वीज़ा और प्रवेश आवश्यकताएँ

Visa & Entry Requirements

Your gateway to Varanasi starts with the right visa. Discover India's streamlined e-Visa options and entry tips for a seamless journey to the eternal city.

160+

Countries with e-Visa

3–5

Days Processing Time

5 yr

Max e-Visa Duration

Designated Entry Airports

6 mo

Min Passport Validity

e-Visa Types

India's e-Tourist Visa comes in three tiers — choose based on your trip length and travel frequency.

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30 Day e-Tourist Visa

Double Entry. Ideal for short pilgrimages or first-time India visits. US citizens: approx. $25 fee. Enter twice within the 30-day window. Perfect for Varanasi + Bodh Gaya or Agra combo trips.

🌍

1 yr e-Tourist Visa

Multiple Entry. Perfect for longer India travel or repeat visits within a year. US citizens: approx. $40 fee. Unlimited entries for 1 year from issue date. Best value for combining Varanasi with broader India travel.

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5 yr e-Tourist Visa

Multiple Entry. Ideal for NRIs, frequent visitors, spiritual returnees. Unlimited entries over 5 years from issue. Best value for those who return to Kashi every year. Each stay limited to 90 days (60 days for some nationalities).

How to Apply — Step by Step

The entire e-Visa process is online and takes under 20 minutes.

Visit the Official Portal

Go to indianvisaonline.gov.in — avoid third-party sites that charge extra fees for the same form.

Fill the Application Form

Select e-Tourist Visa, choose duration (30 days / 1 year / 5 years), fill personal details.

Upload Documents

Passport-sized photo (white background) + scanned passport data page. Both must meet exact specs.

Pay Online

Fees vary by nationality — US, UK, European passports ~$25–40. Pay by card; receipt generated instantly.

Receive ETA by Email

Electronic Travel Authorisation arrives in 3–5 business days. Print it — required at immigration.

Entry by Nationality

Different rules apply depending on your passport — know before you go.

Country/Region	Visa Type	Notes
160+ countries (US, UK, EU, Australia…)	e-Visa	Apply at indianvisaonline.gov.in
Japan, South Korea, Singapore	Visa on Arrival	60 days, available at VNS airport
Nepal	No Visa Needed	Free entry with valid ID
Bhutan	No Visa Needed	Free entry with valid travel document
Bangladesh	Standard Visa	Simplified processing available
Pakistan, Iraq & select others	Embassy Visa	Apply at Indian Embassy — no e-Visa available

Special Visa Categories for Varanasi Visitors

Kashi draws spiritual seekers, yoga students, scholars, and Buddhist pilgrims — each with their own visa path.

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Yoga / Meditation

200h or 500h teacher training programmes — school guides you through Medical or Conference Visa.

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Student (BHU / Sanskrit)

Student Visa sponsored by Banaras Hindu University or Sampurnanand Sanskrit University.

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Buddhist Pilgrimage

e-Tourist Visa covers Varanasi + Sarnath + full Buddhist circuit (Bodh Gaya, Kushinagar).

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Medical Tourism

Medical Visa for treatments at BHU's Sir Sunderlal Hospital — one of India's leading facilities.

🪔 Insider Tips

✅ Apply at least 2 weeks before travel — peak season delays do happen despite 72h official processing

✅ Passport must have 6+ months validity and at least 2 blank pages on arrival date

✅ Use only indianvisaonline.gov.in — avoid fee-charging third-party "visa assistance" sites

✅ Print your ETA — some immigration counters still prefer a physical copy over phone screens

✅ Carry hotel bookings and a brief itinerary — smaller airports occasionally ask for your plan

✅ Register online at FRRO portal within 14 days if your visa requires local registration

🌐 Apply Online

indianvisaonline.gov.in — official portal, free to apply

📄 Documents

Passport (6+ mo validity, 2 blank pages), photo, hotel booking

⏱ Timeline

Apply 2 weeks ahead. ETA arrives in 3–5 business days by email.

🛬 Entry Point

VNS Airport (Varanasi) is among 28 designated e-Visa entry airports

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