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- So what actually changed with the e-Visa?
- Who will really feel the difference?
- ETA vs 1-year tourist e-Visa, what’s the best fit?
- The easiest way to use the 120-day window, and avoid mistakes
- Why this matters, beyond paperwork
- So what actually changed with the e-Visa?
- Who will really feel the difference?
- ETA vs 1-year tourist e-Visa, what’s the best fit?
- The easiest way to use the 120-day window, and avoid mistakes
- Why this matters, beyond paperwork
Summary:
- You can apply earlier and plan your arrival up to 120 days ahead.
- The change doesn’t apply to visas already issued under the old rule.
- The 1-year tourist e-Visa remains available, with stays up to 90 days per visit.
- This update makes planning smoother for early bookers and multi-stop travelers.
If you’ve planned a trip to India before, you probably remember this part: you book your flight, you start building an itinerary, and then the visa timing forces you to wait. Not because you’re unprepared, but because the rules are. It’s one of those small administrative details that can make a big trip feel oddly fragile.
India has now made this easier. The e-Visa (ETA) entry window has been extended to 120 days, meaning you can apply earlier and still be covered for your planned arrival date. No drama, no last-minute scramble, just more breathing room.
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So what actually changed with the e-Visa?
Here’s the main point, in plain English: you can now apply for the India e-Visa and enter the country within 120 days(based on the arrival date you choose).
That matters because it shifts the “visa moment” earlier in your planning process. You don’t have to keep it for the final weeks, which is when you’re already busy juggling bookings, work deadlines, and all the tiny details a trip to India tends to involve.
A couple of important reminders, though. This update is not retroactive, so an ETA issued under the previous rule keeps the older entry window. Also, the change is about when you can enter, not automatically about how long you can stay.
If you’ve ever mixed those two up, you’re not alone. It’s one of the most common sources of confusion.
Who will really feel the difference?
This update won’t change everyone’s travel life. But for a lot of people, it’s exactly the kind of practical improvement that makes planning feel lighter.
If you’re the type who books early, you spot a good flight deal months in advance and grab it. Until now, that meant your visa plan couldn’t follow the same timeline, now it can.
If India is part of a bigger itinerary, a route that includes several countries often comes with changing dates and small adjustments. A 120-day entry window gives you more flexibility to build your trip without being pushed by paperwork.
If you’re planning around fixed dates, group trips and family travel usually come with less room for improvisation. A longer entry window makes the process less delicate.
And if you simply want fewer last-minute tasks, let’s be honest: most people don’t love doing visa paperwork two weeks before departure. This update makes it easier to take care of it earlier and move on.
ETA vs 1-year tourist e-Visa, what’s the best fit?
India offers different e-Visa options, and the best one depends on how you travel. Here’s a simple comparison with the key facts.
| Option | Entry window | Stay allowance | Good for |
| Standard e-Visa / ETA | Up to 120 days | Depends on category | Short, straightforward trips |
| 1-year tourist e-Visa | Up to 120 days | Up to 90 days per visit | Longer travel, repeat visits |
A practical way to decide: if you’re going once and keeping it short, the standard ETA is usually enough. If you want more freedom, for a longer trip or the option to return, the 1-year tourist e-Visa is often the more comfortable choice.
No need to overthink it. Match the visa to the way you actually travel, not the way you hope you’ll travel.
The easiest way to use the 120-day window, and avoid mistakes
More flexibility is great, as long as you don’t trip on the basics. Here are the habits that keep things simple.
First, use the official e-Visa portal. It avoids unnecessary fees and reduces the risk of misinformation from third-party services.
Second, choose your arrival date with a bit of margin. The window is wider, but you still need a realistic arrival date, especially if your trip is still moving around.
Third, don’t assume your old ETA upgraded itself. If your ETA was issued before this rule change, it still follows the old entry window. If your dates shift, it may mean a new application.
Finally, keep your confirmation accessible. Save a copy on your phone, and somewhere offline too. You don’t want to be searching for it in an airport queue with weak Wi-Fi.
Why this matters, beyond paperwork
This update won’t change your trip once you’re in India. But it changes the build-up, and that’s not nothing.
When you plan a long-haul trip, you want the basics sorted early: flights, accommodation, travel dates, and the visa. A 120-day entry window brings the e-Visa process in line with real travel planning. It’s less waiting, more planning, and fewer last-minute steps.Summary:
- You can apply earlier and plan your arrival up to 120 days ahead.
- The change doesn’t apply to visas already issued under the old rule.
- The 1-year tourist e-Visa remains available, with stays up to 90 days per visit.
- This update makes planning smoother for early bookers and multi-stop travelers.
If you’ve planned a trip to India before, you probably remember this part: you book your flight, you start building an itinerary, and then the visa timing forces you to wait. Not because you’re unprepared, but because the rules are. It’s one of those small administrative details that can make a big trip feel oddly fragile.
India has now made this easier. The e-Visa (ETA) entry window has been extended to 120 days, meaning you can apply earlier and still be covered for your planned arrival date. No drama, no last-minute scramble, just more breathing room.
So what actually changed with the e-Visa?
Here’s the main point, in plain English: you can now apply for the India e-Visa and enter the country within 120 days(based on the arrival date you choose).
That matters because it shifts the “visa moment” earlier in your planning process. You don’t have to keep it for the final weeks, which is when you’re already busy juggling bookings, work deadlines, and all the tiny details a trip to India tends to involve.
A couple of important reminders, though. This update is not retroactive, so an ETA issued under the previous rule keeps the older entry window. Also, the change is about when you can enter, not automatically about how long you can stay.
If you’ve ever mixed those two up, you’re not alone. It’s one of the most common sources of confusion.
Who will really feel the difference?
This update won’t change everyone’s travel life. But for a lot of people, it’s exactly the kind of practical improvement that makes planning feel lighter.
If you’re the type who books early, you spot a good flight deal months in advance and grab it. Until now, that meant your visa plan couldn’t follow the same timeline, now it can.
If India is part of a bigger itinerary, a route that includes several countries often comes with changing dates and small adjustments. A 120-day entry window gives you more flexibility to build your trip without being pushed by paperwork.
If you’re planning around fixed dates, group trips and family travel usually come with less room for improvisation. A longer entry window makes the process less delicate.
And if you simply want fewer last-minute tasks, let’s be honest: most people don’t love doing visa paperwork two weeks before departure. This update makes it easier to take care of it earlier and move on.
ETA vs 1-year tourist e-Visa, what’s the best fit?
India offers different e-Visa options, and the best one depends on how you travel. Here’s a simple comparison with the key facts.
| Option | Entry window | Stay allowance | Good for |
| Standard e-Visa / ETA | Up to 120 days | Depends on category | Short, straightforward trips |
| 1-year tourist e-Visa | Up to 120 days | Up to 90 days per visit | Longer travel, repeat visits |
A practical way to decide: if you’re going once and keeping it short, the standard ETA is usually enough. If you want more freedom, for a longer trip or the option to return, the 1-year tourist e-Visa is often the more comfortable choice.
No need to overthink it. Match the visa to the way you actually travel, not the way you hope you’ll travel.
The easiest way to use the 120-day window, and avoid mistakes
More flexibility is great, as long as you don’t trip on the basics. Here are the habits that keep things simple.
First, use the official e-Visa portal. It avoids unnecessary fees and reduces the risk of misinformation from third-party services.
Second, choose your arrival date with a bit of margin. The window is wider, but you still need a realistic arrival date, especially if your trip is still moving around.
Third, don’t assume your old ETA upgraded itself. If your ETA was issued before this rule change, it still follows the old entry window. If your dates shift, it may mean a new application.
Finally, keep your confirmation accessible. Save a copy on your phone, and somewhere offline too. You don’t want to be searching for it in an airport queue with weak Wi-Fi.
Why this matters, beyond paperwork
This update won’t change your trip once you’re in India. But it changes the build-up, and that’s not nothing.
When you plan a long-haul trip, you want the basics sorted early: flights, accommodation, travel dates, and the visa. A 120-day entry window brings the e-Visa process in line with real travel planning. It’s less waiting, more planning, and fewer last-minute steps.
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India’s e-Visa now gives travelers 120 days to enter, and that’s a genuinely helpful shift. It lets you apply earlier, reduces pressure, and makes it easier to plan a trip that often needs a bit of structure.Just keep two things in mind: the change isn’t retroactive, and the entry window isn’t the same as your length of stay. If India is coming up on your calendar, this update makes one part of the process much simpler.
India’s e-Visa now gives travelers 120 days to enter, and that’s a genuinely helpful shift. It lets you apply earlier, reduces pressure, and makes it easier to plan a trip that often needs a bit of structure.Just keep two things in mind: the change isn’t retroactive, and the entry window isn’t the same as your length of stay. If India is coming up on your calendar, this update makes one part of the process much simpler.
