Landing at the wrong airport almost became a problem until the entry point list got checked twice before booking flights. That's when the Eligible Country for Indian e-Visa page turned into essential reading, since not every passport holder qualifies and not every airport accepts e-Visa arrivals.

Eligibility basics:

• Citizens from more than 166 countries can apply for the Indian e-Visa online
• Applicants of Pakistani origin fall outside this scheme regardless of current nationality
• China, Hong Kong, Iran, Qatar, and Macau remain excluded from the facility for now
• Excluded nationals must apply through a regular sticker visa at the nearest embassy instead

Documents that varied by purpose:

• Tourist applicants needed only a passport bio-page scan and a recent colour photo
• Business travelers added a business card plus details of the host organization
• Medical visa seekers required a hospital letter confirming the treatment facility in India
• Conference attendees needed organizer invitations alongside clearances from MEA and MHA

Entry restrictions worth noting:

• Arrival is limited to 28 designated airports and 5 seaports across the country
• Landing anywhere outside that list meant applying for a traditional visa instead

Double-checking the airport list before finalizing flight bookings saved an unnecessary scramble later, since arriving through an unlisted port would have meant no valid entry at all under the e-Visa route.