India e-Visa Types for International Travelers

Explore the three India e-Visa categories. Compare their general travel purposes, understand what information to prepare, and find the option that best matches your planned visit.

Compare Categories How to Choose

Visa Types

Compare India e-Visa Categories

Tourist e-Visa

Holidays, sightseeing and leisure

The Tourist e-Visa is generally associated with travel for holidays, sightseeing and leisure. It is often the first category visitors read about, because the purpose of the trip is easy to put into words.

Journeys often centre on cities, heritage sites, coastlines or time with loved ones.
Decide roughly when you intend to travel and note the places you hope to see.
For several stops, write them in order so your dates stay consistent.
Confirm current conditions before you begin; this page is general orientation, not a statement of eligibility.

Business e-Visa

Commercial and professional visits

The Business e-Visa is generally associated with visits of a commercial or professional character rather than a leisure one. The reason for your trip matters more than the destination.

Be able to describe your business activities and the visit in a few precise sentences.
Note the organisations or people involved, the places you expect to go and your dates.
If a company or an invitation is involved, keep those details with your passport information.
Professional circumstances vary, so check current conditions for this category.

Medical e-Visa

Travel for medical care

The Medical e-Visa is generally associated with travel undertaken to receive medical care. Trips are often shaped by a treatment schedule, so planning tends to start with appointments.

Gather information about the care you are travelling for and the dates that matter.
Keep it beside your passport information so every form stays consistent.
Think about how your travel dates relate to your treatment plans and who else may be involved.
Medical situations vary; rely on current conditions rather than assumptions. This is not advice about any individual case.

Side by Side

Tourist, Business and Medical e-Visas Compared

Comparison of the tourist, business and medical India e-Visa categories
Comparison point	Tourist e-Visa	Business e-Visa	Medical e-Visa
General purpose	Tourist e-VisaLeisure travel such as holidays and sightseeing.	Business e-VisaVisits connected to commercial or professional activity.	Medical e-VisaTravel undertaken to receive medical care.
Typical travel context	Tourist e-VisaTrips planned around destinations, experiences and personal time.	Business e-VisaTrips organised around work commitments, a host or an organisation.	Medical e-VisaTrips organised around appointments and a treatment schedule.
Information to prepare	Tourist e-VisaPassport details, intended travel dates and an outline of the places you plan to visit.	Business e-VisaPassport details, a description of the intended business activities, and the dates, places and people involved.	Medical e-VisaPassport details, information about the care you will receive, relevant dates and travel arrangements.
Important preparation considerations	Tourist e-VisaKeep multi-stop plans consistent and make sure your stated purpose genuinely reads as leisure.	Business e-VisaBe able to describe the visit precisely and keep supporting paperwork organised.	Medical e-VisaKeep treatment-related and travel information together and consistent across every form.
Visa durations shown	Tourist e-Visa30 days, 1 year or 5 years	Business e-Visa1 year	Medical e-Visa60 days

This is a general comparison to help you read further. Confirm current conditions for any category before you apply. For base prices, estimated processing times, entry types and validity, see the India e-Visa fees page.

Decision Guide

How to Choose a Visa Category

1
What is the main reason for your journey?
- To relax, explore or see sights
  Tourist e-Visa
- For work or a commercial purpose
  Business e-Visa
- To receive medical care
  Medical e-Visa
2
What is shaping your travel dates?
- My own free time and preferences
  Tourist e-Visa
- Meetings, projects or other work commitments
  Business e-Visa
- Appointments or a treatment schedule
  Medical e-Visa
3
Which sentence would you be comfortable writing about your trip?
- “I am travelling to explore and enjoy.”
  Tourist e-Visa
- “I am travelling for professional reasons.”
  Business e-Visa
- “I am travelling for medical treatment.”
  Medical e-Visa

If your answers point in different directions, re-read the three descriptions above. This guide only suggests which category to read about first. It does not determine eligibility.

Checklist

Prepare Before Applying Online

Six quick habits that keep your information organised before you open any form.

Documents differ by purpose of visit. See the India e-Visa requirements.

Write one sentence describing the purpose of your trip.
Choose the category whose description matches that sentence.
Keep your passport open while you enter any personal details.
Draft your travel dates and an outline of the trip before starting any form.
Save supporting documents in one folder, in clear and readable files.
Re-check the current conditions for your chosen category before applying.

FAQs

Questions About India e-Visa Types

Which category description should I read first?

Start with the one whose purpose matches your trip: leisure travel points to Tourist, professional or commercial activity to Business, and medical care to Medical. The decision questions above help you pick the sentence that fits.

Can I choose a category based on where I am going?

The destination alone does not decide the category. The same city may be visited for a holiday, for work or for treatment, so the category should follow the reason for your trip.

What if my trip seems to have more than one purpose?

Think about the main reason you are travelling and read the description of that category closely. If your situation is mixed, check current guidance carefully instead of guessing.

Do all three categories need the same preparation?

Much of it overlaps, particularly your passport and personal details. What differs is the supporting information that explains your trip, which depends on whether it is leisure, professional or medical.

Does the decision guide confirm which category I qualify for?

No. It is a simple reading aid that helps you decide which description to study first. It does not assess or confirm eligibility for any category.

Where can I read more about preparing an application?

The India e-Visa Guide on this site walks through preparation steps, the information worth having ready and details worth double-checking. The India e-Visa requirements page lists the documents to prepare for each category.

Ready to Apply for Your India e-Visa Online?

Explore the available visa categories and prepare your information before applying.

Apply Now