Most Common Reasons for India eVisa Rejections & How to Avoid Them

Rejection notifications from Indian immigration authorities rarely provide detailed explanations, leaving travelers confused about what went wrong with their application. This lack of transparency makes it difficult to correct mistakes and resubmit successfully. The most common rejection triggers fall into four categories: document compliance errors, form entry mismatches, photo specification failures, and background check considerations.

Travelers from Singapore and France often assume that minor discrepancies will be overlooked, but the official portal uses automated verification systems that apply strict matching rules. A single transposed digit in your passport number, a photo with the wrong background color, or an incomplete reference field can flag your application for manual review or outright rejection. Understanding these common pitfalls before you apply helps you prepare a stronger, more compliant submission. This guide breaks down the most frequent rejection reasons and provides actionable steps to avoid them. Remember that Get India E-Visa is an independent assistance service.

We are not affiliated with the Government of India, and we do not issue visas. Our team manually reviews every application before submission to catch errors that automated systems might miss, helping travelers from over 40 eligible nations submit with greater confidence.

Passport related issues represent one of the leading causes of India eVisa rejections. Your passport must be valid for at least six months from your expected arrival date in India. If your passport expires within this window, your application will not be approved regardless of your travel purpose or itinerary. Additionally, your passport must contain at least two blank pages designated for immigration stamps. These pages should be completely free of markings and located in the main passport booklet.

Another frequent error involves the passport scan upload. The official portal requires a clear PDF file between 10 kilobytes and 300 kilobytes that displays your entire bio page, including your photograph, full name, passport number, and machine readable zone. Blurry images, cropped edges, or files in the wrong format trigger automatic rejection.

Travelers from Germany should also verify that the name entered in the application form matches exactly how it appears on the passport bio page, including spacing, capitalization, and order. Even minor discrepancies, such as a missing middle initial or a different name order, can cause verification failures. Before applying, open your passport and confirm both the expiry date and the availability of blank stamp pages. If you hold dual citizenship, ensure you apply using the passport you intend to use for travel to India, as the eVisa is electronically linked to the specific passport number provided during application.

Photo related errors are the second most common reason for India eVisa rejections. The official requirements specify a square image measuring two inches by two inches or at least 350 pixels by 350 pixels, with your face occupying 50 to 70 percent of the frame. The background must be solid white with no patterns, shadows, or objects visible. Spectacles or glasses are strictly forbidden, even if you wear them daily or if they appear in your passport photo.

Head coverings are permitted only for documented religious reasons, and even then, your full face from forehead to chin must remain clearly visible. The file must be in JPEG format, between 10 kilobytes and 1 megabyte in size. Many travelers submit photos that are too dark, too bright, or taken at an angle, which interferes with automated facial recognition systems. Others use selfies taken with front facing cameras that distort facial proportions due to wide angle lens effects.

Travelers from the United States should use the rear camera on their smartphone or a digital camera positioned at eye level for the most accurate representation. Before uploading, preview your photo on a computer screen to confirm that the background appears uniformly white, your face is properly centered, and no shadows or glare interfere with facial visibility. For detailed guidance on preparing a compliant photo, refer to our guide on how to apply for India eVisa online.

Data entry errors on the application form cause frequent rejections because the official portal cross checks your typed information against your uploaded passport scan. The most critical rule is to enter your name exactly as it appears on your passport bio page, character for character, including spacing, capitalization, and order. Do not abbreviate, reorder, or omit any part of your legal name, even if you commonly use a different format.

Date fields also cause confusion because different countries use different formats. The India eVisa form typically expects day month year order. Verify the format prompt on each date field before entering your information. Another common mistake involves the reference section, which requires the name, address, and phone number of a contact in India. Leaving this field blank or entering placeholder text like TBD may cause your application to be flagged.

Indian immigration authorities require a valid contact for verification purposes. If you have not finalized your accommodation, provide the hotel name and city at minimum. Travelers from the United Kingdom should also double check occupation fields, as certain professions trigger additional scrutiny. Answer all background questions honestly and consistently with any prior visa applications. Rushing through the form without reviewing each entry significantly increases the risk of preventable errors.

Certain professions and background details trigger additional scrutiny during the India eVisa review process. Applicants with backgrounds in journalism, media, military service, government roles, or non governmental organizations may experience longer processing times or higher rejection rates due to enhanced security vetting. This does not mean individuals in these fields cannot obtain an eVisa, but they should anticipate manual review and prepare supporting documentation if requested.

It is critical to answer all occupation and background questions honestly and accurately. Attempting to conceal or misrepresent your professional role can result in immediate rejection and may affect future visa applications. Travelers from Singapore and other eligible nations who work in sensitive fields should allow extra processing time and consider consulting with visa experts before submitting.

Get India E-Visa provides a simplified intake form that collects your basic travel details first. Only after our experts manually verify that your initial information meets compliance standards do we request sensitive documents through secure channels. This privacy first approach protects your personal information while ensuring your application meets technical requirements. We never promise approvals, as all final decisions rest with Indian immigration authorities, but we help you avoid common errors that cause delays.

Get India E-Visa is an independent assistance service with over 20 years of experience in the visa industry. We are not affiliated with the Government of India, and we do not issue visas or guarantee approvals. All final decisions rest solely with Indian immigration authorities. Our role is to help travelers from over 40 eligible nations prepare accurate, complete applications before they reach the official portal.

We provide a simplified intake form that collects your basic travel details first. Only after our experts manually verify that your initial information meets compliance standards do we request sensitive documents like passport scans and photos through secure, encrypted channels.

This privacy first approach protects your personal information while ensuring your application meets technical requirements. Government fees for India eVisas are set by Indian authorities and vary by duration and nationality. Standard fees are 24 dollars for the 30 day option, 40 dollars for one year, and 200 dollars for five years. Travelers from the United Kingdom pay 484 dollars for the five year option due to reciprocal fee arrangements. Our service fee is always displayed separately so you understand exactly what covers government processing and what supports our application review and human verification services. We never promise approvals, but we do help you avoid common errors that cause delays. Select your country page to compare eVisa duration options, review the complete fee breakdown, and start a guided application request with expert support.