Thailand Joins South Korea, Japan, Uzbekistan, China, Malaysia, Vietnam And Other Asian Nations As India Increases Visa Fees For Long-Term Travelers

Published on December 25, 2025

Thailand joins South Korea, Japan, Uzbekistan, China, Malaysia, Vietnam, and other Asian nations as India increases visa fees for long-term travelers, marking a significant shift in the country’s visa policy. The Indian government has raised the fees for business and extended tourist visas, particularly impacting travelers from several Asian nations. This change comes amid India’s efforts to balance visa costs with its global diplomacy and reciprocity agreements. The increased fees could make long-term stays and business trips to India more expensive, while still maintaining affordability for short-term visits.

India has recently made significant changes to its e-Visa fee structure, increasing costs for several categories, especially for long-term business and tourist visas. While short-term visas remain largely unaffected, the increase in fees for long-term stays has made it considerably more expensive for travelers from some countries. This move comes as the Indian government continues to implement both restrictive and flexible changes to its visa system. While it has extended the entry window for the 30-day e-Tourist Visa, it has raised the prices for other e-Visa categories. Countries like Thailand, South Korea, Japan, Uzbekistan, China, Malaysia, and Vietnam, among others, are facing these hikes head-on, with some travelers encountering steep increases.

Overview of the e-Visa Fee Increases

India has taken a rather strategic approach to the e-Visa fee hike. The country has always maintained a country-specific pricing structure based on reciprocity, meaning that the visa fees travelers pay depend on how much Indian citizens are charged when traveling to their countries. This often leads to stark differences in the amounts paid by nationals from different countries. While travelers from some countries will see a moderate increase, those from others will experience significant jumps in the cost of their e-Visas.

In particular, the Indian government has raised the fees for business and long-term tourist visas, which could affect frequent travelers and those planning extended stays. While short-term travelers will face minimal disruptions, the increased costs could discourage travelers from countries with substantial fee hikes. It also means that many travelers need to budget carefully if they plan to visit India for business or longer vacations.

New Fees for One-Year Business Visas

The one-year business e-Visa has seen a considerable rise in fees. Initially priced at US$80, it now costs US$120. However, the cost is even higher for travelers from certain countries, with some facing even steeper charges.

Below is a table listing the fees for the one-year e-Business Visa based on nationality:

The reason behind this discrepancy in fees is primarily due to India’s reciprocal approach to visa pricing. For example, the high fees for travelers from the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates reflect the fact that Indian citizens face steep visa charges when traveling to these countries. Similarly, the charges for citizens of countries like Thailand, the Philippines, and Australia align with the general trend of visa reciprocity.

For businesses and entrepreneurs who rely on the one-year business e-Visa for work-related travel, this increase will undoubtedly have a financial impact. The jump in costs is particularly significant for countries like the United Kingdom and the UAE, where the e-Visa fee has seen a considerable rise. Travelers from these nations will now need to factor in these higher fees when planning their business trips.

Impact on the Five-Year e-Tourist Visa

The five-year e-Tourist Visa, a popular option for frequent travelers, has also experienced a major increase. The standard fee for this visa has jumped from US$80 to US$200. For frequent visitors to India, especially those who rely on long-term stays for leisure or business, this increase will be hard to ignore.

Travelers from the United Kingdom, however, are facing the most dramatic changes. The fee for UK nationals has surged from US$80 to a staggering US$484. This substantial fee hike is indicative of India’s reciprocal approach to visa pricing, where countries with higher visa fees for Indian nationals face similar increases in fees for their citizens.

For travelers from other countries like New Zealand, Thailand, and Saudi Arabia, the five-year e-Tourist Visa fee has been set at US$200, while the cost remains the same for the 30-day e-Tourist Visa.

Here’s a summary of the new fees for the five-year e-Tourist Visa, broken down by nationality:

As with the one-year business visa, the pricing differences for the five-year e-Tourist Visa reflect the various visa policies in place between India and these countries. The pricing structure is aimed at maintaining a balanced approach to reciprocal visa arrangements.

What Visa Categories Are Unchanged?

While India has raised fees for several visa categories, not all e-Visas have been affected. For short-term trips, medical visits, or conferences, the fees remain the same.

The following e-Visa categories have not seen any price changes:

• 30-day e-Tourist Visa
• 1-year e-Tourist Visa
• e-Conference Visa
• e-Medical Visa
• e-Medical Attendant e-Visa
• e-Ayush Visa
• e-Ayush Attendant e-Visa

These unchanged visa categories are still the most affordable options for travelers planning short-term visits to India, and they are particularly popular for those traveling for medical treatments, conferences, or tourism. The 30-day e-Tourist Visa remains an attractive option for those planning quick vacations to India without the burden of higher fees.

India Introduces Four New e-Visa Categories

In addition to the price hikes, India has also introduced four new e-Visa categories, making it easier for more types of travelers to visit the country without the need for consulate paperwork. The new categories include:

1. Entry Visa: Designed for travelers entering India for purposes such as business, research, or employment.
2. Transit Visa: For passengers transiting through India on their way to another destination.
3. Mountaineering Visa: Aimed at climbers and trekkers who want to explore India’s mountains and other adventurous regions.
4. Film Visa: Specifically for filmmakers and those involved in the production of films in India.

These new categories reflect India’s growing focus on different types of tourism, including adventure and film-related tourism, while maintaining its commitment to simplifying the visa process for visitors.

What This Means for Travelers

The revised e-Visa fees are undoubtedly going to have an impact on travelers, particularly those from countries that have seen steep increases. For instance, travelers from the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates are likely to face the biggest burden, with fees jumping by over US$400 for the five-year e-Tourist Visa. For long-term visitors planning to stay in India for business or tourism, the increased costs will require careful budget planning.

On the other hand, India’s moves to ease entry for short-term tourists by extending the validity period of the 30-day e-Tourist Visa from 30 days to 120 days will offer more flexibility. This could help mitigate some of the challenges posed by the higher fees for longer stays. However, for frequent travelers or those needing a longer stay, the updated fees could discourage visits, especially for countries where the cost has risen dramatically.

India’s decision to update its visa fees also reflects its continued efforts to modernize and streamline its visa system, ensuring that it can accommodate the growing number of international travelers coming to India. By increasing fees for long-term visitors, the government aims to balance its tourism and business interests while aligning its visa policies with global standards.

India’s decision to raise e-Visa fees has sent ripples through the international travel community, particularly in Asia. Countries like Thailand, South Korea, Japan, Uzbekistan, China, Malaysia, and Vietnam are feeling the impact, with some travelers now facing steep increases in their visa costs. While short-term visits remain largely unaffected, long-term travelers, particularly those applying for business or extended tourist visas, will have to adjust to the higher fees.

Thailand joins South Korea, Japan, Uzbekistan, China, Malaysia, Vietnam, and other Asian nations as India raises visa fees for long-term travelers, aiming to adjust costs based on reciprocity agreements. This move makes extended stays and business trips to India significantly more expensive for travelers from several countries.

Despite these challenges, the introduction of new e-Visa categories and extended validity for the 30-day e-Tourist Visa suggests that India is committed to making its visa system more flexible while managing increased demand. Travelers should carefully check the new e-Visa fees before planning their trips to ensure they budget accordingly and avoid any surprises.