Feb 6, 2026
7 Read Time
If you’re planning a trip to India, the visa process can feel confusing, stressful, and full of mixed advice. This guide is written to give you practical, real-world help, based on what foreign travelers using Planout have actually experienced, not generic government instructions.
The easiest visa option for most travelers
Most Planout travelers from the USA, UK, and Europe successfully use the Indian e-Tourist Visa.
It works best if you:
Are visiting India for tourism or cultural experiences
Plan to stay up to 30 or 90 days
Enter through major international airports
👉 Nearly all first-time Planout travelers choose this option and get approved smoothly when documents are uploaded correctly.
What Planout travelers say causes visa problems
From traveler feedback, visa rejections usually happen not because of eligibility, but due to small technical mistakes.
Most common issues we’ve seen
Passport photo not matching exact requirements
Uploading a cropped passport scan
Name order mismatch (especially for US & EU passports)
Applying too close to travel dates
Many travelers who faced one rejection were approved on reapplication within days after fixing just one issue.
Photo rules that actually get accepted (from experience)
Based on real Planout traveler applications:
Photos that get approved
Plain white background, no shadows
Neutral expression, no smile
No glasses, no head tilt
Taken specifically for visa use
Passport scans
Full page, not cropped
Clear MRZ code
No glare or blur
When these two are right, approval rates are very high.
How long approval really takes
From real timelines:
Many approvals arrive within 24–72 hours
Some take 4–5 working days
Delays usually come from document verification, not rejection
💡 Travelers who applied 10–14 days before travel experienced the least stress.
Should you book flights before visa approval?
What experienced Planout travelers recommend:
Book refundable or flexible flights
Or hold flight reservations
Avoid non-refundable tickets until visa approval
This avoids unnecessary losses.
What if your visa gets rejected?
This happens more often than people admit, and it’s usually fixable.
What actually works
Correct the exact mistake
Reapply with clean documents
Use a different browser or device if the portal glitches
Avoid submitting multiple applications at once
A rejection does not blacklist you.
Best entry airports according to foreign travelers
Planout travelers consistently report smoother immigration at:
Delhi
Mumbai
Bengaluru
Chennai
Kochi
For first-time visitors, major hubs are strongly recommended.
Visa approval vs real travel safety (important insight)
Many travelers assume:
“Once my visa is approved, everything will be easy.”
In reality:
Planning routes, stays, and transport matters far more
First-time visitors feel safer with pre-planned itineraries
Local guidance makes a significant difference
This is why Planout focuses on safety-first planning beyond visas.
Final advice from Planout travelers
Apply early
Follow document rules strictly
Don’t panic over online horror stories
India’s visa system is strict, not unfriendly
Thoughtful planning makes the trip smooth
India can be an incredible experience when the basics are handled right.
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