India Expands E-Visa Network to 88 Ports with 11 New Entry Points, Including Attari Border
- Editorial Team
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
NEW DELHI, August 11, 2026 — The Government of India has notified 11 additional international ports for entry by foreign nationals holding electronic visas (e-visas), expanding the total network to 88 ports and opening the strategic Attari land border with Pakistan for the first time.
The newly added ports include nine land ports and two airports, according to a Ministry of Home Affairs statement issued on August 10, 2026. The expansion is part of a decade-long push to make India's e-visa system faster and more accessible.
Published: August 11, 2026 | By VisasUpdate.com Editorial Team
The 11 New Entry Points
Airports (2)
Airport | Location |
Bhopal | Madhya Pradesh |
Tirupati | Andhra Pradesh |
Land Ports (9)
Land Port | Location |
Attari (Road) | Punjab (India-Pakistan border) |
Agartala | Tripura |
Darranga | Assam |
Gede | West Bengal |
Ghojadanga | West Bengal |
Haridaspur | West Bengal |
Jaigaon | West Bengal |
Dawki | Meghalaya |
Moreh | Manipur |
Notable Addition: The Attari border crossing with Pakistan is the most significant addition, marking the first time this land port has been opened for e-visa holders. Barring Attari, the rest of the newly added entry points are border crossings facing Bangladesh, Myanmar and Bhutan.
India's E-Visa Network: By the Numbers
Category | Count |
Airports | 37 |
Seaports | 38 |
Land Ports | 13 |
Total | 88 |
With this expansion, the total number of international ports enabling e-visa holder entry has increased from 77 to 88.
Fast Processing: 95% of E-Visas in Under 72 Hours
India processes approximately 95% of e-visa applications in less than 72 hours, according to the Ministry of Home Affairs. This speed has become one of the main selling points of the system, making electronic visas the default choice for most foreign travelers to India.
"India provides approximately 95% E-visas applications in less than 72 hours."— Ministry of Home Affairs
E-Visa Dominance: 78% of All Indian Visas Are Now Electronic
India now issues approximately 78% of all visas as electronic visas, a clear sign the system has moved from a convenient alternative to the primary route of entry.
E-Visa Program: A Decade of Expansion
Metric | 2014 (Launch) | 2026 (Current) |
Eligible Countries | 43 | 172 |
Entry Ports | Limited | 88 |
Visa Categories | Limited | 17 |
In 2014, the e-visa system with Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) was launched for citizens of 43 countries. Currently, it is accessible to travelers from 172 countries, marking a fourfold increase in its availability.
17 E-Visa Sub-Categories
Category | Details |
Tourist | Tourism and recreation |
Mountaineering | Trekking and expeditions |
Business (B-1 to B-6) | Six sub-categories |
Medical (M-1 to M-4) | Four sub-categories |
Student (S-1 to S-2) | Two sub-categories |
Transit | Short-term transit |
X-1 (Miscellaneous) | Other purposes |
Group Visitor Visa (Cruise) | Cruise passengers |
The e-visa covers a wide range of purposes, from tourism and business to medical treatment, study, mountaineering, transit, and even cruise/group visitor visas.
Government Statement
The Ministry of Home Affairs credited the expansion to sustained reforms carried out:
"Under the direction of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and the leadership of Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah, the Government of India has implemented several major initiatives in recent years to liberalize, streamline, and simplify the visa system. These efforts aim to facilitate legitimate foreign travelers while also enhancing technological infrastructure to strengthen internal security."— Ministry of Home Affairs
Quick Reference Summary
Aspect | Details |
New Ports Added | 11 (9 land, 2 airports) |
Total Ports | 88 (37 airports, 38 seaports, 13 land ports) |
E-Visa Processing | 95% in under 72 hours |
E-Visa Share | 78% of all Indian visas |
Eligible Countries | 172 |
E-Visa Categories | 17 |
Launch Year | 2014 (43 countries) |
Notable Addition | Attari (India-Pakistan border) |
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