India e-Visa for UK citizens, step by step: passport and photo checks, the official form, fees and timing, the e-Arrival Card and what happens at immigration.
India's e-Visa is open to British citizens, and for most holidays it is the quickest way to get permission to visit. You apply online on the Government of India's portal, pay by card and get an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) by email. This guide walks you through each step in order, with the checks that catch British travellers out.
## Step 1: Check that the e-Visa suits your trip
The e-Visa covers short, specific purposes. The e-Tourist visa is the one most UK visitors need, for holidays, visiting relatives or a short yoga course. There are also e-Business, e-Medical and other types listed on the [official e-Visa portal](https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/).
The e-Tourist visa currently comes in 30-day, 1-year and 5-year versions. On the 1-year and 5-year versions your total stay must not exceed 180 days in a calendar year.
You need a regular paper visa instead if you plan to work, report as a journalist, do research or volunteer with an NGO. The UK government's [India entry requirements page](https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/india) warns that travelling on the wrong visa type can lead to refusal, deportation or a future ban.
If you or your parents were Indian citizens, you may qualify for an OCI card, which removes the need for a visa altogether. Our guide to [travelling on an OCI card](/blog/oci-card-travel-benefits) explains who can apply and what it allows.
## Step 2: Check your passport
Before you open the form, look at your passport. It needs:
- at least six months of validity from the date you arrive in India, and
- at least two blank pages for the entry stamp.
If your passport is close to the limit, renew it first. The ETA is tied to the passport number you apply with, so changing passports afterwards adds complications.
## Step 3: Get the photo right
A rejected photo is one of the most common reasons for delays. The portal asks for:
- a square JPEG (equal height and width), between 10 KB and 1 MB,
- a plain white or light background with no shadows or borders,
- your face centred, looking straight at the camera, eyes open,
- no glasses.
Stand in front of a plain wall in daylight and ask someone else to take it. A UK passport photo usually works if you crop it to a square, but check the background is light.
## Step 4: Fill in the form on the official site
Type indianvisaonline.gov.in into your browser yourself. Many private agencies run lookalike sites with similar names and charge far more than the government fee. The official FAQ says the process is fully online and you do not need an agent.
You will be asked for your passport details, address, parents' names, occupation, the dates and purpose of your trip, the airport or seaport where you will arrive, and a contact in India. A hotel booking is fine as your reference.
Write your name exactly as it appears on the machine-readable lines of your passport. Then upload a PDF scan of your passport's photo page.
Take your time over the questions about previous visits, other nationalities and family. Answer them honestly and consistently, because a mismatch with an earlier application can slow things down. Before you submit, read every page back once. It is much easier to fix a typo in your passport number now than to explain it at the immigration desk in Delhi or Mumbai. Save your application ID too, as you need it to check your status and to resume an unfinished form.
## Step 5: Pay the fee and wait
Fees depend on your nationality, and the 30-day e-Tourist fee can vary by season. Check the current fee for UK nationals on the portal at the time you apply rather than trusting a figure from a blog, including this one. A bank transaction charge (currently 3%) is added.
Two rules from the official portal are worth knowing:
- **Timing.** You must apply and pay at least 4 days before arrival. Applications are currently accepted up to 120 days in advance.
- **No refunds.** The fee is not returned if the visa is refused, and there is no paid "express" service from the government.
Track your application on the portal. When the status says "GRANTED", download the ETA and print it.
## Step 6: Fill in the e-Arrival Card
This is the step many people miss. Since 1 April 2026, foreign nationals flying into India must complete an online e-Arrival Card. GOV.UK says you can submit it up to 72 hours before you arrive. It is not a visa, and it does not replace your ETA. Skipping it can mean extra checks and a longer wait at immigration.
## What happens at immigration in India?
Hand over your passport and your printed ETA. Your fingerprints and photo are taken, and the officer stamps the e-Visa into your passport.
Make sure you get that stamp. GOV.UK points out that you will need it when you leave, and that without an entry stamp you have to apply for an exit permit from inside India, which can take days.
Remember that e-Visa holders must arrive at a designated airport or seaport. The large international airports are all included, but check the portal's list if you are flying into a smaller city or coming in on a cruise.
## Can a British citizen stay longer than six months?
Not on an e-Visa. GOV.UK says visitors staying more than 180 days without an OCI card must register with the Foreigners Regional Registration Office within 14 days of arrival. If you are thinking about a long stay, speak to the [High Commission of India in London](https://www.hcilondon.gov.in/) about the right visa before you go.
An e-Visa also cannot be extended or converted once you are in India, and it does not cover Protected or Restricted Areas. Some border regions and islands need a separate permit.
## Quick checklist for UK travellers
| Check | Done? |
|---|---|
| Passport valid 6 months from arrival, 2 blank pages | |
| Correct e-Visa type for your purpose | |
| Square photo, light background, no glasses | |
| Applied on indianvisaonline.gov.in only | |
| Applied at least 4 days before arrival | |
| ETA shows "GRANTED" and is printed | |
| e-Arrival Card submitted within 72 hours of landing | |
| Entry stamp checked at immigration | |
If you like a challenge before you travel, the [Bharat Ko Janiye Quiz](https://bkjquiz.com/?utm_source=dgamaf53&utm_medium=paid_search&utm_id=d53) is the official quiz of India's Ministry of External Affairs. It is free, open to everyone around the world, and you do not have to be Indian to enter.
## Planning the rest of the trip
Once the visa is sorted you can enjoy the planning. First-timers should read our [first trip to India tips](/blog/first-trip-to-india-tips) for help with money, food, trains and the things that surprise new visitors. If you are a British family with Indian roots, our guide to a [heritage trip to India with kids](/blog/heritage-trip-to-india-with-kids) covers how to make the visit meaningful for the next generation.
Visa rules change, so check the [official e-Visa portal](https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/) and the [GOV.UK travel advice for India](https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/india) in the week before you apply and again before you fly.
WokeTraveler