The layout of the Indian e-visa was renovated at the end of October 2024. With the new e-visa, the Indian authorities provide now clearer information about the validity period and maximum length of stay in India. This does not affect travellers; the application process and visa requirements stay the same.
New image for the visa
Since late October, the Indian Immigration Department has been issuing e-visas with a new format. On the new visas, passport details and visa information appear in a clearer way than on the old e-visa. Travellers can check the data on their visas in a clear table. The new format does not imply any further change; the visa rules will not change for tourists or business travellers. The visa application requirement, application procedure and validity period remain unchanged.
Confusion over the validity period
Until not long ago, the Indian e-visa did not state clearly for how long travellers could stay in India. This was a source of confusion for many travellers who had applied for a 30-day e-visa. Indeed, visas that had been granted before October 2024 showed an expiry date (Date of expiry of ETA). Many travellers assumend they had to leave India by that date at the latest. However, that date was the latest possible arrival date in the country.
If, for example, 01/12/2025 appeared next to Date of expiry of ETA, this meant that travellers could enter in India until 1 December, and from that day of arrival in India, they would be allowed to stay in the country for another 30 days, thus after the expiry date mentioned on the e-visa. Travellers arriving in India on 30 November for instance should thus be allowed to stay in the country till 30 December, even if the visa had already expired on 1 December.
Thanks to the new layout of the e-visa, there is no more ambiguity. The new visa explicitly states which is the latest date when travellers can arrive in India. It also mentions that the visa expires 30 days after the actual arrival date and that a stamp with this date will be put in the traveller's passport on the day of arrival. Read more about the validity period and the maximum length of stay in India .
Check your visa after granting
Travellers are advised to check carefully all the details on their visa after it has been approved. Particular attention should be paid to the passport details, since an error here may result in the visa being invalid and travellers being denied boarding to their flight to India.
You should first check your passport details in the table under Personal Information. The traveller's full name, passport number and date of birth must be correct. Next, verify that the arrival date in India is prior or the same than the date mentioned after First Entry must be on or before. Finally, go through the additional requirements under Important Information. This includes a list of ports and airports where travellers are allowed to arrive with an e-visa.
Previously granted e-visas are still valid
Although the Indian visa has now a new format, the visa requirements remain the same for travellers. It is worth noting that e-visas with the old design remain valid. Hence, travellers who applied before November 2024 and received an e-visa in the old format can still travel with that visa. The Indian authorities accept both variants of the e-visa.