This is a guide for applying for an eVisa, entirely via the internet, via the official website of the Indian government. Beware of intermediary agencies that offer their services for an often high additional fee.

1. Go to the official website: https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html
This website does not work well with some Internet programs, so use one of the recommended browsers: Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Internet Explorer.

2. First read ‘Instructions for Applicant’ and especially about the files you need under point 13:
a. Passport photo, the same as on your passport (format jpeg/jpg 100kB- 1mB)
b. Scan of your passport data page (format pdf 100kB – 300kB)

3. Now choose ‘Apply here for e-visa’ at the bottom second from the left. Start by filling in and choose which type of visa you want: e-Tourist Visa for 30 days/01 year/ 05 years, (for 5 years it costs $80,-) You can only pay with credit card or PayPal through this application, so make sure you have that payment option.

4. Make sure you fill in everything correctly, especially your passport details (for example, all first names spelled correctly). If something does not apply, only put ‘NA’ (not applicable) and nothing else.

5. After each page you can choose ‘Save and Continu’ or ‘Save and Temporarily exit’, the latter is easy, you can then later use the button ‘Complete partially filled….’ again, but Note: always check if everything is still exactly as you entered (a checkbox that was filled in with NO is sometimes reset to YES !)

6. When you have filled in everything, checked it again and confirmed it, you will be asked for the files of your passport photo and passport (see point 2), which you must then upload.

7. After that you can pay, you will receive an answer by email within a few days. If it says that your application is ‘Granted’, go back to the Website page and press ‘Check your visa Status’ at the bottom, fill in the application number you received in the email. After that, you can download and print your visa ETA form. You must then take that form with you on your trip to India. At the airport of arrival, you need this to get a stamp in your passport. And at the check-in desk at the airport of departure, it is requested. So make sure you have it handy.

8. Application not granted? Presumably you have entered something incorrectly. Your money is gone and you can start over… That is why it is necessary to take the time and make the application as carefully as possible.