India Visa For US Citizens

U.S. citizens planning to visit India will need a visa, but getting one is straightforward. You can apply for an Indian e-visa, which makes the process easier and more convenient.

Check out this comprehensive India visa guide for U.S. passport holders. It covers everything from instructions on how to get an India visa from the USA to tips on where to get a compliant visa photo.

Table of contents

• Indian visa policy for Americans
• General India visa types
• India e-visa eligibility and rules for US citizens
• How to apply for an Indian visa online?
• How to apply for an Indian visa at the consulate in the USA?
• Documents required for India tourist visa application
• India visa photo requirements
• Get an India visa photo online
• India visa photo app
• India tourist visa validity and fees for USA citizens

Indian visa policy for Americans

U.S. citizens have various visa choices to consider when visiting India:

• e-visa: Available for 30 days (with two entries) or 1 year (multiple entries), letting you stay up to 180 days.
• Regular visas: Offer long-term stay options for up to 10 years, with a maximum India visa validity for US citizens of 180 days per visit.

If you plan to stay beyond 180 days, you must register with the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) after arriving in India.

General India visa types

Depending on your visit's purpose, here are the categories you might apply for:

• Tourist visa: For those visiting India for leisure, to see family or friends, or to pursue non-business activities. Nationals from most countries can apply for this visa online.
• Business visa: Suited for business purposes, such as meeting partners, attending events, or exploring market opportunities. Generally issued for one year with multiple entries and often available online.
• Medical visa: Required for receiving treatment at recognized medical facilities in India. Typically allows up to three entries for stays up to 60 days and can be applied for online.
• Employment visa: Needed if working for an Indian employer. You must have a job offer from a registered Indian company.
• Student visa: Requires an admission letter from an Indian educational institution. A letter from a religious organization is acceptable for religious studies.
• Visa for foreigners of Indian origin: If you have Indian heritage or are married to an Indian national, you may be eligible for a five-year visa.
• Intern visa: Allows students to intern at Indian companies, NGOs, and institutions. Applicants need to apply within a year after completing their undergraduate or postgraduate studies.
• Film visa: Issued for filming movies, TV series, or documentaries in India.
• Journalist visa: Designed for journalists, photographers, and documentary filmmakers, permitting up to three months of work in India.
• Conference visa: A single-entry visa valid for 30 days to attend international conventions or seminars in India. This can be requested online.
• Research visa: For scholars intending to conduct research in India, typically valid for one year.
• Transit visa: Valid for 24 to 72 hours for those passing through India en route to another country. This cannot be obtained online, so travelers usually opt for a regular e-tourist visa for transfers in India.

India e-visa eligibility and rules for US citizens

If you're a U.S. citizen planning a trip to India, you're eligible to apply for an e-Visa as long as you meet certain India visa requirements for US citizens:

• Your passport should have a minimum of six months' validity from the application date and at least two blank pages for immigration stamps.
• You must enter India through specific airports approved for e-Visa holders since land border entry is not allowed with an e-tourist visa.
• If your stay exceeds 180 days, you must register with the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) within two weeks of arrival.
• Holders of diplomatic and official passports cannot apply for an e-Visa.
• Applications must be submitted online through the official Indian e-Visa platform between four and 120 days before your intended arrival.

Types of e-Visas available:

• E-tourist visa: valid for one year, permitting multiple entries with a stay of up to 180 days per visit.
• E-business visa: also valid for one year, allowing multiple entries and stays up to 180 days each.
• E-medical visa: allows three entries within a 60-day period.
• E-conference visa: valid for 30 days with a single entry.

Please note that e-Visas are neither extendable nor convertible.

How to apply for an Indian visa online?

Here's how to apply for e-visa for India from USA:

1. Head to the official Indian e-Visa website. Be cautious of commercial sites posing as the official portal, often charging extra fees. The legitimate site ends with ".gov."
2. Click on the "e-Visa Application" section in the menu.
3. Select the e-Visa type you need — such as tourist, business, medical, or conference — based on your travel purposes.
4. Fill out the online form with the necessary details, including your personal information, passport data, and travel plans.
5. Upload scans of your passport's bio page and a recent passport-sized photo.
6. Pay the visa fee using a credit/debit card or an electronic wallet.
7. Track your application's progress through the website by selecting 'Check Your Visa Status.'
8. Once approved, you will get an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) via email. Print out the e-Visa and carry it with you when you travel to India. You must present this printout at the immigration checkpoint in India, where your passport will be stamped with the visa.

How to apply for an Indian visa at the consulate in the USA?

Here's how you can apply for an Indian visa from the USA through a consulate:

1. Start by visiting the official website of the Indian embassy or consulate you’ll be applying to. Options for U.S. residents include the Indian Embassy in Washington, D.C., or consulates in cities such as New York, San Francisco, Chicago, and Houston.
2. Complete the online visa application form available on the embassy's website. Make sure all details are accurately filled in. Once submitted, print a copy and sign it where necessary.
3. Gather all required documents to support your visa application. Information on the necessary documents is provided below in the article.
4. Book an appointment for your application submission and biometric collection (fingerprints and photos).
5. On the day of your appointment, bring the signed application form and all required documents to the consulate for submission in person.
6. Pay the relevant visa fee during your appointment.
7. After your application is submitted, you can track its progress on the consulate’s website or via any tracking system offered during your appointment.
8. Once your India visa for US permanent resident is processed, you’ll be notified when it is ready for pickup or if it will be mailed to you.

India visa for US citizens: how long does it take? — It usually takes between 5 days to 3 weeks to process a regular tourist visa application at the Indian embassy or consulate. Most e-Visa applications are processed within 5 working days.

Documents required for India tourist visa application

To apply for a tourist visa, you will need to prepare the following India visa documents:

• A completed and signed visa application form, which is usually filled out online and printed.
• A valid passport with at least six months remaining validity and two blank pages.
• A recent passport-sized photo.
• A copy of your travel plans, including round-trip flight bookings.
• Proof of accommodation, such as hotel reservations, for tourist visas.
• Proof of financial means, such as bank statements.
• If traveling with children, a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from both parents may be necessary.
• Details of any previous visits to India, including past visas, if applicable.
• Depending on the visa type, additional documents might be required (e.g., business letters for a business visa).

India visa photo requirements

When applying for an India visa for a US passport holder, attaching the correct photo is crucial. Here are the specifications you need to follow:

• The printed photo size must be 2×2 inches (51 × 51 mm).
• Digital photo for e-Visa requires a square photo with a minimum size of 190×190 pixels, saved in JPEG format.
• The photo must be in color.
• Use a plain white background without shadows or objects.
• The head should be centered, capturing the full face from the top of the hair to the bottom of the chin.
• The head should take up 1 inch to 1-3/8 inches (25 mm to 35 mm) of the frame, with eye height between 1-1/8 inches to 1-3/8 inches from the bottom of the chin.
• Maintain a neutral expression and look directly at the camera.
• Ensure there are no harsh shadows or overexposed spots on your face.
• Wear solid-colored clothing that is not white or patterned.
• If you wear glasses, make sure there's no glare and they don't cover your eyes. Tinted glasses aren’t allowed.
• Religious head coverings are allowed, but facial features from the chin to the forehead, and the edges of the face must be visible.

Here is an example:

Get an India visa photo online

To streamline your India visa application, consider getting your photo taken online. Services like Visafoto can ensure your photo meets all requirements without the need for a photo studio visit. Established in 2013, Visafoto specializes in preparing document photos for visas, passports, and other identification, tailored to specific country requirements.

Simply capture a photo of yourself that follows the outlined guidelines and upload it to the tool provided. Visafoto will adjust the format, background, and dimensions for you. Plus, if you're not happy with the initial result, we offer free replacements, and we provide a full refund if your photo isn't accepted.

You’ll receive both a digital version, suitable for online applications, and a print-ready file.

It should look like this:

You will get two types of photos: a digital one for electronic submission and a template for printing.

India visa photo app

The 7ID App by Visafoto.com is a convenient tool for crafting perfect ID, passport, and visa photos directly from your smartphone. It's compatible with both iPhone and Android devices.

Using the 7ID App is straightforward: just upload your picture, choose the relevant document type and country, and the app takes care of the rest. It automatically adjusts your photo to ensure it meets official standards — this includes setting the appropriate size, format, background color, and aligning your face and eyes correctly.

The app provides you with a digital file and a print-ready template optimized for standard sizes like 4×6, A4, A5, or B5. Plus, you can count on 24/7 technical support if you need any assistance.

India tourist visa validity and fees for USA citizens

For U.S. citizens heading to India, here are the tourist visa options, their validity, and fees:

E-tourist visa:

• 30-Day e-tourist visa:
  • Costs USD 10 from April to June.
  • Costs USD 25 from July to March.
• 1-Year e-tourist visa: USD 40
• 5-Year e-tourist visa: USD 80

Standard tourist India visa for US passport holders:
Fees for a long-term tourist visa (up to 10 years) generally start around USD 100, though this can vary depending on which consulate processes your application and any additional processing fees.

No matter the type, you can stay a maximum of 180 days in India per calendar year.