The e-Visa – fast, digital, straightforward
For most travelers, the electronic tourist visa (eTV) is the best option. It’s applied for online, you don’t have to send in your passport, and everything is usually completed within a few days.
- Official website: indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa
- Validity: 30 days (single entry) or 1 or 5 years (multiple entry, max. 90 days per visit)
- Required: passport (valid for at least 6 months), square passport photo (JPEG), scan of data page (PDF), credit card or PayPal
- Processing time: usually 2–5 working days
- Cost: approx. 25–80 USD (depending on visa type and nationality)
Important: The e-Visa only allows entry by air or sea – e.g. via airports in Delhi, Mumbai, Kochi, Goa, etc. Entry by land (e.g. via Nepal or Pakistan) is not possible with an e-Visa!
The regular visa – a sticker in your passport
If you plan to enter India overland, or simply want to be on the safe side, you should apply for the regular visa. This is a physical visa sticker placed in your passport, which you need to apply for at an Indian embassy or consulate before your trip.
- Application: via the official Indian embassy website or through a visa agency
- Validity: usually 6 months (tourist visa), other durations possible
- Required: completed online form, passport photo, passport, appointment booking, possibly in-person delivery or via mail
- Processing time: usually 7–14 days
- Cost: approx. 120–150 €, depending on the agency and shipping options
The regular visa is a bit more effort to obtain but offers maximum flexibility – especially if you plan to enter India by land or take multiple trips.
