India expands e-Visa access to 88 entry points across air, sea and land routes

India has notified 11 additional international ports for e-visa entry. The expansion gives eligible foreign travellers more designated arrival options under existing visa rules.India has notified 11 additional international ports for e-visa entry.Foreign travellers holding an Indian E-Visa will now have more options to enter the country, with the Government of India notifying 11 additional international ports for E-Visa entry.The latest addition takes the total number of international ports where E-Visa holders can enter India to 88, comprising 37 airports, 38 seaports, and 13 land ports. Of the 11 newly notified entry points, nine are land ports and two are airports.The move is aimed at making India's electronic visa system more accessible and convenient for eligible foreign travellers.WHAT ARE THE 11 NEW E-VISA ENTRY POINTS?The latest additions include two airports and nine land ports. The two newly added airports are:Bhopal TirupatiThe nine newly added land ports are:AgartalaDarrangaGedeGhojadangaHaridaspurJaigaonDawkiMorehAttari (Road)These additions mean that eligible E-Visa holders travelling through these entry points can now use them for entry into India, subject to the applicable E-Visa rules.HOW MANY E-VISA ENTRY POINTS DOES INDIA HAVE NOW?Following the latest expansion, India has 88 designated international ports for the entry of E-Visa holders.These are divided into:37 airports38 seaports13 land portsThis gives foreign travellers arriving by air, sea or through designated land routes more entry options depending on their travel plans.WHAT IS AN INDIAN E-VISA?An E-Visa is an electronic visa facility that allows eligible foreign nationals to apply for an Indian visa online before travelling to the country.India introduced the E-Visa facility, along with Electronic Travel Authorization, in 2014 for nationals of 43 countries. The facility has since expanded and is now available to nationals of 172 countries, according to the Ministry of Home Affairs.The system was introduced as part of efforts to make India's visa process more convenient while maintaining immigration and security checks.HOW QUICKLY ARE E-VISAS PROCESSED?According to the government, approximately 95 per cent of E-Visa applications are processed in less than 72 hours.This does not mean every application will necessarily be approved within 72 hours. Processing can depend on the application and applicable requirements.WHAT TYPES OF E-VISAS ARE AVAILABLE?The E-Visa facility is currently available under 17 sub-categories.These include categories covering tourism, mountaineering, business, medical travel, student travel, transit, miscellaneous purposes and group visitors travelling on cruises, among others.This means the facility is not limited only to foreign tourists visiting India for holidays.HOW WIDELY IS E-VISA USED IN INDIA?The government says that roughly 78 per cent of visas issued by India are now electronic visas.The figure indicates how significantly the country's visa system has shifted towards digital processing since the E-Visa facility was introduced in 2014.WHAT DOES THE LATEST EXPANSION MEAN FOR FOREIGN TRAVELLERS?For eligible foreign travellers, the biggest change is greater flexibility in choosing an entry point.Someone travelling to India through an international airport, arriving by cruise or using a designated land route can check whether their planned entry point is among India's E-Visa-enabled ports.However, having an E-Visa does not mean a traveller can enter India through any airport, seaport or land border. The traveller must use a designated E-Visa entry port and meet all applicable immigration and visa requirements.WHY HAS INDIA EXPANDED THE E-VISA NETWORK?The government says it has been taking steps to liberalise, streamline and simplify the visa regime to facilitate legitimate foreign travellers while also strengthening technological infrastructure for internal security.The addition of more entry points therefore serves two purposes: making travel more convenient for eligible foreign visitors and expanding the infrastructure through which immigration authorities can process them.For foreign travellers planning a trip to India, the key takeaway is simple: E-Visa entry is now available through 88 designated international ports, including 37 airports, 38 seaports, and 13 land ports.- EndsPublished By: Chaitanya DhawanPublished On: Aug 11, 2026 10:33 IST