India Visa Requirements for Foreigners (2026 Complete Guide): e-Visa, Types, Fees, Photos & Application Process

Planning to travel to India in 2026? Whether you are visiting for tourism, business, medical treatment, or to meet family, obtaining the correct visa before arrival is a legal requirement for almost all foreign nationals. India operates one of the world's largest e-Visa systems, covering citizens of over 166 countries and territories — but the rules, fees, photo specifications, and entry requirements vary significantly by nationality and purpose of visit.

This guide is compiled exclusively from official Indian government sources: the Bureau of Immigration (boi.gov.in), the Indian Visa Online portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in), the Ministry of Home Affairs (mha.gov.in), and the Ministry of External Affairs (mea.gov.in). Every factual claim is sourced from these portals. Visa rules can change — always verify the latest requirements at indianvisaonline.gov.in before submitting your application.

Do Foreigners Need a Visa to Enter India?

According to the official Indian Visa Online portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in), all foreign nationals entering India must possess a valid international travel document in the form of a national passport along with a valid visa issued by an Indian Mission or Post, or an e-Visa granted by the Bureau of Immigration — except for nationals specifically exempted under bilateral agreements.

The following nationalities are exempt from obtaining a visa before arrival, per official sources:

• Nepal and Bhutan: Citizens of Nepal and Bhutan do not require a visa to enter India. However, if entering India from China, Macau, Hong Kong, or Pakistan, a passport and visa are required. (Source: Bureau of Immigration, boi.gov.in)
• Maldives: Maldivian citizens visiting India for up to 90 days for tourism are exempt from visa requirements when holding a valid Maldivian passport, per the Incredible India government portal (incredibleindia.gov.in).
• Diplomatic and Official Passport holders: Subject to separate bilateral visa exemption agreements listed on the Ministry of External Affairs website (mea.gov.in/bvwa-menu.htm).

All other foreign nationals — including citizens of the United States, United Kingdom, European Union, Canada, Australia, and most other countries — require either an e-Visa or a regular (sticker) visa issued by an Indian Mission or Post.

What Is the India e-Visa?

The India e-Visa (Electronic Travel Authorisation or ETA) is a fully online visa system operated by the Bureau of Immigration, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. It allows eligible foreign nationals to apply for a visa from their home country without visiting an Indian embassy or consulate. According to indianvisaonline.gov.in, the e-Visa is available for tourism, business, medical treatment, and conference purposes.

Key official facts about the India e-Visa, per the Bureau of Immigration (boi.gov.in and indianvisaonline.gov.in):

• The e-Visa is non-extendable and non-convertible once granted.
• It is not valid for visiting Protected Areas, Restricted Areas, or Cantonment Areas — separate permission from civil authority is required for those zones.
• Biometric details (fingerprints and photograph) are captured at immigration on arrival in India.
• e-Visa holders must arrive through designated Immigration Check Posts (airports and seaports) — see the full list below.
• The e-Visa fee is non-refundable whether the application is approved or rejected.

Types of India e-Visa — Official Categories

According to the Ministry of Home Affairs document on visa details (mha.gov.in) and the Indian e-Visa portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in), there are three main sub-categories of India e-Visa:

Types of Regular (Sticker) Visa — Indian Mission/Post

For those not eligible for e-Visa, or whose purpose of visit falls outside e-Visa categories, a regular visa must be obtained from the Indian Mission or Post (embassy/consulate) in your country. The Ministry of Home Affairs (mha.gov.in) recognises the following principal categories of regular visa:

• Tourist Visa (T): For recreation, sightseeing, casual visits to friends or relatives, short-term yoga programmes. Not for activities that generate income.
• Business Visa (B): For business activities, trade visits, establishing business ventures, attending business meetings.
• Employment Visa (E): For foreign nationals taking up employment with Indian companies or organisations. Requires a minimum salary threshold (₹16.25 lakhs per annum as per MHA guidelines). Not granted for manual or clerical work.
• Student Visa (S): For pursuing full-time academic or research programmes at recognised Indian educational institutions.
• Medical Visa (MED): For medical treatment at recognised/specialised hospitals in India. Requires a letter from the hospital.
• Medical Attendant Visa (MED-X): For attendants accompanying a Medical Visa holder. Maximum of 2 attendants per patient.
• Conference Visa (C): For attending conferences, seminars, workshops, etc.
• Transit Visa (TR): For transiting through India to a destination outside India. Valid for a stay not exceeding 3 days for each leg of the journey. Can be issued for 2 entries.
• Research Visa (R): For research work at recognised institutions.
• Journalist Visa (J): For journalists and media personnel.
• Intern Visa (IN): For foreign nationals undertaking internship with Indian organisations.
• Film Visa (F): For foreign nationals involved in film shooting in India.
• Missionary Visa (M): For religious/missionary activities.

Apply for regular visas through the official portal at indianvisaonline.gov.in (select "Regular/Paper visa by Indian Mission/Post").

e-Visa vs Regular Visa — Comparison

e-Visa Eligible Countries

According to the Bureau of Immigration (indianvisaonline.gov.in), citizens of over 166 countries and territories are currently eligible for India e-Visa. These include nationals of the United States, United Kingdom, all European Union member states, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, South Africa, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and many more.

The complete and up-to-date list of eligible countries is published on the official portal at indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa. The list is subject to change by the Government of India. Nationals of countries not on the eligible list must apply for a regular visa at the nearest Indian Mission or Post.

Visa on Arrival — Japan, South Korea & UAE

Per the official indianvisaonline.gov.in portal, Visa on Arrival is available at selected Indian airports for nationals of:

• Japan
• South Korea
• UAE — only for UAE nationals who have previously obtained an e-Visa or regular/paper visa for India

Japanese nationals are required to fill an application form and approach the "Visa Counter" at the designated airport on arrival, per Ministry of Home Affairs guidelines. An immigration officer then stamps the Visa on Arrival on the passport after checking eligibility criteria and payment of fee.

India e-Tourist Visa — Validity Options (2026)

Note on 180-day rule: Per indianvisaonline.gov.in, if a 1-year or 5-year e-Tourist Visa holder intends to stay for more than 180 days continuously, they are required to register with the FRRO/FRO concerned within two weeks after the expiry of 180 days.

India e-Visa Fees (2026)

Fees for India e-Visas are set in US dollars and vary by nationality and visa duration. The fee schedule is published by the Bureau of Immigration. According to official fee schedules (updated February 2026) sourced via indianvisaonline.gov.in:

India e-Visa Photo Requirements (2026)

Uploading the correct photograph is mandatory for all India e-Visa applications submitted through indianvisaonline.gov.in. An incorrect photo is one of the most common reasons for application delays and rejections. The following specifications are sourced directly from the official Indian Visa Online portal's photo requirements page (indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/instruction.html and indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/VSS_IMAGE.pdf).

Common India Visa Photo Rejection Reasons

• Photo is not square (rectangular photos are rejected)
• Face not centred or head tilted
• Eyes not looking directly at the camera
• Shadows on face or background
• Glasses present (especially for e-Visa applications)
• Photo taken as a selfie
• File size exceeds the limit (over 1 MB for e-Visa, or 300 KB for regular visa)
• Non-JPEG file format (PNG, HEIC, PDF not accepted)
• Photo older than 6 months
• Background not plain white/off-white
• Heavy editing, filters, or colour alteration applied

Required Documents for India e-Visa Application

According to the official Indian e-Visa portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in), the following documents must be submitted for an e-Visa application:

• Valid passport: Must have at least 6 months validity from the date of arrival in India, and at least 2 blank pages for immigration stamping.
• Colour JPEG photograph: Meeting the specifications above (2×2 inch square, white background, JPEG, 10 KB–1 MB).
• Scanned copy of passport biographical page (data page): PDF format, maximum 300 KB, showing your personal details and photograph clearly.
• Return/onward ticket: Proof of travel out of India.
• Proof of sufficient funds: For your intended stay.
• Address in India: Hotel booking or host address (required in the application form).

Additional documents by visa type (per indianvisaonline.gov.in):

• e-Business Visa: Business card, details of the sending and receiving organisations.
• e-Medical Visa: Letter from the recognised/specialised hospital in India confirming treatment, appointment details.
• e-Conference Visa: Invitation letter from the organising body.

Step-by-Step India e-Visa Application Process

The following steps reflect the official application process as described on indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa:

1. Visit the official portal: indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa and click "Apply here for e-Visa".
2. Fill in the online application form with your passport details, travel plans, address in India, and personal information. Save your Temporary Application ID in case you need to return to complete the form.
3. Upload your square JPEG photograph (10 KB–1 MB) and a scanned PDF of your passport's biographical page (max 300 KB).
4. Pay the visa fee online using a credit or debit card, or PayPal. A banking charge applies (2.5% for cards, per official FAQs). Note: the fee is non-refundable.
5. Await your Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) by email. Processing typically takes up to 72 hours per the Bureau of Immigration, though applicants should apply well in advance.
6. Check your application status at indianvisaonline.gov.in. Ensure the status shows "Granted" before travelling.
7. Print a copy of your ETA and carry it with you — it must be presented at the Immigration Check Post on arrival, where the e-Visa will be stamped on your passport.

e-Arrival Card — Mandatory for All Arrivals (2026)

Per the Bureau of Immigration (boi.gov.in and indianvisaonline.gov.in), all foreign nationals — including OCI card holders — are now required to submit an e-Arrival Card online within 72 hours before arrival in India. This is separate from the visa and is for immigration record purposes.

The e-Arrival Card can be submitted at boi.gov.in, indianvisaonline.gov.in, or through the official "Indian Visa Su-Swagatam" mobile app.

Designated Entry Points for e-Visa Holders

e-Visa holders can only enter India through designated Immigration Check Posts. Per indianvisaonline.gov.in, the following airports and seaports are designated for e-Visa entry:

Designated Airports (33 airports, per official list)

Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Goa (Dabolim), Goa (Mopa), Jaipur, Cochin, Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Pune, Varanasi, Trivandrum, Lucknow, Gaya, Bagdogra, Bhubaneswar, Calicut, Chandigarh, Coimbatore, Guwahati, Indore, Kannur, Madurai, Mangalore, Nagpur, Port Blair, Surat, Tiruchirapalli, Vijayawada, and Visakhapatnam.

Designated Seaports (for general e-Visa entry)

Agatti, Calicut, Chennai, Cochin, Goa, Kamarajar, Kandla, Kattupalli, Kolkata, Kollam, Mangalore, Mumbai, Mundra, Nhava Sheva, Port Blair, Vallarpadam, Visakhapatnam, Vizhinjam, and Vizhinjam International.

Note: Entry by cruise ship is allowed through 5 designated seaports: Mumbai, Chennai, Cochin, Goa (Mormugao), and New Mangalore, per the official e-Visa FAQ.

e-Visa holders can exit from any authorised Immigration Check Post in India — they are not restricted to departure from the same airport they arrived at.

FRRO Registration

Per Ministry of Home Affairs guidelines, foreign nationals staying in India for more than 180 days on a 1-year or 5-year e-Tourist Visa are required to register with the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) or Foreigners Registration Office (FRO) within two weeks after the expiry of 180 days.

Foreign nationals on certain long-stay regular visas (such as student, employment, and research visas) may also have FRRO registration requirements. Confirm your specific obligations based on your visa type and duration of stay. FRRO services are accessible through the online portal at indianfrro.gov.in.

OCI Card — Overseas Citizen of India

Per the Bureau of Immigration (boi.gov.in), the OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) Card is a lifelong multiple-entry visa issued to a person who is a citizen of another country but who, or whose parents, grandparents, or great-grandparents, was a citizen of India at the time of, or at any time after, the commencement of the Constitution of India.

An OCI card is not a visa in the traditional sense, but functions as a permanent travel document for entry into India without requiring a separate visa. OCI holders are, however, still required to submit the e-Arrival Card before arriving in India.

Special Rules for Specific Nationalities

Nepal and Bhutan Nationals

Citizens of Nepal and Bhutan do not require a visa to enter India. However, if entering from China, Macau, Hong Kong, or Pakistan, a passport and visa are required. (Source: Bureau of Immigration, boi.gov.in)

Maldivian Nationals

Maldivian citizens may visit India visa-free for up to 90 days for tourism with a valid Maldivian passport, per the Incredible India government portal.

Pakistani Nationals

Pakistani nationals are not eligible for the India e-Visa. Per Bureau of Immigration (boi.gov.in), effective 27 April 2025, all valid visas (except medical visas, long-term visas, and diplomatic/official visas) issued to Pakistani nationals were revoked. Persons of Pakistani origin (where the person or either parent or grandparent was born in or permanently resident in Pakistan) are also excluded from the e-Visa scheme. Always check with the nearest Indian Mission for current rules.

Dual Citizens

India does not permit dual citizenship. Indian-born individuals who have acquired foreign citizenship must use their foreign passport to enter India. OCI card holders use their foreign passport in conjunction with their OCI card.

Yellow Fever Vaccination Requirement

Per the official e-Visa FAQ on indianvisaonline.gov.in: all foreigners arriving in India within 6 days of departure from any Yellow Fever endemic country are required to possess (in original) a valid Yellow Fever vaccination certificate at the time of arrival. The list of endemic countries is published by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare at mohfw.gov.in.

Visa Extension and Conversion

Per the Bureau of Immigration:

• e-Visa is non-extendable in most cases. Extension of e-Medical Visa may be granted up to 6 months on a case-by-case basis by the FRRO/FRO.
• e-Visa is non-convertible — it cannot be converted to any other visa category.
• Extension of regular visas may be granted by the FRRO/FRO. Any further extension beyond what FRRO can grant must be approved by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Overstay Penalties

Overstaying your Indian visa is a serious immigration violation. Foreign nationals who overstay are subject to penalties, deportation, and potential bans from future entry into India. Per the Bureau of Immigration, foreign nationals in India must comply with the terms and conditions of their visa including duration of stay. If you need to extend your stay, contact your jurisdictional FRRO/FRO before your visa expires.

Conference Clearance for Events (New — 2026)

Per the Bureau of Immigration (boi.gov.in), a new online portal has been launched at conference.epolclearance.gov.in — the Conference Clearance System — for expeditious processing of political clearances for foreign nationals participating in conferences, seminars, workshops, and sports events organised in India by Government/autonomous institutions/private bodies.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)