e-Visa
Also called: Electronic travel authorization, ETA · Topic: Transparency, Accountability and e-Governance · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
An e-Visa is an electronic travel authorization. It means official permission to travel to India that a foreigner applies for and receives online, without going to an embassy. India offers it to nationals of 172 countries, under 13 sub-categories such as e-Tourist, e-Business, e-Medical, e-Conference, e-Student and e-Entry (X-1). The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) sets visa policy. The Immigration and Foreigners Act 2025 makes a valid visa a legal requirement for entering India. The e-Visa matters because it is the main online channel for most visa types, so it is a real test of e-governance in border management.
Example
In the 2026 rationalisation of visas, the Production Investment Business Visa moved under B-2 and is issued through e-Visa. It was earlier called e-B4, and it lets Indian companies bring in foreign technical specialists. Students enrolled through the Study in India portal get an e-S1 visa. It is valid for up to 5 years or the length of the course, whichever is shorter.
Don't confuse with
- e-FRRO: an online platform for visa and immigration services after a foreigner has arrived in India. The e-Visa is the permission to enter in the first place.
- Regular (consular) visa: issued through Indian missions abroad, where the MEA handles consular work. The e-Visa is applied for and granted fully online.