Indian e-Visa Airport and Seaport Entry Points: Where You Can Use Your e-Visa
India's e-Visa system has made visiting the country easier for many international travelers. Introduced in 2014, this electronic visa allows tourists, business visitors, and travelers seeking medical treatment to enter India through specific airports and seaports.
Understanding where you can use your e-Visa will help you make your journey to India hassle-free.
Three Common Types of Indian e-Visa and Their Eligibility
An Indian e-Visa is a permit that grants entry into India. It is obtained electronically before travel. For conferences, business, travel, and medical visits, it can be obtained. Travelers from over 170 countries are eligible to get ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization).
Three Main Types of e-Visas Exist
- e-Tourist Visa: (30 days, 365 days, or 5 years).
- e-Business Visa: For business-related activities. Multiple entries are allowed and have a 1-year validity.
- e-Medical Visa: It is a triple-entry visa for medical treatment. (Valid for 60 days).
There are other types of Indian e-Visas as well, they are e-Medical Attendant Visa and e-Conference Visa.
Airports for e-Visa Entry
India has expanded its list of airports accepting e-Visa entries since the program's inception. As of 2024, 31 airports across India allow entry with a valid e-Visa:
Coimbatore, Indore, Amritsar, Varanasi, Madurai, Kannur, Calicut, Goa (Mopa), Bengaluru, Pune, Hyderabad, Cochin, Bhubaneshwar, Gaya, Nagpur, Goa (Dabolim), Kolkata, Trivandrum, Mumbai, Jaipur, Lucknow, Guwahati, Tiruchirapalli, Delhi, Port Blair, Visakhapatnam, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Chandigarh, Mangalore, Bagdogra
Smaller airports such as Gaya and Madurai are joining the list of big international airports (such as Delhi and Bengaluru) that accept e-Visas.
When traveling with an Indian e-Visa, keep in mind that your point of entry must be one of these designated airports. Planning your itinerary around these entry points ensures a smooth arrival process.
Seaports for e-Visa Entry
For travelers arriving by sea, India allows e-Visa entry through major seaports:
Mangalore, Chennai, Cochin, Goa, Mumbai and Port Blair
Important Considerations for Travelers Visiting India
When planning your trip to India using an e-Visa, keep these points in mind:
- Entry and exit must be through authorized airports or seaports only. Using other entry points requires a regular visa.
- Double-check your e-Visa details before travel. The passport details and your personal information both should be correct.
- Keep a soft copy of your e-Visa. While the system is electronic, having a physical copy can be helpful during travel.
- Understand your e-Visa validity period and entry restrictions. Some e-Visas allow multiple entries, while others are single entries only.
Keep yourself up-to-date with the most current information and documentation requirements, as entry points and regulations may change. Therefore, when you start planning for your India trip, make sure you are aware of all the current entry-to-India rules and guidelines.
Citizens of many countries including Indonesia, Belarus, Australia, Chile, France, Germany are eligible for India e-Visa.