India's e-Visa system has grown considerably beyond its original scope. What began as a handful of categories covering tourism and business now spans nine distinct visa types, several of which carry sub-purposes that make them applicable to a far wider range of than most people realize.
IVC Visas covers every category currently listed on the official Indian Visa Online portal; what each one covers, who it's for, how long it's valid, how many entries it permits, and what documents are required beyond the standard passport scan and photograph.
Eligible nationals of Mexico, Canada, Luxembourg and many more can apply through IVC Visas for their Indian e-visa, if they want a smooth, hassle-free journey to India.
The 9 Official India e-Visa Categories
The Indian Visa Online portal lists the following nine categories, each applied for through the same online process at India Visa website:
- e-Tourist Visa
- e-Business Visa
- e-Medical Visa
- e-Medical Attendant Visa
- e-Student Visa
- e-Family Visa
- e-Transit Visa
- e-Miscellaneous Visa
- e-Production Investment Visa
Several of these carry sub-purposes that significantly expand their scope. Here's each one in full.
1 | India e-Tourist Visa
Suitable for: Sightseeing, holidays, visiting friends or family, short yoga programs, recreational short-term courses not exceeding 6 months and not awarding a formal certificate, voluntary work of short duration not exceeding one month with no monetary payment, and medical treatment including treatment under Indian systems of medicine.
India e-Mountaineering (e-T2V)
The India e-Tourist Visa (e-T2V) covers foreign nationals participating in approved mountaineering or trekking expeditions in India. It is a single-entry visa valid for 6 months. In addition to the standard passport scan, a clearance letter from the Indian Mountaineering Foundation is mandatory. The intended mountain must be named in the application and must be on the list of eligible peaks across Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Sikkim, and Uttarakhand.
Documents required: Scanned passport bio page. For mountaineering: clearance letter from the Indian Mountaineering Foundation. For short-term courses or voluntary work: letter from the institute or organisation on official letterhead.
2 | India e-Business Visa
Suitable for: Business meetings, trade visits, industrial tours, commercial activity, sports-related visits, academic lectures under the Global Initiative for Academic Networks (GIAN), conferences, and film production.
India e-Conference Visa (e-B5V)
Attendance at conferences, seminars, or workshops organized by a Ministry or Department of the Government of India, State Governments, UT Administrations, their subordinate or attached organizations, PSUs, or private organisations. Requires an invitation from the organizer, political clearance from the Ministry of External Affairs, and event clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs (optional). Organizers must upload all details and documentation on the MHA conference portal at conference.mha.gov.in.
Film Production (e-B6V)
For foreign nationals undertaking film, television, or digital production in India. Valid for 1 year with multiple entries. Requires a clearance letter from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and a letter of intent covering the production schedule, cast and crew particulars, filming locations, and a list of any equipment being brought into India.
Documents required: Scanned passport bio page, business card, and invitation letter from the Indian party if applicable. For sports: Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports approval, invitation from the Sports Federation, and tax compliance documents if the applicant participated in a commercial sports event during a previous India visit. For GIAN lectures: host institute invitation, sanction order from IIT Kharagpur, and course synopsis. For conference: organizer invitation, MEA political clearance, and MHA event clearance. For film: MIB clearance letter and letter of intent.
3 | India e-Medical Visa
Suitable for: Medical treatment at a recognized Indian hospital, including treatment under Indian systems of medicine — Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy (Ayush).
Both variants carry identical validity and entry conditions. The distinction is the nature of treatment is that e-M3V covers Ayush and traditional medicine systems.
Documents required: Scanned passport bio page and a copy of the letter from the hospital in India on its official letterhead, including the date or tentative date of admission and the patient's name, nationality, and passport number.
4 | India e-Medical Attendant Visa
Suitable for: Companions accompanying an India e-Medical Visa holder. A maximum of two e-Medical Attendant Visas are granted per e-Medical Visa holder.
Documents required: Scanned passport bio page only.
5 | India e-Student Visa
Suitable for: Foreign nationals admitted to a recognized educational institution in India for formal study. Available for medical and paramedical courses, standard degree programs, and other recognized institutional courses.
Documents required: Scanned passport bio page; letter of admission from the recognised Indian educational institution including course duration; a letter of support from a parent or guardian accompanied by a bank guarantee certificate or 6 months of bank statements; and for medical or paramedical courses, a No Objection Certificate from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.
6 | India e-Family Visa
Suitable for: Dependents of India e-Student Visa holders. This category — officially coded e-SXV — was previously referred to informally as the e-Student Dependent Visa.
Documents required: Scanned passport bio page only.
7 | India e-Transit Visa
Suitable for: Foreign nationals transiting through India as a route to a third country with a confirmed onward travel ticket.
Important distinction: Travelers who remain in the airside transit area and do not pass through Indian immigration do not require a transit visa. The e-Transit Visa is required only when leaving the airside area. For example, when travelling on separate tickets, staying overnight, or passing through Indian immigration as part of a connection.
Documents required: Scanned passport bio page; confirmed travel ticket to India and onward journey ticket; and either a visa or entry permit for the destination country, or a passport of the destination country if the applicant holds dual nationality.
8 | India e-Miscellaneous Visa
Suitable for: Persons of Indian origin(PIO) and certain qualifying individuals with close ties to India. Coded e-X1V, this category is the online equivalent of what was previously referred to as the e-Entry Visa.
Documents required: Scanned passport bio page; and one of the following — copy of the Voter ID card or Indian passport of a parent or spouse who is a citizen of India; copy of a cancelled or surrendered Indian passport with surrender certificate (for those who surrendered an Indian passport in or after 2010); or copy of the OCI card of a parent or spouse. A copy of a birth certificate or marriage certificate is also required.
9 | India e-Production Investment Visa
Suitable for: Foreign nationals involved in film production or investment-related activities in India. Distinct from the film sub-purpose under e-Business Visa, this category covers production and investment activities on a longer-stay basis.
Duration: 6 months
Entries: Multiple
Documents required: As specified by the portal at the time of application based on the nature of the production or investment activity.
What All 9 Categories Have in Common?
Regardless of category, the following apply universally across all India e-Visa types:
✔️ Passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of application
✔️ Minimum 2 blank pages required for immigration stamps
✔️ Ordinary passport only — diplomatic, official, and service passport holders are not eligible
✔️ All e-Visas are non-extendable and non-convertible
✔️ Bank transaction charge of 3% applies additionally on all visa fees (4% for PayPal)
✔️ Fee is non-refundable once submitted, regardless of outcome
✔️ Biometrics captured on arrival at all designated entry points
✔️ E-Arrival Card mandatory within 72 hours before arrival.
✔️ Entry is permitted through designated airports, seaports and land ports only.
Must check authorized entry and exit ports before booking your itinery.
Choosing the Right Category | IVC Visas Expert Advice
Applying under the wrong India e-Visa category is one of the most common and costly application mistakes as the fee is non-refundable if a mismatch causes rejection or entry denial. Learn about the other avoidable mistakes that could lead to India e-Visa rejection.
The category must match your actual declared purpose of travel. If you are unsure which category applies, contact IVC Visas before submitting.
IVC Visas reviews your application, documents, and photograph before submission, ensuring everything is in order before a non-refundable fee is committed.
Disclaimer: IVC Visas is an independent visa service provider. We assist with application preparation and submission to official government portals. Final visa approval decisions are made solely by Indian immigration authorities. All information is based on current regulations as prescribed by the Government of India, which may change. Always verify the latest requirements before travel.