India e-Visa for a yoga trip
2 min read · Updated October 16, 2026 · sources checked October 16, 2026
In short
For a short yoga programme in India, most travellers apply for the e-Tourist Visa on the official site indianvisaonline.gov.in. The Government of India lists attending a short term yoga programme among its purposes. It exists for 30 days, one year or five years, and must be requested at least four days before arrival.
What the official site says about yoga
The e-Tourist Visa is for travellers "whose sole objective for visiting India is recreation, sight seeing, casual visit to meet friends and relatives, attending a short term yoga programme", among other purposes. The same sentence adds that short courses should not be "a formal or structured course/programme", with courses "not exceeding 6 months duration and not issued with a qualifying certificate/diploma".
If you plan a teacher training that ends with a certificate, ask the Indian embassy or consulate of your country which visa applies before you book flights.
The three e-Tourist durations
| e-Tourist Visa | Validity | Entries | Stay |
|---|---|---|---|
| One month | 30 days | Multiple | Non-extendable, non-convertible |
| One year | 365 days from the grant of the ETA | Multiple | Maximum 180 days per calendar year |
| Five years | Five years from the grant of the ETA | Multiple | Maximum 180 days per calendar year |
The pitfalls
- Apply early: at least four days before arrival, according to the official site.
- Passport: at least six months of validity when you apply.
- Only the official site: indianvisaonline.gov.in. Lookalike sites charge extra fees.
- Return ticket and funds: travellers should have a return or onward ticket and enough money for the stay.
- Biometrics: fingerprints and a photo are taken at immigration on arrival.
- Protected areas: the e-Visa is not valid for protected, restricted and cantonment areas without a separate permit.
Questions people ask
Is the e-Visa extendable?
No. The official site states that the e-Visa is non-extendable and non-convertible.
Does a 200-hour teacher training fit the e-Tourist Visa?
The official text lists short term yoga programmes and short courses that are not formal or structured, do not exceed six months and do not issue a qualifying certificate. If your course issues a certificate, ask the Indian embassy or consulate before booking.
Sources
- e-Visa — Government of India, Ministry of Home Affairs (official site) checked October 16, 2026
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