People who enter India with an e-Visa now have a greater variety of ways to cross the country’s international borders. The government has included 11 international entry points in the e-Visa network, such as the Attari land port on the India-Pakistan border. This expansion consists of nine land ports and two airports, bringing the total number of entry points in India authorised for the e-Visa to 88.
It is particularly important for international travelers who intend to enter India by land to include Attari. Nevertheless, the announcement does not indicate that all those crossing from Pakistan can make use of the facility; eligibility still relies on the traveller’s nationality, visa category, and the conditions linked to the Indian e-Visa.
What Has Changed For E-Visa Travelers Entering India?
With the latest expansion, e-Visa holders in India can now enter through a wider network of international checkpoints. The country’s 88 authorized e-Visa entry points now comprise 37 airports, 38 seaports, and 13 land ports. The government has been expanding the e-Visa system to make entry into India more accessible for eligible international visitors. For travelers, the change means additional options beyond the airports and ports that previously accepted electronic visas.
Can E-Visa Holders Now Enter India Through The Attari Border?
Yes, Attari Road in Punjab has been added as an authorized entry point for eligible travelers holding an Indian e-Visa. This allows qualifying foreign nationals to use the land border as an entry point into India rather than being limited to other authorized airports, seaports, and land crossings. Travelers should remember that possessing an e-Visa does not mean they can enter India through any border checkpoint. They must use an entry point authorized for e-Visa arrivals and meet all the requirements associated with their visa.
Who Can Use The Attari Border With An E-Visa?
Eligible foreign nationals who hold a valid Indian e-Visa can benefit from Attari’s addition to the authorized entry-point network. The e-Visa facility currently serves nationals of 172 countries and is available across 17 travel subcategories. Before planning to enter through Attari, travelers should verify that their nationality and purpose of travel qualify for the Indian e-Visa. They should also check the validity and conditions of their particular visa before beginning their journey.
Planning a trip from Kuwait? Read our guide to India’s e-Visa for Kuwaitis and what travelers need to know.
Can Pakistani Passport Holders Enter India Through Attari With An E-Visa?
No. The addition of Attari to the e-Visa network does not extend India’s e-Visa facility to travelers holding Pakistani passports or those of Pakistani origin. According to the Indian visa rules cited in the government announcement, these travelers are required to apply for a regular visa through an Indian Mission instead. This restriction remains in place despite Attari becoming an authorized e-Visa entry point.
Which New E-Visa Entry Points Have Been Added?
The latest expansion covers nine land ports and two airports. Based on the government information reported on the expansion, the newly notified entry points include:
Land Ports
- Agartala, Tripura
- Darranga, Assam
- Gede, West Bengal
- Ghojadanga, West Bengal
- Haridaspur, West Bengal
- Jaigaon, West Bengal
- Dawki, Meghalaya
- Moreh, Manipur
- Attari, Punjab
Airports
- Raja Bhoj Airport, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh
- Tirupati International Airport, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh
The addition gives international travelers more ways to enter India using an e-Visa, particularly those planning journeys involving India’s land borders.
Which Types Of Travelers Can Apply For An Indian E-Visa?
India’s e-Visa facility covers 17 subcategories of travelers. These include tourists as well as people visiting for medical treatment, study, business, cruises, transit, mountaineering, and group travel, among other approved purposes. The e-Visa system was first introduced in 2014 for nationals of 43 countries as part of efforts to simplify India’s visa process. It has since expanded significantly and is now available to eligible citizens of 172 countries.
Curious about life along India’s high-altitude frontier? Read about Ladakh’s model border village, located at 16,700 feet near the China border.
How Long Does An Indian E-Visa Take To Process?
According to the government’s figures reported with the announcement, approximately 95 percent of Indian e-Visa applications are processed within 72 hours. Travelers should not treat this as a guaranteed processing time for every application. Applying in advance provides additional time in case an application requires further review or information.
What Should Travelers Check Before Entering India With An E-Visa?
Before traveling, e-Visa holders should make sure that their visa is valid for their intended journey and that the entry point they plan to use is authorized to process e-Visa arrivals. Travelers should also check their visa category, permitted period of stay, passport requirements, and any other applicable entry conditions. Those planning to use Attari should pay particular attention to eligibility because its inclusion as an e-Visa checkpoint does not override nationality-based restrictions.
Why Does The Attari Addition Matter For Travelers?
Attari’s inclusion gives eligible e-Visa holders another land route into India. This can prove particularly useful for international travelers whose itineraries take them through the region or those heading onward into Punjab. More broadly, the expansion to 88 entry points gives e-Visa travelers greater flexibility when deciding how and where to arrive in India. The addition of land ports alongside airports and seaports also widens the practical reach of India’s electronic visa system.
Looking for an offbeat trip? Explore these places near India’s borders for landscapes, culture, and unique frontier experiences.
Summing Up
India’s latest e-Visa expansion has added 11 international entry points, bringing the nationwide total to 88. Among the most notable additions is the Attari land port in Punjab, which can now be used by eligible foreign nationals entering India with a valid e-Visa. The change, however, should not be interpreted as unrestricted reopening of the border for each visitor. Pakistani passport holders and travelers of Pakistani origin remain outside the e-Visa facility and must follow the regular visa process. Anyone planning to enter India through Attari should check their e-Visa eligibility and current entry requirements before traveling.
