India offers two main paths for tourists: the convenient online e-Visa or the traditional regular visa. Picking the right one saves you 2-4 weeks and ~$30-50.
Last verified: May 6, 2026.
e-Visa vs regular visa: which to use
- e-Visa (most common): apply online at indianvisaonline.gov.in. 30-day, 1-year, or 5-year multiple entry. Best for stays under 90 days per visit
- Regular visa: apply at Indian consulate/visa office in your country. Necessary for stays over 90 days, multiple entries beyond e-Visa scope, journalist/business visa, OCI card
- Visa-on-arrival: ONLY for citizens of Japan, Korea, UAE. NOT available for US/UK/EU/Australia/Canada citizens
e-Visa eligibility (most travelers)
- Nationality: 169 countries eligible (incl. US, UK, EU, Australia, Canada, NZ, Singapore, etc.). Full list at indianvisaonline.gov.in
- Purpose: tourism, casual business meetings, medical treatment, conferences (separate sub-categories)
- Passport validity: minimum 6 months from arrival date + 2 blank pages
- Return ticket: required (proof of departure within visa validity)
- Sufficient funds: not formally required but customs may ask
e-Visa fees (2026)
- 30-day, single-entry: $25 USD
- 30-day, double-entry: $25 USD
- 1-year, multiple-entry: $40 USD
- 5-year, multiple-entry: $80 USD
- Bank/processing fee: additional ~$2.50
- Total for typical tourist: ~$27.50 for 30-day, ~$42.50 for 1-year
Application process step-by-step
- 1. Apply online: indianvisaonline.gov.in (NOT third-party sites which charge 3-5x more). Have passport scan + photo + payment ready
- 2. Upload documents: passport biographic page, recent passport-style photo (2×2 inches, white background), business card if business visa
- 3. Pay fee: credit card or PayPal accepted
- 4. Wait for ETA: 3-5 working days standard. Express +$5-10
- 5. Print + carry: ETA arrives by email. Print or save phone copy. Show on arrival in India
- 6. Arrival immigration: e-Visa stamped into passport at airport (no charge)
Eligible airports for e-Visa entry
e-Visa entry is permitted at 28 designated airports + 5 seaports. Major ones include:
- Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata
- Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Goa, Kochi, Trivandrum
- Jaipur, Lucknow, Pune, Coimbatore, Chandigarh
- Smaller airports (Tiruchirappalli, Visakhapatnam, etc.)
If your route enters via land border (Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar) or non-designated airport, you need a regular visa.
Regular visa application
Apply through VFS Global (the Indian government’s authorized visa service):
- Where: Indian visa application centers in major cities of your country
- Cost: ~$80-100 + $19 service fee (varies by country)
- Timeline: 5-15 working days standard, faster with priority service
- Documents: passport + photos + completed application + supporting documents (varies by visa type)
- Validity: can be 6 months to 10 years depending on type
Common refusal reasons
- Photo doesn’t meet standards: wrong size (must be 2×2 inches), background not white, glasses worn, smile/teeth showing. Use professional passport photo service
- Passport with damage: bent corners, water damage, missing pages = refusal. Get new passport before applying
- Insufficient funds proof: while not formally required, customs sometimes ask for funds proof. Have $50-100 cash + bank statement ready
- Inconsistent information: previous visa data must match current application (same passport number, name spelling, etc.)
- Country-specific issues: Pakistani-origin applicants face special scrutiny; certain countries get additional verification
How to extend visa in India
e-Visa cannot be extended once issued. If you need more time:
- Apply for new e-Visa: exit India, apply for fresh e-Visa, return. Practical for 1-year visas wanting more time
- Convert to regular visa: visit local FRRO (Foreigners Regional Registration Office) before current visa expires. Requires reason (business, family, medical)
- OCI (Overseas Citizen of India): if you have Indian heritage. Lifetime visa-free entry. Apply at Indian consulate
Money + practical info
- Currency: INR (Indian Rupees). Use cash for street food + auto-rickshaws; cards for hotels + restaurants. ATMs charge ₹250-500/withdrawal so withdraw larger amounts
- SIM/eSIM: Airtel SIM at airport (~$15 for 28 days, 30GB). Or eSIM via Airalo
- SafetyWing or travel insurance: highly recommended. Indian healthcare quality varies — private hospitals (Apollo, Max) world-class, government hospitals overcrowded
- Tipping: 10% at restaurants, ₹50-100 for hotel staff, taxi drivers expect ₹20-50
When to visit India
- October-March: peak tourist season, mild temperatures across most of India. Best for first visits
- April-June: hot (40°C+) in plains, but excellent for Himalayan trekking
- July-September: monsoon season. Wet but green, low prices. Goa shuts down (rough seas)
- Festival timing: Diwali (October), Holi (March), Christmas (December) — special but expensive
Common mistakes first-time India travelers make
- Trying to see all of India in 2 weeks: India is huge. Pick 1-2 regions (Golden Triangle, Kerala, Rajasthan) per trip
- Underestimating travel time: 100km in India is typically 3-5 hours by road. Even short distances slow due to traffic
- Drinking tap water: never. Bottled water everywhere; carry purification tablets as backup
- Not negotiating prices: markets, taxis, tourist services expect bargaining (10-30% discount typical)
- Skipping street food: some of India’s best meals are ₹50-100 street food. Stick to busy stalls (high turnover = fresh)
Best places to visit in India
With your visa sorted, here are top destinations for first-time visitors:
- Golden Triangle (Delhi-Agra-Jaipur): classic 7-day route. Includes Taj Mahal, Red Fort, Amber Fort, Hawa Mahal
- Kerala: backwaters, Ayurveda, beaches, hill stations. 7-10 days. Slow pace, English widely spoken
- Rajasthan: palaces, deserts, vibrant culture. 10-14 days. Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer
- Goa: beaches, Portuguese architecture, party scene. 4-7 days. Best November-February
- Himalayas (Himachal/Uttarakhand): trekking, hill stations, spiritual towns (Rishikesh, Manali)
- Mumbai + Pune: business + nightlife + colonial architecture
Related: best places to visit India · India digital nomad guide.
✓ Last verified: May 6, 2026.
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