Published on
November 25, 2025
India’s introduction of four new e-visa categories is a significant step towards simplifying and expediting travel across Asia, making it easier for travelers from Thailand, Vietnam, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, South Korea, and other countries to visit. With the new e-Transit, e-Mountaineering, e-Film, and e-Entry visas, the Indian government is streamlining the visa process, offering faster, fully online applications that eliminate the need for consular visits and reduce processing times. This modernized system not only enhances convenience for tourists, adventurers, filmmakers, and families but also strengthens India’s position as an accessible and attractive destination in the global travel market.
India has just launched four new e-visa categories designed to streamline the travel process for a diverse range of visitors. Whether you’re passing through the country for a quick stopover, embarking on a thrilling mountaineering expedition, filming a documentary, or visiting family, the new e-visa system makes it faster and easier for travelers to enter India.
This update not only simplifies visa applications but also supports the Indian government’s strategy to boost tourism, adventure travel, and international film production, all while maintaining the country’s commitment to digital innovation. As Thailand, Vietnam, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, South Korea, and many other countries in Asia continue to experience an influx of travelers, India is ensuring that the visa process is as easy and efficient as possible.
The New E-Visa Categories India Is Offering
India’s new e-visa system introduces four exciting visa categories: the e-Transit Visa, e-Mountaineering Visa, e-Film Visa, and e-Entry Visa. These visa types are designed with travelers’ needs in mind and represent a significant step forward in making international travel easier for citizens across Asia and beyond.
1. e-Transit Visa
For travelers passing through India en route to another country, the e-Transit Visa is now available. Designed for those with layovers or brief stays in India, this visa makes it simple for travelers to navigate India without the burden of extensive paperwork.
Key Features:
- Duration: Valid for 30 days from the date the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) is approved.
- Entries: Two entries allowed.
- Requirements: Must have a confirmed onward ticket to a third country.
- Processing Time: Typically between 24 and 72 hours.
For travelers from Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, and other neighboring countries with international flights connecting through India, the e-Transit Visa is a convenient option for ensuring smoother and faster travel across Asia.
2. e-Mountaineering Visa
For the adventure seekers and mountaineers planning to explore India’s famous trekking routes and mountains, the e-Mountaineering Visa is a perfect fit. Whether you’re hiking in the Himalayas or embarking on a trek through the Western Ghats, this visa simplifies the process for you.
Key Features:
- Duration: Valid for six months from the ETA.
- Entries: Single-entry visa.
- Requirements: Clearance from the Indian Mountaineering Foundation is required.
- Processing Time: Typically between 24 and 72 hours.
Asia’s top adventure travelers from countries like South Korea, the Philippines, and Japan can now plan mountaineering expeditions to India with ease. The e-Mountaineering Visa enables them to get quicker approval and head straight into the wilderness without delays.
3. e-Film Visa
India has been a prominent destination for filmmakers from around the world. The e-Film Visa makes it easier for international filmmakers, directors, and crew members to bring their projects to India, cutting down on bureaucratic red tape and streamlining the application process.
Key Features:
- Duration: Valid for one year from the ETA.
- Entries: Multiple entries allowed.
- Requirements: Requires clearance from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
- Processing Time: Typically between 24 and 72 hours.
Countries like Thailand, Japan, and South Korea, which have burgeoning film industries, will benefit from this new visa option. Whether you’re shooting a documentary on Indian culture, filming a Bollywood-style production, or working on an international project, the e-Film Visa provides the necessary tools for seamless entry into the country.
4. e-Entry Visa
For individuals of Indian origin or spouses of Indian nationals, the e-Entry Visa is the simplest way to visit family or connect with loved ones in India. This visa facilitates travel for those who have family ties and helps reunite families living abroad.
Key Features:
- Duration: Valid for three months from the first entry into India.
- Entries: Multiple entries allowed.
- Eligibility: Available to individuals of Indian origin or spouses of Indian nationals.
- Processing Time: Typically between 24 and 72 hours.
The e-Entry Visa will be especially beneficial for families from Thailand, Vietnam, South Korea, and beyond, making it easier to visit relatives in India or manage family affairs.
How the E-Visa Process Works
India’s e-visa system is designed to make the visa application process as simple as possible. Here’s how it works:
- Complete the Online Application: Travelers must visit the official e-visa website and complete the application form. The application will ask for personal details, travel plans, and the category of e-visa being applied for.
- Submit Required Documents: Depending on the visa category, applicants may need to upload supporting documents such as a valid passport, onward ticket (for the e-Transit Visa), or clearance from relevant authorities (for the e-Mountaineering or e-Film Visa).
- Receive ETA: Once the application is processed, the applicant will receive an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA), which allows them to travel to India.
- Biometric Verification: Upon arrival in India, travelers will need to undergo biometric verification at the airport.
- Visa Stamping: Finally, after biometric verification, the visa will be stamped in the traveler’s passport.
The entire process is completely online, and approval usually takes between 24 to 72 hours, making it far faster than traditional visa methods. This ensures that travelers can focus more on their plans and less on paperwork.
Why This Matters for Travelers from Asia
The new e-visa system is especially significant for travelers from Thailand, Vietnam, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, South Korea, and other Asian nations. These countries are key players in global travel, and many of their citizens often travel to India for business, tourism, and personal reasons. By offering fully digital visa applications, India is not only improving the travel experience but also creating a more welcoming atmosphere for visitors.
Here’s why this is important for travelers in Asia:
- Faster Processing: The new system significantly reduces wait times compared to traditional consular applications, enabling travelers to get approval within a few days rather than weeks.
- Convenience: The fully online process means there’s no need to visit an embassy or consulate, making the process smoother and more efficient.
- Increased Tourism and Business: These changes will make India more accessible for tourists and business travelers alike, fostering growth in sectors such as tourism, filmmaking, and adventure travel.
- Family Reunification: The e-Entry Visa makes it easier for people of Indian origin or their spouses to visit India, promoting stronger family connections and cultural ties.
Countries Eligible for India’s New E-Visa Categories
India’s new e-visa categories are available to nationals from over 165 countries. Below is a table highlighting some of the countries eligible for these new e-visas.
| Country | Eligible Visa Categories |
|---|---|
| Thailand | e-Transit, e-Mountaineering, e-Film, e-Entry |
| Vietnam | e-Transit, e-Mountaineering, e-Film, e-Entry |
| Japan | e-Transit, e-Mountaineering, e-Film, e-Entry |
| Malaysia | e-Transit, e-Mountaineering, e-Film, e-Entry |
| Singapore | e-Transit, e-Mountaineering, e-Film, e-Entry |
| Philippines | e-Transit, e-Mountaineering, e-Film, e-Entry |
| South Korea | e-Transit, e-Mountaineering, e-Film, e-Entry |
| Taiwan | e-Transit, e-Mountaineering, e-Film, e-Entry |
| Indonesia | e-Transit, e-Mountaineering, e-Film, e-Entry |
| Cambodia | e-Transit, e-Mountaineering, e-Film, e-Entry |
These countries represent a broad spectrum of travelers who can now benefit from India’s faster, simpler, and fully digital e-visa process.
India’s new e-visa categories are a major step forward in simplifying travel for visitors from Thailand, Vietnam, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, South Korea, and other countries across Asia. The ability to apply for an e-visa entirely online, with faster processing times and reduced paperwork, makes it easier than ever for travelers to explore India’s diverse offerings.
Thailand, Vietnam, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, South Korea, and other countries in Asia are now set to benefit from India’s new e-visa categories, which simplify the visa process by offering faster, fully online applications. This move aims to boost tourism, adventure travel, and business, making India more accessible and convenient for international travelers.
Whether you’re passing through India on your way to another country, planning a mountaineering adventure, working on a film project, or visiting family, these new e-visa options offer a quick, hassle-free way to travel to India. With the system now fully online, it’s clear that India is prioritizing convenience, efficiency, and accessibility in its immigration policies—creating a more connected, open world for international travelers.
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