. The system rejects photos with reflections or poor lighting.
Step 3: Pay the Fee on the Official Portal Only
The e-Visa fee depends on your nationality and the visa type. For US citizens, a 30-day e-Tourist Visa costs approximately $25 USD. For UK citizens, it is approximately £30. The fee includes a bank transaction charge.
Never pay on a third-party website. Scam sites charge $100–$200 and then either submit a fake application or do nothing. The official portal accepts Visa, Mastercard, and American Express. Payment is processed through the SBI ePay gateway. If the payment fails, the system will not charge you twice. Wait 24 hours and try again.
After payment, you receive an application ID. Save it. You will need it to check your application status.
What Happens After You Pay
Processing takes 72 hours in most cases. You can check the status on the same official site using your application ID and passport number. If approved, you receive an email with the e-Visa document attached as a PDF. Print it and carry it with your passport. Border control officers in India will ask to see both.
If rejected, the email will state a reason. Common reasons include incorrect photo, mismatched name, or failure to meet the passport validity requirement. You can reapply after correcting the issue. The fee is not refunded.
Common Pitfalls That Lead to Rejection or Denial at the Border
Even with an approved e-Visa, you can be denied entry at the airport. Here are the most frequent problems.
Pitfall 1: Arriving at the wrong port. The e-Visa is only valid for entry at 28 airports and 5 seaports. If you fly into a non-designated airport like Amritsar (ATQ) or Goa (GOI) — wait, Goa’s Dabolim Airport (GOI) is actually on the list. Check the current list on the official site before booking flights. A traveler arriving at a non-designated port must have a regular visa sticker from an Indian embassy.
Pitfall 2: Overstaying the visa validity. The 30-day e-Tourist Visa allows a maximum stay of 30 days from the date of arrival. Overstaying even one day results in a fine of approximately $50 USD plus a possible ban for future visas. Set a calendar reminder.
Pitfall 3: Not having a return ticket. Immigration officers may ask for proof of onward travel. If you do not have a return ticket or a ticket to your next destination, they can deny entry. Book a refundable ticket if your plans are uncertain.
Pitfall 4: Trying to work on an e-Tourist Visa. The e-Tourist Visa does not permit paid work, including remote work for a foreign company. India’s immigration rules consider any work performed while physically in India as requiring a work visa. If you plan to work remotely, you risk denial at the border or deportation.
Alternatives: When You Should Not Use the e-Visa
The e-Visa is convenient, but it is not the right choice for everyone.
Scenario 1: You need to stay longer than 180 days. The 1-year e-Tourist Visa limits each stay to 180 consecutive days. If you need to stay longer, you must apply for a regular visa from the Indian embassy in your home country.
Scenario 2: You are entering by land. The e-Visa is not valid at land borders such as the Attari-Wagah border with Pakistan or the Banbasa border with Nepal. You must get a regular visa sticker for land entry.
Scenario 3: You have a criminal record involving immigration violations. If you have been deported from any country or have a prior visa overstay in India, the e-Visa system will flag your application. You are better off applying at the embassy where a consular officer can review your case.
Scenario 4: Your passport expires in less than 6 months. Renew your passport first. The e-Visa system will reject any application where the passport expiry date is less than 6 months from the intended arrival date.
What to Do If Your e-Visa Is Denied
A denial is not the end. You have options.
Option 1: Reapply after fixing the error. If the denial reason was a photo mismatch or missing document, correct it and submit a new application. The fee is not refunded, but a corrected application is usually approved within 72 hours.
Option 2: Apply for a regular visa at the Indian embassy. This takes longer — typically 2–4 weeks — but a consular officer can review your case in person. This is the best option if the denial reason was complex, such as a previous visa violation or a name mismatch due to marriage.
Option 3: Contact the Indian embassy in your country. For urgent travel, some embassies offer emergency visa appointments. You will need proof of urgency, such as a medical emergency or a business meeting with confirmed dates.
Most denials are preventable. Double-check every field. Use the official site. Arrive at the right port. Carry printed documents. That covers 95% of successful applications.
