India Visa status: How to track your application

Applying for an Indian visa is a critical step in your travel preparations, but the journey doesn't end there. Monitoring the progress of your application is just as important to ensure everything is on track for your upcoming trip.

In this guide, we'll walk you through checking your Indian visa application status online. In addition, we’ll break down how to understand the validity of your visa, which is a problem many travelers face due to the confusing terms. With detailed instructions and helpful tips, you'll have the tools to stay informed every step of the way. Let’s get started.

How to check your Indian visa application status online

There are three primary ways you can check the status of your Indian visa application online: through the iVisa website, the government website, or the visa application center website.

Through the iVisa website

Whether you need an Indian Embassy Visa or an Indian eVisa, we offer an easy and streamlined process that’s designed to remove the stress out of visa applications**. Once you've submitted your application, checking its status via our website is pretty straightforward.

1. Go to the iVisa website and click on “Login”.

2. Enter your order number or email address and click the “Continue” button.

3. You’ll be redirected to a page where you’ll see your visa application status.

One of the benefits of using our website is we’ll keep you updated through every stage of your visa application process for your peace of mind.

Through the Indian Government website

1. Visit the India Visa Application Portal.

2. If you applied at an Indian diplomatic mission, click “For regular/paper visa by Indian mission/post, apply here.” If you applied for an eVisa, click “For eVisa by Bureau of Immigration, apply here.”

3. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click on “Check Your Visa Status.”

4. Enter the 12 digits of your Application ID. For paper visa application, you can find it on the receipt issued by the Indian mission where you submitted your application. For eVisa applications, the Application ID can be found in the acknowledgment email sent after your submission.

5. Enter your passport number.

6. Carefully enter the captcha code.

7. Click the "Check Status" button for paper visa applications. For eVisa applications, click on the “Advanced search for eVisa only” button.

8. The current status of your visa application will be displayed on the next page.

Through the VFS Global website

If you’re not eligible for an India eVisa, you may need to apply for your travel permit through a visa application center (VAC). VFS Global is the main VAC that deals with Indian visa applications. Once you’ve submitted your application, here’s how you can track its status on their website.

1. Go to the VFS Global website.

2. Select the country you applied from and the country you are going to (India).

3. Click “Take me to the website.”

4. Select the “Track your application” tab at the top of the page and then click on “Track your visa application status online”.

5. Fill in the reference number/Application ID you received when you submitted your application and your last name (or your date of birth, depending on your nationality). You can find your reference number on the invoice/receipt issued by VFS Global.

6. Carefully enter the captcha code.

7. Click “Submit” to view the status of your application.

Through the BLS International website

BLS is another VAC that deals with Indian visa applications. Once you’ve submitted your visa application, here’s how you can track its status on their website.

1. Go to the BLS International India Visa website.

2. Select the country you applied from.

3. Click on “Track Application”.

4. Select the Submission Type and Application Type (you may not be presented with these options depending on your nationality).

5. Fill in the following: reference number/Application ID, Date of Birth, or Passport Number.

6. Carefully enter the captcha code (or select “I’m not a robot”).

7. Click “Track Application (or select Submit)” to view the status of your application.

Managing your stay in India: How to check your visa status

Once your visa has been issued, there are two important dates that you need to be aware of: the date of issue and the date of expiry.

If you’ve been granted a visa that’s valid for 365 days(1 year) or 5 years, the date of issue kicks off the validity period of your visa. You can enter India from this date onward. The number of entries and maximum duration of each stay will be indicated on your visa. The date of expiry marks the last legal date of your stay in India. You must leave the country on or before this date; otherwise, you risk overstaying your visa.

Visas valid for 30 or 60 days operate differently. The date of issue doesn't mark the start of the visa’s validity period. Although you can enter India from this date, your visa's validity begins from the day you actually arrive in India.

For example, if your visa was issued on March 1, 2024, and you arrive in India on March 20, 2024, you can stay until April 19, 2024, with a 30-day visa, or until May 19, 2024, with a 60-day visa.

The indicated expiry date on 30- and 60-day visas is the cut-off date for entering India, not the end of the visa’s term. For example, if the visa expires on June 1, 2024, you need to enter India before that date, and then your 30 or 60 days of allowed stay starts from the date of entry.

Just like with the longer visas, the number of entries and maximum duration of each stay will be indicated on your 30- or 60-day visa.

What else should you know about India before packing your bags? Check out our trip guide.

Get support for your India Visa application

Our customer service team can assist you if you need more information about applying for an Indian visa. Contact them any time via WhatsApp or iVisa chat.