Last updated: September 2026 · Method: desk research from the official government portal’s documented rules. Fees, eligibility and rules change — verify on the official portal at application time. Beware lookalike third-party sites.
Most travellers reach Jodhpur on an Indian e-Tourist Visa — applied for entirely online, issued by email as an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA), no embassy visit, no passport stamp. It’s a genuinely smooth system when done on the official portal, and a scam minefield when done elsewhere. Here’s the process, the fees and the traps.
The process
- Apply only on the official portal: indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html. Third-party sites charge multiples for the same form and are the most common e-visa scam (see our scams guide).
- Fill the form, upload a photo and the passport bio page (passport valid 6+ months, two blank pages), pay by card.
- Receive the ETA by email — typically within days (apply 4–7+ days before travel). Print it; immigration checks it on arrival.
- Entry is through designated airports and seaports only — Delhi and Mumbai among them. If you’re transiting through a smaller entry point, check eligibility.
The types and fees (approx, US-citizen figures — they vary by nationality)
| Type | Validity | Entries | Fee (approx) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30-day e-Tourist | 30 days from arrival | Double | $10 (Apr–Jun low season) / $25 (Jul–Mar) |
| 1-year e-Tourist | 365 days | Multiple | $40 |
| 5-year e-Tourist | 5 years | Multiple | $200 (recently raised) |
Stay limits: up to 30 continuous days on the 30-day visa; up to ~180 days per visit on the longer ones (some nationalities capped at 90). Fees are non-refundable, with a small processing surcharge.
The traps
- Lookalike websites charging 3–5× the official fee for “expedited” processing. The official portal is unmistakably plain — don’t click search-ad imitations.
- Photo rejections for wrong size/background — the most common delay. Follow the portal’s photo spec exactly.
- Wrong visa for the entry point: e-visa holders must enter via the designated airports/seaports — land borders need a regular visa.
Questions worth asking
How early should I apply?
At least a week before travel for peace of mind; most applications clear in days. The 30-day visa’s window starts from your arrival date — time the application accordingly.
Can I extend it in Jodhpur?
E-tourist visas are not extendable — plan the trip length before applying. The 1-year visa is the flexible traveller’s answer.
Related guides
Applied recently? Send your nationality, visa type and turnaround — this page updates from real timelines.