Streamlining e-Visa policies with increased flexibility
India has made significant strides in enhancing its e-Visa regime, aiming to make the country more tourist-friendly and facilitate business engagements. The Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Home Affairs have been working together to implement these changes.
One of the key updates is the restoration and extension of validity for US nationals. Since March 16, 2022, all valid regular paper and e-visas for US citizens, regardless of issue date, have been reinstated. This includes long-term tourist visas, with a maximum duration of 10 years for regular paper visas and 5 years for e-visas, as well as fresh issuance of long-term 10-year tourist visas for US nationals[1].
The maximum cumulative stay permitted for foreigners, including those on e-Tourist visas or regular tourist visas, in India is now 180 days per calendar year. It is important to note that foreigners on e-Tourist or regular Tourist visas are only allowed entry through air or seaports, not land routes[1].
India has also introduced a fully digital e-visa facility for Kuwaiti nationals from July 13, 2025. The e-visa covers five categories, including tourism, business, medical, conference, and AYUSH (yoga/wellness). Tourist e-visas are valid for up to 5 years at a cost of USD 80. Business and other category e-visas range from USD 40 to USD 80. The entire application process is online, with biometric data collected on arrival. The processing time is 3-4 working days[2].
Other updates include the extension of the Visa-on-Arrival facility to the nationals of the Republic of Korea. Attending a destination wedding is now possible under a normal e-Tourist visa or Tourist visa; there is no separate category of Destination Wedding Visa.
The e-Visa is now valid for entry through 2 additional airports (Bhubaneswar and Port Blair), raising the total number of such airports to 28. The maximum duration of stay in India for e-Tourist and e-Business Visas is now up to 1 year, with multiple entries subject to stay stipulations. The continuous stay during each visit for all eligible countries, except for USA, UK, Canada, and Japan, is up to 90 days. For these four countries, the continuous stay during each visit is up to 180 days[1].
No registration is required for e-Tourist Visa in all cases, provided the stay is for a period of less than 180 days. For passport holders, the passport should be valid for a minimum of 6 months with at least two blank pages. For minors, notarized parental authorization signed by both parents with supporting documents is mandatory[1].
These updates highlight India’s ongoing efforts to expand and streamline its e-visa offerings, aiming to enhance ease of travel and business engagement. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, travellers are advised to visit the official Indian government visa website.
[1] https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/tvoa-visa/ [2] https://www.indianembassy.kw/visa-services/e-visa-facility-for-kuwaiti-nationals/
- A significant advancement in India's e-Visa regime has led to the introduction of a 5-year valid tourist e-Visa for Kuwaiti nationals, covering travel, business, medical, conference, and AYUSH (yoga/wellness) purposes, initiating a seamless blend of lifestyle and finance opportunities.
- As part of its continued efforts to foster tourism and business engagements, India has extended the validity of e-Tourist and e-Business Visas to up to 1 year, allowing for longer stays and multiple entries, thereby providing ample scope for leisure travel, professional endeavors, and cross-border business activities.
