India e-Visa: Every Category in One Guide

Tourism, sightseeing, visiting friends and family

Stay capped at 180 days per calendar year across tourist visas; not extendable, and convertible only in specific cases such as marriage to an Indian national.

Meetings, negotiations, trade fairs — not paid employment

Continuous stay on each visit is capped; working a job needs an Employment Visa instead.

Medical treatment at a recognised Indian hospital

The portal's category list gives the e-Medical Visa one year from arrival; its own FAQ still says 60 days from first arrival. Both say multiple entry, so the "triple entry" in older guides is out of date — plan on the shorter figure and check what your grant says. Requires the hospital's letter; up to two e-Medical Attendant Visas ride along for companions.

Attending a conference, seminar or workshop

The event itself needs MHA/MEA clearance — the requirement most delegates discover late.

Treatment under Ayurveda, Yoga and other AYUSH systems

The AYUSH counterpart of the e-Medical route, tied to recognised AYUSH facilities.

What is the India e-Visa?

An Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) applied for entirely online through the official portal, indianvisaonline.gov.in — no embassy visit, no sticker in advance. It's linked to your passport, and you carry the ETA printout to the airport. Citizens of 170+ countries are eligible.

What types of India e-Visa exist?

The ones with full guides here: e-Tourist (30-day, 1-year and 5-year, all multiple entry), e-Business (365 days, multiple entry, 180 days per visit), e-Medical with e-Medical Attendant visas for companions, e-Conference (30 days from arrival, multiple entry) and e-Ayush for AYUSH-system treatment. The portal also lists e-Student, e-Family, e-Transit, e-Miscellaneous and e-Production Investment visas. Employment and journalism remain mission-only categories.

How much does an India e-Visa cost?

Fees are set country-wise. As a reference, US citizens pay US$25 for the 30-day e-Tourist (US$10 for April–June arrivals), US$40 for the 1-year, US$160 for the 5-year, plus a 3% bank charge. The fee is non-refundable regardless of outcome — check your country's row on the official schedule before paying.

How early should I apply for an e-Visa?

Apply at least four days before arrival — that's the minimum processing buffer the portal works to. Don't cut it to the wire: a query or a payment issue with four days' slack becomes a missed flight with one.

Can an e-Visa be extended in India?

Not usually. e-Tourist and e-Business Visas cannot be extended inside India; the exception is the e-Medical Visa, which the FRRO may extend for up to six months, case by case. e-Visas can be converted to another category only in specific cases — chiefly marriage to an Indian national, a Person of Indian Origin or an OCI cardholder during the visa's validity, which the FRRO can convert to an Entry (X-2) visa. If your plans might outgrow the visa, choose a longer validity or a regular visa from a mission up front.

Which airports and seaports accept e-Visas?

Entry is through designated airports and seaports only — and since 19 March 2026, 14 additional seaports accept e-Visa holders, bringing cruise itineraries into scope. Exit can be through any authorised immigration checkpoint. Check your arrival port is designated before booking unusual routings.

How do I check my e-Visa application status?

On the official portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in) using your Application ID and passport number. Grants arrive as an ETA by email — print it and carry it. Never pay a third-party site to "check status"; it's free on the portal.

When is a regular (sticker) visa better than an e-Visa?

When your purpose isn't an e-Visa category (employment or journalism, for instance), when you need validity or stay terms the e-Visa doesn't offer for your nationality, or when your case has complications (prior refusals, purpose questions) better handled through a mission application.