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 itself a credibility signal. It indicates that the service has nothing to obscure.
How much does an India eVisa cost for UK citizens — official government fees
The official Indian government fee for a tourist eVisa depends on the visa type:
- Tourist eVisa: US$10–25, depending on season (US$10 April to June; US$25 July to March)
- 1-year Tourist eVisa: US$40
- 5-year Tourist eVisa: US$484
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
Most large global platforms advertise their India eVisa service with a headline figure that does not reflect the final total. The government fee — a fixed official charge that applies on any route — is listed separately. Platform processing fees are added on top.
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.
Same visa. Same Indian government decision. The only difference is the platform's processing tier.
Our standard service for 30 days Tourist e-Visa, for example, is £69, with government fees included. That is a single, fixed total — shown in full before payment, with nothing added at checkout.
For applications where a higher government fee applies, such as the 5-year eVisa, the exact total is shown clearly before payment. Faster processing options are also available — see our India visa application page for full details. [link]
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.
The trade-off, as shown above, is cost: platform processing fees can be several times the government fee itself, and are not always visible until you reach the payment page. Support typically operates through automated systems.
Route three: Specialist service
A specialist service handles the full application on your behalf — document review, submission, timing, and direct support if anything stalls.
The key differences from a large platform are personal case handling, direct human contact, and full-cost transparency from the outset.
| Official portal | Large global platform | Our specialist service | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Estimated total cost (30-day eVisa) | ~£20 (govt fee only) | From €113 | From £69 all-in |
| Government fee included | Yes | Separate, added at checkout | Yes, included |
| Pricing shown upfront | Yes | Varies | Full total before payment |
| Manual document review | No | Varies | Yes, before submission |
| Human case support | No direct handling | Automated/Chat robot/Standard email | Named contact, direct communication |
| Help if payment or status issues arise | Self-managed | Varies | Yes |
| Rejection protection | No | No | Available as optional add-on |
How early should you apply?
- Tourist eVisa: The official FAQ currently states a 30-day advance window, though in practice we have seen applications accepted up to 120 days before travel.
*Official guidance on this point has not been updated consistently. Either way, timing still requires careful calculation — applying too early can result in an ETA that expires before your departure date. Our team plans each application around the individual itinerary, ensuring the window is neither too tight nor too wide.
- 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.
If you choose our optional Rejection Protection add-on and your application is refused despite the submission of complete, accurate, and valid documents, we refund our service fee in full. The government fee remains non-refundable in all cases.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions
Ready to apply?
Our standard service starts from £69 for eligible application types, government fee included. The full payable amount is shown before payment. Faster processing options and Rejection Protection are available as optional add-ons. Full terms on our application page.
Start your application