Photo non-compliance
India wants a square JPEG on a plain light background, no glasses. A cropped 35×45 mm passport photo, shadows or a tilted head can get your application rejected.
India e-Visa approval predictor
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This is an estimate based on your answers, not an official decision. Only the Government of India decides on a visa. iVisa is a private service and is not affiliated with the Government of India.
Know the risks
Top 5 reasons your India e-Visa can get rejected
Many rejections come down to avoidable mistakes in the photo, the passport details or the documents.
Passport data mismatch
Your name, passport number and dates must match the passport's machine-readable zone character for character. A single typo, like an O for a 0, can be enough for a rejection.
Unclear passport scan
The bio page has to be flat, sharp and glare-free, with all four corners and both MRZ lines readable. A tilted or blurry phone photo of the page can lead to a rejection.
Wrong purpose or category
A business meeting on a tourist e-Visa doesn't match the visa type and can be refused.
Eligibility and passport gaps
Less than 6 months of passport validity, fewer than 2 blank pages, a defense, military, security or police background, or a Pakistan connection rule out the e-Visa.
Before you hit submit
Top technical errors to prevent when applying
Check everything before you pay. The government fee is non-refundable, and after you submit, the portal only lets you re-upload a photo or document if officials ask for it by email. Run through this checklist first.
Passport photo upload
- JPEG with equal height and width (a square photo).
- File size between 10 KB and 1 MB.
- Plain white or light background, full face, front view, eyes open, whole head visible from top of hair to chin.
- No glasses, no shadows on the face or background, no borders.
- Don't upload a 35×45 mm UK or Schengen-style photo. The shape is wrong.
Passport details
- Copy your name exactly as printed, in the same order, including middle names.
- Double-check the passport number for look-alike characters: O and 0, I and 1.
- Match the issue date, expiry date and place of issue to the passport.
- Make sure the passport is valid for at least 6 months on the day you apply, with at least 2 blank pages.
- Travel on the same passport you applied with.
Document uploads
- Passport bio page as a PDF, between 10 KB and 300 KB.
- Scan it flat, with all four corners and both MRZ lines sharp and readable.
- Upload supporting documents in English.
- Business e-Visa: an invitation letter from the Indian company you’re meeting, with its address and phone number. The official rules also accept a copy of your business card.
Form data entry
- Add a reference in India: a hotel or host’s name, address and phone number. Applying with iVisa? You don’t need to provide this.
- Arrive through an airport or seaport designated for the e-Visa. The official FAQ says you can’t enter by land border on an e-Visa.
- Answer the questions about previous visits and refusals truthfully.
- Fill in your parents' details, including nationality, as the form asks.
- Choose the visa type that matches your trip purpose.
Payment and submission
- Apply at least 4 days and no more than 120 days before arrival. Allowing 1–2 weeks leaves time for fixes.
- Note your application ID before paying.
- If a payment seems to fail, wait up to 2 hours for the status to update and check it before applying again.
- Once it’s granted, carry a copy of your e-Visa (ETA) when you travel.
- The government fee is non-refundable once paid.
What you'll need
India e-Visa requirements at a glance
Every e-Visa starts with the same basics. Business trips add one document of their own.
Tourist e-Visa
30 days, 1 year or 5 yearsMultiple entryMax 180 days a year (1 and 5 years)
Everyone needs
- Passport valid 6+ months when you apply, 2 blank pages
- Square JPEG photo, white or light background
- Passport bio page scan (PDF)
- Reference in India (not needed when you apply with iVisa)
- Valid email address
Tourist extras
- Nothing else to upload, but the official rules say you should have a return or onward ticket and enough money for your stay.
Business e-Visa
Valid 1 yearMultiple entryUp to 180 days per visit
Everyone needs
- Passport valid 6+ months when you apply, 2 blank pages
- Square JPEG photo, white or light background
- Passport bio page scan (PDF)
- Reference in India (not needed when you apply with iVisa)
Business extras
- An invitation letter from the Indian company, with its address and phone number (officially, a business card is also accepted)
All e-Visas can't be extended or converted, and don't cover Protected or Restricted Areas. You can also complete the India e-Arrival Card online in the 72 hours before you arrive.
Traveler stories
Approvals from travelers around the world
Videos and Trustpilot reviews from travelers who got their India e-Visa with iVisa.
Done fighting the India visa website (opens YouTube in a new tab)
India visa approved in 1 day with iVisa (opens YouTube in a new tab)What travelers say on Trustpilot
A speedy service, kept me updaters throughout, slight problem with the photo but all sorted in 2 days I had applied for the 20% discount but couldn’t access that however it saved me from stress and that’s worth a lot!
Brilliant service. Loved the updates along the way. Service delivered well within promised timeline. Application process is very user-friendly
we are 80yrs old and just about cope with computers we are learning fast we had very good experience with all your staff especually Cecilla and hugo we would recommend ivisa it saves a lot of worry and stress knowing there is a competent team on a chat line to help you thank you all ROBERT AND CAROLINE
Avoids to go to the consulate and seems secure as soon as the file is completed.
A selection of recent 5-star reviews of our India e-Visa service, newest first. Read all 70,000+ reviews of our services on Trustpilot.
FAQ
India e-Visa approval questions
What are the most common reasons an India e-Visa is rejected?
Common reasons include a photo that doesn’t meet the specification, passport details on the form that don’t exactly match the passport, and an unclear passport scan. Applying for the wrong visa type or not meeting the eligibility rules (passport validity, a defense or police background, or a Pakistan connection) also leads to refusals.
What photo size does the India e-Visa need?
A JPEG with equal height and width, file size between 10 KB and 1 MB. Use a plain white or light background, a full front view with eyes open and no glasses. It is not the 35×45 mm format used for UK or Schengen visas.
Do I need a bank statement for an India tourist e-Visa?
No. A bank statement is not an upload for the tourist e-Visa. The official rules do say travelers should have a return or onward ticket and enough money for their stay in India, so have both ready, and check any other entry requirements with your airline before you fly.
Does an India e-Visa rejection email say why?
The official site says you’ll be told by email whether your e-Visa is granted or rejected. It doesn’t say a reason is included, so check the photo, the passport scan and every passport detail before submitting: the government fee is non-refundable.
Can journalists or members of the armed forces use the India e-Visa?
The official rules say the e-Visa is not allowed for journalism or NGO activities, so a trip for that purpose needs a different visa from an Indian embassy or consulate. People with a defense, military, security or police background (serving or retired) are not eligible for the e-Visa. Neither are holders of Pakistani passports, people of Pakistani origin, diplomatic or official passport holders, or anyone endorsed on a parent’s or spouse’s passport.
How early should I apply for an India e-Visa?
The official rules say to apply at least 4 days before your arrival date, and no more than 120 days ahead. Applying 1 to 2 weeks ahead leaves time to re-upload a photo or document if officials ask for it.
What happens if my India e-Visa is rejected?
iVisa’s expert review is designed to catch errors before submission, and 99% of iVisa applicants are approved. The final decision always rests with the Government of India. If the government rejects an application, iVisa’s standard policy does not include a refund, because the government fee has been paid and the service delivered. Travelers who add Denial Protection get an automatic refund if the government rejects their application.
Is this predictor an official visa decision?
No. It is an estimate based on your answers and on common reasons applications fail. Only the Government of India decides on a visa. iVisa is a private service and is not affiliated with the Government of India.
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Our team reviews your photo, scan and every passport detail before your application goes to the Government of India.
- 99%approval rate
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The predictor gives an estimate based on your answers. It is not an official decision, and approval always rests with the Government of India. iVisa is a private travel document service, not affiliated with the Government of India. An iVisa service fee applies in addition to the government fee.
