Most visitors need a visa to enter India, and the easiest option for tourism is the e-Tourist Visa, applied for entirely online before you travel. It comes in three durations — 30 days, 1 year and 5 years — and must be applied for on India’s official government portal, not a third-party site.
e-Tourist Visa options
India’s e-Tourist Visa comes in three versions. The 30-day e-Tourist Visa is double-entry, good for a single short trip with one re-entry allowed. The 1-year e-Tourist Visa is multiple-entry, and the 5-year e-Tourist Visa is also multiple-entry — but both come with a cap: no more than 180 days of total stay in any one calendar year, regardless of how many trips you make. Other e-Visa categories exist for business, medical and student travel, plus a separate transit e-Visa, each with its own rules — the tourist e-Visa is what almost every leisure traveller needs.
Fees
Fees vary by visa duration, nationality and season, and change from time to time, so treat these as indicative and confirm the exact figure for your passport on the official portal before you pay. As of 2026: the 30-day e-Tourist Visa is around $10 in the off-peak window (April–June) and around $25 the rest of the year (July–March). The 1-year e-Tourist Visa runs about $40 for many nationalities. The 5-year e-Tourist Visa varies far more by passport — from around $25 for Japanese nationals up to $484 for UK and several EU passport holders. All fees carry an additional 2.5% bank/payment-gateway charge on top.
How to apply
Apply online at least 4 days before you travel, and no more than 120 days ahead of your arrival date. You will need a passport valid for at least 6 months from your arrival with at least two blank pages, a recent digital passport-style photo, and a valid email address — your Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) arrives by email once approved, and you should print a copy to carry with your passport. Processing is usually quick, but do not cut it close to your travel date in case of delays or a request for extra documents.
Other visa types
If you are travelling for something other than tourism, India also issues e-Business, e-Medical (plus e-Medical Attendant for companions), e-Student and e-Conference visas online, along with a transit e-Visa for a short stopover. Each has its own duration, fee and document requirements — check the official portal for the category that matches your trip.
- Apply only at the official Indian e-Visa portal: [indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html](https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html).
- Third-party "visa assistance" sites often charge a large markup over the government fee for the same application — you can complete the whole process yourself.
- Never send passport scans or payment to a site you found through a paid ad rather than the official government domain.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa to visit India?
Most foreign nationals do. A small number of countries have visa-free or visa-on-arrival arrangements, but for almost everyone else the e-Tourist Visa is the simplest route — check your specific nationality on the official portal.
How much does an Indian e-Visa cost?
Indicatively, the 30-day e-Tourist Visa runs about $10–25 depending on season, the 1-year version is around $40, and the 5-year version ranges from about $25 to $484 depending on your passport — plus a 2.5% bank charge. Confirm the exact fee for your nationality on the official site.
How long can I stay in India on an e-Visa?
The 30-day e-Tourist Visa allows a single trip of up to 30 days with one re-entry. The 1-year and 5-year versions allow multiple entries but cap your total stay at 180 days per calendar year.
Where should I apply for an Indian e-Visa?
Only on the official government portal, indianvisaonline.gov.in. Avoid third-party sites — they charge a markup for a service you can do yourself for the government fee.