11 India e-Visa Mistakes That Get Applications Refused or Delayed

1. Applying on a look-alike website

Search results are full of private sites styled to look official. The government portal is indianvisaonline.gov.in. The portal itself warns that agents and intermediaries are not authorised to charge fees for visas or the e-Arrival card. If the URL doesn’t end in .gov.in, you’re not on it.

2. Picking the wrong category

An e-Business visa is for meetings and trade — not for taking up a job. An e-Tourist visa doesn’t cover a conference. Categories generally can’t be converted inside India, so choose carefully.

3. A photo that isn’t square

The e-Visa upload expects a square image with a plain, light background. Phone photos cropped to a rectangle are the classic failure. Run yours through the photo checker.

4. Not enough passport validity

Your passport should be valid for at least six months from the date you arrive, with at least two blank pages.

5. Leaving it too late

You must apply at least four days before arrival. Build in two to three weeks for queries, payment issues or a re-upload.

6. Typos that don’t match the passport

Names, passport number, date of birth and nationality must match the machine-readable zone exactly. Double-check before paying.

7. Not disclosing previous Indian nationality

Former Indian citizens must say so. If you held an Indian passport, you may also need to show a surrender certificate. Hiding it is far worse than declaring it.

8. Using the wrong card

Some cards decline international government payments. Use one that supports foreign-currency transactions — and remember fees are non-refundable.

9. Forgetting the e-Arrival card

The e-Arrival card is a separate, free online form submitted within 72 hours before arrival. It is not a visa — and you should never pay a third party for it.

10. Ignoring the email

Officials sometimes request a clearer document. Missed emails mean missed deadlines. Whitelist the portal’s email and check spam.

11. Using an e-Visa when an OCI makes more sense

If you’re of Indian origin and visit often, each e-Visa is money and time you could save with an OCI. Check eligibility with our 60-second tool.

Before you apply: fees, forms and processing times change often and differ by country. Always confirm the current rules on the official portal or your mission's website. Spotted something out of date? Send a correction.