Most people mess up their India e-Visa application because they use a third-party site that charges double and adds nothing. The official site is indianvisaonline.gov.in. Start there. End there. This guide walks you through every field, every document rule, and the five mistakes that get applications rejected.
What Exactly Is the India e-Visa and Who Needs One?
The India e-Visa is an electronic travel authorization for citizens of over 160 countries. You apply online, get approval by email, and show it at immigration. No embassy visit. No passport drop-off.
There are four types:
- e-Tourist Visa – 30 days, 1 year, or 5 years. Double entry for the 30-day version. Multiple entry for longer ones.
- e-Business Visa – 1 year, multiple entry. Requires a business letter from an Indian company.
- e-Medical Visa – 60 days, triple entry. Requires a medical letter from an Indian hospital.
- e-Conference Visa – For attending government-approved conferences.
If you’re a tourist staying less than 30 days, get the 30-day e-Tourist Visa. It’s the cheapest and fastest. Business travelers need the e-Business Visa. Medical travelers need the e-Medical Visa. Pick wrong, and you’ll be denied boarding.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill the India e-Visa Application
Go to indianvisaonline.gov.in. Click “e-Visa Application” and then “Apply Here for e-Visa.”
Step 1: Fill Part 1 – Basic Info
Enter your full name exactly as it appears on your passport. Middle name goes in the middle name field. Do not skip it. Do not combine first and middle. The system cross-checks with your passport machine-readable zone. One character mismatch = rejection.
Step 2: Upload Your Photo and Passport Page
This is where 80% of rejections happen. The photo must be 2×2 inches (51×51 mm), white background, no shadows, no glasses, no smile. The passport page must be a clear color scan of the bio-data page. No phone photos at weird angles. Use a flatbed scanner if possible.
Step 3: Fill Part 2 – Address and Travel Details
Enter your hotel address in India. If you haven’t booked yet, put a placeholder hotel name and address from Google Maps. Immigration rarely checks this, but it must look real. Your arrival date must be within 120 days of application for the 30-day visa. For longer visas, within one year.
Step 4: Review and Pay
Double-check every field. The fee is non-refundable. Pay by credit card, debit card, or PayPal. Fees vary by nationality. For US citizens, the 30-day e-Tourist Visa costs $25 USD. For UK citizens, £20. You get a temporary application ID. Save it.
Common Pitfalls That Get Your India e-Visa Rejected
Rejection emails come within 72 hours. Here’s why they happen:
| Mistake | Why It Fails | How to Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Photo too dark or wrong size | System can’t read your face | Use a 2×2 inch photo, white background, no shadows |
| Name mismatch with passport | Automated check fails | Copy name exactly from passport machine-readable zone |
| Passport expires within 6 months | India requires 6 months validity | Renew passport first, then apply |
| Wrong visa type selected | Business visa for tourism = rejection | Read the four types above and pick correctly |
| Applying too early | Application date more than 120 days before travel | Apply 4 to 7 days before departure, not earlier |
One more thing: if you have a Pakistani passport or are of Pakistani origin, you cannot use the e-Visa. You must apply at an Indian consulate. This rule is strict and non-negotiable.
What to Do If Your e-Visa Is Rejected
You get an email saying “E-Visa Application Rejected.” No reason given. No appeal process. The fee is gone.
Your options:
- Reapply – Fix the mistake and submit a new application. Pay again. Most rejections are fixable.
- Apply for a regular visa – Go to the Indian embassy or consulate in your country. Takes 5-10 business days. Costs more. Requires physical passport submission.
- Contact the Indian Visa Online help desk – Email [email protected]. They won’t overturn the rejection, but they might tell you why.
If you reapply, wait 24 hours before submitting again. Use the exact same passport number. The system will know it’s a reapplication.
How to Check Your India e-Visa Status
Go to the official site. Click “Visa Status Enquiry.” Enter your application ID and passport number. Statuses:
- Under Process – Wait. Normal processing takes 3-5 business days.
- Granted – Download the PDF. Print it. Carry it with your passport.
- Rejected – See the section above.
Do not email them asking for status updates. They don’t respond. Just check the portal once a day.
When NOT to Use the India e-Visa
The e-Visa is convenient, but it’s not always the right choice.
Don’t use e-Visa if:
- You plan to stay more than 180 consecutive days. The long-term e-Visa maxes out at 180 days per visit.
- You need a work visa. The e-Business Visa does not allow employment. You need a separate Employment Visa from the embassy.
- You’re a student. Student Visas require embassy processing.
- You have a criminal record. The e-Visa application asks about criminal history. If you answer yes, you’ll likely be rejected. Embassy processing gives you a chance to explain.
For those cases, get a regular visa from the Indian embassy. It takes longer but covers your actual situation.
Final Checklist Before You Travel
Print the approved e-Visa. Keep a digital copy on your phone. Carry your passport with at least two blank pages. At immigration, they’ll stamp the e-Visa into your passport.
One last thing: some airlines check e-Visa validity before boarding. If your e-Visa says “Granted” but you arrive at the airport and the airline’s system says “Not Found,” ask them to re-check using your passport number. This happens sometimes due to system delays. Don’t panic. It’s usually resolved in 10 minutes.
Apply early, double-check your photo, and match your name exactly. That’s the whole trick.
