Visa Types & Fees
| Visa | Validity | Entries | Govt fee | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| e-Tourist Visa (30 days) | 30 days | Double | $25 USD* | Contact us for current processing times |
| e-Tourist Visa (1 year) | 1 year | Multiple | $40 USD | Contact us for current processing times |
| e-Tourist Visa (5 years) | 5 years | Multiple | $200 USD | Contact us for current processing times |
| e-Business Visa (1 year) | 1 year | Multiple | $120 USD | Contact us for current processing times |
| e-Medical Visa (60 days) | 60 days | Triple | $80 USD | Contact us for current processing times |
* Seasonal: US$10 if applying April–June, US$25 July–March. A ~3% bank charge applies to all government fees.
Tourist vs Business vs Medical e-Visa: Which One Do You Need?
India's e-visa categories are defined by the purpose of your trip, not your nationality — choosing the right one matters because each category permits different activities.
| Category | Best for | Not permitted |
|---|---|---|
| Tourist e-visa | Sightseeing, visiting friends or family, short yoga/wellness retreats, casual travel | Any paid work or business activity in India |
| Business e-visa | Attending meetings, conferences, trade fairs, or exploring business/industrial ventures | Taking up employment or long-term paid work |
| Medical e-visa | Receiving medical treatment at a recognized Indian hospital, with supporting documentation from the hospital | Treatment not arranged through a recognized medical institution |
If you're unsure which category fits your trip, a mismatched purpose is one of the more common reasons an application gets flagged for manual review — when in doubt, choose the category that matches the majority purpose of your visit.
Documents Checklist
Gather these before you start — having everything ready in the right format is the single biggest factor in avoiding delays.
- ✓ Passport bio page scan — Valid at least 6 months beyond arrival, with 2 blank pages.
- ✓ Recent passport-style photo — Plain white background, meeting government specs.
- ✓ Return or onward travel details — Where applicable for the visa type.
- ✓ Proof of onward or return travel — required for some visa types; check what applies to your chosen category.
- ✓ A working email address you check regularly — your e-visa and any follow-up requests arrive by email.
Step-by-Step: How Canadian Citizens Apply
- Confirm your visa type. Most travelers choose a tourist e-visa for sightseeing or visiting family, a business e-visa for meetings and conferences, or a medical e-visa for treatment (see the comparison below). Applying under the wrong category is one of the most common causes of delay.
- Gather your documents. You'll need your passport bio page, a recent passport-style digital photo, and your travel dates. Some visa types also ask for a return or onward ticket and proof of funds.
- Complete the online application. Enter your passport and personal details exactly as they appear on your passport — even small mismatches (a missing middle name, a different date format) can trigger manual review or rejection.
- Upload your documents. Your photo and passport scan must meet the government's format and size specifications; blurry, cropped, or non-compliant uploads are a leading cause of rejection.
- Review everything before you submit. Most e-visa problems come from data-entry mistakes, not eligibility issues — a careful second pass catches most of them.
- Pay the government fee. This is paid directly on the official portal and is separate from any service fee charged by a filing assistant.
- Receive your e-visa by email. Check your spam folder if it doesn't arrive. Carry both a printed copy and a digital copy when you travel.
Common Rejection Reasons — And How to Avoid Them
Most Indian e-visa rejections are avoidable. The most frequent causes we see are:
- Photo doesn’t meet specifications. Wrong background color, incorrect size, low resolution, or a photo that’s more than a few months old.
- Details don’t exactly match your passport. Names, date of birth, and passport number must be entered exactly as printed — including spelling and formatting.
- Wrong nationality or citizenship option selected. Some application forms list multiple similarly-worded options for the same country — choosing the wrong one can cause an automatic mismatch.
- Passport renewed after the e-visa was linked. An e-visa is tied to the exact passport number used at the time of application. If you renew your passport afterward, the e-visa may no longer be valid for that new passport — check before you travel.
- Blurry, cropped, or non-compliant document scans. Scans must be clear, uncropped, and show the full page. Poor-quality uploads are a common, avoidable rejection reason.
- Applying outside the eligible window. e-Visas have both a minimum lead time and a maximum advance-application window. Applying too early or too close to travel can both cause problems.
A tip worth repeating: avoid booking non-refundable flights or hotels until your e-visa is actually approved — approval is never guaranteed in advance, and the application fee itself is non-refundable whether or not the visa is granted.
Travel Notes for Canadian Travelers
Popular flight routes
- YYZ (Toronto) → DEL direct, ~14h
- YVR (Vancouver) → DEL
- YUL (Montreal) → DEL
Currency & fees: Service fee in USD; billed via your CAD card with FX.
Payment: Canadian cards and PayPal accepted.
Indian mission: High Commission of India, Ottawa / BLS International Canada (Ottawa) — official site ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Canadian citizens need a visa to visit India?
Yes, Canadian passport holders require a visa for India regardless of trip length or purpose. The e-Visa is the most common route, letting Canadians apply entirely online without visiting the High Commission of India in Ottawa or a BLS International visa center.
Which Indian visa type suits a Canadian visiting family versus sightseeing?
Tourist e-Visa covers sightseeing, casual visits to friends and relatives, and short yoga/wellness trips. If the visit is tied to a specific business meeting or conference, the e-Business Visa is the correct category instead — using the wrong category is a common reason applications get flagged for review.
Can Canadians apply for the Indian e-Visa if they're currently living outside Canada?
Yes — eligibility is based on passport nationality, not current residence. A Canadian citizen applying from a third country uses the same e-Visa process, though should ensure contact and payment details match their current location to avoid processing friction.
What documents do Canadian applicants need beyond the online form?
A digital passport-style photo and a scanned copy of the passport bio page are required uploads. Depending on visa type, some Canadian applicants may also need to show proof of onward travel or accommodation — check the specific visa type's requirements before submitting, since these vary by category.
I renewed my Canadian passport after applying — do I need a new e-visa?
Yes, in most cases. An Indian e-visa is tied to the specific passport number you applied with, so a newly issued passport number after renewal means your approved e-visa may not be valid for travel on that new passport. If this happens, you'll typically need to reapply with your current passport details rather than travel on the old approval.
Why do Indian e-visa applications from Canada get rejected for photo issues?
The most common cause is uploading a photo that doesn't meet the government's exact size, background, or resolution requirements — a photo that looks fine on your phone can still fail automated review. Use a plain light-colored background, a recent photo (not an old one), and check the official portal's photo specifications carefully before uploading.
Should I book non-refundable flights before my Indian e-visa is approved?
We recommend against it. e-Visa approval is never guaranteed in advance, and the government application fee is non-refundable whether or not your visa is granted. Wait for approval — or at minimum, book flights and hotels with free cancellation — before committing to non-refundable travel.
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