The Embassy of India in Brasília has updated its public advisory to confirm that the five-year e-tourist visa is now fully operational for nationals of 156 countries, reversing the last pandemic-era suspension. Although the restoration was approved earlier this year, the 9 July 2026 update clarifies that fresh applications are open immediately and that travellers may also obtain regular five-year paper visas where preferred. Key points include unrestricted multiple entries by air or sea but continued prohibition on entering India on a tourist e-visa via land or riverine borders—a policy of note for overlanders coming from Nepal, Bhutan or Myanmar.
![Five-Year e-Tourist Visa Fully Restored for 156 Countries, Page Updated 9 July]()
Travellers who need assistance navigating India’s revitalised e-tourist visa process can turn to VisaHQ, which provides streamlined online applications, real-time status tracking and expert document checks for all categories of Indian visas. The service, available at helps individuals and corporate travel planners avoid common pitfalls and stay updated on the latest embassy requirements.
Afghanistan nationals remain excluded and must apply for the separate e-Emergency X-Misc visa. For tourism boards and conference organisers the clarification removes lingering uncertainty, allowing forward sales of long-duration package tours and incentive trips. Airlines are expected to ramp up marketing in source markets such as Brazil, Japan and Germany, highlighting the five-year validity as a cost-saving for repeat visitors. The update also confirms continuation of India’s ‘Gratis Visa’ scheme that waives the fee for the first 500,000 foreign tourists—useful for DMCs courting price-sensitive segments. Health protocols now defer entirely to Ministry of Health guidance; no additional Covid-19 forms are required, but travellers arriving from Ebola-affected regions must complete the new Air Suvidha 2.0 declaration. Travel risk advisors should still flag that land-border entry on an e-tourist visa remains off-limits until separate notifications authorise the checkpoints. Businesses moving equipment by road from neighbouring countries must therefore secure appropriate business or conference visas instead.
Travellers who need assistance navigating India’s revitalised e-tourist visa process can turn to VisaHQ, which provides streamlined online applications, real-time status tracking and expert document checks for all categories of Indian visas. The service, available at helps individuals and corporate travel planners avoid common pitfalls and stay updated on the latest embassy requirements.
Afghanistan nationals remain excluded and must apply for the separate e-Emergency X-Misc visa. For tourism boards and conference organisers the clarification removes lingering uncertainty, allowing forward sales of long-duration package tours and incentive trips. Airlines are expected to ramp up marketing in source markets such as Brazil, Japan and Germany, highlighting the five-year validity as a cost-saving for repeat visitors. The update also confirms continuation of India’s ‘Gratis Visa’ scheme that waives the fee for the first 500,000 foreign tourists—useful for DMCs courting price-sensitive segments. Health protocols now defer entirely to Ministry of Health guidance; no additional Covid-19 forms are required, but travellers arriving from Ebola-affected regions must complete the new Air Suvidha 2.0 declaration. Travel risk advisors should still flag that land-border entry on an e-tourist visa remains off-limits until separate notifications authorise the checkpoints. Businesses moving equipment by road from neighbouring countries must therefore secure appropriate business or conference visas instead.
