How long does an Indian e-Visa take?

I applied for an Indian e-Tourist Visa from Canada earlier this year.

Mine was approved fairly quickly, but I wouldn't quote my processing time as the “normal” time because applications can differ.

The important thing is to distinguish between application submission, payment confirmation, processing, and actually receiving the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA). They aren't necessarily simultaneous.

I also wouldn't keep submitting new applications while the first one is pending unless the official instructions specifically tell you to do so. You could end up creating confusion with multiple applications.

If you have already submitted everything correctly, check the official e-Visa status page periodically and make sure you have access to the email address used in the application.

And definitely verify the current rules before travelling. Visa processing procedures and timelines can change.

My experience was different. Mine took longer than I expected — roughly a week.

I applied well before my flight, so I wasn't under the same pressure. The application showed as pending for several days and then changed to approved.

I think people sometimes get confused because they see posts saying “e-Visa takes 24 hours” and assume that means every application will be completed within 24 hours. I wouldn't plan a trip around that assumption.

Make sure the information on your application exactly matches your passport. I double-checked the passport number, name, date of birth and nationality before submitting.

Also check your email's spam or junk folder. My approval message ended up there.

If your departure is approaching and the application is still pending, I'd check the official portal for the current status and instructions rather than relying on a forum timeline.

Mine took about three days from submitting the application to receiving the Electronic Travel Authorization.

I applied on a Monday morning and received the approval email on Thursday. The status changed online first, and the email arrived later that day.

I wouldn't use someone else's timeline as a guarantee, though. There are different e-Visa categories and applications can be referred for additional checks.

One thing I noticed is that the email didn't arrive immediately after the status changed. I downloaded the ETA from the official portal and kept a copy on my phone and printed one for the trip.

If your application is still within the processing period shown by the official website, I would avoid submitting a second application just because you're waiting. Check the application status using your application ID and passport details instead.

The official Indian e-Visa website should be your reference for the current processing guidance.