What documents does a United States citizen need for a India visa?

Passport valid 6+ months beyond date of entry with 2 blank pages - Digital passport-style photo (2x2 in, white background, JPEG under 1MB) uploaded during the online application - No physical forms - the online application itself serves as your form - Proof of onward/return travel may be requested at immigration - Evidence of sufficient funds for your stay - No biometrics required for the e-Visa (regular sticker visas via VFS Global do require biometrics) - Travel health insurance not mandatory but strongly recommended

What types of visas can United States citizens get for India?

e-Tourist Visa - 30 days single entry (approx $25), 1 year multiple entry (approx $45), 5 years multiple entry (approx $80); fees are approximate and vary by nationality tier - e-Business Visa - 1 year multiple entry, approx $80 - e-Medical Visa - 60 days, triple entry, for medical treatment - e-Conference Visa - 30 days single entry - US citizens can alternatively apply for a 10-year multiple-entry regular Tourist sticker visa through BLS/VFS due to US-India visa reciprocity, but the e-Visa is faster and sufficient for most trips

How do United States citizens apply for a India visa?

Apply at indianvisaonline.gov.in no earlier than 120 days and no later than 4 days before arrival - Create an account, complete the form, upload your photo and passport bio page scan, and pay the fee by credit/debit card - Processing usually completes within 72 hours, often same-day - Approval (ETA) is emailed as a PDF - print it to carry and present at a designated e-Visa port of entry

How much does a India visa cost for United States citizens?

e-Tourist 30-day: approx $25 USD - 1-year: approx $45 USD - 5-year: approx $80 USD, paid online with no separate service fee - Standard processing: 2-4 business days - No official express option - apply early to leave room for resubmission

What should United States citizens know before traveling to India?

Apply 1-2 weeks before travel despite the fast turnaround, in case your photo or passport scan is rejected and needs resubmission - Common rejection reasons: blurry photos, passport scans with glare, or less than 6 months' passport validity - Enter only through a designated e-Visa port of entry (major international airports and select seaports) - the e-Visa is not valid at land border crossings - The e-Visa cannot be extended from inside India, so plan your trip length around the 30/365/1825-day limit of your chosen category

India Visa for United States Citizens 2026

e-Visa / eTA

U.S. citizens need an e-Tourist Visa for India - apply online at indianvisaonline.gov.in; fees range from about $25 for a 30-day visa to $80 for a 5-year visa, with approval typically within 72 hours.

Guide last updated October 1, 2026. Always verify with official sources before travel.

What you need

Passport valid 6+ months beyond date of entry with 2 blank pages
Digital passport-style photo (2x2 in, white background, JPEG under 1MB) uploaded during the online application
No physical forms - the online application itself serves as your form
Proof of onward/return travel may be requested at immigration
Evidence of sufficient funds for your stay
No biometrics required for the e-Visa (regular sticker visas via VFS Global do require biometrics)
Travel health insurance not mandatory but strongly recommended

Visa types

e-Tourist Visa - 30 days single entry (approx $25), 1 year multiple entry (approx $45), 5 years multiple entry (approx $80); fees are approximate and vary by nationality tier
e-Business Visa - 1 year multiple entry, approx $80
e-Medical Visa - 60 days, triple entry, for medical treatment
e-Conference Visa - 30 days single entry
US citizens can alternatively apply for a 10-year multiple-entry regular Tourist sticker visa through BLS/VFS due to US-India visa reciprocity, but the e-Visa is faster and sufficient for most trips

How to apply online

Apply at indianvisaonline.gov.in no earlier than 120 days and no later than 4 days before arrival
Create an account, complete the form, upload your photo and passport bio page scan, and pay the fee by credit/debit card
Processing usually completes within 72 hours, often same-day
Approval (ETA) is emailed as a PDF - print it to carry and present at a designated e-Visa port of entry

Fees & processing time

e-Tourist 30-day: approx $25 USD
1-year: approx $45 USD
5-year: approx $80 USD, paid online with no separate service fee
Standard processing: 2-4 business days
No official express option - apply early to leave room for resubmission

Tips for United States travelers

Apply 1-2 weeks before travel despite the fast turnaround, in case your photo or passport scan is rejected and needs resubmission
Common rejection reasons: blurry photos, passport scans with glare, or less than 6 months' passport validity
Enter only through a designated e-Visa port of entry (major international airports and select seaports) - the e-Visa is not valid at land border crossings
The e-Visa cannot be extended from inside India, so plan your trip length around the 30/365/1825-day limit of your chosen category

Official links & resources

Always confirm requirements with government or embassy sources before applying.

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This guide is for information only. Visa policies change without notice. Travel Visa Stack is not an immigration authority. Always verify with official government or embassy sources before making travel plans.