India Tourist eVisa Durations: 30-Day, 1-Year, & 5-Year Options Compared

One of the most common sources of confusion for India eVisa applicants is the difference between visa validity and permitted stay duration. Visa validity refers to the time window during which you can use your eVisa to enter India. Stay duration refers to the maximum number of consecutive days you are allowed to remain inside India on a single visit. These two concepts are distinct and understanding them prevents costly mistakes. For example, a 1-year tourist eVisa is valid for 365 days from the date it is issued, not from your arrival date. However, this does not mean you can stay in India continuously for one year. Most nationalities are limited to 90 days per visit, while travelers from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Japan may stay up to 180 days per visit. Travelers from Australia and New Zealand fall under the 90-day per visit limit. If you exceed your permitted stay duration, you may face fines, entry bans, or complications with future visa applications.

The 30-day tourist eVisa operates differently. It is valid for 30 days starting from your first arrival date in India, not from the issue date. This shorter validity window makes it ideal for single, focused trips. Understanding these rules before you apply helps you select the duration option that matches your travel plans and budget.

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 your travel details to help you choose the most appropriate eVisa duration before you submit your application through the official portal.

The 30-day tourist eVisa is designed for travelers planning a single, focused visit to India. This option allows double entry, meaning you can enter India, travel to a neighboring country, and return within the 30-day validity window. The validity period begins on the date of your first arrival in India, not the date your eVisa is issued. This makes timing your application important. You can apply for a 30-day eVisa up to 30 days before your intended arrival date. If your travel plans shift, you may need to reapply. The maximum stay per visit is 30 consecutive days, which aligns perfectly with the validity period.

This option works well for travelers visiting one or two regions, such as the Golden Triangle circuit or a Kerala backwaters tour. Travelers from Singapore often choose this duration for short cultural or business trips. The government fee for the 30-day eVisa is 24 dollars for most nationalities. This makes it the most budget-friendly option for first-time visitors or those with fixed, short itineraries. However, if you anticipate returning to India within the next year, or if your travel dates are flexible, a longer duration visa may offer better value.

Before applying, verify that your passport meets the six-month validity requirement and has two blank pages for immigration stamps. For guidance on preparing compliant passport scans, refer to our guide on India eVisa passport requirements.

The 1-year tourist eVisa offers greater flexibility for travelers who plan to visit India more than once within a twelve-month period. This option is valid for 365 days from the date of issue, not from your first arrival. This means the clock starts ticking as soon as your eVisa is approved, so apply close to your intended travel date to maximize the usable window. The 1-year eVisa permits multiple entries, allowing you to enter and exit India as many times as needed during the validity period.

For most nationalities, including travelers from Australia and New Zealand, the maximum continuous stay per visit is 90 days. Travelers from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Japan may stay up to 180 days per visit under this duration. This option is cost-effective for travelers who plan regional trips that include neighboring countries, or for those who want the freedom to extend their stay or return later in the year.

The government fee for the 1-year eVisa is 40 dollars for most nationalities. When you factor in the convenience of multiple entries and the ability to stay up to 90 days per visit, this duration often provides better value than applying for two separate 30-day visas. Before applying, confirm your travel frequency and intended stay lengths. If you only plan one short trip, the 30-day option may suffice. If you anticipate multiple visits or longer stays, the 1-year eVisa reduces administrative hassle and total cost.

The 5-year tourist eVisa is designed for frequent travelers, expatriates with family ties to India, or business visitors who make regular trips over an extended period. This option is valid for five years from the date of issue and permits multiple entries throughout that window. Like the 1-year eVisa, the maximum continuous stay per visit is 90 days for most nationalities and 180 days for travelers from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Japan. Travelers from the United States and the United Kingdom who visit India annually for family events, business meetings, or extended holidays often find the 5-year option most convenient.

The government fee for the 5-year eVisa is 200 dollars for most nationalities. However, fee exceptions apply. Travelers from the United Kingdom pay 484 dollars for the 5-year option due to reciprocal fee arrangements. Travelers from the United States pay 160 dollars for the 5-year option. South African citizens pay only 25 dollars for both 1-year and 5-year eVisas. These variations reflect bilateral agreements between India and specific countries.

Before selecting the 5-year duration, consider your long-term travel patterns. If you only plan one or two trips over five years, shorter durations may be more economical. If you visit India regularly, the 5-year eVisa eliminates the need to reapply before each trip and provides peace of mind for spontaneous travel decisions.

Understanding the fee structure for India tourist eVisas helps you budget accurately and avoid surprises during application. Standard government fees, set by Indian authorities, are 24 dollars for the 30-day option, 40 dollars for the 1-year option, and 200 dollars for the 5-year option. These fees apply to most eligible nationalities, including travelers from Canada, Australia, and Singapore. However, several countries have adjusted fee structures based on reciprocal agreements. Travelers from the United Kingdom pay 484 dollars for the 5-year tourist eVisa, significantly higher than the standard rate. Travelers from the United States pay 160 dollars for the 5-year option, which is lower than the standard 200 dollar fee. South African citizens benefit from reduced fees of 25 dollars for both 1-year and 5-year eVisas. These exceptions are determined by Indian immigration authorities and are subject to change.

Get India E-Visa is an independent assistance service, and we are not affiliated with the Government of India. Our service fee is always displayed separately from government fees so you understand exactly what covers official processing and what supports our application review and human verification services. We never guarantee visa approvals, as all final decisions rest with Indian immigration authorities.

Before applying, verify the current fee for your specific nationality on the official portal. Select your country page to compare eVisa duration options, review the complete fee breakdown, and start a guided application request with expert support.

Selecting the appropriate eVisa duration depends on your travel frequency, intended stay lengths, and budget considerations. If you plan a single short trip of two to four weeks, the 30-day eVisa offers the most straightforward and economical solution. If you anticipate visiting India multiple times within a year, or if you want the flexibility to extend your stay or add side trips to neighboring countries, the 1-year eVisa provides better value. For frequent travelers, expatriates with family in India, or business visitors who make regular trips over several years, the 5-year eVisa eliminates repetitive application processes and offers long-term convenience. Travelers from the United States and the United Kingdom should also factor in their extended stay allowance of 180 days per visit when planning multi-region itineraries. Before applying, map out your intended travel dates, estimate your total days in India, and consider whether you might return within the next one to five years.

Get India E-Visa helps travelers from over 40 eligible nations prepare accurate applications with human review before submission. We collect basic travel details first and only request sensitive documents through secure channels after our initial assessment. This privacy-first approach protects your information while ensuring your application meets technical requirements.

Government fees and our service fees are always shown separately for full transparency. We never promise approvals, but we help you avoid common errors that cause delays. Select your country page to compare eVisa options and start a guided application request with expert support.