Good news for travellers to India: an e-Visa lets you apply online without visiting an embassy. This guide walks through the online application step by step in 2026 — fees, documents, processing and common mistakes.
India visa at a glance
| Visa required? | Yes, for many nationalities |
|---|---|
| Main visa type | e-Tourist Visa |
| Government fee | USD 80 |
| Processing time | Typically 3-5 business days |
| Validity | 5 years from grant (multiple entry) |
| Permitted stay | 90 days |
| Where to apply | https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html |
| HolidaySG assistance fee | S$50 per applicant (usually S$100) |
India e-Visa at a glance
- Fee: USD 80
- Processing: Typically 3-5 business days
- Validity: 5 years from grant (multiple entry)
- Permitted stay: 90 days
- Where to apply: https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html
INDIA HAS A POWERFUL E-VISA — apply online at indianvisaonline.gov.in for 180+ nationalities. e-Tourist Visa comes in 30-day, 1-year and 5-year options. Apply at least 4 days before travel.
How to apply for the India e-Visa online
- Open the official e-Visa portal (https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html) and start a new application.
- Fill in your passport and travel details exactly as they appear in your passport.
- Upload a scan of your passport bio page and a compliant photo.
- Pay the fee (USD 80) by card.
- Wait for the emailed approval (Typically 3-5 business days), then print or save it to show on arrival.
Documents you upload
- Passport valid 6+ months with 2 blank pages
- Passport-style digital photo
- Scanned passport bio page
Common mistakes, delays and rejection reasons
From handling India visa applications, these are the issues that most often cause delays or refusals. Avoiding them is the single biggest thing you can control:
- Passport validity: many countries require at least six months' validity beyond your travel dates — renew early if yours is close.
- Insufficient proof of funds: bank statements that are too thin, too new, or not in your name are a common reason for delays. Show a stable balance over the last 3–6 months.
- Photo specification errors: wrong size, background colour, glasses or a smile can bounce an application. Follow the exact spec for India.
- Applying too late: submit well before departure — allow the full processing window plus a buffer, not the minimum.
- Mismatched documents: names, dates and passport numbers must match exactly across your form, flight and hotel bookings.
- Weak ties to your home country: employment letters, leave approval and return bookings help show you intend to return.
- Prior overstays or refusals: declare them honestly; hiding history causes more problems than the history itself.
Before you travel to India
- Onward or return ticket: carry proof — airlines and immigration can ask for it.
- Funds: have evidence of enough money for your stay (card and some local currency).
- Travel insurance: strongly recommended, and mandatory for some destinations.
- Copies: keep a digital and paper copy of your visa/approval and passport photo page.
Apply for your India visa with HolidaySG
Flat S$50 assistance fee per applicant (usually S$100) — official government fee: e-Visa: USD 80 · India e-Tourist Visa: USD 25 · India e-Tourist Visa: USD 40. We check your eligibility, send a personalised document checklist, complete the forms and track your application until the outcome.
Official sources
- Bureau of Immigration India — verified 19 August 2026
Last updated 20 August 2026. Written and reviewed by the HolidaySG visa team and checked against the official sources above (facts verified 19 August 2026). Visa rules change and depend on your passport, residence and purpose of travel — always confirm with the official source before booking, or use our visa checker. HolidaySG re-confirms current requirements at the time of your application.