India Visa

India — Visa Overview

About India

India is one of the world's most extraordinary and diverse destinations — a vast subcontinent of breathtaking contrasts, ancient civilisations, and cultural richness that has captivated travellers for centuries. The world's most populous nation and the largest democracy on earth, India offers every traveller an experience of unparalleled depth, colour, and discovery — from the soaring peaks of the Himalayas to the palm-fringed beaches of Kerala, from the golden deserts of Rajasthan to the lush tea gardens of Darjeeling.

The iconic Taj Mahal in Agra — one of the Seven Wonders of the World — stands as the ultimate symbol of India's artistic and architectural grandeur. Delhi — the capital — layers centuries of history from the Mughal-era Red Fort and Qutb Minar to the imperial grandeur of Lutyens' New Delhi, alongside a vibrant modern metropolis of world-class cuisine, art, and culture. Jaipur enchants with its spectacular pink-hued palaces and forts. Mumbai — India's financial and cultural capital — pulses with the energy of Bollywood, street food culture, and the iconic Marine Drive waterfront. Varanasi — one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities — offers a profound spiritual experience on the banks of the sacred Ganges.

India is also a destination of extraordinary spiritual significance — home to sacred sites of Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Islam, and Jainism. It is the birthplace of yoga, Ayurveda, and some of the world's most celebrated culinary traditions. A powerhouse of technology, science, and global commerce, India is an equally compelling destination for business travellers — with Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Pune emerging as world-class technology and innovation hubs. Welcoming, warm, and endlessly diverse, India is a destination that rewards every traveller with an experience that is genuinely unlike anywhere else on earth.

What is an India eVisa?

The India eVisa is a fully digital travel authorisation issued by the Bureau of Immigration, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. It is applied for entirely online through the official Indian eVisa portal — indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa — and issued electronically as an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to the applicant's registered email address. No embassy visit is required for most eVisa categories. Upon approval, the eVisa ETA must be printed and presented at the designated immigration checkpost upon arrival in India — the visa is then stamped directly into the passport at the immigration counter.

Do You Need an India Visa? — UAE, India & KSA

UAE Nationals: UAE nationals are eligible for the India eVisa through the official portal. Additionally, UAE nationals who have previously obtained an eVisa or regular visa for India are eligible for Visa on Arrival at selected designated airports in India — a faster and more convenient option for frequent travellers.

UAE Residents of Other Nationalities: The eVisa eligibility is determined by the passport held. Nationals of 174 countries and territories are currently eligible for the India eVisa — Rayna Tours will confirm eligibility based on the applicant's specific passport nationality at the time of enquiry. Pakistani passport holders and nationals of Pakistani origin are not eligible for the eVisa and must apply for a regular visa at the nearest Indian Embassy or Mission.

KSA Nationals & Residents: Saudi Arabian nationals and KSA residents holding passports of eVisa-eligible nationalities may apply for the India eVisa through the official portal. The eligibility is determined by the passport held — not by the country of residence.

Indian Nationals: Indian nationals are citizens of India and do not require a visa to enter India.

eVisa Categories — Available on the Official Portal

The India eVisa is available under nine categories — Rayna Tours assists with the following categories most relevant to UAE and KSA applicants:

e-Tourist Visa — for recreation, sightseeing, casual visits to friends and relatives, short-term yoga programmes, short-term courses in local languages, music, dance, arts, crafts, cooking, and medicine — provided the course does not exceed 6 months and does not issue a qualifying certificate or diploma. Three validity options:

• 30-day e-Tourist Visa: Valid for 30 days from the date of first arrival — double entry permitted
• 1-year e-Tourist Visa: Valid for 1 year from the date of ETA grant — multiple entry — maximum stay of 180 days per calendar year
• 5-year e-Tourist Visa: Valid for 5 years from the date of ETA grant — multiple entry — maximum stay of 180 days per calendar year

e-Business Visa — for business purposes including meetings, trade activities, and commercial engagements. Valid for 1 year from the date of ETA grant — multiple entry — maximum continuous stay of 180 days per visit.

e-Medical Visa — for medical treatment including treatment under Indian systems of medicine. Valid for 60 days from the date of first arrival — triple entry permitted.

e-Medical Attendant Visa — for attendants accompanying an e-Medical Visa holder. Valid for 60 days from the date of first arrival — triple entry — maximum of 2 e-Medical Attendant Visas granted per e-Medical Visa.

Important — eVisa Conditions

• The eVisa is non-extendable and non-convertible — it cannot be extended or converted to any other visa category.
• The eVisa is not valid for visiting Protected, Restricted, or Cantonment Areas — prior permission from the Civil Authority is required for such areas.
• The eVisa is not available to Diplomatic or Official Passport holders, Laissez-passer travel document holders, or individuals endorsed on a parent's or spouse's passport — each individual must hold a separate passport.
• The eVisa is not available for employment purposes — a regular visa must be applied for at the Indian Embassy or Mission.
• Applicants must travel on the same passport used to apply for the eVisa.

Visa on Arrival — UAE Nationals Only

UAE nationals who have previously obtained an eVisa or regular visa for India are eligible for Visa on Arrival at selected designated airports in India. This facility is also available to nationals of Japan and South Korea. Visa on Arrival is not available to any other nationality — all other eligible nationalities must apply for the eVisa online before travel.

Authorised Entry Points for eVisa Holders

eVisa holders may enter India only through the following designated immigration checkposts:

By Air (33 Designated Airports):
Ahmedabad · Amritsar · Bagdogra · Bengaluru · Bhubaneswar · Calicut · Chandigarh · Chennai · Cochin · Coimbatore · Delhi · Gaya · Goa (Dabolim) · Goa (Mopa) · Guwahati · Hyderabad · Indore · Jaipur · Kannur · Kolkata · Lucknow · Madurai · Mangalore · Mumbai · Nagpur · Port Blair · Pune · Surat · Tiruchirapalli · Thiruvananthapuram · Varanasi · Vijayawada · Vishakhapatnam

By Sea (Selected Seaports):
Mumbai · Cochin · Goa (Mormugao) · Chennai · New Mangalore · Port Blair · Vishakhapatnam · and other designated seaports

By Land (Selected Land Ports):
Raxaul · Rupaidiha · Darranga · Jogbani

Biometrics

Biometric details — fingerprints and a digital photograph — are mandatorily captured by Indian immigration authorities at the immigration counter upon arrival in India. No pre-travel biometric appointment is required for the eVisa.

e-Arrival Card — Mandatory for All Travellers

All foreign nationals — including eVisa holders — are required to complete the e-Arrival Card online within 72 hours before their arrival in India. This is free of charge and can be completed through the official Indian Visa Online portal — indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival — or via the official Indian Visa Su-Swagatam Mobile App. This is a mandatory pre-arrival registration — it is not a visa.

Application Timeline

• Applications must be submitted a minimum of 4 days before the intended date of arrival in India.
• Applications can be submitted up to 120 days in advance of the intended travel date.
• The eVisa fee must be paid at least 4 days before the expected date of travel — otherwise the application will not be processed.
• The eVisa fee is country-specific and is confirmed at the time of application on the official portal.

Processing Time

Processing is typically completed within 72 to 96 hours from the date of application and payment submission. Applicants are advised to apply well in advance and confirm the ETA status shows as GRANTED on the official portal before departure — do not travel until the ETA status is confirmed as granted.

General Disclaimer

All visa decisions — including approval, refusal, validity, and permitted stay — rest solely with the Bureau of Immigration, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India and Indian immigration authorities at the designated entry checkposts. Rayna Tours acts as a professional visa assistance provider only. Submission of a complete application does not guarantee visa approval or entry into India.

Terms & Conditions — India eVisa Assistance

• Rayna Tours provides professional assistance with the India eVisa application process across UAE and KSA markets. Rayna Tours has no affiliation with the Bureau of Immigration, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, or any Indian government authority.

• The India eVisa is issued solely by the Bureau of Immigration, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. All visa decisions — including approval, refusal, validity, and permitted stay — are made entirely at the discretion of the Indian immigration authorities. Rayna Tours does not guarantee visa approval under any circumstances.

• All eVisa application fees and Rayna Tours service fees are strictly non-refundable once the application has been submitted — regardless of whether the outcome is approval, refusal, or delay. The eVisa processing fee is for processing of the application and is not dependent on the grant or rejection of the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA).

• Applicants must submit complete, accurate, and genuine information and documents. Any errors, typos, incomplete details, or misleading information in the application may result in rejection. The applicant is solely responsible for the correctness of all information provided.

• The eVisa is non-extendable and non-convertible — it cannot be extended or converted to any other visa category after issuance. The eVisa is not valid for visiting Protected, Restricted, or Cantonment Areas in India.

• Pakistani passport holders and nationals of Pakistani origin are not eligible for the India eVisa. All existing valid visas issued to Pakistani nationals — except Medical, Long Term, Diplomatic, and Official visas — have been revoked with immediate effect from 27 April 2025.

• eVisa holders may enter India only through 33 designated airports, selected seaports, and select land border crossings. Entry through non-designated immigration checkposts is not permitted.

• All foreign nationals — including eVisa holders — are required to complete the mandatory e-Arrival Card online within 72 hours before arrival in India — free of charge at indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival or via the official Indian Visa Su-Swagatam Mobile App. Failure to complete the e-Arrival Card may result in delays at immigration.

• Biometric details — fingerprints and a digital photograph — are mandatorily captured by Indian immigration authorities upon arrival at the designated entry checkpost. No pre-travel biometric appointment is required.

• Possession of a valid India eVisa does not guarantee entry into India. The final entry decision rests solely with Indian immigration officials at the port of arrival.

• Rayna Tours bears no responsibility for delays in eVisa processing arising from technical issues on the official portal, government holidays, application volume, additional document requests, or security verification by Indian immigration authorities.

• Rayna Tours bears no responsibility for visa refusals or delays arising from the applicant's previous immigration records, travel history, or individual profile.

• India eVisa regulations, documentation requirements, processing timelines, eligible nationalities, and applicable fees are subject to change at any time without prior notice at the discretion of the Government of India. Applicants are advised to confirm the latest requirements before initiating any application.