Processing time & Validity of the India e-Visa
Before traveling to India, many travelers wonder how long before they should apply for their e-Visa and how long it is valid for. Here is all the information you need about the duration, processing time, and application process.
30 days, 1 year, or 5 years – Stay limited to 30, 90, or 180 days.
3 to 5 days – Apply 2 weeks in advance
Before traveling to India, many travelers ask the same question: how long before departure should you apply for your e-Visa and how long is it valid? The Indian e-Visa is mandatory for most nationalities, and planning ahead helps avoid delays. The validity of the India visa depends on the type chosen (tourist, business, or medical), while the processing time can vary with the season and application requirements. This complete guide explains the validity period of the Indian visa, the average processing time for the India e-Visa, and the best moment to apply before your trip.
📌 Key points to remember about Indian visa validity and processing time
- Validity of Indian visas: depending on the type, e-Visas are valid for 30 days, 1 year, or 5 years.
- Length of stay: limited to 30, 90, or 180 days per entry.
- Processing time: usually 3 to 5 business days.
- When to apply?: ideally at least 2 weeks before departure.
- Extension: Indian visas cannot be extended once issued.
The processing time for an Indian visa is an important concern for travelers, whether for tourism, business, or medical purposes. The introduction of the online India e-Visa system has simplified the application process, but processing times may still vary depending on several factors. Knowing how long it takes to get an Indian visa helps travelers plan ahead, avoid delays, and prepare for their trip with confidence.
⚠️ Even though many travelers receive their visa within 24 hours, you should not count on this ideal scenario. Each application is reviewed individually, and additional checks may lengthen the process.
📌 Concrete example: a US traveler who submits their application on a Monday morning may receive their e-Visa as early as Wednesday. On the other hand, another applicant who submits an incomplete application will have to wait for a response from the administration, which may delay approval until Friday or the following Monday.
Many travelers wonder: How long does it take to get an Indian visa?
The safest option is to apply at least two weeks before your trip. This timeframe gives enough margin to handle possible delays, technical issues, or requests for additional documents, ensuring your visa is approved on time.
💡 Tip: the e-Visa is valid from the moment it is issued. It is therefore possible to apply for it several weeks before your trip without reducing the length of your authorized stay.
Even though the Indian e-Visa online process is designed to be fast, several factors can slow down the visa approval and processing time.
⏳ The standard processing time for an Indian visa is 3 to 5 business days, but to avoid delays it is recommended to apply at least two weeks before departure.
💡 Planning ahead is the best strategy for stress-free travel. Keep in mind that if your Indian e-Visa application is incomplete or submitted during peak travel seasons, the processing time may take longer than expected.
🚨 For last-minute trips, an urgent Indian visa procedure is available. 👉 Visit our dedicated page to learn everything about this fast-track Indian e-Visa service.
Understanding the validity of an Indian visa is essential before planning your trip. Each type of visa — whether tourist, business, or medical — has specific conditions regarding its validity period, duration, and number of entries. Many travelers confuse the overall Indian visa validity with the maximum length of stay allowed per visit. This guide explains these differences clearly, helping you avoid mistakes and making sure your India e-Visa application matches your travel needs.
There are three major types of electronic tourist visas (e-Visa India):
⚠️ Please note: validity begins on the date of issue of the visa, not upon arrival in India. Example: if your one-year visa is issued on January 1, it will expire on December 31, even if you enter India for the first time in March.
The business visa is designed for professionals who need to make regular trips to India.
👉 Major features:
📌 Special feature: even if the business visa is valid for several years, the Indian authorities sometimes require registration with the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) if the stay exceeds 180 days. It is important to be aware of this rule to avoid being in an irregular situation.
Many travelers confuse these two concepts:
💡 Practical example:
⚠️ Important: the visa for India cannot be extended. Once it has expired, you will need to apply for a new one.
✅ Key points
📌 The validity of an Indian visa depends on the type selected: 30 days, 1 year, or 5 years for a tourist visa, and up to 5 years for a business visa.
✈️ Do not confuse visa validity with duration of stay: the visa allows multiple entries while valid, but each visit is limited to 30, 90, or 180 days depending on the category.
🚫 An Indian visa cannot be extended once issued. Travelers planning frequent trips should choose a longer validity period from the start to avoid repeated applications.
| Type of Indian Visa | Visa Validity | Maximum Stay per Visit | Average Processing Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tourist Visa (30 days) | 30 days | 30 days | 3–5 business days |
| Tourist Visa (1 year) | 1 year | 90 days | 3–5 business days |
| Tourist Visa (5 years) | 5 years | 90–180 days | 3–7 business days |
| Business Visa | 1–5 years | 180 days | 4–7 business days |
| Medical Visa | Variable | Short repeated stays | 3–5 business days |
Find out if your question has been answered in the list below
The validity of an Indian visa depends on the type requested. The electronic tourist visa (India e-Visa) can be issued for 30 days, 1 year, or 5 years. During this period, travelers may enter India once or multiple times, depending on the option chosen. It is important not to confuse visa validity with duration of stay: for instance, a one-year tourist visa allows multiple trips, but each visit cannot exceed 90 consecutive days (or 180 days for certain nationalities). The validity of the Indian visa always begins on the date of issue, not on arrival in India.
The average Indian e-Visa processing time is 3 to 5 business days after the online application has been submitted with all required documents. Some travelers receive approval within 24 hours, but this is not guaranteed. The processing time varies depending on the type of visa (tourist, business, medical) and the season. During high-demand periods, such as holidays or peak travel months, approval may take longer. To avoid last-minute problems, it is recommended to apply at least two weeks before departure, ensuring enough time for any corrections or administrative checks.
Many travelers ask: how long before should I apply for an Indian visa? The best practice is to apply at least two weeks before departure to allow for possible delays or requests for additional documents. Ideally, you should apply about one month before your trip to avoid stress and ensure everything is in order. While the India e-Visa is processed quickly, waiting until the last minute is risky. If you submit your application less than a week before traveling, you may need to choose the urgent Indian visa procedure to guarantee approval in time.
No, an Indian visa cannot be extended once issued. When the validity period expires, you must submit a new application for another visa, even if you are still in India. This makes it important to choose the right validity from the beginning: 30 days for a short holiday, 1 year for several annual trips, or 5 years for frequent travel. Since there is no official extension procedure for Indian visas, proper planning is essential. Travelers should select a validity period that best matches their travel frequency and duration.
The validity and duration of an Indian visa depend on the category. A tourist visa can be valid for 30 days, 1 year, or 5 years, but each stay is limited to 30, 90, or 180 days per entry. A business visa, on the other hand, is typically valid for 1 to 5 years with multiple entries allowed. However, each business trip cannot exceed 180 consecutive days, and in some cases, a declaration to the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) is required. While both visas can be requested online, their rules for validity and length of stay differ.