India e-Visa Visible Identification Marks: What to Enter

What this field is asking for

The Visible Identification Marks field appears on the Applicant Details page, between Religion and Educational Qualification. It asks for permanent physical features that could be used to identify you: scars, moles, birthmarks, tattoos.

It is a standard field on Indian immigration paperwork and the entry appears on your granted e-Visa. Leave it blank and the form returns "Visible mark is required" in red. You cannot continue.

If you have no marks

Enter a short, plain statement that you have none. Any of these work — the form accepts them equally:

• NONE
• NA
• NIL
• NO VISIBLE MARKS

There is no difference in how the application is treated. Pick one and move on. Do not leave the field blank, and do not type a space to get past the validation.

If you do have a mark

Keep it factual, short, and in plain English. The format used on Indian visa documents is feature + location:

• MOLE ON LEFT CHEEK
• SCAR ON RIGHT FOREARM
• BIRTHMARK ON BACK OF NECK
• TATTOO ON LEFT SHOULDER

• One mark is enough. You don't need to list everything.
• Use the most visible one — something on the face, neck, hands, or forearms is more useful than something covered by clothing.
• Be specific about side. "Left" or "right" matters. "Arm" alone is vague.
• Use ordinary words. "Scar," not "cicatrix." Plain English only.

Should you declare a tattoo?

Yes, if it's visible in normal circumstances — on your hands, forearms, neck, or face. Tattoos under clothing don't need declaring, and there's no requirement to inventory them.

India does not restrict entry on the basis of tattoos, so there is no downside to a straightforward description.

Does it need to match anything?

This field isn't cross-checked against a document, unlike your name or date of birth, which must match your passport exactly. But the entry appears on your granted e-Visa, and immigration officers at the port of entry can compare it against you in person.

• Don't invent a mark you don't have
• Don't describe something that isn't actually visible
• If you've had a mark removed since a previous visa, use your current situation

The realistic risk is low. The point is consistency, not scrutiny.

Common mistakes

• Writing a paragraph. This is a short-text field. One phrase is correct.
• Listing every mole you have. Unnecessary, and makes the visa document cluttered.
• Overthinking the wording. NONE and NA are treated identically. Don't lose time deciding between them.

Quick reference

Form fields and validation rules on the official portal can change without notice. Always complete your application directly on indianvisaonline.gov.in, the only legitimate place to apply, and treat this guide as orientation rather than the final word on any specific field.