How do US citizens get an India e-visa?

There are three tourist e-Visa options: a 30-day, a 1-year, and a 5-year, the longer two allowing multiple entries. Fees are set per country and shift seasonally, but for US citizens they run roughly: about $25 for the 30-day (cheaper, near $10, in the April to June low season), about $40 for the 1-year, and about $80 for the 5-year, plus a small card-processing charge. They are non-refundable, even if refused.

On the 1-year and 5-year visas, US citizens can stay up to 90 days at a time, with a maximum of 180 days in a calendar year. The visa runs from the date it is issued, not the date you arrive, so do not apply too early.

Allow a few days, and apply a week or two ahead to be safe.

1. Go to the official portal, indianvisaonline.gov.in, and choose e-Tourist Visa. Go there directly, not through a search ad.
2. Fill in your details and upload a passport-style photo and a scan of your passport page.
3. Pay the fee by card. It is non-refundable, so check every field before you submit, no changes are allowed afterward.
4. Wait for the approval (the ETA) by email, usually 2 to 5 business days. Print it and carry it, airlines check it at boarding and immigration checks it on arrival.

India is one of the worst destinations for visa middlemen: search results overflow with sites that charge well above the government fee to file the same application, and some are outright scams. The only official portal is indianvisaonline.gov.in, so if a site charges noticeably more, it is adding a markup.

India has also rolled out a separate free online arrival form for air travelers, filed before you land, which is distinct from the paid e-Visa. Complete that one on the official government portal too, and never pay for it.

The e-Visa only works if you fly in through one of the designated airports or seaports, it is not valid at land borders, and it cannot be extended, so for longer you leave and reapply or get a regular visa. Your passport needs 6 months of validity and a couple of blank pages.

For how money works once you are there, cards, cash, ATMs and the rest, see the India money guide.

Common questions

Quick answers.

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