The website you use to apply matters more than most travellers realise — not when everything goes smoothly, but when it doesn't.
If you have searched for an India eVisa recently, you will have noticed that the results are crowded. Alongside the official Indian government portal, there are large global platforms, specialist services, and — if you look carefully — sites that are difficult to categorise at all. Prices vary widely. Some headline fees look attractively low. Others seem high without obvious explanation.
The question of which website to use is worth answering carefully. Here is a clear breakdown.
What is the official website for the Indian eVisa — and why does it matter?
The only official Indian government eVisa portal is: https://indianvisaonline.gov.in.
This is operated by the Bureau of Immigration, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. It is the direct route. There is no other official portal.
Knowing the exact official address also matters for a more immediate reason: fake and misleading websites exist, and some are designed to look like the real thing.
Source: https://indianvisaonline.gov.in (Indian Ministry of Home Affairs, current)
How to spot a fake India eVisa website — and what legitimate services look like
Fake and misleading visa websites are a documented problem. UK travellers have paid for applications through sites that had no connection to the Indian government, received nothing useful in return, and then had to apply — and pay — again.
Common characteristics of unreliable or fraudulent sites:
- Domain names that mimic the official address. Variations such as india-evisa-online.com or addresses ending in .gov.uk are not official. The official portal uses .gov.in.
- Unclear or hidden pricing. Fees that only appear partway through the application, or totals that change between pages.
- No verifiable company information. No registered company name, no physical address, no clear terms and conditions.
- Claims of being "official" or "government-authorised." The Indian government does not authorise third-party intermediaries. Any site claiming official status should be treated with scepticism.
- Pressure tactics. Countdown timers, warnings that the price will increase, or claims that visa availability is limited.
What a legitimate third-party service looks like:
A legitimate visa service will not claim to be the official portal.
It will show the full cost — including the government fee — before you pay.
It will be identifiable as a real company with verifiable contact details.
Transparent pricing is one useful check, alongside verifiable company details, contact channels and clear terms. It does not by itself establish that a service is trustworthy.
How much does an India eVisa cost for UK citizens — official government fees
The official Indian government fee depends on your nationality, visa type and, for the 30-day Tourist eVisa, season. Check the current fee schedule linked below and the amount shown by the official portal before paying:
- 30-day Tourist eVisa: check the seasonal fee for your nationality.
- 1-year Tourist eVisa: check the current nationality-specific fee.
- 5-year Tourist eVisa: check the current nationality-specific fee.
A 3% bank charge is added on top of the government fee. These fees apply regardless of which route you use to apply. The sterling equivalent varies with the exchange rate at the time of payment.
The real cost of applying through a large global platform — what the checkout page actually shows
The March 2026 example below lists the government fee separately from the platform service fee. It illustrates why you should compare the final payable total, rather than a headline price. It is not a current price quotation or evidence of how every platform charges.
We went through the checkout process on one major global platform for a standard 30-day India Tourist eVisa. Here is what the payment page showed:
Standard processing (4 days)
- Government fees: €23.66
- Standard processing (4 days): €89.95
- Total: €113.61
Super Rush processing (2 days)
- Government fees: €23.66
- Super Rush processing (2 days): €169.95
- Total: €193.61
Example checkout captured from a major visa platform in March 2026. Brand details have been redacted. Prices and service structures may change over time.
The screenshots show different service tiers offered by one platform. A private processing tier cannot guarantee approval or accelerate the government’s own decision timeline.
Our current starting prices are shown on the India visa page. Review the selected visa, processing level and optional services, then check the full payable total before payment. Government and professional service fees are included in the displayed product price.
For applications where a higher government fee applies, such as the 5-year eVisa, the exact total is shown clearly before payment.
Source: https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/images/Etourist_fee_final.pdf (Indian Ministry of Home Affairs, current)
Three routes compared: official portal, large platform, or specialist service
There is no single best route for everyone. The right choice depends on your circumstances, your timeline, and how much support you want if something goes wrong.
Route one: Apply directly through the official portal
The official portal at indianvisaonline.gov.in is the direct route, and many travellers use it successfully. You pay only the government fee.
The trade-off is that you manage the entire process yourself — including document preparation, payment, and any complications that arise.
*The official FAQ notes that payment status updates can take up to two hours due to technical reasons or network delays, and advises applicants to verify payment status before attempting to resubmit. This is worth knowing about before you start, particularly if you are applying close to a fixed departure date.
Route two: Large global platform
Large platforms offer a more guided experience than the official portal.
In the dated example above, the service fee exceeds the government fee. Other platforms and current prices may differ. Check each provider’s total, document-review scope and actual support channels before choosing.
Route three: Specialist service
A specialist service handles the full application on your behalf — document review, submission, timing, and direct support if anything stalls.
Our service includes document preparation checks and application support. Compare the actual service scope and terms of each provider; these features are not exclusive to specialist services.
| Official portal | Large global platform | Our specialist service | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Estimated total cost (30-day eVisa) | Current government fee + bank charge | €113.61 in the March 2026 example | See current India product prices |
| Government fee included | Yes | Separate in the dated example | Yes, included |
| Pricing shown upfront | Yes | Varies | Full total before payment |
| Document preparation review before submission | No | Varies | Yes, before submission |
| Human case support | No direct handling | Check the provider’s support channels | Direct contact through our published channels |
| Help if payment or status issues arise | Self-managed | Varies | Yes |
| Rejection protection | No | Check provider terms | Check current refusal-policy and add-on terms |
How early should you apply?
- Tourist eVisa: The current official FAQ allows applications up to 120 days before the intended arrival date, with at least 4 days before arrival. Check the dates and conditions shown for your selected category.
Use your India arrival date, allow time for processing and verify the validity dates on the granted ETA before travelling. Submitting an application does not guarantee approval by your departure date.
- 1-year and 5-year Tourist eVisa: Applications can be made up to 120 days before travel, no later than 4 days before arrival.
A practical issue worth knowing about
A common source of confusion is entering a UK departure date rather than an India arrival date on the application form — these are often different calendar days on overnight flights. The ETA is issued based on the date submitted. If the dates do not align with your actual travel, the ETA may not be valid when you need it.
Managing application timing — including building in appropriate buffer for flight delays or last-minute changes — is part of what our service covers.
What if the application is refused?
The official Indian government fee is non-refundable once submitted. This applies regardless of the outcome and regardless of which route you used to apply.
Our service-fee refusal policy is subject to our Terms and Conditions. Check the current policy and any optional Declined Visa Protection terms before purchase. Government fees remain non-refundable; a private service cannot guarantee approval.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions
Do your displayed product prices include the Indian government fee?Our India product prices include government and professional service fees. Select your visa and any optional services on the current India visa page, and review the full payable total before payment.Is India visa free for British passport holders?British citizens generally need a valid visa before travelling to India, unless they hold a valid OCI card. Eligible tourists can apply online for an eVisa; check nationality and passport eligibility first.How do I know if an India eVisa website is legitimate?The only official portal is indianvisaonline.gov.in. A legitimate third-party service will not claim to be the official portal, will show the full cost including the government fee before payment, and will be identifiable as a real company. If a price looks unusually low, check what it actually includes — and what it does not — before proceeding.Can payment or status issues happen on the official portal?Yes. The official FAQ advises that payment status updates can take up to two hours due to technical reasons or network delays, and recommends verifying payment status before attempting to resubmit. We manage this process on your behalf, which means these issues are handled directly while checking payment status before any repeat attempt.Can I apply directly through the official Indian government website?Yes, and many travellers do so successfully. The official portal is the direct route and carries only the government fee. Our service is for those who want documents reviewed, timing managed, and a real person available if something goes wrong.What if I am not sure which India eVisa I need?We confirm the right option for your itinerary before submission. For a full breakdown of the 30-day, 1-year, and 5-year India eVisa for UK travellers — including rules, costs, and a decision framework — see our India eVisa type guide.How quickly will you respond if I contact you?Use our published contact channels for availability and urgent enquiries. Response and government processing times are not guaranteed; contact us before purchase if your departure is close.See all India visa FAQs →
Ready to apply?
See current visa options and prices on our India visa page. Review the full payable amount, optional services and applicable terms before payment.
This article draws on the official Indian eVisa portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in) and current UK FCDO travel guidance (gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/india). Visa rules and platform pricing are subject to change; always verify current requirements and costs before applying.