Steps for India e-business visa application
The India e-business visa allows professionals to travel for meetings, contracts, or trade fairs. Apply online with simple requirements, supporting documents, and quick approval.
Quick and easy form directly online
Processed in 3 to 5 days, with an urgent option available.
The India e-business visa is an official electronic travel authorization designed for professionals visiting India for business purposes. Instead of applying at an embassy, travelers can now submit their application entirely online, making the process faster and more convenient. This visa is intended for those attending meetings, signing contracts, participating in trade fairs or exploring investment opportunities. To qualify, applicants must provide specific documents such as a valid passport, a recent photo and a letter of invitation from an Indian organization. In this guide, we explain the requirements, application steps, fees, validity and processing time for the e-business visa India.
India business visa application: in brief
- 📄 Requirements: Passport valid 6 months, recent photo, business invitation letter.
- 🖥️ Application: Fill out the India e-business visa form online in minutes.
- 💳 Fees: Official government fees start from 25 USD (30-day visa).
- ⏱️ Processing time: Usually 3–5 working days, with urgent options available.
- 🛂 Validity: 30 days or 1 year, often with multiple entries.
- ⚠️ Common issues: Incorrect documents, delays, or missing invitation letters.
The Indian e-Business Visa is an official electronic authorization issued by the Indian government for foreign travelers entering the country for professional activities. Unlike a traditional visa obtained through an embassy or consulate, the entire process is paperless and online: the application is completed on a secure platform, payment is made electronically, and the approved visa is delivered by email as a PDF with a scannable QR code.
This digital visa is designed to simplify entry for entrepreneurs, investors, employees on business trips, consultants, and sales representatives who need to attend meetings, sign contracts, participate in trade fairs, or explore new opportunities in India. With fast processing times and no requirement for an in-person appointment, the India business e-visa has become the most convenient and widely used option for business travelers.
👉 Whether your trip lasts a few days or several weeks, the India e-business visa ensures quick, legal, and hassle-free entry for all professional purposes.
Many travelers ask whether an India tourist visa can be used for business purposes. The answer is no.
A tourist visa only permits leisure travel, cultural visits, private stays, or family trips. It does not cover professional activities. If you plan to attend a business meeting, participate in a conference, negotiate a contract, or visit partners in India, you must apply for an India e-Business Visa. This authorization is specifically designed for professional travelers and ensures you enter India legally for work-related activities.
Major differences between business and tourist e-visas:
🛂 Purpose of travel:
⏱️ Duration and entries:
📑 Required documents:
A business visa for India is required as soon as the stay involves professional activity. Here are the major cases where it is necessary:
👉 Even for a short stay (e.g., 3 days for a conference), an India business visa is required. Traveling with a tourist visa in such cases may result in entry being rejected or penalties.
✅ Summary: The India e-Visa Business is an essential electronic document for any business-related travel. It differs significantly from a tourist visa in terms of its conditions, supporting documents (letter of invitation), and authorized uses.
The application for an Indian business e-Visa requires the provision of several specific documents, without which authorization will not be granted. These supporting documents allow the Indian authorities to verify the traveler's identity, the legitimacy of their trip, and their professional connection to India. Careful preparation is therefore essential to avoid delays or rejection.
To obtain an India business visa online, you must provide:
👉 All files must be uploaded in PDF or JPEG format when completing the India business e-visa form.
The invitation letter is the central factor of the application. It must be written by the Indian company hosting the traveler and contain the following information:
A simplified template may suffice, but it is recommended that you provide a clear, official letter translated into English to speed up processing. Without this document, the India business visa application is likely to be rejected.
When traveling to India on business, it is essential to know the official price of the business visa, its validity period, and the processing time. This information will allow you to prepare for your trip with peace of mind and avoid any unpleasant surprises.
The official price of an Indian business visa is set directly by the Indian authorities.
💶 Government fees:
📌 Online payment: this is made by credit card, directly at the time of application.
➕ Additional fees: if you use a specialized platform, service fees may be added to the official amount.
👉 These rates are regularly updated by the Indian government, so it is advisable to check the exact amount before finalizing your application.
The Indian business visa can be issued for several durations:
The exact validity of the visa (30 days, 1 year, etc.) is specified directly on the document issued, along with the number of entries with authorization.
👉 Compliance with the duration is required. Any overstaying will result in fines or immigration penalties.
The processing time for an India business visa is generally quick:
👉 It is advisable to submit your application at least 7 days before departure to limit any risk of delays or administrative hold-ups.
The application for an India e-business visa is done entirely online. The process is quick and simple: just fill out a form, send the required documents, pay the official fees, and then receive the visa by email. Here are the steps to follow to avoid any mistakes.
The first step is to access the India business visa application form via the official website or a private provider.
You will need to provide:
👉 Check each field carefully: an error in the form may result in your e-visa being rejected.
Once you have completed the form, you must upload the required documents:
Payment of government fees is made directly online by credit card. Once the payment has been validated, your application is forwarded to the Indian authorities for processing.
👉 In addition to the government fees, service fees may be added if you use a specialized platform, which provides personalized support, assistance, and follow-up.
After validation, you will receive your India e-business visa directly by email. The document is in PDF format with a QR code, which you will need to:
👉 Processing times average 3 to 5 business days, but an urgent option is sometimes available to obtain the e-visa within 24 to 48 hours.
Most applications for an India e-business visa are successful. However, some travelers encounter common problems: delays or non-receipt of authorization, application rejections, or difficulties with renewal. Understanding these situations allows you to anticipate and respond effectively.
Sometimes the applicant does not receive their visa within the expected processing time. The major causes are:
👉 In this case, it is recommended that you check your email regularly (including your spam folder), contact the platform through which the application was made, and check the status of your application on the online portal.
An India business visa may be rejected if:
👉 In the event of rejection, it is possible to correct the errors and submit a new application. It is recommended that you carefully check the supporting documents, particularly the invitation letter, which is often the reason for rejections.
Renewing an Indian business visa is a frequent issue for professionals who travel regularly. The business e-Visa cannot generally be extended once you are in India.
👉 To avoid any problems, it is advisable to plan your length of stay in advance and choose the most suitable option from the outset (30 days or 1 year).
Find out if your question has been answered in the list below
No. The Indian business e-Visa only provides authorization for temporary professional activities (meetings, conferences, contract signings). It does not allow you to take up paid employment or obtain a work permit. To do so, you need a specific long-term visa issued only by the embassy.
Each traveler must submit their own application. If a spouse or children are accompanying a business traveler, they will need to obtain either a tourist visa or a specific accompanying visa. There is no such thing as a group “family” business e-Visa.
Yes, even though the document is electronic. It is advisable to keep a printed copy and a digital version on your smartphone or tablet. Upon arrival, the authorities may request the paper version for faster processing.
Yes, depending on the type chosen. An India business e-Visa can be issued for 30 days (single or double entry) or 1 year (multiple entries). This allows you to return to India several times without having to reapply each time you travel.