As international arrivals to India rise in 2026, an increasing number of foreign travellers are reporting an unexpected issue at departure airports: their Indian eVisa (Electronic Travel Authorization – ETA) does not display a QR code, barcode, or passport photograph.
In several cases, passengers have been denied boarding — not because their visa was rejected, but because the document they carried was incomplete or improperly formatted.
Travel industry professionals say this issue is becoming more common as digital visa processing volumes increase.
What Is the Problem With Some Indian eVisa Copies?
Airlines are required to verify travel authorization before allowing passengers to board flights to India. The Indian eVisa document must typically include:
- A visible QR code
- A machine-readable barcode
- The applicant’s passport photo
- Correct passport and visa grant details
- Official formatting under Government of India headers
If the QR code or barcode is missing, airline systems may not be able to validate the document electronically. In such cases, boarding may be denied to avoid regulatory penalties.
Similarly, immigration authorities in India rely on scannable elements for verification upon arrival.
Why Would an Indian eVisa Not Show a QR Code?
Travel documentation specialists point to several common causes:
- Downloading the acknowledgement page instead of the approved ETA
- Receiving a cropped or partial PDF via email
- Using screenshots instead of the full visa document
- Technical rendering issues while downloading
- Errors retrieving the document from the portal
- Applying through unofficial third-party websites
In many instances, the visa itself has been approved — but the traveller is carrying the wrong version of the document.
Is This a Visa Rejection?
In most reported situations, missing QR codes or barcodes do not indicate a visa refusal.
Instead, the issue relates to document format or retrieval.
If the traveller has their:
- 12-digit Indian eVisa application ID
- Passport number used in the application
The correct ETA copy can often be accessed or regenerated.
Growing Incidents in 2026
With India seeing strong inbound tourism from the United States, United Kingdom, Europe, Australia and Southeast Asia, the volume of eVisa applications has surged.
Industry observers note that many travellers rely solely on mobile versions of their ETA or forwarded email copies. Small formatting discrepancies — such as hidden QR layers — can create verification issues at airline counters.
Travel assistance platforms, including India-based firms like LeSo, report increased last-minute requests from passengers seeking properly formatted ETA copies before departure.
What Should a Valid Indian eVisa Look Like?
A properly formatted Indian ETA typically contains:
- Government of India emblem and header
- Visa grant number
- Applicant photograph
- Passport details
- QR code (clearly scannable)
- Barcode for electronic validation
If any of these elements are missing, the document may not pass airline verification checks.
How Travellers Can Avoid Airport Delays
Before travelling to India, passengers are advised to:
- Download the full approved ETA PDF
- Check that the QR code is clearly visible
- Confirm a barcode is present
- Ensure their photo appears on the document
- Carry both printed and digital copies
- Avoid relying solely on screenshots
Verifying these elements before departure can help prevent unnecessary boarding complications.
If you are unsure whether your Indian eVisa copy contains a valid QR code or barcode, it is advisable to verify the document before departure. For personalised assistance in retrieving or validating your ETA copy, you can visit LeSo’s website or contact the team via WhatsApp or email at info@leso.co.in
The Broader Context: Digital Visas and Verification
As global travel shifts toward electronic authorization systems, verification standards have tightened. Airlines now depend on machine-readable data to confirm entry eligibility.
While India’s eVisa system remains one of the most widely used digital visa platforms globally, travellers must ensure they carry the correct version of the approved document.
In the era of digital mobility, formatting accuracy can be just as important as approval status.