# AI tells a US/UK citizen they can re-enter India on e-Visa immediately after a previous visit, or that the 2-month gap requirement is waived for multiple entries

- **ID:** `visa/india-2-month-gap-ev`
- **Domain:** visa
- **Category:** eligibility_misconception
- **Error Code:** `IND-EV-GAP-001`
- **Verification:** ai_generated
- **Fix Rate:** 95%

## Root Cause

India's e-Visa (e-Tourist Visa) has a mandatory 2-month gap between two e-Visa visits; this applies to all nationalities and all e-Visa types (e-Tourist, e-Business, e-Medical); the gap is calculated from the date of departure of the previous e-Visa visit to the date of arrival of the next e-Visa visit

## Version Compatibility

| Version | Status | Introduced | Deprecated |
|---------|--------|------------|------------|
| India e-Visa 2024 | active | — | — |
| India Paper Visa 2023 | active | — | — |

## Workarounds

1. **Wait at least 2 months from your last departure from India before applying for a new e-Visa. The gap is strictly enforced; plan your travel accordingly.** (99% success)
   ```
   Wait at least 2 months from your last departure from India before applying for a new e-Visa. The gap is strictly enforced; plan your travel accordingly.
   ```
2. **If you need to re-enter India within 2 months, apply for a regular paper visa (sticker visa) at an Indian embassy in your home country. This requires in-person appointment and takes 5-10 business days.** (80% success)
   ```
   If you need to re-enter India within 2 months, apply for a regular paper visa (sticker visa) at an Indian embassy in your home country. This requires in-person appointment and takes 5-10 business days.
   ```

## Dead Ends

- **Apply for a new e-Visa immediately after leaving India, as the system might accept it** — The Indian e-Visa system checks the gap automatically; if less than 2 months, the application will be rejected and the fee is non-refundable (99% fail)
- **Use a regular paper visa (sticker visa) instead, which does not have the 2-month gap rule** — Regular tourist visas also have a 2-month gap rule for consecutive visits; only diplomatic/official visas are exempt (85% fail)
- **Enter India on a different e-Visa type (e.g., e-Business) to bypass the gap** — The 2-month gap applies to ALL e-Visa types; switching types does not reset the clock (95% fail)