The Ministry of Tourism quietly updated its portal on 25 January 2026 to confirm that India’s e-Tourist Visa scheme now covers 166 nationalities, up from 157 a year ago. Although the page is JavaScript-heavy, the change is visible in the revision note dated 25-01-2026. (tourism.gov.in)
Under the expanded list, travellers from Kenya, Algeria, Fiji, Uruguay, Armenia, and North Macedonia—among others—can apply online, pay by card and receive an electronic travel authorisation within 72 hours. The e-TV allows double entry and stays of up to 30 days; upgrades to 90-day validity for business and medical sub-categories remain in place.
Why it matters for corporates: many multinationals source middle-management talent or short-term technicians from emerging markets where Indian consulates have limited reach. Allowing those citizens to arrive on an e-Business visa reduces lead time for kick-off meetings or after-sales support visits. Event organisers also benefit, as the e-Conference sub-category can be processed entirely online provided the meeting is on the Ministry of External Affairs’ cleared list.
![India Expands e-Tourist Visa Coverage to 166 Countries, Streamlines Digital Entry]()
If you’re looking for a single place to verify eligibility, upload compliant documents and track status in real time, VisaHQ can streamline the entire India e-Visa process for both business and leisure travellers. The company’s portal—https://www.visahq.com/india/—offers pre-submission document checks, automated reminders and dedicated customer support, reducing the risk of application rejection for applicants from any of the 166 qualifying countries.
The government says the move dovetails with its target of 15 million foreign tourist arrivals in 2026 (up from an estimated 11 million in 2025) and supports the ‘Visit India 2026’ campaign. It also aligns with the biometric Fast-Track Immigration (FTI-TTP) program, now operational at 13 international airports, enabling e-visa holders to clear automated e-gates in under 30 seconds once they pre-enrol.
Travel-security consultants note that the e-visa back-end now cross-checks Interpol lost-passport data and uses AI fraud-detection algorithms, bringing it closer to the EU’s upcoming ETIAS model. Applicants should therefore submit high-resolution passport scans and expect the system to reject cropped or low-contrast images.
With new markets unlocked, Indian hospitality chains are rolling out French- and Spanish-language booking engines, while state tourism boards plan road-shows in Africa and Latin America. Mobility teams should update internal travel-compliance portals to reflect the revised eligibility map and encourage staff from newly added countries to use the e-visa route rather than lengthy sticker-visa channels.
Under the expanded list, travellers from Kenya, Algeria, Fiji, Uruguay, Armenia, and North Macedonia—among others—can apply online, pay by card and receive an electronic travel authorisation within 72 hours. The e-TV allows double entry and stays of up to 30 days; upgrades to 90-day validity for business and medical sub-categories remain in place.
Why it matters for corporates: many multinationals source middle-management talent or short-term technicians from emerging markets where Indian consulates have limited reach. Allowing those citizens to arrive on an e-Business visa reduces lead time for kick-off meetings or after-sales support visits. Event organisers also benefit, as the e-Conference sub-category can be processed entirely online provided the meeting is on the Ministry of External Affairs’ cleared list.
If you’re looking for a single place to verify eligibility, upload compliant documents and track status in real time, VisaHQ can streamline the entire India e-Visa process for both business and leisure travellers. The company’s portal—https://www.visahq.com/india/—offers pre-submission document checks, automated reminders and dedicated customer support, reducing the risk of application rejection for applicants from any of the 166 qualifying countries.
The government says the move dovetails with its target of 15 million foreign tourist arrivals in 2026 (up from an estimated 11 million in 2025) and supports the ‘Visit India 2026’ campaign. It also aligns with the biometric Fast-Track Immigration (FTI-TTP) program, now operational at 13 international airports, enabling e-visa holders to clear automated e-gates in under 30 seconds once they pre-enrol.
Travel-security consultants note that the e-visa back-end now cross-checks Interpol lost-passport data and uses AI fraud-detection algorithms, bringing it closer to the EU’s upcoming ETIAS model. Applicants should therefore submit high-resolution passport scans and expect the system to reject cropped or low-contrast images.
With new markets unlocked, Indian hospitality chains are rolling out French- and Spanish-language booking engines, while state tourism boards plan road-shows in Africa and Latin America. Mobility teams should update internal travel-compliance portals to reflect the revised eligibility map and encourage staff from newly added countries to use the e-visa route rather than lengthy sticker-visa channels.
