Half the questions we get from US/UK/EU/Australian travelers planning Rajasthan trips are about the Indian visa. There's confusion because: (1) the official site looks like it's from 2004, (2) third-party 'visa agent' sites charge $80-200 for what India officially costs $10-40, and (3) the rules changed in 2023 and 2025.
Here's the actual, current process. We update this page every 6 months.
Do You Even Need a Visa? (Yes, Almost Certainly)
All US, UK, EU (Schengen), Australian, Canadian, and Japanese passport holders need a visa to enter India for tourism. Even a 24-hour Mumbai layover counts. There's no 'visa on arrival' for Western tourists.
Exception: Nepal and Bhutan citizens don't need visas. That's it.
Which Visa Type? (e-Tourist Visa for 99% of Readers)
India offers many visa types. For a 4-21 day Rajasthan trip, you want the e-Tourist Visa (eTV). There are three flavors:
- e-Tourist Visa 30 days: $10-25 (varies by nationality). Double entry. Good for one trip of up to 30 days.
- e-Tourist Visa 1 year: $40 (US/UK), $25 (EU). Multiple entry. Each visit max 90 days. Good if you'll come back.
- e-Tourist Visa 5 years: $80. Multiple entry. Each visit max 90 days. For frequent India travelers.
For first-time Rajasthan visitors, the 30-day eTV ($10-25) is the right choice. Don't overspend on the longer ones unless you genuinely plan to return.
Where to Apply (Use ONLY the Official Site)
Official Indian e-Visa portal: indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa
Step-by-Step Application (Takes ~25 Minutes)
Before You Start, Have These Ready
- Passport with 6+ months validity from intended India entry date, with 2 blank pages
- Digital passport photo (white background, 2x2 inch, JPG, under 1MB)
- Digital passport scan (PDF, photo page only, under 300KB)
- Credit card (Visa, Mastercard, Amex — for the official fee)
- Your itinerary — they'll ask for India address. Use your first hotel's address. Don't have one? Use ours (we'll send it on booking confirmation).
The Application Itself
- Go to indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa and click 'Apply Here'
- Choose 'e-Tourist Visa' and pick your duration (30 days for most)
- Fill in personal details, passport details, address in India, and travel dates
- Upload your passport photo (white background, the system is picky)
- Upload passport scan
- Pay the fee online via credit card
- Receive Application ID and confirmation email
Processing Time: 3-5 Working Days
Official site says 'up to 72 hours'. Reality (April 2026): 3-5 working days. Apply at least 2 weeks before your travel date for safety. If you're applying within 4 days of travel, you can use 'urgent processing' (some nationalities only, extra $25).
What You'll Receive
An ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) PDF via email. Print 2 copies. One for immigration at India arrival, one as backup. The actual visa stamp goes in your passport when you land.
Documents at the Airport (India Arrival)
- Passport (the one you used to apply)
- Printed ETA approval (2 copies)
- Return/onward ticket (proof you'll leave)
- Hotel reservation for first night (rarely asked, but have it)
- Sufficient funds proof (also rarely asked — but $500+ in your account is the unwritten norm)
Immigration takes 15-90 minutes depending on flight crowds. They'll stamp your passport, you collect bags, walk out. Take a pre-paid taxi or our pickup.
Common Visa Mistakes (Avoid These)
- Wrong photo: The system rejects photos with shadows, off-center, or off-white backgrounds. Use a photo studio or a high-contrast white wall.
- Misspelled name: Match your passport EXACTLY. 'David' vs 'Dave' will cause rejection.
- Applying too early: The 30-day visa starts from the date of issue (not arrival date), but visa duration starts from arrival. Don't apply 3 months before — it gives you no benefit.
- Wrong nationality dropdown: 'United Kingdom' vs 'Great Britain' — there's often only one correct option.
- Forgetting to print: The airline at boarding will ask for the ETA printout. They've turned travelers away.
Visa Costs by Nationality (April 2026)
- United States: $25 (30 days), $40 (1 year), $80 (5 years)
- United Kingdom: £18 / ~$22 (30 days), £30 (1 year), £65 (5 years)
- Schengen / EU: €15-22 (30 days), €25 (1 year), €60 (5 years)
- Australia: AU$32 / ~$22 (30 days), AU$50 (1 year), AU$120 (5 years)
- Canada: CA$33 / ~$25 (30 days), CA$55 (1 year), CA$110 (5 years)
- Japan: ¥3,300 (30 days)
Special Cases
Indian Origin (PIO/OCI Cardholders)
If you have an OCI card (Overseas Citizen of India) or PIO card, you don't need a visa at all — just travel on your OCI.
Traveling With Children
Every traveler needs their own visa, regardless of age. Babies too. Same process, same fee, same documents. Add 5 days to processing for kids — they sometimes get extra scrutiny.
Multiple Indian Trips
If you'll visit twice in 6 months: get the 1-year e-Tourist visa (it's multiple-entry). If you visit annually: get the 5-year. If once and done: 30-day is fine.
Can You Get an Indian Visa on Arrival?
No — not for US, UK, EU, AU, CA, or Japanese passports. You must have the e-Visa before boarding your flight to India. The airline won't let you board without it.
What if My Visa is Rejected?
Rare for first-time tourists, but it happens. Reasons: photo issues, passport details mismatch, past visa overstay, or sometimes random scrutiny. If rejected, you can reapply after 30 days (same nationality dropdown, same documents — try fixing whatever caused the rejection). Or apply for a regular paper visa at the Indian Embassy/Consulate in your country (longer, more expensive, but more thorough review).
Final Pro Tips
- Apply 3-4 weeks before travel for zero stress
- Take screenshots of every page before clicking Submit
- Keep the Application ID and Reference Number safe
- Carry color printouts of the ETA approval (black-and-white sometimes triggers questions)
- If you booked with us, tell us your visa application date — we'll provide a confirmation letter on letterhead if you need additional supporting documents
