India just made it easier for e-Visa holders to enter the country. The Indian government has added several new entry points by air, sea, and land that now accept travellers holding an electronic visa.
This update expands where you can legally arrive, not what you can do after landing.
For travellers, that difference matters.
India’s e-Visa program is already one of the most widely used digital visa systems in the world. These new entry points strengthen it even further and give visitors more freedom to plan smarter routes.
Why This Update Matters for Travellers
Until recently, many e-Visa holders had to arrive through a limited set of big international airports. That often meant longer routes, extra domestic flights, or backtracking across the country.
With more entry points added, travellers can now:
- Fly closer to their final destination
- Enter directly through coastal ports if arriving by sea
- Cross certain land borders without switching visas
It also comes after India extended the tourist e-Visa validity from 30 days to four months, making slower, more flexible travel possible.
New Entry Points Now Open to e-Visa Holders
India has expanded e-Visa access across airports, seaports, and one key land border crossing. These new options help spread tourism beyond the usual hotspots.
1. Vijayawada Airport
This airport opens the door to Andhra Pradesh. It’s a good choice for travellers interested in temples, river landscapes, and cities that feel local rather than overrun by tourists.
2. Agatti Seaport
Agatti is the main sea gateway to Lakshadweep. This matters because Lakshadweep is tightly regulated and hard to access. Allowing e-Visa entry here makes island travel simpler for eligible visitors.
3. Calicut Seaport
Calicut, also known as Kozhikode, sits on Kerala’s historic spice coast. Entering here makes sense for travellers focused on food, culture, and slow coastal travel.
4. Kamarajar Seaport
Located near Chennai, this port offers access to Tamil Nadu. It’s useful for travellers heading straight to temple towns, industrial hubs, or southern beach routes.
5. Kandla Seaport
Kandla connects travellers to Gujarat. From here, you can reach the Rann of Kutch, wildlife areas, and craft-focused regions without entering through major metro cities.
6. Kattupalli Seaport
Another port near Chennai, Kattupalli, adds flexibility for sea arrivals into southeast India, especially for cruise or charter travellers.
7. Kolkata Seaport
This port allows maritime entry into eastern India. It’s ideal for travellers interested in colonial history, museums, and a strong cultural scene.
8. Mundra Seaport
Mundra is India’s largest private port. For e-Visa holders, it opens a practical entry into western India and nearby spiritual and natural sites.
9. Nhava Sheva Seaport
Also known as Jawaharlal Nehru Port, this port sits near Mumbai. It provides direct sea access to India’s financial capital and surrounding regions.
10. Vallarpadam Seaport
Located in Kochi, this port is a strong entry point for Kerala. From here, travellers can reach backwaters, hill stations, and eco-tourism areas with ease.
11. Visakhapatnam Seaport
This port serves India’s eastern coast. It’s a useful arrival point for travellers exploring beaches, coastal hills, and lesser-visited eastern states.
12. Rupaidiha Land Border Crossing
Rupaidiha connects India and Nepal by road. This entry point is especially useful for travellers planning multi-country South Asia trips without flying.
Why Entry Points Matter on an e-Visa
This part is important and often misunderstood.
If you hold an e-Visa, you must enter India through an approved entry point. You cannot arrive anywhere and expect the visa to work.
Choosing the right entry point helps you:
- Avoid being denied entry at immigration
- Save time and money on internal travel
- Match your arrival with your actual travel plan
Once inside India, you can travel freely. But your first point of entry must be on the approved list.
All Approved e-Visa Entry Points in India
With these updates, India now offers 51 entry points for e-Visa holders.
Airports (33)
- Ahmedabad
- Amritsar
- Bagdogra
- Bengaluru
- Bhubaneswar
- Calicut
- Chandigarh
- Chennai
- Cochin
- Coimbatore
- Delhi
- Gaya
- Goa Dabolim
- Goa Mopa
- Guwahati
- Hyderabad
- Indore
- Jaipur
- Kannur
- Kolkata
- Lucknow
- Madurai
- Mangalore
- Mumbai
- Nagpur
- Port Blair
- Pune
- Surat
- Tiruchirappalli
- Thiruvananthapuram
- Varanasi
- Vijayawada
- Visakhapatnam
Seaports (16)
- Agatti
- Calicut
- Chennai
- Cochin
- Goa
- Kamarajar
- Kandla
- Kattupalli
- Kolkata
- Mangalore
- Mumbai
- Mundra
- Nhava Sheva
- Port Blair
- Vallarpadam
- Visakhapatnam
Land Border Crossings (2)
- Raxaul
- Rupaidiha
Longer 120-Day Application Window
Along with expanding entry points, India has also quietly improved the e-Visa timeline.
Travellers can now apply for an Indian e-Visa up to 120 days in advance of their travel date. Earlier, the window was limited to just 30 days, which often forced people to delay bookings or take risks with flights and hotels.
Higher Fees for Some e-Visa
Visa Fees Go Up for Some Long-Term Travellers
India hasn’t only relaxed its visa rules. There’s a cost update travellers should be aware of. The biggest increase affects the one-year e-Business Visa. The fee has risen from US$80 to US$120, which is a significant jump for frequent business travellers.
Five-year tourist visas have also become more expensive. The change mainly impacts travellers who prefer long-term, multi-visit access to India.
What This Means for Your Trip
What this really means is flexibility.
You can now plan routes that make sense geographically, not just administratively. For travellers who prefer slower journeys, coastal arrivals, or cross-border routes, this update removes a lot of friction.
If you’re applying for an India e-Visa, double-check your arrival point before booking tickets. Pick an approved entry, and the rest of the journey becomes much easier.
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