How to get an Indian eVisa as a Canadian citizen (and the top 5 mistakes people make)

If you're a Canadian citizen planning to visit India, one of your first steps should be to apply for a visa.

Applying for an India eVisa from Canada can be confusing, but our expertise simplifies the process. Here’s what you need to know about the process - and how to avoid making the most common mistakes.

Do Canadian citizens need a visa to visit India?

Yes, all Canadian citizens planning to travel to India need a visa to enter the country. Canadians can't get an Indian visa on arrival and must apply for one before leaving their home country.

If you are a Canadian citizen with a military background, you are not eligible to apply for the India eVisa. You must contact the Indian Embassy to apply for a different visa.

Can Canadian citizens with Pakistani heritage apply for an India Visa?

Yes, Canadians with Pakistani heritage can apply for an India visa, but the process may be more complex than for other applicants.

India has specific rules for people with Pakistani nationality or ancestry (an example of a relation is that the father’s country of birth is Pakistan).

Check with the Indian High Commission or Consulate for specific guidelines and requirements.

How to apply for an Indian eVisa from Canada

Applying for an Indian eVisa from Canada is straightforward and can be done in minutes. Here's how:

• Step 1: Enter your personal and travel details on our website or via the iVisa app.

• Step 2: Verify that all the information you’ve provided is accurate and choose your preferred processing time. Pay the fees with a credit or debit card, PayPal, or Venmo.

• Step 3: Complete the rest of the application form, upload the required documents, and submit.

Once your eVisa is approved, you'll receive an email from us. Make sure to print it and save a copy on your mobile phone.

Cynthia Oliwa, iVisa travel expert, adds, "All travelers are required to have a printed copy of their Indian eVisa available to present to Immigration officials upon arrival in the country."

Which visa do Canadian citizens need to visit India?

There are several types of Indian eVisas available for Canadian citizens. They include:

• Tourist eVisa: For tourism, visiting friends or relatives, or attending a short-term training program, such as a yoga retreat.

• Business eVisa: For attending business meetings, conferences, negotiating contracts, and setting up business ventures.

• Medical eVisa: For getting medical treatment in India.

• Medical Attendant eVisa: For those accompanying a person holding a Medical eVisa.

Find out more about the available Indian visas.

Do Canadian minors need to apply for an Indian eVisa?

Yes, Canadian minors must also obtain an eVisa for travel to India. Parents or guardians must complete separate visa applications for each child they travel with.

If the child travels with one parent or another person, a notarized letter from the (other) parent(s) is needed.

Top 5 mistakes Canadian citizens make when applying for an Indian Visa

Here are some of the most common mistakes mae during the application process, and how to avoid them.

Applying with dual citizenship confusion

• Mistake: Canadian citizens who also hold Indian citizenship or OCI (Overseas Citizens of India) cards sometimes mistakenly apply for an Indian visa when they are actually required to use their OCI card for entry.

• Impact: This can lead to visa rejection or complications upon entry, as Indian regulations require OCI cardholders to use their OCI status instead of applying for a standard visa.

Using a recent passport renewal to enter India without updating visa information

• Mistake: Some Canadian travelers forget to update their visa applications with the new passport number after renewing their passports.

• Impact: The Indian eVisa is linked to the passport number provided during the application. Failure to update this information can invalidate the visa, leading to denial of entry.

Uploading incorrect document formats or sizes

• Mistake: The Indian eVisa application requires specific formats and sizes for passport scans and photos. Many Canadian applicants upload documents that don't meet these criteria.

• Impact: This can result in automatic rejection of the application, requiring resubmission and delaying the visa approval process.

“I uploaded the wrong photo size without realizing it. My visa was rejected, and I had to delay my trip by a week. Don’t make the same mistake!” - Sofia L., Toronto

Misunderstanding the visa’s duration of stay vs. validity period

• Mistake: Some Canadians misunderstand the difference between the visa's duration of stay (e.g., 180 days) and the validity period (e.g., 120 days from issue). They assume they can stay for the full validity period.

“I misread the visa rules and thought I could stay for 120 days, but it was only 60. I barely avoided fines and being barred from future visits.” - Ayesha P., Montreal

• Impact: Overstaying the allowed duration (e.g., 180 days) can lead to fines, deportation, or issues with future visa applications.

To avoid any issues or mistakes, refer to our comprehensive blog on understanding India visa validity.

Booking non-refundable travel before visa approval

• Mistake: Canadians often book non-refundable flights or accommodations before their Indian eVisa is approved, assuming the visa will be processed without issues.

• Impact: Delays, rejections, or errors in the visa application can lead to financial losses if the visa is not approved in time for the scheduled travel.

India eVisa validity and stay duration for Canadian visitors to India

The validity of an Indian eVisa varies based on its type.

Tourist eVisa:

• 1-month validity: Allows for two separate entries into India and permits a stay of up to 30 days from the date of first entry. This visa option can't be extended beyond the 30-day period.

• *1-year validity: Offers the flexibility of multiple entries into India within a year. Your stay in India with this visa can't exceed 180 days in any calendar year.

Business eVisa: Allows multiple trips to India within a 1-year period, with each visit not exceeding a 180-day duration.

Medical eVisa and Medical Attendant eVisa: Permits up to three entries into India and a combined stay of 60 days.

Documents required for an Indian eVisa application for Canadian citizens

The required documents for an Indian eVisa application are:

• Scanned bio page of a valid Canadian passport.

• A recent passport photo.

"A common reason for the Indian Government rejecting applications is photos and file types. If you choose to apply with us, we will convert your photo to the right format before you submit the application, raising your chances of approval," recommends Cynthia.

Additional documents may be required depending on the type of visa you're applying for:

• Tourist eVisa: Letter from the relevant institute/organization if you plan to do short courses or voluntary work.

• Business eVisa: Business card and an invitation letter (if applicable).

• Medical eVisa and Medical Attendant eVisa: Letter from an Indian hospital.

Common questions and answers about the India visa for Canadian citizens

1. Can my Indian Medical visa be transferred to another visa type?

Paula Lopez, one of our product specialists, answers:

“This can't be done. We can't transfer the visa type from one to another. You will need to apply for another visa if you wish to change the purpose of your India trip.”

2. Are there any areas of India that I can't visit with my India Tourist Visa?

Yes, there are some restricted areas of the country. Some regions, especially near borders with Pakistan, China, and Jammu & Kashmir, require special permits for foreign travelers.

You can usually apply for these permits once you are in the country. Always check if you need additional permits before visiting the northeastern states.

3. What happens if a traveler's port of entry changes after eVisa has been granted?

If a traveler's port of entry changes after their Indian eVisa is approved, they can still enter India as long as they use another designated port of entry (see below).

Holders of an Indian eVisa must enter the country through an authorized airport or seaport. Entry via land crossings is not permitted.

The approved airports include:

If travelers wish to enter India through a port of entry not listed here, they must apply for a traditional visa through the Indian Embassy.

4. What if I have a medical emergency in India and my visa is about to expire?

First and foremost, ensure you have travel insurance with good medical coverage, including evacuations and hospital stays. The Government of Canada gives some great India travel advice:

If you encounter a medical emergency in India, you can apply for a visa extension through the Foreigner's Regional Registration Office (FRRO)​.

5. What vaccines do I need to enter India hassle-free?

Vaccine requirements are very much a recommendation and can depend on where you have been traveling before entering India. E.g. If you have traveled to an area with a risk of Yellow Fever within 6 days before entering India, you will be required to have a Yellow Fever vaccination.

We recommend keeping updated with the CDC India page for ALL vaccines and medical advice.

Other entry and exit rules to consider for India

• ✅ Passport validity: Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your date of arrival and have at least two blank pages.

• ✅ Yellow fever certificate: Required only if you are arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission.

• ✅ Restricted/protected areas: Some regions (like parts of Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Ladakh, and Andaman & Nicobar Islands) require a special permit (Protected Area Permit or Restricted Area Permit) in addition to your visa.

• ✅ Overstaying penalties: Overstaying a visa, even by one day, can lead to fines, detention, or future visa bans. Always check your visa expiry carefully.

• ✅ Entry points: Ensure you arrive at an airport, seaport, or land border that accepts your visa type. For example, e-visas are valid only at certain airports and seaports.

• ✅ Currency rules: You can carry up to ₹25,000 in Indian rupees when entering or exiting. For foreign currency, amounts over USD 5,000 (cash) or USD 10,000 (total) must be declared.

• ✅ Customs rules: India has strict regulations on items like gold, electronics, and certain medicines. Prohibited items include satellite phones, some types of drones, and narcotics.

💡 Michael Angelo from The Project Kosmos shared his experience:

"Leaving Mumbai, security was the strictest I’ve faced. They searched all bags and wouldn’t let me carry my GPS, saying it’s a prohibited item. I had to check the GPS separately and carried only my laptop, charger, and iPod until picking up my bag in Bangladesh."

Need more information about the India eVisa for Canadian citizens?

If you need more information about traveling to India for tourism, medical assistance, or business, don't hesitate to contact our customer support team anytime via online chat or Whatsapp.