Getting a tourist visa for India from the US is a straightforward online process. Most travellers from the United States are eligible for an e-Tourist Visa (eTV), which can be obtained without visiting an embassy.

Here’s how to apply:

✅ Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Visit the official Indian visa website:
   Go to https://indianvisaonline.gov.in.
2. Select “e-Tourist Visa” option
   Choose the correct category – usually e-Tourist Visa – 30 days, 1 year, or 5 years (depending on how often you plan to visit).
3. Complete the online application
   Fill in personal details, passport information, travel plans, and upload a passport-size photo and a scanned copy of your passport (first page).
4. Pay the visa fee online
   Visa fees range from $10 to $80 USD, depending on the duration and season.
5. Receive your visa via email
   Once approved (usually within 3–5 business days), you’ll receive an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) by email.
6. Print & carry the ETA
   Show this document upon arrival in India at immigration. Your passport will then be stamped with your actual tourist visa.

📌 Important Notes:

• Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your date of arrival in India.
• The e-Tourist Visa is valid for entry through select international airports and seaports only (including Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Goa, Kochi, etc.).
• You cannot extend or convert the e-Visa once issued.

Pro Tip:
Apply at least 7 days before your departure date to avoid last-minute issues. Double-check the Indian government site, as policies can occasionally change.

Yes — all UK passport holders must obtain a tourist visa before traveling to India. Fortunately, British citizens are eligible for the convenient e‑Tourist Visa (e‑TV), which allows multiple types of tourist travel without visiting a consulate

✅ How to Apply (Quick Steps):

1. Choose your visa type:
   Options include 30-day (double entry), 1-year, or 5-year e‑Tourist Visa. UK citizens can stay up to 180 days per visit
2. Apply online:
   Use the official Indian Visa Online portal, completing personal, passport, and travel details, and uploading a photo + passport scan
3. Pay the fee:
   Typical fees range from £80–£127 GBP, depending on duration; processing takes 3–7 days (apply at least 4–7 days before travel, no earlier than 120 days prior)
4. Receive your ETA:
   Once approved, the Electronic Travel Authorization is emailed—print and carry it. Immigration will stamp your passport on arrival

📌 Important Notes for UK Applicants:

• UK citizens of Pakistani origin must apply for a regular sticker visa at a consulate—e‑Visa is not available for them
• The e‑Visa allows entry via 31 airports and 6 seaports only (not land borders)
• No extensions allowed. To stay longer than permitted, you must exit and re‑apply
• OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) card holders are exempt from visa requirements

📋 Summary Table:

Yes, most travellers from over 160 countries, including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and EU nations, are eligible to apply for an Indian e-Visa (electronic visa) for tourism, business, medical, or conference purposes.

✅ Types of Indian e-Visas Available:

📌 e-Tourist Visa Highlights:

• 30-Day e-Visa: Valid for 30 days from the date of arrival. Double entry allowed.
• 1-Year & 5-Year e-Visas: Multiple entries allowed, with stays of up to 180 days per visit (for most nationalities).
• Application must be made at least 4 days before arrival (but no earlier than 120 days).

✅ How to Apply for an Indian e-Visa:

1. Visit: https://indianvisaonline.gov.in
2. Select e-Visa type (e-Tourist, e-Business, etc.)
3. Fill the form online
4. Upload a passport scan and recent photo
5. Pay the fee online (typically between $10–$80 USD, depending on visa type and duration)
6. Receive your visa via email within 3–5 business days

🛂 Entry Ports:
You must arrive via one of 31 designated international airports (e.g., Delhi, Mumbai, Goa, Kochi) or 5 major seaports. Overland travel is not allowed on an e-Visa.

❌ Who CANNOT Apply:

• Citizens of Pakistan or those with Pakistani origin
• Diplomatic passport holders
• UNLP (UN Passport) holders
• International travel document holders, e.g. INTERPOL officials
• Individuals visiting for journalism, film-making, missionary, or research activities

Pro Tip: The e-Visa is 100% online — no embassy visit is required. Double-check all information, as errors can delay approval.

To apply for an Indian tourist visa, especially the e-Tourist Visa (e-Visa), you’ll need to upload a few basic documents during your online application. Here’s what you must prepare:

✅ Required Documents for e-Tourist Visa:

• Valid Passport
  • Must be valid for at least 6 months from your intended date of arrival in India
  • Should have at least 2 blank pages for stamping
  • Must be scanned in color (PDF format) – only the first page (bio page) is needed, size max 300 KB
• Recent Passport-Size Photograph
  • Must be in JPEG format
  • White background
  • Front-facing, no shadows or glasses
  • Size between 10 KB to 1 MB
• Return or Onward Travel Ticket (sometimes requested)
  • Not mandatory during application, but advisable to have while traveling
• Credit/Debit Card for Visa Fee Payment
  • Fees vary depending on nationality and duration of visa

🧾 Optional (but Helpful) Documents:

• Hotel booking confirmation
• Travel itinerary
• Invitation letter (if staying with friends/family in India)

❗ Important Tips:

• Make sure the photo and passport scan are clear, or your application may be delayed or rejected.
• Do not submit selfies or cropped photos — stick to standard passport photo rules.
• Only apply via the official site: https://indianvisaonline.gov.in
• Keep digital copies of all submitted documents handy during travel.
• Double-check spelling of your name and passport number — these are common rejection triggers!

The processing time for an Indian visa depends on the type of visa you apply for — mainly whether it’s an e-Visa (online) or a regular visa (through an embassy/consulate).

🕒 e-Tourist Visa Processing Time (Most Popular Option)

• e-Tourist Visa in 3 to 5 business days
• Urgent e-Visa in 1 to 3 days

Pro Tip: Apply at least 7 days before your departure to avoid last-minute issues.

🕒 Regular (Sticker) Tourist Visa Processing Time
Step 1: Embassy Appointment & Docs in 1 to 3 days (varies)
Step 2: Processing after submission in 5 to 10 business days
Step 3: Passport return (by post) in 2 to 4 business days extra

📌 Additional Tips:

• Weekends and Indian public holidays are non-working days for visa processing.
• Double-check your email inbox (and spam folder) for the e-Visa approval letter (ETA).
• For long-stay or multiple-entry visas, processing can take slightly longer.

In most cases, India does NOT offer visa on arrival for international tourists — including travellers from the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and Europe. Instead, eligible travellers must apply for an e-Tourist Visa online before arriving.

✅ Exception: Visa on Arrival for Japanese, South Korean & UAE Nationals
India currently offers Visa on Arrival (VoA) to citizens of:

• Japan: Available at select airports for short visits
• South Korea: Available only for tourism or business
• UAE: Only for UAE nationals who’ve previously obtained an Indian e-Visa or regular visa — not first-time visitors

❌ Not Available For:

• US, UK, Canada, Australia
• EU citizens
• Most African, South American, and Southeast Asian countries

✅ Recommended: Apply for an e-Visa Before Arrival

India’s e-Visa system is easy, fast, and fully online:

• Apply at: https://indianvisaonline.gov.in
• Takes 3–5 days for approval
• No need to visit an embassy

The cost of an Indian tourist e-Visa depends on your nationality, the visa duration, and whether you’re applying in peak or off-peak season. Here’s a breakdown of the main e-Visa options and fees for most travelers, including those from the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and several EU countries:

💵 e-Tourist Visa Fees (Government + Admin Fee)

• Fee for 30-day (double entry) is $25 for peak season and $10 for off-season (Apr-Jun).
• Fee for 1‑year (multiple entry) is $40
• Fee for 5‑year (multiple entry) is $80

🔁 Additional Notes:

• A card processing fee (usually 3%–4%) is added during online payment.
• Fees are non-refundable, even if your application is rejected.
• Prices depend on the official government portal—avoid third-party intermediaries that charge extra.

Remember to apply at least 4–7 days before travel and pay via the official portal https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/ to avoid unwanted fees.

In most cases, you cannot extend an Indian tourist e-Visa. The e-Tourist Visa is non-extendable and non-convertible, meaning once it expires, you must leave India and apply for a new visa if you wish to return.

❌ e-Tourist Visa Extension:

• 30-Day e-Visa – No Extension – Must exit before expiry (no grace period)
• 1-Year or 5-Year e-Visa – No Extension – Allows multiple entries, but each visit has a limit (usually 90 or 180 days, depending on nationality)

✅ Exceptions – You May Be Able to Extend If:

• Medical Emergency or Special Circumstances
  You can request an extension on humanitarian grounds (e.g., illness, flight bans) through the FRRO (Foreigners Regional Registration Office).
• COVID-Related Travel Disruptions
  India previously offered grace periods and free extensions during the pandemic, but these are no longer active.
• Applying for a Long-Term Visa
  If you’re eligible and already in India (on another visa), you can sometimes apply for a different visa (like employment or student), but not from an e-Visa.

🧾 What If You Overstay?
Overstaying an Indian visa may lead to:

• Fines starting from USD 300
• Possible detention
• Blacklisting (ban from future travel to India)

Always respect your visa validity and plan accordingly.

✅ Pro Tip:
If you’re on a 1-Year or 5-Year e-Tourist Visa, you can exit to a nearby country (like Nepal, Sri Lanka, or the UAE) and re-enter, as long as your re-entry gap rules are respected.

The validity of an Indian e-Visa depends on the type of e-Tourist Visa you apply for. As of 2025, there are three main options, each with different durations and entry rules:

🧳 Types & Validity of Indian e-Tourist Visas

• Type 1: 30-Day e-Visa with validity for 30 days from the date of entry, with Double Entry allowed
• Type 2: 1-Year e-Visa with validity of 365 days from date of issue with up to 90 days per visit for most countries (180 days for US, UK, Canada, Japan) with Multiple Entry Allowed.
• Type 3: 5-Year e-Visa with validity of 5 years from date of issue with up to 90 days per visit for most countries (180 days for US, UK, Canada, Japan) with Multiple Entry Allowed.