What if your next trip to India begins at a land border instead of a major international airport?

That could soon become easier for eligible foreign visitors. On August 10, 2026, the Ministry of Home Affairs notified 11 additional entry points for foreign nationals travelling with an eVisa.

The additions include Bhopal and Tirupati airports and nine land ports, taking the reported network to 88 designated international entry points.

The move matters because it expands access beyond India's familiar aviation gateways. For travellers planning overland journeys through South Asia, the new locations could offer more flexibility.

eVisa India Network Expands to 88 Entry Points

The 11 newly notified locations comprise:

Two airports

• Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh
• Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh

Nine land ports

• Attari (Road), Punjab
• Agartala, Tripura
• Darranga, Assam
• Gede, West Bengal
• Ghojadanga, West Bengal
• Haridaspur, Odisha
• Jaigaon, West Bengal
• Dawki, Meghalaya
• Moreh, Manipur

According to reports citing the Home Ministry's announcement, the expanded network now includes 37 airports, 38 seaports and 13 land ports, taking the total to 88.

The term “international ports” can sound as though the announcement concerns only seaports. It does not. In this context, it covers different designated immigration entry points, including airports, seaports and land crossings.

The 11 New Entry Points At A Glance

The Bureau of Immigration's official visa portal separately lists designated entry points for eVisa travellers, making it important for visitors to check the latest official list before travelling.

Official Indian Visa Portal - authorised entry points and visa information

Why These New International Ports Matter ?

Nine of the 11 additions are land crossings. That makes the announcement particularly relevant to people travelling across India's neighbouring countries.

Attari is on the India-Pakistan border. Moreh is an important India-Myanmar crossing. Dawki connects Meghalaya with Bangladesh, while Jaigaon is a major route towards Bhutan.

Other additions strengthen India's border network with Bangladesh and include Agartala, Gede, Ghojadanga and Haridaspur. Darranga adds another route in Assam.

For travellers, the practical benefit is choice. A visitor building a multi-country South Asian itinerary may have more options for entering India overland, depending on nationality, visa category and the route being used.

This could be especially useful for visitors exploring the Northeast, where international land connectivity is an important part of regional travel.

But there is a crucial point to remember: having a valid visa does not mean you can enter India through any border crossing. The entry point must be authorised for the relevant visa.

From 43 Countries in 2014 to 172 Today

India's digital visa journey began in November 2014. The government introduced the facility with an Electronic Travel Authorisation for nationals of 43 countries. It has since expanded substantially.

Government information published in 2025 said the facility was available to nationals of 172 countries, covering several travel purposes.

The system now caters to categories including tourism, business, medical and student travel, among others.

The original model was an important step towards moving the visa process online. Instead of beginning every application through a physical diplomatic mission, eligible visitors could apply electronically before travelling.

The Electronic Travel Authorisation should not, however, be confused with a guarantee of entry. Immigration officers still assess travellers at the designated point of arrival under the applicable rules.

For anyone researching eVisa India requirements, the safest approach is to use the official government portal for the latest eligibility, documentation and entry-point information.

Around 95% of Applications Are Processed Within 72 Hours

Speed is another part of India's digital visa push.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has said that approximately 95% of e-Visa applications are processed within 72 hours. This is a government-reported figure, not a promise that every application will be completed within three days. Individual cases may require additional checks or documents.

The government has described the wider visa reforms as an effort to liberalise, streamline and simplify travel for legitimate foreign visitors while also strengthening technological infrastructure and internal security.

For travellers, that means the change is happening on two fronts: the application process is increasingly digital, while the physical network of authorised entry points is expanding.

What the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025 Means

There is also a wider legal context behind India's changing immigration system.

The Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025 was enacted on April 4, 2025 and came into force on September 1, 2025. It provides the legal framework for matters involving foreigners, visas, travel documents and immigration.

Section 4 of the Act specifically allows the Central Government to notify designated immigration posts for entry into or exit from India. Those posts are to be staffed by immigration officers or other officers specified by the Bureau of Immigration.

This is where the latest expansion fits into the bigger picture. The Immigration and Foreigners Act provides the framework for designated entry and exit points, while the latest notification expands the network available to eligible foreign travellers.

It is therefore not simply about adding more locations to a list. It is part of a broader effort to organise immigration across different modes of travel.

What Foreign Travellers Should Check Before Entering India?

Planning a trip? Getting the visa approved is only one step.

Before travelling, visitors should check:

• Whether their nationality is eligible.
• Whether the visa category matches the purpose of travel.
• Whether the passport and supporting documents meet current requirements.
• Whether the intended airport, seaport or land port is authorised.
• The latest instructions on the official Indian visa portal.

The official portal states that eVisa holders can enter India only through designated entry points. It also provides the current lists of authorised airports, seaports and land immigration check posts.

This makes checking the entry point just as important as checking the visa itself.

For eVisa India applicants, the official portal should remain the first stop for current rules rather than relying solely on older travel guides or third-party websites.

What India's 11-Port Expansion Really Means?

At first glance, adding 11 entry points may sound like a routine administrative update. For international travellers, it is more meaningful.

India now has a broader reported network of 88 designated entry points, including more land crossings across its borders. That could give eligible visitors greater flexibility when planning trips through India and neighbouring countries.

It also reflects how India's visa system has evolved since 2014 - from a facility covering 43 countries to one available to nationals of 172 countries, alongside a wider digital immigration infrastructure.

The takeaway for travellers is simple: more entry options do not mean every border is open for entry. Check the authorised location, confirm your eligibility and verify the latest government rules before setting off.

India's map of digital visa access is getting wider. And for travellers, that could make the journey to India a little more flexible - sometimes even before the journey begins.