Who Needs a Visa
All European citizens (Germany, France, UK, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, Switzerland, all EU/Schengen countries) need a visa for India. The e-Visa is the standard route for tourist visits.
Types of e-Visa
- 30-day double-entry — ~$25 USD — best for most short trips
- 1-year multiple-entry — ~$40 USD — best for repeat visitors or long trips
- 5-year multiple-entry — ~$80 USD — for frequent travellers
Step-by-Step Application
- Go to the official site: https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa — be careful, many fake sites exist.
- Click "Apply e-Visa" and fill the form. Keep your passport in front of you.
- Upload your passport bio page (PDF, max 300 KB).
- Upload a recent photo — square, white background, JPG, max 1 MB. This is the #1 cause of rejection: see specs below.
- Pay online with credit card.
- Receive ETA by email — typically 24–72 hours.
- Print 2 copies and carry on the flight.
Photo Requirements (where most people fail)
- Square format (1:1 aspect ratio)
- Plain white background
- Face fills 70–80% of frame
- Both ears visible, no glasses, no smile
- JPG, between 10 KB and 1 MB
- Recent (taken within 6 months)
If your photo is rejected, you'll be asked to re-upload — don't panic, just try again.
Passport Requirements
- Valid for at least 6 months from date of entry
- At least 2 blank pages
- Machine readable (all modern European passports qualify)
On Arrival
The e-Visa is checked at immigration. You'll be fingerprinted and photographed at the airport. Carry a printout — phone screens sometimes cause issues. Major e-Visa airports include Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Cochin, Chennai, Goa, Kolkata, Hyderabad and 22 others — check the latest list when you apply.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using a fake/agent website that charges €50–100 extra
- Wrong photo specifications (most common rejection cause)
- Passport expiring within 6 months
- Misspelt name vs passport (must match exactly)
- Applying too late — leave at least 2 weeks buffer
We Help You Through It
When you book an India tour with us, we send a personalised step-by-step visa pack in your language and a sample completed form. Most clients complete the application in under 30 minutes.