India Visa for Australia Citizens 2026 - Requirements, Fees & Processing

Overview

Planning a trip to India as an Australian citizen? This guide covers everything you need for the India e-Tourist Visa: required documents, current fees starting at US$10, processing times of 3-5 days, and application tips. With a high approval rate for Australian applicants, the online process makes visiting India straightforward.

Visa Application process

The India e-Visa is an entirely online process that eliminates the need to visit an embassy or consulate.1 Australian citizens can apply from anywhere with internet access.

Start Online Application

Visit the official India e-Visa portal and select “e-Tourist Visa” as your visa type.1 You will need to create an application ID that you can use to track your application status.

Complete Application Form

Fill in your personal details, passport information, and travel plans.1 You must provide: • Full name exactly as it appears on your passport • Passport number and expiry date • Intended date and port of arrival • Address where you will stay in India • Your Australian address and contact details

Upload Documents

Upload your digital photograph and passport bio page scan.1 Ensure files meet the specified format and size requirements. Poor quality uploads are a common cause of delays.

Pay Visa Fee

Pay the visa fee online using credit card, debit card, or PayPal.1 A 2.5% bank transaction fee applies. The fee is non-refundable regardless of the application outcome.

Receive ETA

Once approved, you will receive your Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) via email within 3-5 days.1 Print the ETA and carry it when travelling. Show it at check-in and immigration.

Visa Application Steps

1. Start Online Application
2. Complete Application Form
3. Upload Documents
4. Pay Visa Fee
5. Receive ETA

Visa Fees breakdown

Visa Type: Fee	30-day e-Tourist (July-March): US$25	30-day e-Tourist (April-June): US$10	1-year e-Tourist: US$40	5-year e-Tourist: US$80	All fees include a 2.5% bank transaction charge.2 Fees are non-refundable even if the visa is not granted or you withdraw your application.

What you need to prove

The India e-Visa for Australian citizens has straightforward requirements:

Valid Australian passport with at least 6 months validity and 2 blank pages
Genuine tourist purpose for visiting India
Sufficient funds to support yourself during the stay
Return or onward travel arrangements
Accommodation address in India

Required documents

Valid Passport
Digital Photograph
Passport Bio Page Scan
Travel Information

Valid Passport

Your Australian passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your arrival date in India • At least 2 blank pages for stamps; • Must be an ordinary passport (diplomatic and official passports not eligible for e-Visa); • Must not be damaged or altered] (Tip: Ensure your passport has sufficient validity before starting the applicationCheck that your passport number matches exactly what you enter online)

Digital Photograph

Recent passport-style photograph uploaded during online application • Square format with white background; • Face should occupy 50-60% of the photo; • JPEG format, file size between 10KB and 1MB] (Tip: Use a plain white wall as backgroundEnsure good lighting with no shadows on faceRemove glasses for the photo)

Passport Bio Page Scan

Clear scan of your passport's photo/bio page • PDF format preferred; • File size between 10KB and 300KB; • All text must be clearly legible] (Tip: Use a scanner rather than phone camera for best qualityEnsure all corners of the page are visible)

Travel Information

Details of your intended travel to India • Port of arrival (must be one of 28 designated airports or 5 seaports); • Intended date of arrival; • Accommodation address in India] (Tip: You can only enter through designated immigration checkpointsBook refundable accommodation until visa is confirmed)

Optional documents

Return or Onward Travel

Evidence of return or onward travel from India • Flight booking showing departure from India; • Not always requested but recommended] (Tip: Keep a copy accessible on your phone for immigration)

Border entry information

You can only enter India with an e-Visa through designated immigration checkpoints.1
Airports (28 designated):
Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Cochin, Trivandrum, Goa, Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Bagdogra, Bhubaneshwar, Calicut, Chandigarh, Coimbatore, Gaya, Guwahati, Jaipur, Lucknow, Madurai, Mangalore, Nagpur, Portblair, Pune, Tiruchirapalli, Varanasi, Vishakhapatnam
Seaports (5 designated):
Mumbai, Cochin, Mormugao (Goa), Chennai, New Mangalore

Comparison

Visa Type	Fee	Validity	Entries
30-day e-Tourist (July-March)	US$25	30 days from ETA	Double entry
30-day e-Tourist (April-June)	US$10	30 days from ETA	Double entry
1-year e-Tourist	US$40	1 year from ETA	Multiple entry
5-year e-Tourist	US$80	5 years from ETA	Multiple entry

Common rejection reasons

%	Reason
40%	Incomplete or Incorrect Information
30%	Photo or Document Issues
15%	Ineligible Port of Entry
10%	Previous Immigration Issues
5%	Invalid Travel Dates

40% - Incomplete or Incorrect Information

How to avoid: Double-check all information against your passport before submitting. Names must match exactly, including spelling and order.

30% - Photo or Document Issues

How to avoid: Follow the exact photo specifications. Use a scanner for passport pages. Ensure files are within size limits.

15% - Ineligible Port of Entry

How to avoid: Only select from the approved list of 28 airports and 5 seaports for e-Visa arrival.

10% - Previous Immigration Issues

How to avoid: Be honest about travel history. If you've had issues before, consider applying through the embassy instead.

5% - Invalid Travel Dates

How to avoid: Apply at least 4 days before travel. The 30-day visa must be used within 30 days of the ETA issue date.

Frequently asked questions

How long can I stay in India on an e-Tourist Visa?

The 30-day e-Tourist Visa allows double entry and must be used within 30 days. The 1-year and 5-year e-Tourist Visas allow multiple entries with a maximum continuous stay of 90 days per visit, and total stay cannot exceed 180 days in a calendar year.

Can I extend my India e-Tourist Visa?

No, the e-Tourist Visa cannot be extended or converted to another visa type while in India. If you need to stay longer, you must exit and apply for a new visa.

Which airports can I enter India with an e-Visa?

You can arrive at 28 designated airports including Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Cochin, Goa, Ahmedabad, and others. You can also arrive at 5 designated seaports including Mumbai, Cochin, and Goa.

How far in advance should I apply for the India e-Visa?

Apply at least 4 days before your intended arrival date. You can apply up to 120 days in advance. Most applications are processed within 72 hours.

Is there a cheaper time to apply for India e-Visa?

Yes, the 30-day e-Tourist Visa fee is reduced from US$25 to US$10 during the off-peak season from April to June.

Can I visit restricted areas on an e-Tourist Visa?

No, the e-Tourist Visa does not permit visits to Protected, Restricted, or Cantonment areas. You need a separate permit and possibly a different visa type for these regions.

What if my e-Visa application is rejected?

You will receive notification via email. The visa fee is non-refundable. You can reapply with corrected information or apply through the Indian Embassy/Consulate for a traditional visa sticker.

Do I need a yellow fever certificate for India?

Yes, if you are arriving from or have transited through a yellow fever endemic country within 6 days of arrival, you need a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate.

Apply for India tourist visa online

Sources

India e-Visa Official Portal

https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html

Consulate General of India, Sydney

https://www.cgisydney.gov.in/pages/Mjk3

Bureau of Immigration, India

https://boi.gov.in/

At a glance