Indian visa resources
How to apply for an India visa
A plain-language overview of how to apply for an India visa, covering the e-Visa scheme and regular sticker visas, with links to the official Indian e-Visa portal.
Important
The steps below are the general shape of an India visa application. Your exact requirements depend on your nationality, the visa you need and your circumstances, so always confirm against the official Indian e-Visa portal and Bureau of Immigration pages linked on this page.
Choose the right visa
Most short visits use the e-Visa scheme — e-Tourist, e-Business, e-Medical (and e-Medical Attendant), e-Conference, e-Student and e-Transit visas. Purposes the e-Visa does not cover use a regular (sticker) visa. Start with the official guidance to identify the right one.
Apply online for an e-Visa
e-Visas are applied for online in advance through the official Indian e-Visa portal at indianvisaonline.gov.in. Use only the official portal — third-party sites are not the government service.
Prepare your documents
Prepare the documents the official application asks for, and make sure your passport meets the validity guidance. The exact list depends on the visa and your situation — follow the checklist on the official pages.
Apply through a mission for a sticker visa
Where a regular (sticker) visa is required, applications are made through the relevant Indian mission or visa application centre. The Bureau of Immigration's official list of visas explains which category applies and how to apply.
Next steps
Official sources
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official government sources.
Verified against official sources · last reviewed 2026-08-09. Information only — not legal advice.