How do you apply for an India e-visa in 2026?

Use e-Tourist for recreation, family visits, and short permitted courses such as yoga. One-month, one-year, and five-year e-Tourist products appear on the live portal; longer tourist ETAs generally keep a maximum stay of 180 days in India per calendar year. e-Business, e-Medical, e-Conference, and other listed sub-categories cover narrower purposes. None of these replaces an Employment Visa if you will work on an Indian payroll: Get a work permit.

Upload a clear passport data page and compliant photograph, enter names exactly as printed, and choose the category that matches your real purpose. Apply several days before travel; official FAQ material commonly asks for at least four days’ lead time. Pay only through the portal gateway. Save the application reference and download the grant PDF when approved. Compare every character with your passport before you fly.

Enter through a designated port printed in current portal guidance. Carry the same passport used in the application and an offline copy of the ETA. After arrival, an Indian SIM helps with OTPs for later services: Get a mobile phone. Short visits under 180 days usually skip FRRO registration; longer continuous stays can trigger registration rules: FRRO registration.

e-Tourist visas are generally non-extendable and non-convertible. Do not plan a silent switch into work status inside India: Renew a residence permit and Apply for a residence permit. Household transfer-of-residence concessions also expect non-tourist visas: Import household goods. City choice and budget still sit outside the ETA itself: Where to live and How expensive is India.