- Visa fees are determined by the expected date of arrival rather than the submission date.
- Short-stay travelers pay a reduced ten-dollar fee during the lean season from April to June.
- Applicants must submit their visa forms and payment at least four days before their planned entry.
(INDIA) Indian e-Visa fees follow the expected arrival date, not the day you submit the application. That rule matters most for the 30-day e-Tourist Visa, where April 1 to June 30 brings the $10 USD lean-season rate, while July to March costs $25 USD.
The timing rule changes the whole trip planning process. A traveler who applies in late March for an April 1 arrival usually pays the lower lean-season fee. The same application filed for a March arrival stays in the higher season bracket.
The Government of India also keeps fixed rates for longer tourist stays. The 1-Year e-Tourist Visa costs $40 USD, and the 5-Year e-Tourist Visa costs $80 USD. Every payment also carries an additional 2.5% bank transaction fee.
That seasonal pricing is built into the Indian e-Visa system to support tourism during the Lean Season (April to June). For many travelers, it creates a simple but important choice: set the arrival date carefully, or pay more for the same short stay.
Arrival Date Controls the Fee
Indian consulates and immigration guidance treat the Expected Date of Arrival in the application as the fee anchor. That means the system looks at when you plan to enter India, not when you click submit. VisaVerge.com reports that this rule often surprises first-time applicants.
The practical effect is easy to see. A person applying on March 28 for an April 1 trip usually receives the $10 USD rate, because the arrival date falls inside the April-to-June window. The reverse is also true. An April submission for a March arrival keeps the $25 USD rate.
Applicants can file as early as 120 days before arrival. That creates a long planning window for anyone hoping to lock in the lower price. The application still has to be submitted at least 4 days before the expected travel date.
What the Consulate Said in Late 2025
The Consulate General of India in San Francisco stated on November 26, 2025: “The revised fee structure for e-Tourist visa is as under: 30-day e-Tourist Visa (during July to March) US$ 25.00; 30-day e-Tourist Visa (April to June) US$ 10.00. The fee must be paid at least 4 days before the expected date of travel.”
That statement matches the seasonal split used across India’s short-stay tourist visa system. It also confirms that payment timing sits beside, but does not replace, the arrival-date rule. Travelers planning spring trips should treat the expected arrival date as the main pricing factor.
The same notice matters for people who split travel between March and April. If the stay begins in March, the higher rate applies even when the trip continues into April. There is no refund for the portion spent in the lean season.
How the 30-Day Visa Works in April
April brings the clearest savings for short-term visitors. An arrival on or after April 1 triggers the $10 USD rate for the 30-day e-Tourist Visa. That fee stays fixed whether the traveler lands on April 1 or June 30, as long as the expected arrival date stays in that period.
The visa validity also follows strict timing. The 30-day e-Tourist Visa allows entry within 30 days of ETA issuance. Once the traveler arrives in India, the 30-day stay clock begins on the arrival date. It does not begin on the approval date.
This detail matters for itinerary planning. A late-March arrival means the traveler remains in the higher fee bracket, even if the trip overlaps with April. The status does not switch mid-trip. The entry charge is tied to the first day of arrival.
2026 DHS and USCIS Fee Changes
Separate from India’s visa pricing, the United States Department of Homeland Security and USCIS announced 2026 fee adjustments effective January 1, 2026. These changes come from inflation-based rules under H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill.
USCIS said on November 20, 2025: “USCIS Announces FY 2026 Inflation Increase for Certain Immigration-Related Fees. These fee adjustments reflect the amount of inflation from July 2024 through July 2025. Beginning in FY 2026, and continuing for each subsequent fiscal year, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will adjust some of these fees for inflation.”
Among the changes mentioned were the Asylum Program Fee, adjusted to $102 from $100; small ESTA inflation adjustments of about $0.27; and a new Visa Integrity Fee for certain non-immigrant visas. These are U.S. charges, not Indian visa fees.
That distinction matters. Indian e-Visa charges are set by Indian authorities, while USCIS and DHS fees apply to U.S. immigration benefits and related travel authorizations. The two systems move separately.
Planning the Cheapest Short Trip
Travelers who want the lowest short-stay price should line up three points: the expected arrival date, the application window, and the payment deadline. The cheapest period is April 1 to June 30, and the fee must be calculated from the arrival date entered in the form.
The total charge equals the visa fee plus the 2.5% bank fee. No official emergency surcharge or express fee appears in the Indian e-Visa pricing structure. That keeps the math simple, but it also leaves no room for last-minute discounts.
For people entering India near the seasonal cutoff, the date on the itinerary matters as much as the date of submission. A March trip costs more than an April trip. A correctly dated April arrival can save money immediately.
Official Reference Points for Travelers
The most useful government pages are the Official Indian e-Visa Portal, the Consulate General of India, San Francisco, and the USCIS Newsroom alert on FY 2026 inflation increases. The U.S. State Department India Travel Advisory adds current travel-risk context for U.S. citizens.
For many travelers, the cleanest rule is also the easiest to miss: the Indian e-Visa price follows the Expected Date of Arrival. A planned April arrival brings the lean-season rate. A March arrival does not.
