Can I Get an India Visa in One Day? Options

Usually, obtaining an India visa in one day is highly unlikely under normal circumstances. Some options are faster, but it usually takes 3 to 4 working days for approval and issuance.   

Is it Possible?

The answer to whether getting a visa/e-Visa to India in one day is yes and no. It may be possible to get some Indian visa types within 24 hours. However, no guaranteed timeframes are assured to the applicants. 

To reiterate, it is a possibility that some applicants may receive a few visas within 24 hours. Still, it is not a guarantee. Indian visa applicants using the standard process typically receive their visa within 3 days on email. 

Regular Visas

The processing time of regular embassy paper visas is normally 30 days from the date of application. It is advised to apply 6-8 weeks in advance to avoid unforeseen delays. Therefore, mandatory security checks and verification procedures make one-day processing of regular paper visas impossible.  

Moreover, authorized visa center processing can sometimes reduce the processing time to 48 hours. However, even with faster processing options, there is no guarantee that travelers will receive their visa within 24 hours. 

Emergency Visas

India offers two types of "emergency" visas. A regular embassy-processed emergency visa may be available within 24 hours but is not guaranteed. The other emergency X-Misc e-Visa is available only for Afghan citizens due to their unique situation. 

Hence, it may be possible to receive emergency visas within one day. Still, applicants cannot be assured they will receive the visa within 24 hours. 

Regular Emergency Visas

Travelers can get emergency visas from the embassy or a visa processing center in 1-3 days. It is issued only for unforeseen urgent situations like illness and death of a family member. However, limited slots and unpredictable approval rates make a guaranteed one-day turnaround unreliable. 

 e-Emergency X Misc. Visa 

The electronic emergency visa is only available for Afghan nationals. The government portal gives Afghani citizens the option of same-day arrival. In other words, applicants can fill in the same date option as an expected day of arrival to India. 

Note: The emergency e-Visa is not available to any other nationality except citizens of Afghanistan. 

Read more: Who is Eligible for the India Emergency Visa? 

Visa on Arrival

India offers visa-on-arrival to only three nations at the moment. People from Japan, South Korea, and the United Arab Emirates can get visas upon arrival at specific airports in the country.  

Processing time is typically quick (less than 24 hours), taking place upon arrival at the airport. Please note that such nationals (Japanese, South Koreans, and UAE) must have previously obtained an e-visa or a regular/paper visa for India. Only then can they apply for an India visa on arrival. 

• Processing time: 30 mins to 2 hrs upon arrival, but may be longer if there are queues or incomplete documentation.

 Steps to Obtain Visa-on-Arrival 

Eligible travelers must bring a pre-filled visa on arrival (VOA) application form for faster processing (available online or on airlines). On arrival, they must submit the filled application form to the visa officer. Thereon, a visa on arrival will be issued to selected nationals upon approval. 

  Exceptions: 

• Individuals or their parents/grandparents (paternal or maternal) born in or permanently residing in Pakistan are not eligible for visa-on-arrival (VOA). They must apply for a visa at the Indian embassy/consulate.
• Holders of diplomatic/official passports are not eligible for VOA.
• VOA is for a single entry and cannot be extended or converted.
• Filling the form on arrival is also possible, but pre-filling is recommended for faster processing.
• The Visa-on-arrival (VOA) facility is available at six specific international airports in India: Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Mumbai.
• The visa-on-arrival facility is available only twice a year.
• The India Tourist on Arrival (TVOA) scheme is no longer available.

e-Visa to India

It is not possible to obtain an electronic visa to India in one day. 

The Indian electronic visa is popular for tourism, business, and medical purposes. Over 165 nationalities can apply, but specific requirements must be met. 

• Processing time: 3 to 4 working days on average, sometimes up to 72 hours.

 Processing Time for Different Indian e-Visas: 

The processing of electronic visa applications may take 72 hours or longer for the following electronic visas: 

• Tourist e-Visas (30 days, 1 year, and 5 years)- usually 2-7 working days (depending on the time of the month, processing time may be longer during peak season)
• Business e-Visa- 2-7 business days
• Medical and Medical attendant e-Visa- usually 2-7 working days
• e-Conference visa- 2-7 business days

e-Visa Correction within 24 hours 

Applicants who choose an electronic visa will get an email notification about the status of their application (approved or denied). 

If there are any mistakes, travelers will receive an email within 24 hours. The email will contain instructions on how to upload the documents again. The documents should be uploaded in the ’documents’ tab. 

Expedited Services with Natvisa

For travelers pressed for time, Natvisa is the next best thing, offering expedited processing in just 1-2 days! We prioritize efficient visa processing, leveraging our industry expertise to ensure a seamless and streamlined e-Visa processing experience.  

Our dedication to swift timelines often results in visas delivered within two days. However, unforeseen circumstances, such as high application volumes, may occasionally lead to minor delays. In such instances, Natvisa remains committed to transparency and open communication.  

We encourage any client with concerns to reach out directly; our dedicated team will address the matter promptly and professionally. Skip standard wait times and get India e-Visa in 1-2 days with Natvisa’s fast-track service! 

Have questions?

Contact a Natvisa expert right away

Conclusion

It’s crucial to plan the trip to India well in advance and apply for the appropriate visa type at least 4 working days before the travel date. In most cases, it is difficult to obtain an Indian e-Visa in one day. However, consider exploring alternative travel options such as Natvisa if urgent travel is necessary. Our commitment to excellence extends beyond mere visa processing, prioritizing a positive and stress-free experience for each individual. 

Alternatively, travelers can contact the Indian Embassy/Consulate/High Commission in the home country for specific guidance on expedited processing options.

Case Study Overview: E-Visa Approval Timeframe

Uncertainty in Visa Processing Times 

Individuals eager to visit India who had submitted their e-Visa application but need help face the question of when their e-Visa will get processed on the government website. Surrounded by conflicting information and growing anxiety, many travelers remain uncertain when to book their flight. 

Information Gap 

While informative, the official e-Visa portal of the Government of India lacks the human touch. It provides a factual timeline that doesn’t align with the applicants’ need for real-world examples and experiences. 

Insights from the Online Forums  

In most cases, applicants turn to online travel forums for guidance. Here, they can find evidence and shared experiences of fellow travelers who had navigated the e-Visa process.  

For the Indian e-Visa, people have had different experiences. Some received approved visas in 12-24 hours, while others had to wait longer.

Example Shared on the Community Forums

To show how India’s e-Visa processing can vary, let’s look at a family’s recent experience. They applied for e-visas to go to a wedding in India. They applied in the evening, and by the next morning, everyone except one person received approved electronic visas.  

The remaining individual, whose application didn’t raise any red flags, eventually received their eVisa two days later. The example highlights the importance of flexibility when planning a trip to India. 

In the News

Indian visas for Kuwaiti citizens can be obtained in one day, allowing them to visit India multiple times in six months. However, these visa policies may vary depending on the evolving bilateral relations between India and Kuwait.

Rare Case of Quick Approval 

In some cases, applicants received their India e-Visa in just 14 hours. It is important to keep in mind that processing times may be longer. This is especially true during busy travel times or for applications that require additional review.