India Adds Four New Traveler Categories to the e-Visa Program
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visa guide
05 Dec 2025
5 min

India Adds Four New Traveler Categories to the e-Visa Program

India Adds Four New Traveler Categories to the e-Visa Program

Four new categories of electronic visas have been made available by the Indian government: e-Transit, e-Mountaineering, e-Film, and e-Entry. For those who qualify, this upgrade offers a quicker, entirely online visa application procedure, saving travelers time and streamlining trips for family, tourism, and filming.
There's good news for foreigners who want to visit India! With the addition of four additional choices to its electronic visa system, the Indian government has made it simpler for a wider range of visitors to enter the nation without having to deal with consulate paperwork. Among the new categories are:

Mountaineering in Transit
Film Entry
New categories are being added in order to accelerate the approval process, simplify paperwork, and do away with consulate visits.

What Travelers Should Know About This

These new e-visas can now be applied for entirely online by travelers from qualified nations. They are granted an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) upon approval. After passing biometric verification at the airport, this ETA allows them to enter India and get their passport stamped with their visa.

It is anticipated that processing timeframes will be comparable to other e-visas, typically ranging from 24 to 72 hours. Compared to conventional visa procedures, this makes it considerably quicker.

To make the visa application process quicker, easier, and entirely online for qualified travelers, India has added four new e-visa categories: Transit, Mountaineering, Film, and Entry.

First. Visa for e-Transit

International visitors traveling via India to a third country are eligible for the new e-Transit Visa. If a traveler has a confirmed onward ticket, they can apply for this e-visa.

permits two entries into India.
Valid for 30 days from the date of the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA).
A confirmed onward ticket is required for applicants.

2. Visa for e-Mountaineering
This new e-Mountaineering Visa is available to foreign visitors who intend to go on climbing or trekking trips. This visa permits one entry and a maximum stay of six months after the ETA is issued.

The Indian Mountaineering Foundation must first grant approval to applicants.
The validity of this single-entry visa is limited to six months from the ETA date.

3. Visa for e-Film
The e-Film Visa is intended for filmmakers and crew members who are visiting India to film documentaries or motion pictures. This visa is valid for one year from the ETA date and permits multiple entries.

needs approval from the Ministry of Broadcasting and Information.
This multiple-entry visa is good for a year starting on the ETA date.

4. Visa for e-entry
For those of Indian descent, spouses of Indian citizens, or dependents of foreigners with specific visas.
This multiple-entry visa is good for three months after the initial arrival.

How to Apply
Travelers from qualified nations may apply fully online. The procedure consists of:
filling out the e-visa application and sending in the necessary paperwork.
getting approval from the appropriate ministries if necessary.
obtaining an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) prior to departure.
The visa is stamped upon arrival in India after applicants present biometric information at the airport.

Why It's Important
This improvement is a part of India's continuous efforts to streamline travel and modernize its immigration system. Compared to conventional consular applications, the processing period is usually between 24 and 78 hours.

In addition to making travel easier for foreigners, India is promoting tourism, filmmaking, and adventure travel by putting more visa categories online.

Concluding Remarks
Traveling, working on film projects, or reuniting with relatives in India is now easier than ever thanks to the new e-visa categories. Your visa might be available in a few days if you have a few documents, an internet connection, and a little patience.

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