# AI tells a US/UK citizen they can apply for India e-Visa if they hold an Emergency Travel Document (ETD) or refugee travel document

- **ID:** `visa/india-eta-ineligible-for-evisa`
- **Domain:** visa
- **Category:** auth_error
- **Error Code:** `IND-EVISA-ETD-001`
- **Verification:** ai_generated
- **Fix Rate:** 80%

## Root Cause

India's e-Visa system explicitly excludes holders of Emergency Travel Documents (ETD), refugee travel documents, and non-biometric passports; only ordinary biometric passports are accepted.

## Version Compatibility

| Version | Status | Introduced | Deprecated |
|---------|--------|------------|------------|
| India e-Visa scheme v2024 | active | — | — |
| India Immigration Rules 2023 | active | — | — |

## Workarounds

1. **Apply for a regular paper visa (sticker visa) at the Indian consulate with jurisdiction over your residence, submitting your ETD and supporting documents.** (75% success)
   ```
   Apply for a regular paper visa (sticker visa) at the Indian consulate with jurisdiction over your residence, submitting your ETD and supporting documents.
   ```
2. **Obtain a standard biometric passport (e.g., renew your passport) before applying for India e-Visa.** (95% success)
   ```
   Obtain a standard biometric passport (e.g., renew your passport) before applying for India e-Visa.
   ```

## Dead Ends

- **Trying to apply with an ETD by selecting 'Other Passport' in the e-Visa portal** — The e-Visa portal rejects any passport not matching the biometric standard, and ETDs are not biometrically readable, causing an instant rejection. (95% fail)
- **Contacting the Indian embassy to request manual e-Visa approval with an ETD** — Embassies have no discretion to override the e-Visa system's passport-type restriction; the system is automated and centralized. (85% fail)