India Entry Requirements

Getting into India is more straightforward than it once was — most visitors now apply for an electronic visa online in a few minutes, with no trip to an embassy. But there are two separate steps to get right before you fly, and one of them is new for 2026. This guide walks through both, in plain terms, so you arrive with everything in order.

One rule above all: use only the official websites. There are many convincing look-alike sites that charge inflated “service” fees for what the government provides directly. The Government of India has not authorised any agent to charge extra for an e-Visa. Apply only at indianvisaonline.gov.in.

Two things you need

About to Leave but have you got everything? You’re going to need:

An e-Tourist Visa (your actual permission to enter India) — apply for this well before you travel.
An e-Arrival Card (a digital arrival form, mandatory since 1 April 2026) — file this in the few days before you land.

They are separate. The arrival card is not a visa and does not replace it. You need both.

Part 1: eTourist Visa

Who needs one?

Most visitors to India need a visa in advance — there is no general visa-on-arrival (that’s limited to a handful of nationalities such as Japan, South Korea and the UAE). For tourism, the e-Tourist Visa is the simplest option for citizens of the UK, Ireland, the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and most of Europe.

Choosing the right length

The e-Tourist Visa comes in three versions:

30-day — valid for 30 days from arrival, double entry. Fine for a single trip.
1-year — multiple entry, up to 180 days’ stay per visit.
5-year — multiple entry, up to 180 days’ stay per visit.

For one holiday, the 30-day visa is usually all you need; the longer visas suit repeat visitors.

What it costs

The fee depends on your nationality and, for the 30-day visa, sometimes the season — it’s commonly in the region of US$10–25 for the 30-day, with the 1-year and 5-year visas costing more. A bank transaction charge of around 2.5–3% is added on top. Always check the exact figure for your country on the official fee table before paying; the fee is non-refundable whether or not the visa is granted.

What you will need to hand

A passport valid for at least six months from your date of arrival, with at least two blank pages.
A recent passport-style photo — front-facing, plain white background (JPEG, under 1 MB).
A scan of your passport’s photo page (PDF, under 300 KB).
A debit or credit card for the fee, and your travel and accommodation details.

How to apply - step by step

Go to the official portal: indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html.
Complete the online application form. Apply at least 4 days before arrival — you can apply up to 120 days ahead, so there’s no need to rush, but don’t leave it to the last minute.
Upload your photo and passport scan to the required specifications.
Pay the fee online and wait for confirmation (payment status can take a couple of hours to update — don’t re-submit in a panic).
Wait for processing, typically around three working days.
You’ll receive your Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) by email. Check that its status shows “GRANTED” on the portal.
Print the ETA and carry the printout to show at immigration on arrival.

On arrival

You enter India only through the designated international airports and seaports listed on the e-Visa website — an e-Visa is not valid at land borders. At immigration your biometrics (fingerprints and photo) are captured, your ETA and passport are checked, and your visa is stamped. The e-Visa is non-extendable and non-convertible, and doesn’t cover Protected, Restricted or Cantonment areas, which need separate permits.

Part 2: eArrival Card (new for 2026)

Since 1 April 2026, every foreign national arriving in India — and OCI cardholders — must complete a digital e-Arrival Card before entry. It has replaced the old paper form handed out on the plane.

A few key points:

It’s not a visa. It’s an arrival-information form; you still need your e-Visa as well.
It’s free and takes under ten minutes.
File it within 72 hours of your scheduled arrival, online at indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival or via the official Su-Swagatam app.
Use the same spelling as your passport, have your flight and India address details ready, and save a screenshot of the confirmation to show if asked.

Filing it before you fly — rather than scrambling after landing — is the stress-free way to do it, and early trials suggest it speeds up the immigration queue.

A quick pre-departure checklist

e-Tourist Visa applied for and status showing GRANTED ✔
ETA printed and packed ✔
Passport valid 6+ months, 2+ blank pages ✔
e-Arrival Card filed within 72 hours of arrival, confirmation saved ✔
Arriving at a designated airport/seaport ✔

Get those five right and you’ll walk up to the immigration desk with everything in order.

India Visa: People Also Ask

Do I need a visa to visit India?

Yes — most visitors need a visa in advance, and for tourism the easiest is the online e-Tourist Visa. There’s no general visa-on-arrival except for a few nationalities (such as Japan, South Korea and the UAE). Apply only through the official portal, indianvisaonline.gov.in.

How much does an India e-Tourist Visa cost?

It depends on your nationality and sometimes the season, but the 30-day e-Tourist Visa is commonly around US$10–25, plus a bank charge of roughly 2.5–3%. The 1-year and 5-year visas cost more. Always check the official country-wise fee before paying.

What is the India e-Arrival Card, and do I need it?

Yes. Since 1 April 2026, all foreign nationals must complete a free digital e-Arrival Card within 72 hours of arrival, at indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival or via the Su-Swagatam app. It’s an arrival form, not a visa — you still need your e-Visa as well.

How far in advance should I apply for an India e-Visa?

Apply at least 4 days before you arrive, and you can apply up to 120 days ahead. Processing usually takes around three working days, so a week or two before travel is comfortable.

Can I enter India on an e-Visa at a land border?

No. The e-Visa is only valid for entry through the designated international airports and seaports listed on the official e-Visa website, not at land borders.

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