Avoiding the Most Common Mistakes in Your India eVisa Application
Most India eVisa application mistakes are small, and you can avoid almost all of them. Still, a typo, a blurred photo or a late submission can delay your Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) or cause problems at the border. Below are the errors we see most often, why they matter and how to avoid them before you submit your form.
1. Typos in passport details
A single wrong letter or a transposed digit in your passport number means your ETA no longer matches your passport. As a result, an airline or an immigration officer may refuse to let you travel. So compare every field with your passport before you submit, and watch out for the letter O and the number 0.
2. An incorrect or unreachable email address
The authorities send your approval by email only. Consequently, a typo in your email address means the confirmation never reaches you. Type your address carefully, and check your spam or junk folder after you apply.
3. A passport with insufficient remaining validity
Your eVisa belongs to one specific passport. That passport should be valid for at least six months from the date you apply and have at least two blank pages. Otherwise, a passport close to expiry can cause problems at immigration, even when your ETA itself is valid.
4. Incomplete or inconsistent answers
Answer the questions about previous visits, criminal record and health truthfully and completely. Otherwise, contradictions or missing answers can trigger a manual review and slow down your application.
5. Applying through unreliable third-party websites
Choose a service that says clearly that it is a private assistance service and not the official government website. In addition, check that its terms are clear before you enter any payment details.
6. Applying too late before travel
The authorities decide many applications quickly, but some take a few days or longer. So don’t wait until the last moment: apply at least four days before you arrive, and ideally two to four weeks ahead.
7. Confusing an eVisa/ETA with a different visa type
Not every traveller is eligible for an eVisa. Depending on your nationality and the purpose of your trip, a different visa category may apply. For example, a job with an Indian company requires an Employment Visa, which you cannot get online. For an official overview, see the GOV.UK entry requirements for India, then check which document fits your situation.
8. A photo or passport scan that breaks the rules
Photo problems are among the most common India eVisa application mistakes. For example, a dark background, glasses, shadows or the wrong file size can all lead to a request for a new image. Before you apply, read our guide to the India eVisa photo requirements and check your passport scan too.
9. Forgetting the e-Arrival Card
Since 1 October 2025, foreign nationals must also submit a digital e-Arrival Card in the 72 hours before arrival. It is a separate step from your eVisa, so add it to your pre-flight checklist.
How to avoid India eVisa application mistakes
Use this short checklist before you press submit:
- Compare every field with your passport, letter by letter.
- Use an email address you check every day.
- Make sure your passport has six months of validity and two blank pages.
- Take a new photo against a plain, light background, without glasses.
- Apply at least four days before arrival, ideally two to four weeks ahead.
- Submit the e-Arrival Card in the 72 hours before landing.
Related guides: you may also find these articles useful: the India eVisa photo requirements, how long India eVisa processing usually takes and our complete India e-Business Visa guide.
Our team reviews your details for plausibility before submission, precisely to help you avoid these common pitfalls. Start your India eVisa application here.