How to Get a Tourist Visa for India?

Here's the English translation for your travel agency website:

Tourist Visa for India, E-Visa: How Does it Work?

For any stay in India, it is necessary to obtain a visa, whether stamped in your passport or in electronic form (E-Visa). Here are the required documents to apply for an Indian tourist visa:

• A passport valid for at least 6 months after your intended arrival date in India, with at least three blank pages (including two facing pages).
• A recent square-format photo. If a paper print is required, the dimensions must be 2 x 2 inches.
• A duly completed application form, including the full contact details of a reference in India.
• For minors traveling with only one parent: a signed parental authorization from the non-accompanying parent.

Regarding the photo: A simple selfie taken with a mobile phone may be acceptable, provided the photo is well-lit and taken, preferably, against a white or neutral background. You can use free online photo editing tools like iLoveIMG to crop your photo to the required square format.

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How to Apply for an Indian Visa?

• Visa application through the broker authorized by Indian consular services: You can apply through VFS Global, the only authorized broker, with offices in Paris and Marseille. The visa will then be affixed to a blank page in your passport. However, the process is quite demanding: higher costs, longer processing times, and mandatory passport deposit. If you choose to visit a VFS Global office in person, plan for two visits.

• Online visa application: It can be done directly on the Indian government's official website by filling out the form at: https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html. There are three different durations for the E-visa: 30 days, 1 year, and 5 years. At the end of the process, you will receive by email, within 24 to 48 hours, a one-page document to print, called ETA, which you will present at boarding with your passport. Important note: unlike the visa affixed to the passport, the E-visa does not allow crossing land borders. For example, you cannot take a bus to travel to Nepal from India, or vice versa.

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For Stays in India of 30 Days or Less

The 30-day visa formula (not one month) is obviously sufficient. You can complete this process between 30 and 4 days before your planned arrival date in India. Don't rush and submit your application at the earliest 20 or even 15 days before your arrival. Indeed, the issued document (called ETA) is valid from its issuance and for 30 days. If you need to postpone your departure after submitting your application, your visa might no longer be valid upon arrival in India.

For Stays in India of More Than 30 Days

For stays longer than 30 days or for multiple stays, opt for a one-year or five-year visa. With this type of visa, each of your stays in India must not exceed 90 days. After this period, you must leave Indian territory, but a round trip, even made in the same day, to a nearby destination (Sri Lanka, Nepal, etc.) is possible to extend your stay. Note that with a simple e-visa, the total duration of stay cannot exceed 180 days per calendar year.

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Upon Arrival in India

The visa will be stamped on your passport upon arrival at one of the 25 authorized airports. Special E-visa counters are available for formalities.

New e-Arrival Card Requirement (mandatory since October 1, 2025)

As of October 1, 2025, the Indian authorities require all foreign travelers to complete an online e-Arrival Card before boarding their flight to India. This new digital form, available on the official website indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival, replaces the traditional paper disembarkation card. The form must be submitted no later than 72 hours before arrival and includes essential details such as passport information, flight number, travel purpose, and address in India. Once submitted, travelers receive a digital confirmation (often with a QR code), which must be presented at immigration upon arrival. This new procedure is designed to speed up airport entry formalities and enhance the efficiency of border control for visitors entering India.

How Much Does an Online Visa Application Cost?

Consular fees for a tourist E-visa are payable online and amount to:

• 25 US dollars for a 30-day E-Visa,
• 40 US dollars for a one-year E-Visa,
• 60 US dollars for a five-year E-Visa.

Warning! Some French bank cards are not accepted. The only possible option then remains payment through PayPal.

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Important:

After payment, you will receive a "Granted" ETA by email within 24 to 48 hours, to be presented at boarding and to Indian customs.

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Agencies Facilitating Online Visa Applications

Some online agencies, presenting themselves ambiguously, give the impression of being mandated by the Indian government to issue E-visas, which is absolutely false! We warn you against these agencies, which charge high fees and may mishandle your applications, potentially leading to rejection by the consular service.

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