Term

Simple Meaning

When It Applies

What You Should Do / Notes

ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization)

Digital travel permit allowing you to fly to India and get your passport stamped at the airport. Usually sent as a PDF by email.

At your first arrival in India.

Print or save it on your phone. Use the same passport as in your application.

ETA Number

Unique reference number of your ETA.

At immigration checks.

Ensure the ETA number matches your passport.

ETA Issue Date

Date when your ETA was approved.

For calculating deadlines related to first entry.

Keep track of validity period.

ETA Expiry Date (“First entry must be on or before…”)

The last date you must enter India for the first time.

At first arrival.

Enter before or on this date.

Example: “First entry must be on or before 27/NOV/2024” → you must arrive by 27 Nov 2024.

eVisa

ETA after it is stamped by immigration upon arrival, becoming your official visa.

After entering India.

Check entry stamp for date and permitted stay. Do not overstay. Keep your passport intact for departure.

Application ID

Your unique file number in the eVisa system.

For status check or when contacting support.

Keep it with your confirmation email.

▶︎ Visa Status Check 

Application Status (e.g., GRANTED)

The current status of your application (Approved / Refused / Processing).

Before your flight.

Only travel if status is GRANTED. If REFUSED, reapply.

Personal Information (Passport No., Name, DOB, Gender, Nationality)

Your passport and personal details as shown in the visa record.

At all immigration checks.

Any mismatch may result in boarding/entry refusal.

eVisa Expiry Date (commonly shown)

Visa validity counted from your first entry date (e.g., 30 days for e-Tourist).

During your stay.

Do not confuse with ETA expiry. Check passport stamp for final exit date.

eVisa Fee Paid (+ bank charges)

Government fee plus payment gateway charges.

When submitting the application.

Fees vary by nationality, visa type, and application time.

Permitted Duration of Stay

Maximum number of days allowed per visit.

For trip planning.

Example: 30 days from first entry; for double entry, the second trip must still fall within these 30 days.

Total Aggregate Stay

Total number of days allowed in India in a calendar year (Jan–Dec), across all visits.

For frequent travelers.

Example: Total Aggregate Stay

• First trip: You enter India and stay for 90 days, then return to your home country.

• Second trip: You come back and stay for another 60 days, then leave again.

• Third trip: You wish to enter once more and stay for 50 days.

Calculation: 90 (trip 1) + 60 (trip 2) + 50 (trip 3) = 200 days.

Result: You will not be allowed to make the third trip for 50 days because your total stay would exceed the 180-day limit per calendar year.

Number of Entries (e.g., Double)

Number of times you can enter India during visa validity (Single / Double / Multiple).

When planning trips in/out of India.

For double entry, second entry must be within visa validity.

Activities Permitted (Tourism, Recreation, Sight-seeing…)

Purpose for which you can use the visa.

At immigration checks.

Follow only the permitted activities; paid work is not allowed on tourist visas.

Biometrics will be captured on arrival

Fingerprints and/or photo taken at first entry.

At the airport on arrival.

Follow the officer’s instructions at the counter/kiosk.

Not guaranteed entry

Immigration has the right to refuse entry even with a valid visa.

Any arrival.

Carry return tickets, hotel bookings, and proof of funds.

Term

Short Meaning

Example

Port of Entry/Exit

Approved airports/seaports.

Enter via Delhi, exit via Bangalore.

Processing Time

Time to process application.

Standard: 3–5 days; urgent: 24h.

Transit Visa

For transits over 24h or leaving airport.

Layover in Delhi for 30h.

Sticker Visa

Embassy-issued visa pasted in passport.

For long stays or ineligible for eVisa.

Note

Details

Never overstay

Even if your visa is still valid, staying beyond the permitted duration may result in penalties or bans.

Check total annual stay

For tourist visas, you cannot exceed 180 days in a calendar year (Jan–Dec). For example, if you have a 5-year tourist visa, you can only stay up to 180 days per year; unused days do not carry over to the next year.

Transit under 24 hours

No visa is required if you remain within the airport’s transit area.

ETA/Visa expiry due to flight delay

If your flight is delayed and you arrive after ETA expiry or depart after visa expiry by a few hours, immigration officers may use discretion to allow entry/exit. However, this is not guaranteed—avoid such situations whenever possible.