Online Indian Tourist Visa: Types and Prerequisites

India has always been travelers' favorite place for centuries. Travelers can witness & experience all sorts of marvels and wonders in India. This article is solely dedicated to tourists who wish to visit India. To travel to India, you should apply for an Indian e-Visa. The Government of India introduced a Tourist e-Visa, exclusively for tourists.

India is a beautiful nation with a diversified landscape, the geography of every state varies. From the Great Himalayas in the north, to the deserts of Rajasthan, tropical rainforests and backwaters of Kerala, travelers visiting India will have a wonderful time exploring its diversified landscape.

What makes India more interesting are its ancient ruins, architectural wonders (forts, palaces, temples and stepwells), ancient caves, and ancient culture and traditions.

If you have any plans to explore India, as a foreign traveler you will need to apply for the Indian Tourist Online Visa, which is one of the types of Indian eVisa. Only travelers from Indian eVisa eligible countries have the privilege to apply for the Indian Tourist eVisa.

The Indian eVisa was introduced in 2014, allowing travelers to enter the country for reasons related to medical, tourism and business.

Travelers can visit the Indian eVisa site and fill the application form, and choose the Indian eTourist visa option, if you are visiting India solely for tourism activities. What's great is that the Indian eTourist visa is further classified into 3 kinds, choose according to your requirement.

What is an Indian Tourist e-Visa?

The Government of India implemented the Tourist e-Visa in 2014. Even during peak travel seasons or holidays, this Indian Tourist e-Visa makes it easier for tourists to apply. Because of this hassle-free process, the tourists' interest in visiting India has enhanced.  And there are 3 kinds of e-Visa, which tourists can select according to their visit. Tourist e-Visa can be used for tourism, visiting family & friends, short-term courses like cooking, and recreational purposes.

For what purposes can you use this Indian Tourist electronic visa?

With the Indian Tourist eVisa, travelers are permitted only to use it for tourism purposes and not any other activity, misusing it could lead to violating the regulations. You can use it for only:

• Visiting friends and family
• Explore the architectural wonders of India; know about the culture and tradition of India
• Attend yoga and meditation programs
• Wildlife tour
• Joining cooking classes
• Trekking in the Himalayas

Must-visit attractions include: Taj Mahal, Backwaters of Kerala, Ajanta and Ellora Caves, Rishikesh for Yoga, trekking in Himachal Pradesh, Explore the majestic forts and palaces and desert experience in Rajasthan, Goa for beaches, Experience Tibetan Buddhism in Dharamsala-McLeod Ganj etc.

What are the 3 Kinds of Indian Tourist e-Visas?

The 3 different categories of the Indian eVisa introduced by the government of India are described below, tourists are requested to apply for the Indian eTourist according to their requirement:

1-month Tourist e-Visa:

This Indian Tourist eVisa is available for 30 days and 2 entries are granted. So travelers with this eVisa are permitted to stay in the country for a maximum period of 29 days, as the visa expires 1 day before the validity period.

1- year Tourist e-Visa:

This Indian Tourist eVisa is available for 1 year and multiple entry is granted. So travelers with this eVisa are permitted to stay in the country continuously for a maximum period of 90 days, and 180 days in 1 calendar year.

5- year Tourist e-Visa:

This Five (5) year Indian Tourist eVisa is available for 5 years and multiple entry is granted. So travelers with this eVisa are permitted to stay in the country continuously for a maximum period of 90 days, and 180 days in 1 calendar year.

What is Needed for Obtaining an e-Visa for Travel to India?

To obtain an Indian Tourist e-Visa, You need to have specific documents and requirements. Please ensure that the documents are in digital form.

Essentials Requirements are listed below

Valid Passport

• The applicant should have a valid ordinary passport.
• The Bio Page of the applicant’s passport.
• A Bio Page contains the applicant’s personal & passport details.
• A Colored Scanned copy is needed not white, black, or any other mono color.
• Its validity period needs to exceed six months.
• Diplomatic and other kind of passports are not accepted.
• It should have 2 blank pages for entry & exit stamps.
• Ensure the scanned copy of the passport you are uploading is clear and free from blurriness.
• Any format and size up to 10 MB is acceptable.

(If size exceeds, send it to the Indian e-Visa Help Desk)

Passport-Size Photo

• Digital copy of your recent passport-size photo.
• There should be no shadows or blurriness, and everything should be crystal clear.
• The photo background should be plain and white or light in color.
• Any format and size up to 10 MB is acceptable.

Valid Email

• The email address you are giving should be active and valid.
• Approved Indian e-Visas will only be delivered to this email address.
• Try to give a personal email address.

Financial Proof

• The digital form of your financial proof is needed.
• Your bank account needs to be sufficiently funded.
• Always remember you are responsible for your expenses, not any country.
• Bank Statements, Paychecks, etc can be considered financial proof.

Debit/ Credit Card

• The applicant should have a debit or credit card to make the final payment.
• There's no need to share any personal card information.

You might have to submit the information about your travel schedule and accommodation. It might be necessary for you to present them with your return ticket. Therefore, be ready for all of it. Presenting these to the immigration officials at the border may be sufficient, but uploading them is not required.

The applicant should meet the listed requirements to obtain an Indian Tourist e-Visa. Please note that the listed requirements apply to all e-visas. Other e-Visa kinds occasionally require documentation in addition to those listed above. Still, this is enough to obtain an Indian Tourist e-visa.

What are the steps required to apply for the Indian Tourist Online Visa?

The application is quite simple and needs you to fill in some basic information only. Here is a brief guide to fill the Indian eVisa form.

Step 1: Personal information required for Indian Tourist eVisa like nationality, your name, date of birth, etc.

Step 2: Passport details required for the Indian Tourist eVisa comprises passport details, the applicant needs to fill in information like passport issuing country, expiry date, date of issue, etc.

Step 3: Contact details, the applicant needs to have a valid email ID and a mobile number that is in use, as all the not the notifications will be sent in both.

Step 4: Eligibility questions like if you have any serious disease have committed a crime in the past, have legal issues pending, deported, etc.

Step 5: You are now required to review your application, and finally proceed for Payment of the Indian Tourist eVisa fees with your debit or credit card and click on the submit button. Finally your Indian eTourist visa application form is submitted.

How long does it take to Process the Indian Tourist eVisa?

Your application form will be processed within 2-3 business days. You will receive an update following the review. Please make frequent checks on your email. A 24-hour processing time is also guaranteed for Indian e-Visas in an emergency.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Where can I get the application to apply for an e-Visa for tourists in India?

Visit the Indian e-Visa official website. You can see the Application Form there.

Can I extend the Indian Tourist e-Visa?

No, an Indian tourist e-Visa cannot be extended. If you desire to travel to India for a long period choose a Five year Tourist e-Visa.

What are the authorized entry and exit points for an Indian Tourist e-Visa holder?

There are numerous authorized entry and exit points in India. They are revised periodically. So check them often. Also, travelers can enter India by air & sea. And exit through air, sea, land & rail.

When visiting India as a tourist, should I bring a vaccination certificate?

There are certain rules related to vaccination and health like, If you are coming from a yellow fever-affected country then you must bring your Yellow fever Vaccination card. Go through the vaccination guidelines to know more.

How can I find out my eligibility to apply for an Indian Tourist e-Visa? 

As of 2024, 171 countries can travel to India on an e-Visa. If you are from any of those countries, you are eligible. Use eligibility checker tool to easily find out the different types of Indian e-Visa you are eligible for.

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Citizens from United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Italy, France and Germany amongst other nationalities are eligible to apply for Online Indian Visa.