Updated India e-Visa list

India adds 5 new countries to the e-Visa program in 2026

January 16, 2026 β€” SoTourism Travel

India expands its e-Visa program to five new countries, easing entry for travelers from the Gulf, Africa and Europe through a 100% online process.

India e-Visa 2026

New countries added to India e-Visa

India continues its strategy of facilitating international travel by expanding its electronic visa platform. Since January 2026, five new nationalities can now apply for an e-Visa to enter Indian territory without visiting a consulate. This expansion applies to Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Serbia and San Marino.

Thanks to this measure, eligible travelers benefit from a fully digital process that is faster and generally more cost-effective. This development is part of a targeted opening strategy, notably toward the Gulf and Africa, while strengthening ties with certain European economies.

🧾 Key takeaways

  • India adds 5 new countries to the e-Visa list
  • Travelers can apply for an India visa online, without biometrics
  • Average processing time: up to 72 hours
  • Eligible visa categories: tourism, business, medical, e-Ayush
  • The measure is already in effect on the official portal

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List of new countries added to the India e-Visa in 2026

India’s Ministry of Home Affairs has announced a low-profile but strategic update to its electronic visa policy. This decision marks a significant India e-Visa expansion, with five new nationalities added to the official platform.
This change aims to simplify entry into India for new traveler profiles, while strengthening economic, tourism and institutional ties with targeted regions.

Among the new India e-Visa countries, there are states from the Gulf, Africa and Europe. This opening follows a broader push to simplify administrative procedures, with a fully online process and no consulate visit required.

 

Saudi Arabia added to the India e-Visa list

Saudi Arabia is one of the most strategic additions in this update. Saudi nationals can now benefit from simplified access to India through the electronic visa.

In practical terms, the India e-visa Saudi Arabia allows travelers to submit their application remotely, without an embassy appointment. This change applies to tourist, business and medical travel.

For eligible travelers, the India visa for Saudis becomes faster to obtain thanks to a digital process and centralized processing. The India visa Saudi Arabia online is now the new standard, reducing delays and administrative constraints.

This measure also facilitates the India e-visa from Saudi Arabia, by removing previously required in-person steps.

🟒 Key points for Saudi Arabia:

  • 100% digital application
  • Easier access for tourism, business and medical travel
  • No embassy visit required

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Senegal now eligible for the India e-Visa

Senegal officially joins the list of countries eligible for the Indian electronic visa. This decision is part of closer ties between India and West Africa, especially in education, healthcare and economic exchanges.

Thanks to this expansion, the India e-visa Senegal becomes available to a broader audience. Procedures are now simplified for Senegalese travelers, whether for tourism, studies or medical treatment.

The India visa for Senegalese can be requested online, with electronic payment and a digital response. The India visa Senegal online therefore represents a major step forward in international mobility.

🟒 Key points for Senegal:

  • No consulate procedure
  • Reduced processing times
  • Easier access to medical and university programs

 

Seychelles added to the India e-Visa platform

Seychelles is also among the countries newly integrated into India’s electronic visa platform. This opening strengthens connections between India and the Indian Ocean region, both in tourism and diplomacy.

With the India e-visa Seychelles, Seychellois travelers can submit their application directly online, without heavy formalities. The India visa for Seychellois citizens thus becomes more accessible, supporting short stays as well as business trips.

This measure is part of a regional cooperation approach and a broader effort to streamline international travel.

🟒 What this changes for Seychelles:

  • Consular procedures removed
  • Simplified access to the Indian market
  • Same process as other eligible countries

 

Serbia integrated into the India e-Visa program

Serbia joins the list of European countries benefiting from the Indian electronic visa. This move reflects New Delhi’s intention to strengthen ties with certain European economies outside the European Union.

The India e-visa Serbia now enables Serbian nationals to plan a trip to India more easily. The India visa for Serbs is available via an official platform, with harmonized conditions compared with other eligible countries.

This integration facilitates cultural, tourism and business exchanges between the two countries.

🟒 Benefits for Serbian travelers:

  • Simplified application
  • Better visibility on timelines
  • Access to the main e-Visa categories

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San Marino added to the list of India e-Visa countries

Finally, San Marino, one of Europe’s smallest nations, also benefits from this update. Despite its size, the country is now fully included in the Indian system.

The India e-visa San Marino allows travelers to complete all steps remotely. The India visa for San Marino citizens therefore becomes faster to obtain, without any consular involvement.

This decision highlights India’s inclusive approach, adapting its electronic visa system to a wide range of profiles, including European micro-states.

 

What the India e-Visa expansion changes in practical terms

This update to the updated India e-Visa list has a direct impact on entry requirements for travelers from the newly added countries. For these travelers, the India e-Visa 2026 becomes the go-to solution to organize a trip.

The expansion standardizes procedures, with the same process for all newly added nationalities. It also reduces indirect costs linked to embassy visits or lengthy processing times.

 

An online process without an embassy visit

The India visa online is based on a fully digital system. Applicants fill out a form, upload the required documents and pay directly on the official platform.

The India e-Visa therefore removes the need to provide biometrics in person or to travel physically.

🧾 Main steps:

  • Online application form
  • Secure payment
  • Authorization received by email

 

Processing times and travel purposes covered

The India e-Visa processing time is generally a few days, depending on the category requested. The India electronic visa covers several travel purposes:

  • 🧳 Tourism
  • πŸ’Ό Business
  • πŸ₯ Medical
  • 🌿 Traditional medicine (Ayush)

This variety makes it possible to meet the needs of many different traveler profiles.

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Why India is expanding its e-Visa list in 2026

The India e-Visa expansion 2026 is part of a broader India visa policy aimed at strengthening the country’s attractiveness on the international stage.

Economically, this opening supports investment, trade and high-end tourism. Diplomatically, it enables India to consolidate relations with key partners in Africa, the Middle East and Europe.

Finally, from a tourism perspective, simplifying procedures helps improve India’s image as an accessible, modern and connected destination.

🌍 In summary:

  • More seamless travel for visitors
  • Stronger competitiveness versus other destinations
  • A targeted and controlled opening strategy

Do you have any doubts?

Find out if your question has been answered in the list below

The program expansion applies to citizens of Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Serbia and San Marino. These travelers can now apply for an India e-Visa online without going through a consulate. The measure applies to tourist, business and medical stays, provided applicants meet India’s general entry requirements.

The India e-Visa processing time is generally a few days after the application is fully submitted. In most cases, the electronic authorization is issued within 72 hours. Processing times may vary depending on the season, the visa category requested and verification of the information provided in the online application.

For newly added countries, the India e-Visa replaces the consular visa for most short stays. The process is completed entirely online, with no embassy appointment. However, certain specific profiles or long-term stays may still require a traditional visa issued by a diplomatic mission.

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