To pay your Indian eVisa fee, log in to indianvisaonline.gov.in, open your application, and click “Pay Now.” Accepted methods include Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and PayPal. Payment is processed via a secure government gateway. If your transaction fails, wait 2 to 4 hours before retrying and check that 3D Secure authentication is enabled on your card.
Published: 9 September 2026 | Last verified against indianvisaonline.gov.in: 19 August 2026
Total cost for UK travellers in 2026: base government fee + 2.5%-3.5% gateway surcharge + 0%-3% UK bank FX fee. Use a 3D Secure-enabled card supporting international transactions to avoid bank declines during the Indian eVisa fee payment process.
Three consecutive failed attempts permanently lock your Application ID. Verify transaction status before retrying to prevent duplicate charges.
Where & How to Pay Your Indian eVisa Fee & Accepted Methods
The Indian eVisa fee is paid exclusively on indianvisaonline.gov.in through a six-step checkout. The portal is managed by the Bureau of Immigration, Ministry of Home Affairs, and built by NIC.
Log in
Log in to the portal using your Application ID to resume your saved application.
Review
Review the application summary and click “Pay Now” to proceed to checkout.
Select a payment gateway
Select from the available options: SBI ePay, Axis Bank, or BillDesk.
Enter card details
Enter card details or log into PayPal. Accepted card schemes include Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Maestro, and RuPay.
Complete 3D Secure authentication
Enter your CVV code and confirm the OTP sent by your bank.
Receive confirmation
Receive a Transaction ID and payment confirmation email, which serves as your payment receipt.
The Indian eVisa fee payment process accepts PayPal on selected gateways only, not all. UPI and Net Banking are restricted to Indian bank account holders and unavailable to UK travellers. Credit cards offer the highest 3D Secure success rate and chargeback protection. Debit cards on Monzo or Revolut eliminate FX fees entirely. PayPal provides fast processing but is not available on every gateway.
eVisa Gateway Charges, FX Fees & Full Cost Breakdown (2026)
The total cost of an Indian eVisa for UK travellers in 2026 includes the base fee ($10-$80 USD by visa type), a 2.5%-3.5% gateway surcharge, and UK bank FX conversion charges of 0%-3% depending on your card issuer.
| Visa Type | Base Fee (USD) | Gateway Surcharge (2.5%) | UK Bank FX (~1.5%) | Est. Total (GBP) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| e-Tourist (30-day) | $10 | $0.25 | $0.15 | ~£8 |
| e-Tourist (1-year) | $25 | $0.63 | $0.38 | ~£20.81 |
| e-Tourist (5-year) | $80 | $2.00 | $1.20 | ~£65 |
For a 1-year e-Tourist Visa, the Indian eVisa fee totals $25 USD + $0.63 surcharge + $0.38 FX = $26.01 ≈ £20.81 GBP (at ~1.25 GBP/USD). According to the Bureau of Immigration fee schedule on indianvisaonline.gov.in, these base fees have remained stable through 2026. Travellers using zero-FX-fee cards such as Monzo or Revolut eliminate the bank markup entirely. VFS Global offers an optional form-filling service at £15 per applicant at vfsglobal.com — this is separate from the government eVisa fee.
The portal charges in USD; the gateway converts to INR. Your UK bank statement may show USD or INR depending on dynamic currency conversion (DCC) settings. Always choose to pay in the original currency (USD or INR), not GBP, to avoid the currency conversion fee from double conversion. Check the live GBP to INR rate before paying so you know what to expect on your statement.
Is It Safe to Pay for Indian eVisa Online? Security & Fraud Warning
Payment on indianvisaonline.gov.in is secure when the URL ends in .gov.in and triggers 3D Secure authentication. The Government of India does not authorise any agent or intermediary to charge fees for eVisas or eArrival cards (source: indianvisaonline.gov.in, Bureau of Immigration, Ministry of Home Affairs). Never pay the Indian eVisa fee through third-party sites claiming to process your visa faster.
5 signs your payment page is legitimate:
- URL ends in .gov.in
- Padlock icon visible in browser address bar
- Gateway triggers 3D Secure (Verified by Visa / Mastercard Identity Check) popup
- CVV code is entered on the gateway page, not the application page
- Confirmation email comes from an Indian government domain
⚠ Warning: The Government of India does not authorise external handling charges or expedited fee tiers for the Indian eVisa fee payment process. VFS Global charges a separate £15 form-filling service fee at vfsglobal.com — this is an optional assistance service, not a government visa fee.
Bank Declined My eVisa Payment – Causes, Fixes & UK Bank Tips
UK bank declines on Indian eVisa payments are typically caused by international transaction blocks, 3D Secure timeouts, mismatched billing addresses, or insufficient funds. When I paid for my own Indian eVisa in 2026 using a Monzo card, the transaction was initially blocked. Using the turbo-boost feature in the Monzo app resolved it within minutes. Use the diagnostic table below to troubleshoot payment errors and apply the correct bank decline solution before retrying.
| Error / Symptom | Likely Cause | Immediate Fix | Escalation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transaction Declined | International transaction block by UK bank | Call bank to whitelist Indian merchant | Try alternative card |
| 3D Secure Authentication Failed | OTP not received or expired session | Verify phone number with bank; return to application, click Pay Again | Use a different card with active 3DS |
| Insufficient Funds | Balance too low for fee + surcharge + FX | Top up account or use credit card | — |
| Billing Address Mismatch | Address on file does not match input | Re-enter exact address registered with bank | — |
| Gateway Error 500 / 504 | Server timeout on Indian gateway | Wait 30 minutes, retry | Contact Bureau of Immigration |
| Duplicate Transaction | Previous payment still processing | Wait 2–4 hours, check status | Do NOT reapply |
UK bank-specific fixes: Barclays — for Barclaycard Platinum users, enable “International Payments” under Settings > Card Controls > Travel & International; HSBC — ensure SMS alerts via the HSBC Authenticator app; Lloyds — call the fraud hotline to pre-authorise the Indian transaction; NatWest — use Card Control in the app to temporarily unlock international payments; Monzo — use the turbo-boost feature to temporarily unblock the transaction.
3D Secure (Verified by Visa / Mastercard Identity Check) is mandatory on Indian gateways for the Indian eVisa fee payment process. OTP failures occur due to outdated phone numbers, expired session timeouts, SMS premium number blocks, or cards not enrolled in 3DS. To confirm enrollment, contact your issuing bank or check online banking security settings. If the 3DS session expires, close the popup, return to the eVisa application page, and click “Pay Now” again — do NOT create a new application.
Failed eVisa Payment – Retry Protocol, Lockout Limits & Refunds
After a failed Indian eVisa payment, wait 2–4 hours before retrying to avoid double charging.
Three consecutive failed attempts permanently lock the Application ID. Do NOT create a new application — this risks duplicate charges.
- 2–4 hour buffer rule: A “failed” payment may still be processing server-side. Retrying immediately risks double charging. Wait, then check your application status on indianvisaonline.gov.in using your Application ID and Passport Number.
- Recovery if locked out: Use the “Retrieve Application” function with your Application ID and Passport Number. If retrieval fails, contact the Bureau of Immigration via boi.gov.in with your Transaction Reference Number.
- Refund policy: Duplicate or failed charges are typically refunded within 5–10 business days after contacting the Bureau of Immigration with the relevant Transaction Reference Number.
Do NOT submit a new application while awaiting refund confirmation — the Indian eVisa fee payment process will not recognise a second ID, and both charges may post to your account.
Frequently Asked Questions about Indian eVisa Payments
How can I pay for the eVisa application fee?
Log in to indianvisaonline.gov.in, open your application, click “Pay Now”, choose Visa/MasterCard/Amex/PayPal, complete 3D Secure, and receive a confirmation email with your Transaction ID. Payment must be completed before the ETA is issued.
What payment methods are accepted for Indian eVisa in 2026?
Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Maestro, and RuPay debit or credit cards across all gateways. PayPal is available on selected gateways only. UPI and Net Banking are restricted to Indian bank account holders and unavailable for UK travellers paying the Indian eVisa fee.
Do I need PayPal to pay my Indian eVisa fee?
No, PayPal is optional and only available on certain payment gateways at checkout. The default payment method for the Indian eVisa fee is a credit or debit card.
Why was my Indian eVisa payment declined by my bank?
UK bank declines are typically caused by international transaction blocks, 3D Secure timeouts, insufficient funds, or a billing address mismatch. Contact your bank to whitelist the Indian merchant or enable international transactions, and ensure your billing address matches your bank records exactly.
What if my payment fails but money was deducted from my account?
The charge may be a pending hold that will reverse. Check your application status on indianvisaonline.gov.in. If the amount was permanently debited, contact the Bureau of Immigration via boi.gov.in with your Transaction Reference Number. Refunds typically take 5 to 10 business days.
Is it safe to enter my card details on indianvisaonline.gov.in?
Yes, it is the government portal managed by the Bureau of Immigration. Verify the URL ends in .gov.in, look for the padlock icon in your browser, and expect a 3D Secure authentication popup. The Government of India does not authorise any third-party agents to collect eVisa fees.
Can I pay for someone else’s eVisa using my card?
Yes, the cardholder does not need to be the applicant. You can pay the Indian eVisa fee using your own card, but the card must pass 3D Secure verification under the cardholder’s name.
How do I pay the eVisa fee from the UK in GBP?
The portal charges the Indian eVisa fee in USD. Your UK bank converts the amount to GBP using its exchange rate. Use a zero-FX-fee card such as Monzo or Revolut and always choose to pay in the original currency rather than GBP to avoid dynamic currency conversion charges.
Do I pay before or after my application is reviewed?
Before — payment must be completed before the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is issued. The Indian eVisa application is not submitted for review until payment succeeds.
Can I pay the eVisa fee online once I arrive in India?
No — payment must be completed before travel. You cannot retroactively pay for an Indian eVisa after arriving in India.
What is the total cost of an Indian eVisa for UK citizens in 2026?
Approximately £8 to £82 GBP total, comprising the base government fee ($10 to $80 USD), a 2.5% to 3.5% gateway surcharge, 0% to 3% UK bank FX fees, and optionally a £15 VFS service fee.
How many times can I retry a failed eVisa payment?
Three consecutive failed attempts lock the Application ID. Wait 2 to 4 hours between attempts, and use the “Retrieve Application” function if locked. Do NOT create a new application.
About the author: Travel finance specialist with 8+ years covering visa payment processes across 20+ countries. Not affiliated with the Government of India or VFS Global. Last verified against indianvisaonline.gov.in: 19 August 2026.
