What Is the Visa Number on an Indian e-Visa and Where Is It?
The visa number for an Indian e-Visa is generally the ETA Number shown on your approved Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA). It is different from the Application ID, which identifies your visa application. The ETA Number appears on the approved ETA document issued after your e-Visa application is granted.
1. What Is the Visa Number on an Indian e-Visa?
An Indian e-Visa uses an ETA Number as the main number associated with the approved Electronic Travel Authorization. The ETA is issued online after the application has been processed and granted.
The official Indian e-Visa portal instructs travelers to carry a copy of their ETA and confirm that the ETA status shows “GRANTED” before traveling to India.
If a travel or visa form asks for the number of your current Indian e-Visa, the ETA Number on your approved ETA is generally the appropriate number to provide, unless the form gives different instructions.
Important clarification:
The ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) is not the e-Visa itself. It is only an authorization to travel to India. The actual e-Visa is granted and stamped in your passport by the Immigration officer upon successful verification of the ETA at the arrival immigration counter in India.
2. Where Can I Find the ETA Number?
You can find the ETA Number on your approved ETA document. The ETA displays it together with other important information, such as:
- Application ID
- Passport Number
- Application Status
- Nationality
- Visa Type
- ETA issue date
- ETA expiry date
The exact document layout may change, so look for the field specifically labeled “ETA Number” rather than relying only on its position on the page.
3. What is the Difference Between the Application ID and ETA Number?
The Application ID and ETA Number identify different parts of the Indian e-Visa process.
|
Number |
What it means |
|
Application ID |
Identifies your submitted e-Visa application and is used for application-related checks and services on the official portal. |
|
ETA Number |
Appears on the approved Electronic Travel Authorization and identifies the granted e-Visa. |
Do not confuse the two numbers when completing travel or visa-related forms. The official e-Visa portal provides separate functions for checking visa status and handling application-related information.
4. Why is the ETA Number important?
The ETA Number helps identify your approved Indian e-Visa and may be requested when completing travel or visa-related forms.
More importantly, before traveling, you should:
- Check that your e-Visa status shows “GRANTED”.
- Carry a printed copy of your approved ETA.
- Make sure your passport details match the information on the ETA.
- Travel with the passport used for the e-Visa application, subject to the official rules for a valid ETA and a new passport.
The Indian e-Visa portal specifically advises applicants to carry a copy of the ETA when traveling and present the ETA at the immigration checkpoint.
Note: In addition to the ETA, foreign nationals are now required to complete the e-Arrival Card online before arriving in India. This is a separate requirement from the e-Visa/ETA process.
Conclusion
For an Indian e-Visa, the ETA Number is the key number shown on your approved Electronic Travel Authorization. It is different from the Application ID, which identifies your visa application.
If a form asks for your current Indian e-Visa number, the ETA Number is generally the number to use. Before traveling, check that your ETA status is “GRANTED” and carry a printed copy of the approved ETA with you.
