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FAQ on Visa

Q.My old passport with ‘valid Indian visa’ is lost. How can I  get fresh visa on new passport?

A. Same category visa can not be re-issued,  even on different passport,  to  an applicant during the validity of existing visa .  Fresh  visa will be issued only when first visa  has  either expired or is lost (Police report of lost passport is required).

  Q. What is eligible criteria to get Indian Tourist Visa ?

A. Indian Tourist visa is granted to a foreigner whose sole objective of visiting India is recreation, sight seeing, casual visit to meet friends or relatives, attending a short term yoga programme, short duration medical treatment including treatment under Indian systems of medicine etc. and no other purpose/ activity (Short term yoga programme means a yoga programme not exceeding 6 months duration and not issued with a qualifying certificate/ diploma etc.)

Q. How to apply for Indian Visa ? How much time it will take ?

A: Please follow these steps for Visa application :

a. Visit CKGS website ( https://www.in.ckgs.us ) and apply online.

b. Pay required fees online & Submit your application

c. Print your submitted application

d. Submit physical copy of application along with required documents to CKGS center by Walk in or Mail/Post :

CKGS (Visa / OCI / PIO / Renunciation of Indian Citizenship Department)

235 West 23rd Street, Level 2, New York, NY 10011.

Processing Time : If everything are in order (i.e documentation etc.) it will take 4-5 working days for US Passport holder (excluding VFS mailing time). 

Q. My Passport will be expiring soon/running out of pages which has valid Indian visa in it (and I already applied for my new Passport), Can I travel on valid visa on my old Passport ?

A: Yes, your Visa is valid till it expiry date, but while traveling you have to carry this old Passport with valid visa along with your new Passport.

  Q. While applying Visa online on CKGS website, they ask previous Visa number, which I have not remember, what should I do?

A: If you do not remember your previous visa number then skip that portion and complete the online application.

Q. I applied for Visa on CKGS website but not getting appointment, what should I do ?

A . If you are not getting appointment on desired date please select walk in option which is always open.

Q. I am US passport holder of Pakistani origin, applied for Indian Visa on CKGS website but not getting any update on my visa status, what should I do ?

A. In this case administrative process will take minimum 45 working days. Once concerned authority approved it we will intimate you accordingly.

Q. I am holding dual nationality (i.e. Pakistan & USA) & also holding two Passports (i.e Pakistan & USA), on which Passport I need to apply for Visa ?

A. Pakistani nationals holding dual nationality must apply only on their Pakistani Passports.

  Q. I am holding dual nationality (i.e. Pakistan & USA), but holding only one Passport (i.e. USA), which documents are required to apply Visa ?

A. USA passport holders of Pakistani origin must submit their visa application form along with:

a. Certificate of Renunciation of Pakistani Citizenship

b. US passport with valid Pakistani visa OR Copy of the Pakistan Overseas Card

Q. I am Pakistani Passport holder, Can I choose my entry port in India & book the flight tickets accordingly ?

A. No, you can not choose your entry Ports in India & book tickets until a visa decision has been made.

Q. I am Indian origin of US Citizen, Can I apply for emergency Visa ?

A. Yes, you can apply for Emergency Visa through CKGS website ( https://www.in.ckgs.us/visa ).

Q. I have applied Indian visa for my minor Son/Daughter and CKGS kept his/her application on hold due to lack of Parental authorization, what should I do ?

A. Parental authorization signed by both the parents is must, you have to submit this documents to CKGS to avoid further delay.

Q. I have applied for Indian visa for my minor Son/Daughter, Should my son/daughter needs to be present at VFS center for interview ?

A. No need for child to be present. Please submit notarized parental authorization signed by both parents along with other documents to process the visa.

Q. I have applied for E-visa and status is pending, could you please let me know the status of my E-Visa ?

A. E-visa is directly handled by authority in India, Consulate has no role in e-Visa, please do notcontact consulate for e-visa , for more details please visit : https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/tvoa.html . If you would like to apply for R egular V isa please visit (which is handled by consulate): ( https://www.in.ckgs.us/visa ).

  Q. What is authentic website of E-Visa ?

A. https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/tvoa.html

Q. What is the Processing timing for E-visa ?

A. E-visa is directly handled by authority in India, C onsulate has no role in E -Visa, please do not contact consulate for E -visa . For more details please visit : https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/tvoa.html

Q. What is the Processing timing for Regular Visa through CKGS ?

A. Once we receive the visa application from CKGS and if everything is in order (i.e. documentation etc.) then processing time will be as per below (excluding CKGS processing time);

a. US passport holders (2-3 working days)

b. Passport holders of other countries (5-10 working days)

c. Pakistan Passport holder OR Pakistani origin of US passport holders(minimum 45 working days)

Q. I entered wrong name/data in CKGS online visa form, how to edit it ?

A. Please contact CKGS helpline : https://www.in.ckgs.us/feedback/ OR Phone : 516-206-1483 / 646-589-0088

Q. Can I book my Air Ticket before getting the visa?

A. No bookings or travel arrangements should be confirmed until a visa decision has been made. Consulate will not be responsible for any loss of bookings made in anticipation of obtaining a Visa.

Q. If my visa is issued, from when does the validity begin?

A. The validity of the visa begins from the date it is issued and not from the date of your departure mentioned on the application form.

Q. What are the Emergency Visas?

A. Please visit our website and follow these steps :

Home › Consular Services › Visa Services › Emergency Visa

Q. Can I send my visa application directly to Consulate ?

Q. I have only one blank page left in my passport, can I apply for visa ?

A . No, for Visa minimum two blank pages in passport is required.

Q. I want to visit Sikkim/Arunachal Prades in India, how to get Restricted/Protected Area Permission ?

Q. How to get Restricted/Protected Area Permission ?

A. Foreign nationals intending to visit a place falling in the Protected/ Restricted Area in India, may submit an application for the grant of Protected/Restricted Area Permit to Concerned offices in particular Indian states OR nearest Indian Mission/Post. This requirement is in addition to getting an Indian visa. It will take shorter time, if the traveler apply for RAP from Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) /Resident Commissioners of the Concerned State Govt. through nearest metropolitan City OR through travel/tour operators in India. If traveler apply in Indian Mission/Post abroad, it will take around 5-6 weeks to process. For more details please visit: https://mha.gov.in/PDF_Other/AnnexVII_01022018.pdf

Q. Is there any restrictions on Indian Tourist Visa holder to re-entry in India within 2 months ?

A. With effect from January 24, 2013, the gap of two months required between visits to India of a foreign national on a Tourist Visa would be applicable only in the case of nationals of Afghanistan, China, Iran, Pakistan, Iraq, Sudan, foreigners of Pakistan origin and Stateless persons.

Q. I am traveling to Nepal via Delhi, do I need Indian transit Visa ?

A. Transit visa is not required by a foreigner passing through, in direct transit by air, and traveling onward through India, provided he/she does not leave the specified precincts of the airport. A transit visa is not required by a foreigner who does not leave the ship while it halts at an Indian port.

Q. I am an Artist visiting India to Participate in Painting Exhibition or Music show on Charitable basis (not Paid performance), which visa should I apply ?

Entry Visa : Those going to India for Charitable performances e.g an artist going for painting exhibition, musician for musical shows etc on charitable basis have to apply for Entry Visa.

Business Visa : Those going to India for short term paid performances e.g an artist going for painting exhibition, musician for musical shows etc have to apply for Business Visa.

Employment Visa : Those going to India for long term paid performances e.g an artist going for painting exhibition, musician for musical shows etc have to apply for Employment Visa.

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Address: Consulate General of India, 3 East 64th Street (Between 5th and Madison Avenues), New York, NY 10065

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Visitors Since (June, 2018): 9222348

Page last updated on: March 22, 2024

Here's how to get a visa to visit India

Joe Bindloss

Dec 20, 2023 • 7 min read

india tourist visa to the usa

From applying for an e-Visa to extending your stay, here's what you need to know about entry requirements for India © beavera / Getty Images

With its dense tapestry of cultures and landscapes, India feels like dozens of countries rolled into one, but a single visa will cover you for travel across more than 3 million sq km (more than a million sq miles) of territory, taking in everything from steamy jungles to the high passes of the Himalayas.

Every Indian state is as large and diverse as a nation, so take your time navigating this enormous and fascinating country. The good news is that visas are easy to obtain and allow plenty of time for exploring.

Here’s everything you need to know about visa requirements for India, from the application process for e-Visas to overland travel and extending your stay.

Rear view of tourist mother and daughter wearing a hat sitting at a step well (Toorji Ka Jhalra) in Jodhpur, Rajasthan

You'll probably need a visa to go to India

Almost everyone needs a visa to visit India , but for most nationalities, tourist visas are easy to obtain online or through your local Indian embassy or consulate. Citizens of 166 countries – including most nations in the EU and EEA, the UK, the US, Australia and New Zealand, and many countries in Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Latin America – can apply for an e-Visa before traveling via a simple online form .

Applying online is a fairly painless process, and it will save you hours compared to applying in person at an embassy or through a visa agency (in countries where Indian embassies no longer issue visas directly). Tourist e-Visas are available with a validity of 30 days, one year or five years, with the one- and five-year visas allowing for multiple entries for a maximum stay of 180 days on each visit.

For one- and five-year tourist visas, applications are accepted up to 120 days in advance of travel. The 30-day visa allows two entries into India, which is handy if you’re planning a side trip to Nepal , and you can apply up to 30 days in advance of travel. All e-Visas take at least 72 hours to process, so be sure to apply in plenty of time (at least 4 days in advance is recommended).

Applying online is the most hassle-free way to obtain a visa

The Indian government’s online e-Visa portal can be used to apply for tourist visas, business visas, and visas for medical treatment and attending conferences. The cost and duration of the visa vary depending on your nationality, and you may need to show proof of return travel arrangements and sufficient funds to support yourself during your trip.

Rules for non-tourist visas can be complex. Business travelers usually need to provide letters of introduction from Indian companies and organizations that they plan to meet. Assuming you meet the requirements, business visas are usually valid for multiple entries over the space of one year.

Working for an Indian company is more complicated. You’ll need an employment visa and a work permit, and most people need a firm job offer and assistance from an Indian employer to complete the paperwork. As with all visa requirements, the situation is subject to change; contact your local Indian embassy or consulate for the most up-to-date information.

Applying for a tourist e-Visa is fairly straightforward

To apply for an Indian e-Visa, visit the government’s official e-Visa portal . You’ll need to upload a digital passport-style photo and copies of your passport ID pages, and pay the visa fee, which varies depending on your nationality.

Your passport must be valid for six months beyond the date of entry, and you’ll need two spare pages for the visa, which will be physically stamped into your passport on arrival. Assuming your application is accepted – which is the case for most applicants – you’ll receive a digital Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA), which you should print out and carry with you when you travel, so you can present it to the immigration authorities on arrival. 

Young woman checking travel timetable board

Enter India via air or sea on your e-Visa

E-Visas allow entry to India through 25 designated airports: Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum), Bengaluru (Bangalore), Hyderabad, Kochi (Cochin), Goa, Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Gaya, Jaipur, Lucknow, Trichy (Tiruchirappalli), Varanasi, Kozhikode (Calicut), Mangaluru (Mangalore), Pune, Nagpur, Coimbatore, Bagdogra, Guwahati, Chandigarh and Visakhapatnam.

They’re also valid for entry via the designated seaports at Mumbai, Chennai, Kochi, New Mangalore and Mormugao (in Goa).

Apply for a visa before you travel to enter India overland

If you plan to enter India overland – for example, from Nepal or Pakistan – you’ll need a visa stamped into your passport before you leave home, which you’ll need to obtain from the Indian embassy or consulate in your home country, or through an approved visa application office.

If you plan to visit India and Nepal on the same trip, get a multiple-entry visa – it used to be possible to arrange a new Indian tourist visa through the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu , but the authorities may now insist on a two-month gap before issuing a new visa.

There’s no need to worry about applying for a visa for Nepal in advance – they’re available on arrival at border crossings (bring passport photos and US dollars to pay the fee).

If you can't apply for an e-Visa, get one in person in advance

Contact your local embassy or consulate to check the application process in your country; the Indian Ministry of External Affairs maintains a list of diplomatic missions online. It’s best to apply for a visa in your home country – obtaining an Indian visa from an embassy in another country can be tortuously slow, assuming it’s possible at all. Fees and the permitted duration of stay will vary depending on your nationality.

As an alternative to applying through an Indian embassy or consulate, you may be able to apply for a visa through a visa agency – however, this tends to be more expensive than applying directly. In practice, many of these agencies just collect together applications and then send over a staff member to the embassy to apply in person.

Woman practicing yoga

Student visas are available to those on full-time courses in India

Student visas are reserved for people enrolled in approved full-time educational courses in India (which can include training courses in yoga, meditation, and traditional Indian art forms). Student visas are valid for up to five years, depending on the length of the course, but the rules are strict, and you’ll need documentation from the institution where you are studying to apply. The Ministry of Home Affairs provides some information online, but contact your local Indian embassy or consulate for the most up-to-date requirements.

Extending your stay in India is for exceptional circumstances only

E-Visas cannot be extended, but other types of visas can, though only in exceptional circumstances, such as medical emergencies or theft of your passport. To apply, you’ll need to use the government’s special online portal , providing evidence of a valid reason for extending your stay in India (e.g., a letter from the hospital where you are being treated or a police report).

You may then be called in for an in-person interview at the Foreigners’ Regional Registration Office (FRRO) in Delhi. If there is a fee, it will be made clear during the application process.

Some border areas in India require additional travel permits

Under a system carried over from British colonial rule, special permits (known as “protected area permits” or “restricted area permits”) are required to visit many areas close to India’s disputed external borders with China , Pakistan and other territories – a zone known as the “inner line.” Applying for these permits outside India is tricky, but you can apply locally in India without too much difficulty.

Permits are especially important for highly sensitive border areas (which tend to be off-limits to all travelers). Applications can be made through local government offices or local travel agencies; contact the state government offices for these regions to get the latest information. In some areas, you may need to register with the local Foreigners Regional Registration Office on arrival, but this is an easy process.

This article was first published March 2022 and updated December 2023

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Visa Traveler

Exploring the world one country at a time

India tourist visa from the embassy in 2023: A complete guide

Published: June 7, 2023

India tourist visa from the embassy

This article is a complete guide to obtaining India tourist visa from the embassy or consulate. You can learn everything about India tourist visa types, requirements, eligibility, documents needed, fee and application procedure.

Indian missions around the world issue India tourist visas for those that require a visa to enter India. Most nationalities are eligible to apply for an e-Visa or Visa on Arrival. But there are a handful of nationalities that are not eligible. These nationalities must apply for a tourist visa at their nearest Indian embassy or consulate. 

Nationalities that are eligible for India e-Visa or India Visa on Arrival are also eligible to apply for an Indian tourist visa from their nearest Indian embassy or consulate. There may be occasions where a tourist visa from the embassy is a better choice than an India e-Visa or India Visa on Arrival . For example, US nationals can get a 10-year tourist visa from the embassy vs an Indian e-Visa which is only valid for 5 years. So a tourist visa from the embassy is a better choice in this case.

There are three types of tourist visa categories T-1, T-2 and T-3. T-1 is for tourists. T-2 is for tour groups and T-3 is for cruise passengers. 

Table of Contents

Requirements for india tourist visa from the embassy (sticker visa).

Countries that require India tourist visa from the embassy

Who is required to apply for India tourist visa?

Following nationalities are REQUIRED to apply for an Indian tourist visa from the embassy in order to travel to India.

  • Congo, Dem. of
  • Congo, Dem. Rep. of
  • North Korea
  • Saudi Arabia
  • South Sudan
  • Turkmenistan

NOTE Nationals who are eligible to apply for e-Visa or Visa on Arrival can also apply for an India tourist visa from the embassy. 

Pakistan citizens are restricted from obtaining Indian tourist visas from the embassy. They must apply for a special visa. 

Anyone of Pakistan origin is granted only a 3-month single-entry tourist visa. Applicants whose parents or grandparents were born or ever lived in Pakistan are considered of Pakistan origin. 

What are the different types of India tourist visas available?

Indian embassies offer three types of tourist visas depending on whether the applicant is an individual, a tour group or a cruise passenger. Below is a summary of the three categories of Indian tourist visas offered at the embassy. 

NOTE For this article, we will focus only on the T-1 category meant for individual tourists. 

What is the validity of India tourist visa?

India tourist visa is valid for 1 year, 5 years and 10 years. Your tourist visa validity varies depending on your nationality. Below is a summary of various nationalities and the corresponding tourist visa validity. 

How many days can you stay in India on a tourist visa?

You can stay up to 90 days in India on a tourist visa. Canada, Japan and US nationals can stay up to 180 days. Below is the summary of permitted stay for your tourist visa depending on your nationality.

How many times can you enter India on tourist visa?

All tourist visas from India are multiple-entry, except for those of Pakistan origin. That means you can enter India as many times as you like. But there are some restrictions on how frequently you can enter India on your multiple-entry visa.

When can you enter India on a tourist visa?

You can enter India anytime during the validity of your tourist visa. You are allowed to stay 90 days on each entry (or 180 days if you are a Canada, Japan, UK or US national).

Even if you enter India on the last day of your visa validity, you will still be given 90 days of entry (or 180 days if you are a Canada, Japan, UK or US national)

When should you apply for India tourist visa?

Indian tourist visas can be applied for up to 180 days in advance. But the latest is 30 days as the visa processing takes 15-20 calendar days in some locations. 

Where should you apply for Indian tourist visa?

You can apply for an India tourist visa from any Indian embassy/consulate in any country. You don’t have to be a citizen or resident of that country. You can be a tourist as well. 

In case you are a non-resident or a tourist in a country, the Indian embassy where you have applied may consult the Indian embassy in your home country for the visa process. This usually does not delay the visa process. 

Which airports or land borders you can enter India from using tourist visa?

You can enter India from all international airports, sea ports and land borders using an India tourist visa obtained from the Indian Embassy. There are no restrictions on where you can enter or exit the country with a tourist visa.

What is the minimum passport validity required for India tourist visa?

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of arrival.

How many blank pages are required in the passport for India tourist visa?

You need at least two blank pages in your passport for your Indian tourist visa. One blank page is necessary for the visa sticker and another is for entry and exit stamps when entering and leaving India. 

What are the documents needed for India tourist visa?

The following documents are needed for tourist visa.

  • Completed and signed India visa application form
  • One digital photo for the online application
  • One physical photograph to affix on the completed application form
  • Proof of residence (ID, passport or visa)

What are the India tourist visa photo requirements?

You must upload one digital photo during your online application. The photo must meet the following specifications.

  • Must be in JPG or JPEG format only
  • Must be a minimum of 10 KB and a maximum of 300 KB
  • Must be square in dimensions
  • Must not have any borders
  • Background must be white or light color
  • Must not have any shadows on the face or on the background
  • Must show full head from the top of the hair to the bottom of the chin
  • Head must be about 1 inch to 1 ⅜ inches, i.e roughly 25mm to 35mm
  • Eye height must be between 1 ⅛ inches to 1 ⅜ inches

What is the current India tourist visa fee?

The visa fee varies depending on the visa period, the embassy’s location and the nationality. For example, the fee for a 10-year India visa for a US citizen applying from the US is $160 plus VFS charges. The fee for a 1 year India visa for Bangladesh nationals applying from Bangladesh is free of charge. 

What is the current India tourist visa processing time?

The India tourist visa processing time is 3 working days the application is submitted directly at the Indian embassy/consulate. 

The processing time is 15 calendar days or more if applied through a visa application center such as VFS. 

Whether you must apply at the visa application center or directly at an Indian mission depends on your location and whether or not the Indian embassy/consulate has outsourced its visa application process. 

INDIA TOURIST VISA APPLICATION PROCESS

India tourist visa portal

How to apply for Indian tourist visa from the embassy?

The India tourist visa application is a two-step process.

STEP 1: Online Application

Step 2: appointment.

The first step in the Indian tourist visa application process is to fill out an online application on the India visa portal . 

If you are a family or group, each person must complete one online application form. There is no family application. Similarly, each person must schedule one separate visa appointment for document submission. 

In the online application, you must select the Indian embassy/consulate where you plan to apply for your visa. 

After filling out the application, you must print and sign it. 

If the Indian embassy/consulate did not outsource the visa application to a visa application center, then you can walk into the embassy/consulate any day to pay the fee and submit your visa application. 

If the Indian embassy/consulate has outsourced the visa process to a visa application center, then you will have to go to the visa application center’s website and schedule an appointment. You may be able to pay the visa fee while scheduling the appointment. 

On the day of the appointment, you must submit your completed and signed application form, photographs and original passport. You must also pay the fee if you haven’t while scheduling the appointment. 

If there is no visa application center near you, you can also send your completed application and documents to the visa application center by mail. 

Word of caution on India tourist visa fake websites

If you search on the internet, you will see that there are many Indian visa websites posing as “official websites”. There is ONLY one OFFICIAL website for Indian tourist visas. The rest are all fake. The OFFICIAL website is below.

India tourist visa OFFICIAL website: https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/index.html  

How to track India tourist visa application?

If applied directly at an Indian embassy or consulate: There is no option to track your application. But the processing time is fairly quick. The Indian mission where you are applying will tell you when to come back and pick up your passport, which is usually within 3 working days. 

If applied at a visa application center such as VFS: You can track your visa application status on the visa application center’s website. 

How to receive the approved India tourist visa?

If applied directly at an Indian embassy or consulate: At the time of submitting your documents at the embassy, the visa officer will tell you when to come back to pick up your passport. You will simply have to go back on that day to pick up your passport with your India visa. 

If applied at a visa application center such as VFS: When your visa is processed, you will be notified by email to pick up your passport. If you have opted for returning the passport via mail/courier, your passport will have mailed to your address.

Is there a priority service for India tourist visa?

Unfortunately, there is no priority visa service for Indian tourist visas. You must apply at least 30 calendar days prior to your travel to avoid any delays. Or you can opt for an India e-Visa which usually is processed within 72 hours. 

How to contact India tourist visa customer service?

You will have to contact your nearest embassy or the visa application center for any questions.

WRITTEN BY THIRUMAL MOTATI

Thirumal Motati

Thirumal Motati is an expert in tourist visa matters. He has been traveling the world on tourist visas for more than a decade. With his expertise, he has obtained several tourist visas, including the most strenuous ones such as the US, UK, Canada, and Schengen, some of which were granted multiple times. He has also set foot inside US consulates on numerous occasions. Mr. Motati has uncovered the secrets to successful visa applications. His guidance has enabled countless individuals to obtain their visas and fulfill their travel dreams. His statements have been mentioned in publications like Yahoo, BBC, The Hindu, and Travel Zoo.

PLAN YOUR TRAVEL WITH VISA TRAVELER

I highly recommend using these websites to plan your trip. I use these websites myself to apply for my visas, book my flights and hotels and purchase my travel insurance.

01. Apply for your visa

Get a verifiable flight itinerary for your visa application from DummyTicket247 . DummyTicket247 is a flight search engine to search and book flight itineraries for visas instantly. These flight itineraries are guaranteed to be valid for 2 weeks and work for all visa applications.

02. Book your fight

Find the cheapest flight tickets using Skyscanner . Skyscanner includes all budget airlines and you are guaranteed to find the cheapest flight to your destination.

03. Book your hotel

Book your hotel from Booking.com . Booking.com has pretty much every hotel, hostel and guesthouse from every destination.

04. Get your onward ticket

If traveling on a one-way ticket, use BestOnwardTicket to get proof of onward ticket for just $12, valid for 48 hours.

05. Purchase your insurance

Purchase travel medical insurance for your trip from SafetyWing . Insurance from SafetyWing covers COVID-19 and also comes with a visa letter which you can use for your visas.

06. Get your zero-fee ATM card

You can manage money internationally in over 70 currencies using  Wise . With a Wise card, you can store and withdraw cash in 40 currencies with zero ATM fees. 

Need more? Check out my travel resources page  for the best websites to plan your trip.

LEGAL DISCLAIMER We are not affiliated with immigration, embassies or governments of any country. The content in this article is for educational and general informational purposes only, and shall not be understood or construed as, visa, immigration or legal advice. Your use of information provided in this article is solely at your own risk and you expressly agree not to rely upon any information contained in this article as a substitute for professional visa or immigration advice. Under no circumstance shall be held liable or responsible for any errors or omissions in this article or for any damage you may suffer in respect to any actions taken or not taken based on any or all of the information in this article. Please refer to our full disclaimer for further information.

AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. Please refer to our full disclosure for further information.

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  • Document Required
  • Technical Info for e-Visa
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  • Authorized Immigration checkposts through which eVisa holders can travel.

Payment Helpdesk

SBI ePay: +91-22-2753-5773 (24 x 7)                Axis Bank : +91 1800-419-0073 (24 x 7)

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Toll free Numbers from:

  • USA : 1855 205 5577
  • Uk : 0808 178 5040
  • Singapore : 800 1206 355
  • Australia : 1800 153 861
  • UAE : 8000 3570 3218
  • Saudi Arabia : 800 850 0000
  • Qatar : 00 800 100 348
  • Bahrain : 800 11 300

Select option no. 6 on IVR to connect to agents.

From rest of the countries none toll free number to India + 91-40-6717-4100 (Paid Number).

  • eVisa Helpdesk (Due to maintenance activity IVRS services are unavailable.)
  • eVisa Helpdesk

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E-VISA APPLICATION PROCESS

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Apply online

Upload Photo and Passport Page

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Pay eVisa fee online

Using Credit / Debit card / Payment Wallet

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Receive ETA Online

Electronic Travel Authorization/ETA Will be sent to your e-mail

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Fly To India

Print ETA and present at Immigration Check Post where eVisa will be stamped on passport.

Government of India makes no provision of charging of any emergency fees or additional fees for grant of any emergency / express e-visa. Those travelling to India are also advised to go through instructions available on the website of Bureau of Immigration at https://boi.gov.in .

eVisa is admissable only under the following categories:

E-tourist visa, e-business visa, e-conference visa, e-medical visa, e-medical attendent visa, e-ayush visa, e-ayush attendent visa.

  • e-Emergency X-Misc Visa

1. One Month e-Tourist Visa

One Month (30 Days).

Double Entry, non-extendable and non-convertible

2. One year e-Tourist Visa

One year (365 Days) from the date of grant of ETA.

3. Five years e-Tourist Visa

Five years from the date of grant of ETA.

Maximum stay in India during one Calender Year should not exceed 180 days for 1 year and 5 year Tourist Visa.

One year (365 days) from the date of grant of ETA.

Continuous stay during each visit shall not exceed 180 days. If the intension is to stay for more then 180 days, shall get registered with FRRO/FRO concerned within two weeks after the expiry of 180 days.

Thirty days (30 days) from the date of arrival into India.

Organizers to upload all details & documentation on the MHA website (conference.mha.gov.in)

Sixty days (60 days) from the date of arrival into India.

If the applicant is unable to complete his e-visa application form, he may save the application and may return to complete the application form by clicking the tab at the bottom of page: After your eVisa applications is submitted, the same shall be scrutinized and if any Document/Image is not appropriate, you may be advised on your given e-mail to re-upload the same. To re-upload use the tab at the bottom of the page. Applicant should normally receive this mail within 24 hours.

  • Useful Web Links
  • Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt. Of India.
  • Ministry of External Affairs, Govt Of India
  • Ministry of Tourism, Govt Of India
  • Bureau of Immigration, Govt Of India
  • Incredible India, Govt Of India

Eligibility

  • International travellers whose sole objective for visiting India is recreation, sight seeing,casual visit to meet friends and relatives, attending a short term yoga programme,Short term courses on local languages, music, dance, arts & crafts, cooking, medicine etc. which should not be a formal or structured course/programme (courses not exceeding 6 months duration and not issued with a qualifying certificate/ diploma etc),Voluntary work of short duration (for a maximum period of one month, which do not involve any monetary payment or consideration of any kind in return), medical treatment including treatment under Indian systems of medicine, business purpose, as attendant to e-Medical visa holder, attending a conference/ seminar/ workshop organized by a Ministry or Department of the Government of India, State Governments or UT Administrations etc. & their subordinate/ attached organizations & PSUs and private conferences organized by private persons/companies/organizations.
  • Applicant's passport should have at least six months validity at the time of making application for grant of e-Visa.
  • International Travellers should have return ticket or onward journey ticket,with sufficient money to spend during his/her stay in India.
  • International Travellers having Pakistani Passport or Pakistani origin may please apply for regular Visa at Indian Mission.
  • Not available to Diplomatic/Official Passport Holders or Laissez-passer travel document holders.
  • Not available to individuals endorsed on Parent's/Spouse's Passport i.e. each individual should have a separate passport.
  • Not available to International Travel Document Holders other than Passport.

If you are a national of any following countries, you are eligible for eVisa.

  • Afghanistan
  • Antigua & Barbuda
  • Bosnia & Herzegovina
  • Cameroon Union Republic
  • Cayman Island
  • Cook Islands
  • Cote d'lvoire
  • Czech Republic
  • Dominican Republic
  • El Salvador
  • Equatorial Guinea
  • Isle of Man
  • Liechtenstein
  • Marshall Islands
  • Netherlands
  • New Zealand
  • Niger Republic
  • Niue Island
  • Papua New Guinea
  • Philippines
  • Republic of Korea
  • Saint Christopher and Nevis
  • Saint Lucia
  • Saint Vincent & the Grenadines
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Sierra Leone
  • Solomon Islands
  • South Africa
  • Switzerland
  • Trinidad & Tobago
  • Turks & Caicos Island
  • United Kingdom
  • Vatican City-Holy See
  • Zambia and Zimbabwe

Documents Requirement & Visa Categories

  • General Instructions
  • Advisory for Canadian Nationals
  • e-Visa has 5 sub-categories viz. e-Tourist Visa(for 30 days/01 year/ 05 years) ,e-Business Visa, e-Medical Visa, e-Medical Attendant Visa and e-Conference Visa. A foreigner (other than those applying for e-Conference Visa) will be allowed to club activities permitted under these categories. Foreigners applying for e-Conference visa will be permitted to club the activities permitted under e-Tourist visa only (validity co-terminus with e-Conference Visa only i.e. 30 days). Only two e-Medical Attendant Visas will be granted against one e- Medical Visa.
  • For e-Tourist and e-Business visa, Applicants of the eligible countries/territories may apply online minimum 4 days in advance of the date of arrival.
  • For e-Medical, e-Medical Attendant and e-Conference visa, Applicants of the eligible countries/territories may apply online minimum 4 days in advance of the date of arrival with a window of 120 days. Example: If you are applying on 1st Sept then applicant can select arrival date from 5th Sept to 2nd Jan
  • Sample eVisa application form is available on the tab near the bottom of eVisa main page.
  • Recent front facing photograph with white background and photo page of Passport containing personal details like name, date of birth, nationality, expiry date etc are to be uploaded mandatorily by the applicant. Additionally one more document depending upon the e-Visa type would also be required to be uploaded. The application is liable to be rejected if the uploaded documents and photograph are not clear / as per specification.
  • e-Visa fee is country/Territory specific. Bank transaction charges of 2.5% will be charged additionally on applicable e-Visa fees. The fee must be paid at least 4 days before the expected date of travel otherwise application will not be processed. To know the fee applicable on your Country/Territory please Click here (for e-Tourist Visa) and for other e-Visa Click here .
  • e-Visa fee once submitted is non-refundable as the fee is for processing of the application and is not dependent on either Grant or Rejection of Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA).
  • Applicant should carry a copy of Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) along with him/her at the time of travel. Please confirm that your ETA status is shown as 'GRANTED' on this website prior to commencement of your journey. Applicants can track the status of their application online by clicking VisaStatus
  • Biometric details of the applicant will be mandatorily captured at Immigration on arrival in India.
  • e-Visa is non-extendable, non-convertible & not valid for visiting Protected/Restricted and Cantonment Areas. If you intend to visit Protected/Restricted/Cantonment areas, you would require prior permission from the Civil Authority please visit here.
  • The e-Visa fee payment status updation may take up to 2 hours due to technical reasons/network delays. Before re-applying, the applicants are requested to wait for 2 hours for payment status updating, after final submission of the application form and payment of the fee. In cases, where e-Visa fee has been deducted but status is not updated, the applicants are advised to verify their payment status by clicking on 'Verify Payment/Pay Visa Fee' tab or by clicking on the link Verify Payment.
  • Nationals of Yellow Fever affected countries or travellers arriving from these countries must carry YELLOW FEVER VACCINATION CARD at the time of arrival in India, otherwise they may be quarantined for 6 days upon arrival in India. Please visit our Ministry Of Health & Family Welfare latest guidelines regarding yellow fever countries here.
  • You must travel on the Passport which you have applied for eVisa. Entry will be allowed into India on the new passport even if ETA has been issued on the old passport, however in such cases a traveler must carry the old passport on which ETA was issued

The documents required for completing the eVisa application is indicated against each type of eVisa. Please keep all these documents ready at hand before beginning to fill your eVisa application. All documents including Business cards, Invitation letters etc. must be in English language, failing which the application would be liable for rejection. The entire process may take 10 to 15 minutes to complete the application and make the payment.

Applicants must be fill eVisa application himself/herself and give correct information in each column and take responsibility for the correctness of information provided.

Documents Required: All documents uploaded by the applicant including business cards, invitation letters etc. must be in English language, failing which e-Visa application would be liable for rejection.

The documents required for e-visa are :.

  • Scanned Bio Page of the passport showing the Photograph and Details *
  • For short term courses, copy of letter from the institute/organization/hospital etc. concerned on its letter-head *
  • For voluntary work of short duration, copy of letter from the organization concerned on its letter-head *
  • Copy of Letter from the Hospital concerned in India on its letterhead which including the date / tentative date which admission have been suggested .
  • Copy of Business Card
  • Any letter of invitation if applicable from indian parties which wish you conduct the business (optional).
  • Copy of Passport page containing personal particulars *
  • Approval of the Government of India in the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (Department of Sports)
  • Invitation Letter to foreign sports teams and sports persons to visit India by the concerned Sports Federation/Association in India.
  • If the applicant had participated in any commercial sports event during his/her previous visit to India, then documents regarding Tax compliance for the said visit are to be furnished
  • If the sports event entails visit to Restricted or Protected Areas in India, below mentioned additional documents are also to be submitted (a) Clearance for holding the event from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. (b) Political Clearance for holding the event from the Ministry of external Affairs, Government of India. (c) Requisite clearance from the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports
  • Invitation of the host institute to the foreign faculty
  • Copy of the sanction order under GIAN issued by the National Coordinating Institute viz. IIT Kharagpur
  • Copy of the synopsis of the courses to be taken up by the faculty
  • Invitation from organizer, which applicant may seek from this organiser.
  • Political clearance from Ministry of External Affairs
  • Event clearance from Ministry of Home Affairs

The digital photograph to be uploaded along with the Visa application should meet the following requirements:

  • Format - JPEG
  • Minimum 10 KB
  • Maximum 1 MB
  • The height and width of the Photo must be equal.
  • Photo should present full face, front view, eyes open and without spectacles
  • Center head within frame and present full head from top of hair to bottom of chin
  • Background should be plain light colored or white background.
  • No shadows on the face or on the background.
  • Without borders.
  • Format -PDF
  • Size : Minimum 10 KB ,Maximum 300 KB

The applicant has choice of using two option for payment.

  • SBI-FAQS-Payment Related
  • AXIS-FAQS-Payment Related

SBIePay is the Payment Aggregator service of State Bank of India – India’s Largest Bank and amongst top 50 Banks in the world, which provides bouquet of multiple payment options on a single page for the convenience of the customers.

SBIePay has facilitated the following channels on e-Visa platform:

  • Payment Gateway: It seamlessly processes Credit card and Debit Card transactions for all the cards issued internationally by Visa & MasterCard. SBIePay Payment gateway is enabled with BIN identifier which recognises the BIN online when a customer enters the no., which drastically improves the success percentage and reduces customer friction.
  • Paypal: SBIePay also facilitates e-Visa customers to make payment through widely popular and accepted Paypal channel.

SBIePay is certified with Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) ver 3.2, which is the latest version, and which further reinforces our promise of security and safety. The payment system fully supports 3DSecure - Verified by Visa and MasterCard Secure Code, wherever it is applicable. Further, SBIePay is secured using Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) encryption which ensures that payment information that travels over the Internet is always encrypted and cannot be viewed by unauthorised individuals.

Yes, SBIePay has enabled international card issued by MasterCard and VISA both with and without 3D Secure authentication.

The applicant enters necessary details on https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/ , and clicks on 'Pay Now'. The applicant is redirected to SBIePay payment page and is presented with payment options of either entering Card details (Payment Gateway) or Paypal .Applicant enters his card details and clicks ‘Proceed’. Now, either of the below mentioned 2 scenarios will occur:

  • 3 D Secure page of the Card Issuerwill be displayed, where applicant must enter 3D Secure Password/OTP.
  • Transaction is processed without 3D Secure page. After successful completion of transaction, the applicant is redirected on to the https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/ with a successful receipt of payment.

If an applicant is presented with a 3D Secure page prompting to enter a password/OTP, this means the Card issuing Bank participates in 3D Secure transaction. If the applicant’s transaction is processed without directing to 3D secure page, he/she should contact the card issuing Bank for support.

In an ideal scenario, once the transaction is processed, the applicant shall be presented with a payment successful page along with a reference number.

In some rare scenarios it may happen where the application is not shown Payment successful page post completion of transaction, which may be due to a drop in connectivity leading to non-receipt of success response. If the applicant does not receive any success message even after card account has been charged, a refund shall be initiated after due reconciliation process to the applicants’ card account.

In rare case of transaction status unknown to the applicant, which is when the applicant has not received success response due to time out or connectivity issue and the account has been debited, we advise the customer not to attempt another transaction immediately and rather provide their Order no. on the e-Visa site after 30 minutes to check the status of the transaction. If the transaction status is showing ‘failed’, then customer may attempt another transaction. Also, the debited amount shall be refunded to the applicants’ card account after reconciliation process within seven (7) days of transaction.

The banking charges for:

  • Payment Gateway Card transactions (both Debit or Credit Card): 2.5%* of the applicable e-Visa fee.
  • Paypal: 3.5%* of the applicable e-Visa fee.

*The charges are inclusive of any applicable taxes.

The breakup of transaction charges will be displayed on the Payment page for applicants’ knowledge and to maintain transparency.

At State Bank of India, we are committed to provide best customer services to our customers. Customers can email us at sbiepay[at]sbi[dot]co[dot]in for any queries related to their transaction. Alternatively, SBIePay provides 24*7*365 customer support to all the e-Visa applicants. Applicants can also call us on the below mentioned number(s):

Contact No: +91-22-2753-5773

An applicant can perform multiple times transactions for a single application ID, with a gap of minimum 25 minutes between each transaction. It is advisable that applicant may check the status of the transaction at e-Visa portal before attempting another transaction.

An applicant shall be charged for only once for any successful transaction against an application ID. Any further debits shall be refunded back to the customer after due reconciliation, within seven (7) days of transactions.

Axis Bank is an Internet Payment Gateway Solution allows you to make payments on a 24 X 7 basis from around the world. It accepts all Visa, MasterCard and Maestro cards.

Axis Bank Payment Gateway services facilitates online payments w.r.t. all Credit and Debit Cards issued by MasterCard and VISA.

Axis Bank Payment gateway services is compliant with Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) standards. All transactions initiated at Axis Bank Payment Gateway services come with 128 bit security and two factor authentication via MasterCard Secure Code and Verified-by-Visa authentication is enabled.

Axis Bank Payment gateway accepts all international card issued by MasterCard and VISA both with and without 3D secure authentication.

The applicant after filling details on https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/ clicks 'Pay Now'. The applicant is redirected to Axis Bank payment gateway page and is presented with payment options like MasterCard and VISA. Cardholder enters his card number, expiry date, Name and CVV value and clicks 'Pay Now'. Incase cardholder Bank is enabled for 3D secure, then a page will appear for the cardholder to entire either his/her OTP/3D secure password. Else transaction would be processed. After successful completion of transaction, the applicant is redirected on to the https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/ with a successful receipt of payment.

Incase Bank is participating for 3D Secure transaction during transaction a 3D secure page would appear and cardholders have to enter his/her password /OTP.

The applicant shall be presented with a payment successful page along with reference number. If the applicant does not receive any success message even after card account has been charged, a refund will have to be initiated after due reconciliation to the applicant's card account.

If a transaction has failed but the applicants card account is debited more than once, the amount will have to be refunded to the applicant's card account after reconciliation process within seven (7) days of transaction. In some cases, If the fund still lies with the card issuing Bank, kindly get in touch with your Bank for such case.

The banking charges are subject to maximum of 2.5% plus applicable taxes on the applicable e-Visa fees. These charges are charged to the applicant at the time of making online e visa fee payment.

Axis Bank provides technical support for all payment related transactions at ecom[at]axisbank[dot]com

Our endeavour is to provide you with a seamless experience on our platform. Please ensure following, before initiating the card payment.

  • Using a non-expired card
  • Have sufficient balance in your account
  • Have sufficient credit card limit on the card being used
  • Card is not reported as “lost or stolen”
  • Entering the correct OTP. Have access to device for accessing OTP or Static password
  • Card supports transactions in INR and USD
  • Amount has not exceeded the daily maximum allowed amount by your issuer
  • Number of transactions have not exceeded the daily maximum allowed count by your issuer
  • Issuer and card not enrolled for 3DS
  • Timeout occurred while receiving the OTP from issuer or while entering OTP on the payment page

SBI e-Pay Payment Gateway :-

  • SBIePay is the Payment Aggregator service of State Bank of India which provides multiple payment options on a single payment page for the convenience of applicants. SBIePay has enabled Debit and Credit issued by MasterCard and VISA.
  • SBIePay facilitates online payments all Credit and Debit Cards issued by MasterCard and VISA.
  • SBIePay is certified with Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) ver 2.0 certified, which reinforces our promise of security. The payment system fully supports 3DSecure - Verified by Visa and MasterCard Secure Code, wherever it is applicable. Further SBIePay is secured using Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) encryption which ensures that payment information never sent over the Internet unencrypted and cannot be viewed by unauthorised individuals.
  • SBIePay has enabled international card issued by MasterCard and VISA both with and without 3D Secure authentication.
  • The applicant after filling details on https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/ and clicks 'Pay Now'. The applicant is redirected to SBIePay payment page and is presented with payment options like MasterCard and VISA. Applicant enters his card details and clicks “Proceed”. Then the applicant may see one of the two options: i. 3 D Secure page of the Card issuing page for inputing 3D Secure password/OTP ii. Transaction is processed without 3D Secure page. After successful completion of transaction, the applicant is redirected on to the https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/ with a successful receipt of payment.
  • The applicant shall be presented with a payment successful page along with reference number. If the applicant does not receive any success message even after card account has been charged, a refund shall be initiated after due reconciliation to the applicants card account.
  • If a transaction has failed but the applicants card account is debited more than once, the amount shall be refunded to the applicants card account after reconciliation process within seven (7) days of transaction.
  • The banking charges are 2.5% on the applicable e-Visa fees. These charges are charged to the applicant at the time of making online e-visa fee payment.
  • SBIePay provides technical support for all payment related transactions at +91-22-2753-5773 is (24 x 7).
  • An applicant can perform maximum of three transactions for a single application ID.
  • If the applicant cannot succeed in three attempts, a new application is required to be filled and transaction has to be carried out with new application ID.
  • An applicant shall be charged for only once against an application ID. Any double/triple debit shall be refunded after due reconciliation within seven (7) days of transactions.

Ans- The following are the eligibility conditions for availing e-Visa services-   i. Nationals of countries listed on the e-Visa website https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/ are eligible to apply for e-Visa Services.   ii. Foreigners whose sole objective for visiting India is     (a) Recreation and sightseeing     (b) Casual visit to meet friends and relatives     (c) Attending short term yoga programme or short term courses on local languages, music, dance, arts & crafts, cooking, medicine etc. which should not be a formal or structured course/programme      (courses not exceeding 6 months duration and not issuing a qualifying certificate/diploma etc. to the participants)     (d) Voluntary work of short duration (for a maximum period of one month, which do not involve any monetary payment or consideration of any kind in return)     (e) Medical treatment, including treatment under Indian systems of medicine     (f) As attendant to e-Medical visa holder     (g) Business purpose     (h) Attending a conference/ seminar/ workshop.   iii. Passport should have at least six months validity at the time of making application for grant of e-Visa and a re-entry permit, if that is required under the law of the country of nationality of the applicant.    The passport should have at least two blank pages for stamping by the Immigration Officer.   iv. The foreigner should have return ticket or onward journey ticket, with sufficient money to spend during his/her stay in India.   v. Foreigners of Pakistani origin or having Pakistani Passport are not eligible for e-Visa. Foreigners who are not Pakistani nationals, but whose parents or grandparents (either paternal or maternal) was born    in, or was permanently resident in Pakistan, are also not eligible for e-Visa. They may apply for regular Visa at Indian Mission.   vi. Not available to Diplomatic/Official Passport Holders or Laissez-passer/ international travel document holders.   vii. Not available to individuals endorsed on Parent's/Spouse's Passport i.e. each individual should have a separate passport.

Ans- For details regarding procedure for applying, please visit our website: https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/

Ans- No, https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/ is only the official website to apply for the e-Visa Services.    Note - Services of e-Visa are completely online and no facilitation is required by any intermediary / travel agents etc. It is advised not to believe or fall in trap of any such unscrupulous elements who claim    speedy/express grant of e-Visa and charge money for it.    Do not share your personal information with any unauthorized website as it may lead to leakage of your personal data. Only visit the official website https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/ for e-Visa    service.    For any clarification, you may write us on our email id ' indian-evisa[at]gov[dot]in ' or contact us on +91 11 24300666 .

Ans- No, there is no fee other than the processing fee for e-Visa application and it is non-refundable. Please visit our website to know the fee applicable for your country as it is country-specific.

Ans- (i) For e-Tourist Visa (01 year / 05 years), e-Business Visa, e-Medical, e-Medical Attendant and e-Conference visa, applicants of the eligible countries/territories may apply online minimum 4 days in advance    of the date of arrival. Such application can be made 120 days in advance from proposed date of travel.    (ii) For e-Tourist Visa (30 days) , applicants of the eligible countries/territories may apply online minimum 4 days in advance of the date of arrival. Such application can be made 30 days in advance from    proposed date of travel.

Ans- Yes. Immediately after you submit your e-Visa application and make the payment, you will receive a confirmation of submission of your application on the email id provided by you while filling up your    application form.

Ans- Your e-Visa application may take 72 hours or more for processing. You will be intimated about your Visa status (Granted or Rejected) on your email id provided by you in the e-Visa application.

Ans- Yes, you may check the status of your e-Visa application by visiting our website: https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/ and clicking on 'Check your Visa Status' Tab provided on the website.

Ans- The validity of e-Visa would be according to the e-Visa service you have requested in the application form as -    For e-Tourist Visa (01 year / 05 years) , the validity would be 365 days / 05 years from the date of grant of ETA with Multiple entries and Maximum stay in India during one Calender Year should not exceed 180 days.    For e-Tourist Visa (30 days) , the validity would be 30 days from the date of your first arrival in India. Double entries will be granted within the e-Visa validity period stamped on your Passport. Your first    arrival must be between the date of issue and expiry of ETA.    For e-Business Visa , the validity would be 365 days from the date of grant of ETA with Multiple entries and continuous stay during each visit which shall not exceed 180 days and no registration would be    required if stay is for a period of less than 180 days. However, if the intention is to stay for more than 180 days, then the foreigner shall get himself/herself registered with the FRRO/FRO concerned     (https://indianfrro.gov.in) within two weeks after the expiry of 180 days of his/her arrival in India.    For e-Conference Visa , the validity would be 30 days from the date of arrival in India with Single entry.    For e-Medical Visa , the validity would be 60 days from the date of first arrival in India and triple entry will be allowed within the e-Visa validity period stamped on your Passport.    For e-Medical Attendant Visa , the validity would be 60 days from the date of first arrival in India and triple entry will be allowed within the e-Visa validity period stamped on your Passport.

Ans- No, e-Visa is non-extendable and non-convertible.

Ans- You may arrive at 31 designated Airports i.e. Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Bagdogra, Bengaluru, Bhubaneshwar, Calicut, Chennai, Chandigarh, Cochin, Coimbatore, Delhi, Gaya, Goa(Dabolim), Goa(Mopa), Guwahati, Hyderabad,Indore    Jaipur,Kannur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Madurai, Mangalore, Mumbai, Nagpur, Port Blair, Pune, Tiruchirapalli, Trivandrum, Varanasi & Visakhapatnam, and 5 designated seaports (i.e. Cochin, Goa, Mangalore,    Chennai and Mumbai seaports). You may depart from any of the Indian Immigration Check Posts (ICPs).

Ans- Your e-Visa application may take upto 72 hours for processing. For more enquiries on your e-Visa application, you can contact us at +91 11 24300666 or e-mail at indian-evisa[at]gov[dot]in    The applicants are advised to beware of unscrupulous elements/ travel agents/ intermediaries in this regard. In cases where applicants have been asked for correct details or additional information    where application is incomplete, the same must be sent immediately. If such information is not provided within 72 hours, the application is liable to be rejected.

Ans- Yes, ensure that your child’s passport is valid at-least for next 06 (six) months from the date of arrival in India.

Ans- e-Visa processing fee once submitted is non-refundable as the fee is for processing of the application and is not dependent on either Grant or Rejection of Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA)

Ans- No. You have already paid the required processing fee online. The applicants are advised to beware of unscrupulous elements/ travel agents/ intermediaries demanding extra payment.

Ans- This pertains to customs department.

Ans- Make sure you delete the browser history and cookies before trying to make payment. Also try to change the browser if the problem persists.    In case you have already tried more than thrice, then you may have to re-submit the entire application form once again.    Payment Support helpline :-     Axis Bank Technical support. Email address: ecom[at]axisbank[dot]com    Contact No Toll free Numbers from:    USA : 18552055577 UK : 0808178 5040 Singapore : 8001206355 Australia : 1800153861 UAE : 8000 3570 3218 Saudi Arabia : 8008500000 Qatar : 00800 100348 Bahrain : 80011300    For rest of the countries: + 91-40-6717-4100     SBI ePay payment support provides technical support for all payment related transactions at +91-22-2753-5773 (24 x 7).

Ans- Please visit our website https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/ and click on 'Verify Payment/ Pay e-Visa fee'.

Ans - You have to upload the business card along with the details of Indian Firm/Company (which you intend to associate yourself with) for business activities. For Sports Related Activity under e-Business Visa, please refer Instructions for applicant page for the list of documents required.

Ans- Business card means 'a card provided to you by the company you are working for' OR you can also upload 'an invitation letter from the company in India including company's information, address and    phone number in India'.

Ans - A Copy of Letter from the Hospital concerned in India on its letterhead which includes the tentative date of admission/treatment in the hospital mentioning the name, nationality and Passport number of    the patient/ e-Medical Visa applicant.

Ans- For e-Conference Visa, following are the required documents:    (i) Invitation from organizer (mandatory)    (ii) Political clearance from Ministry of External Affairs, Govt of India (mandatory)    (iii) Event clearance from Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt of India (optional)

Ans- You may be allowed entry into India on the new passport even if ETA has been issued on the old passport with the condition that you must carry the new Passport and old passport on which ETA was    issued.

Ans- No, You can only enter through the designated airports/seaports which are listed on the e-Visa website.

Ans- You have to put the Previous visa details in the application form as it is mandatory. You can write NA or Not Available or Not Applicable or any other suitable phrase according to you in the application    form if you do not remember your earlier Visa number/details.

Ans- The Visa on Arrival facility is only for the nationals of Japan, South Korea and UAE (only for such UAE nationals who had earlier obtained e-Visa or regular/paper visa for India). For the nationals of all other    countries eligible for e-Visa, the e-visa application have to be filled online and the applicant must wait till the confirmation/Grant of ETA for travelling to India.

Ans- e-Visa processing fee once submitted is non-refundable as the fee is for processing of the application and is not dependent on either grant or Rejection of the Application.

Ans- Entry by cruise ship is allowed with the ETA through 5 designated seaports namely Mumbai, Chennai, Cochin, Goa and Mangalore seaports.

Ans- 'Visible identification mark' generally means moles, birthmarks, permanent scars etc. which are visible and can be shown if askd for by the Indian Immigration Authority.

Ans- All the foreigners arriving in India within 6 days of departure from any yellow fever endemic country are required to possess (in original) a valid yellow fever certificate of vaccination.    List of Yellow fever vaccination countries-     https://mohfw.gov.in/sites/default/files/Updated%20List%20of%20Yellow%20Fever%20Endemic%20Countries%20by%20WHO_0.pdf

Ans- The applicant must check all the details including Name, Nationality, Passport Number and Date of Birth, photograph/self image etc before final submission of e-Visa application. The applicant would be    responsible for any discrepancy irrespective of grant/rejection of e-Visa application. However, if any discrepancy found on ETA, e-Visa Support Centre may be contacted at indian-evisa[at]gov[dot]in or     +91 11 24300666 for assistance at least 24 hours before the journey date.

Ans- e-Visa is not allowed for employment. You may apply for a Regular Visa.

Ans- e-Visa is not allowed for NGO activities and journalism purposes. However, Voluntary work of short duration (for a maximum period of one month, which do not involve any monetary payment or    consideration of any kind in return) are allowed.

Ans- Only two e-Medical Attendant Visas will be granted against one e-Medical Visa (patient).

Authorized Immigration Checkposts

Entry points.

Persons holding eVisa will be allowed to enter into India only through the designated international airports (31) namely :

  • Thiruvananthapuram
  • Goa(Dabolim)
  • Visakhapatnam
  • Bhubaneswar

eVisa facility is also been provided for entry at 5 major Indian seaport for cruise tourists:

  • New Mangalore

Exit Points

  • Bhubaneshwar
  • Tiruchirapalli
  • Vishakhapatnam
  • Attari Road
  • Changrabandha
  • Gauriphanta
  • Kailashahar
  • Lalgolaghat
  • Srimantapur
  • Kawarpuchia
  • Bedi Bunder
  • Mormagoa Harbour
  • Mumbai Seaport
  • Nagapattinum
  • Nhava Sheva
  • Vishakapatnam
  • Agati and Minicoy Island Lakshdwip UT
  • Vallarpadam
  • Krishnapatnam
  • Munabao Rail Check Post
  • Attari Rail Check Post
  • Gede Rail and Road Check Post
  • Haridaspur Rail Check Post
  • Chitpur Rail Checkpost

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Technical information for e-visa: This site is best viewed in Mozilla Firefox,Google Chrome,Internet Explorer (Windows) version 9.0 and above.The applicant must also have Adobe Acrobat Reader version 7.0 or higher installed on your PC in order to download and print the completed application form. This website is compatible with Android and IOS devices.

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Update January 10, 2024

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Advance travel planning and early visa application are important. If you plan to apply for a nonimmigrant visa to come to the United States as a temporary visitor, please review the current wait time for an interview using the tool below. Not all visa applications can be completed on the day of the interview; please read the information below for more details .

Check the estimated wait time for a nonimmigrant visa interview appointment at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

Note: Please check the individual Embassy or Consulate website to determine if your case is eligible for a waiver of the in-person interview.

Applicants scheduling visa appointments in a location different from their place of residence should check post websites for nonresident wait times.

Select a U.S. Embassy or Consulate:

Global Visa Wait Times

Wait Time for Interview

The estimated wait time to receive a nonimmigrant visa interview appointment at a U.S. embassy or consulate and is based on workload and staffing and can vary from week to week. The information provided is an estimate and does not guarantee the availability of an appointment.

Wait Time for Interview Waiver

Wait times for applicants eligible for Interview Waiver are applicable only for locations where applicants schedule appointments to submit their passport and any required documents to a U.S. embassy or consulate. The wait time estimate does not account for the time required for a consular officer to adjudicate the application nor mailing time of passports or other documents. Refer to the website of the Embassy or Consulate Visa Section where you will apply to determine your eligibility for Interview Waiver and for instructions for submitting a nonimmigrant visa application. Note that applicants must be a national or resident of the country where they are applying to be eligible to apply via Interview Waiver.

Qualifications for an Expedited Interview Appointment

Consular sections overseas may be able to expedite your interview date if there is an urgent, unforeseen situation such as a funeral, medical emergency, or school start date. The process to request an expedited nonimmigrant visa interview varies by location. You should refer to the instructions on the website of the Embassy or Consulate Visa Section  where you will interview, or on their online appointment scheduling site. You will need to provide proof of the need for an earlier appointment.

In all cases : You must first submit the online visa application form (DS-160), pay the application fee, and schedule the first available interview appointment. Only at this point will a consular section consider your request for an expedited appointment.

Note: Travel for the purpose of attending weddings and graduation ceremonies, assisting pregnant relatives, participating in an annual business/academic/professional conference, or enjoying last-minute tourism does not qualify for expedited appointments. For such travel, please schedule a regular visa appointment well in advance.

These estimates do not include time required for administrative processing, which may affect some applications. When administrative processing is required, the timing will vary based on individual circumstances of each case.

There are only two possible outcomes for U.S. visa applications. The consular officer will either issue or refuse the visa. If a visa applicant has not established that he or she is eligible for a visa, the consular officer must refuse that application. However, some refused visa applications may require further administrative processing. When administrative processing is required, the consular officer will inform the applicant at the end of the interview. The duration of the administrative processing will vary based on the individual circumstances of each case. At the conclusion of the administrative processing period, the consular officer might conclude that an applicant is now qualified for the visa for which he or she applied. The officer may also conclude that the applicant remains ineligible for a visa. Visa applicants are reminded to apply early for their visas, well in advance of the anticipated travel date.

Important Notice:   Except in cases of emergency travel (i.e. serious illnesses, injuries, or deaths in your immediate family), before making inquiries about status of administrative processing, applicants should wait at least 180 days from the date of interview or submission of supplemental documents, whichever is later.

About Visa Processing Wait Times – Nonimmigrant Visa Applicants

Information about nonimmigrant visa wait times for interviews and visa processing time frames are shown on this website, as well as on U.S. Embassy and Consulate websites worldwide. It should be noted that the “Wait Times for a Nonimmigrant Visa to be Processed” information by country does not include time required for administrative processing. Processing wait time also does not include the time required to return the passport to applicants, by either courier services or the local mail system.

In addition, it is important to thoroughly review all information on the specific  Embassy or Consulate Visa Section website  for local procedures and instructions, such as how to make an interview appointment. Embassy and Consulate websites will also explain any additional procedures for students, exchange visitors and those persons who need an earlier visa interview appointment.

About Wait Times

* Calendar days refers to every day of the week, including days when embassies are closed (such as weekends and holidays).

† Work days refers only to days when the embassy is open and does not include weekends and holidays.      

‡ A, G, and NATO applications are excluded from these wait times, as they are processed separately.

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Planning A Visit To The States? This Is How You Can Apply For A US Visitor Visa From India

Planning to travel to the united states of america this guide on how to apply for a us visa from india is sure to come in handy. read on..

By: Pyusha Chatterjee Published: Aug 16, 2023 05:00 PM IST

Planning A Visit To The States? This Is How You Can Apply For A US Visitor Visa From India

Are you planning to travel to the United States of America but are overwhelmed by the visa application process? If yes, then this guide on how to apply for a US visa from India will surely ease your worries with all the essential information you need.

Applying for a visa is undoubtedly a long process involving a lot of planning and knowledge of the process. And, with an abundance of scattered information, it is difficult to filter out vital details and gather them in one place. This is where our detailed guide will come handy.

Different types of US visas and other related details

USA

There are two major categories of the US visa — immigrant and nonimmigrant. Regarding the former, the official website reads, “a person who wishes to immigrate to the United States must have a petition approved by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) before applying for an immigrant visa. The petition is filed either by a qualified relative or a potential employer at a USCIS office in the United States.”

The latter is of temporary nature and there are several types of nonimmigrant visas (NIV) that come under the US immigration law based on the purpose of travel. Here are some common types of NIVs:

Business /tourist visa (Type B) Fee: USD 185 (INR 15,317 approximately) This type of visa is for nonimmigrants travelling to the country for either business reasons (B-1) or tourism (B-2), or both (B-1/B-2).

Work visa (Type H, L, O, P, Q) Fee: USD 205 (INR 16,972 approximately) This visa is for people going to the US for a specific duration of work. To obtain this visa, the applicants must have their employers file a petition with US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on their behalf. Once approved, the applicant can then begin applying for the visa.

Student visa (Type F, M) Fee: USD 185 (INR 15,317 approximately) Whether you need an F type or an M type depends upon the course you choose to pursue or the school you wish to attend as a student .

Exchange visitor visa (Type J) Fee: USD 185 (INR 15,317 approximately) This is for people who are part of exchange visitor programmes in the US.

Transit/crewmember Visas (Type C, D) Fee: USD 185 (INR 15,317 approximately) Type C is for those transiting through the US while going to another country. And type D is for crewmembers who work on sea vessels and airlines in the States.

Religious worker visa (Type R) Fee: USD 205 (INR 16,972 approximately) The R-1 visa is for those who wish to travel to the US for religious purposes.

Domestic employment visa (Type B1) Fee: USD 185 (INR 15,317 approximately) This is for those travelling with their employers to carry out domestic duties in the United States of America.

Journalist and media (Type I) Fee: USD 185 (INR 15,317 approximately) The type I visa is for those representing the media who belong to the press, radio, film or print industries. If you are travelling temporarily to work in the United States with respect to your profession as someone from the media, you fall under this category.

Find out more about types of visas here .

What are the eligibility criteria for a US visa?

The candidates should fulfil some general eligibility criteria before they apply for a non-immigrant US visa from India. However, please note these documents won’t alone guarantee the visa, as there are various categories, and each has its own specific requirements.

– Possess an Indian passport with a validity of at least six months beyond the period of stay in the US. – Should be financially sound enough to sustain the duration of stay. – Should have proper medical test reports and should not have any communicable diseases. – Should have an appropriate reason and purpose to travel to the country. – Should not have any criminal background or ongoing cases.

How to apply for a US visa from India?

apply for a US visa in India

From choosing your visa type to scheduling an appointment, here’s the step-by-step process of applying for an NIV visa from India.

Identification of visa

The first step is to know the type of visa you need. There are several NIV visas, and the purpose of your travel and other factors would determine the one you should apply for and the documents you must gather to support your application .

Completion of application

It is the most important step of your US visa application. After you have made your visa selection based on your requirements, it is time to fill the Form DS-160 online to book the visa interview appointment at the US embassy or consulate. The information must be filled in correctly and accurately.

You can take these pointers into account while completing the form:

  • Other than writing your name in your native language when asked, every detail should be filled in English.
  • You will have to restart the whole process if you stop working on it for over 20 minutes unless you have saved the details.
  • Note down the Application ID visible on the top right corner of the page, as you will need this ID to access the application again if you close the browser window before completing the form.
  • The completed DS-160 application form generates an alpha-numeric barcode confirmation page, which needs to be printed.
  • This page is mandatory for the appointment at the Visa Application Center and for the interview at the embassy/consulate.
  • After printing the page with the barcode information, you can press ‘back’ and email yourself a copy of the DS-160 in PDF format.

Visa fee payment

Each person applying for a US visa from India has to pay a non-refundable, non-transferable Machine Readable Visa (MRV) application fee, depending on the type of visa being applied for. However, some applicants are exempted from paying the MRV fee. For instance, those travelling for official purposes (A or G visa) are not required to pay the MRV fee.

You can pay your visa fee through NEFT, mobile banking (IMPS system) or deposit cash or cheque at designated banks such as AXIS and Citibank. Remember to carry your collection fee slip when you visit the bank. After making the payment, you will receive a receipt that allows you to schedule your interview appointment.

You can find out more about the process here .

Scheduling appointment

You can log in with your details and schedule your interview after you have paid the application fee. You’ll need to fix two appointments: one for your biometrics at the visa application centre (VAC) and the other for your interview at your chosen embassy or consulate. The VAC appointment needs to be scheduled at least a day before the interview. In cases of emergency, both appointments can be fixed on the same day as well.

The three things that you need to schedule the appointment are your passport, the MRV application fee receipt number and the ten (10) digit barcode number from your DS-160 confirmation page.

The official website says, “DS-160 visa application is valid for one year from the date of submission on the Form.”

Attending the interview

Visit the embassy/consulate on the interview day but refrain from taking friends or relatives along, as no one except the attendee is allowed inside. Electronic devices such as mobiles, cameras, smartwatches and laptops can’t be carried too. Inflammable and sharp objects are banned as well. Don’t take large bags or purses; instead, carry your documents in zip folders or small bags.

Tracking the visa/passport

Usually, the application processing time is about three working days, but the duration could vary under certain situations.

You can track the status of your application here after your interview.

US Visa

Documents required to apply for a US visa

Please keep the following mandatory documents ready for your US visa interview:

  • Passport with at least six months validity beyond your intended US stay
  • Form DS-160 confirmation page
  • Appointment confirmation page
  • One photograph as per US visa specification
  • Visa fee receipt

Supporting documents are needed, too, at the time of the interview. However, they depend on the type of visa being applied for and the individual’s circumstances.

For a visitor (B-1/B-2) visa, the following documents must be presented along with the mandatory documents:

  • Police clearance certificate
  • Birth certificate
  • Detailed travel itinerary
  • Tax documents
  • Bank statement and property-related details
  • If employed, a letter from the employer stating your designation, salary, duration of employment, and NOC; salary slips from the last three months
  • Business purpose, if any, for the US trip
  • If the applicant is a student, then produce the latest school result and educational certificate and evidence of financial support
  • If visiting a relative in the US, then bring photocopies of the relative’s proof of status, such as a Green Card or a valid visa

US visa appointment wait time

Generally, the applicants are advised to schedule an appointment for a visa interview at least three months before their travel date. However, due to the ongoing backlog and staffing issues, the wait time for NIV visa applicants is varying widely, from five days to 18 months, depending on the visa category and the location from where the application is being applied. So, it is advisable to initiate the application process and book the appointment as early as possible.

You can find out the estimated wait time for a visa interview on the US State Department’s website .

apply for a US visa in India

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Check Out The New Waiting Period For US Visa Applications In India

Us visa interview waiver.

To mitigate the long wait time for visa appointments, the US Embassy in India has been running an interview waiver programme for those seeking to renew their visa. Under this process, an applicant applying for renewal in the same visa category within 48 months of expiration is eligible for the interview waiver. Additionally, travellers with ‘clearance received’ or ‘department authorisation’ on their previous visas can benefit from this process and save themselves from the long queue for visa appointments.

Moreover, the US Department of State has also waived the in-person interview requirement for travellers applying for certain visa categories, including F, H-1, H-3, H-4, non-blanket L, M, O, P, Q, and academic J visas. However, the waiver applies to only those candidates who are not first-time applicants and are applying for the visa in their country of nationality or residence.

What can lead to the rejection of your US visa?

Some common reasons that may lead to your US visa rejection include an incomplete application form, lack of supporting documents, criminal convictions, drug violations and misinterpretation of material facts.

For more details, click here .

Helpful pointers from those with first-hand experience

While the information mentioned above will help you with the application process, these tips listed below, shared by people who attended the interview, will prepare you better for the interview.

  • State your purpose of visiting the US clearly to the consular officer. For instance, if you are travelling to attend your child’s convocation, you should have relevant information and an invitation to produce as proof.
  • Remember to take all your relevant educational and professional certificates and professional licences, such as a medical or press card.
  • Share details about your relatives/friends living in the US.
  • Try carrying hotel booking proofs along with your detailed itinerary. If you have already booked tickets, share a copy of the same.
  • If someone in the US has invited you, share the invitation letter and the address of the person/entity you are visiting
  • Be polite while answering questions, and be patient if extra questions are asked.

Find out more about the complete process here .

All conversions done at the time of writing.

(Hero and featured image credit: Nik Shuliahin/Unsplash)

Related: A Step-By-Step Guide To Apply Visa For China

  • United States Of America
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Pyusha Chatterjee

Pyusha Chatterjee

A journalist, Pyusha has previously worked with media organisations including The New Indian Express and Hindustan Times. A solo traveller by choice, she loves exploring life more than anything else, after food of course. When she isn't gardening, writing, reading, cooking or singing out loud, you can spot her watching films and series, debating with .. Read More friends or organising things unnecessarily. Read Less

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Guide to us tourist visa from india: how to apply for usa visa.

Updated: Feb 9

Usually, if someone from India wants to visit the USA for tourism, they need to obtain a US tourist visa, also known as a B2 tourist visa. There are two main types of visas for the US: one for a short-term visit (called a nonimmigrant visa ) and another for permanent residence (called an immigrant visa).

A B2 tourist visa falls under the short-term visit category. It's for individuals who want to visit the U.S. temporarily for tourism, vacation, visiting family and friends, or medical treatment.

By reading this blog, you will not only learn about applying for a US tourist visa from India but most importantly you will discover the key secrets for a successful application.

Table of Contents: Tourist Visa for USA from India

Introduction

US Tourist Visa from India, Open?

Sponsor for Tourist Visa USA

US Tourist Visa Cost for Indian

Tourist Visa for USA from India Wait Time

US Visa Appointment Available Dates (India)

Apply for a u.s. visa in india.

Tourist Visa USA Requirements

Purpose and Duration of Travel

Intention to leave, financial stability, faqs on tourist visa for usa from india.

This would be the first question coming to anyone's mind if the US tourist visa application is currently open or not. The answer is yes, US tourist visa applications from India are currently open. For the latest updates, it's advisable to check the USCIS website .

Situations like COVID-19 can cause delays in US tourist visa applications. During the pandemic, there was a significant delay in obtaining a US tourist visa. However, the situation has improved, and now you can secure a visa appointment more quickly.

Sponsor for US Tourist Visa

The next question that might come to your mind is whether you need a sponsor for a US tourist visa while applying from India. The answer is no; a sponsor is not required to apply for a B2 tourist visa. Even if you don't have any friends, family, or relatives there, you can still apply for a tourist visa to visit the US.

If you have a stable financial background and meet other visa requirements, obtaining a US tourist visa without a sponsor is easily achievable. However, if you have someone in the US who can sponsor you, you can always request them to provide an invitation letter  or sponsorship letter . It's optional, though.

The current cost for a US tourist visa from India is 12,000 INR per person. However, this amount may change in the future. Along with the tourist visa fee, you need to prove your financial stability by demonstrating available funds in your account. It's advisable to show a minimum of 3 lakh rupees in an Indian account associated with the applicant.

US Tourist Visa from India Wait Time

The current wait time for a US tourist visa from India is:

New Delhi: 253 days

Mumbai: 268 days

Chennai: 260 days

Kolkata: 240 days

Please note that these wait times can vary significantly depending on when you plan to visit and where you are applying from. India has four visa application centers: Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata. You can always check the current wait times  on the USCIS website.

You can change your appointment date up to four times (not counting the first one) without any problem. But if you cancel the fourth attempt, you have to wait for 90 days before picking a new date.

Moreover, after you schedule your visa interview, you can choose to change the appointment to an earlier date if there are available slots. There's a good chance you might find an earlier date, so it's a good idea to keep an eye out.

You can not see the current US visa appointment available dates without completing the DS-160 form and paying the appointment fee. You need to complete the DS-160 form, and pay the MRV fees, and using that receipt number you can move forward to make an appointment for biometrics and an interview.

Note that if you are age:

13 and younger: Generally interview is not required

From 14 to 79: Interview required

80 and older: Generally interview is not required

Briefly, to apply for a U.S. Tourist Visa in India, you need to follow these 6 steps:

Understand your visa type

Complete your DS-160 online application

Pay your visa fee of 12,000 INR (per person)

Schedule your appointment

Attend your interview (in person)

Track your passport

If Approved:  Book return tickets and make travel arrangements to fly to the US.

If Denied:  At the end of the interview, you will receive your passport along with a letter detailing the reasons for the visa refusal. Assess the reasons for denial, consider addressing any issues, and potentially reapply if appropriate.

Tourist Visa for USA from India

US Tourist Visa Requirements

For a US tourist visa application from India, there are five main requirements:

A valid original Indian passport

DS-160 confirmation page

MRV fee payment receipt, Appointment confirmation page

Two passport-size photographs. Generally, it's not required since the photograph is taken during biometrics. However, it's good to keep them just in case the service center faces any technical issues.

Other supporting documents depending on the purpose of travel like Identity, address proofs, employment letters, financial proofs (bank statements), marriage certificates, family photographs, etc.

Always keep in mind three things for a successful Tourist Visa to the USA from India:

Clearly state the purpose and duration of your trip.

Show your intention to leave the United States after your visit.

Demonstrate your capability to cover all the costs of your trip.

To successfully obtain a B2 tourist visa, it's important to know why you're going (purpose) and how long you plan to stay (duration). Clearly understand your purpose, whether it's for tourism, to see family, or for medical treatment, and make sure to have enough documents to support your reasons when asked during the interview.

Keep in mind that you can stay in the US for up to six months in one go. Despite this, always express your intention to leave the country once your visit is over (even if you are not completing six months).

Related: B2 visa length of stay

If you're obtaining a US tourist visa for medical treatment:

Get a note from your local doctor explaining your illness and why you need treatment in the United States.

Ask a U.S. doctor or medical place to write a letter saying they can treat you. They should also mention how long the treatment will take and how much it will cost, covering doctor fees, hospital charges, and other medical costs.

If you're obtaining a US tourist visa to visit family or friends:

It's a good idea to have a sponsor letter with you. Although no one might ask you directly, having this letter can support what you say about visiting someone. Here is an example .

If you're obtaining a US tourist visa for tourism or social events:

Know the places you plan to visit, where you'll stay, and how long you'll be at each place. If you have a travel itinerary, it's a good idea to keep it during the B2 visa interview.

Show your ties to India, things that connect you to your home country like your job, family, investments, etc. You can use documents such as lease agreements, utility bills, employment letters, tax returns, bank statements, recent pay slips, marriage certificates, and photos that show immediate family members in your home country. Letters from family members confirming your relationship can also help.

Related: Things to know about the USA

Show proof that you or someone else will pay for your travel, medical bills, and stay in the US. This could be your bank statements, proof of income or savings, or official copies of tax returns from either you or the person/organization covering the trip.

Can I look for a job in the us with a tourist visa?

People with business and tourist visas can now apply for new jobs in the US. You can even go for job interviews with the same visa. However, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) says you must change your visa before you start working.

Can I sponsor my friend to the USA for a B2 visa?

Simply put, you can't apply for a B2 visa for someone else. Each person must apply for their visa, and they need to go to the interview themselves. But, if you're a U.S. citizen or a green card holder, you can help and support a family member or friend who is applying for a tourist visa.

How long does it take for a B2 visa to be approved?

Once you send in the DS-160 form, it usually takes USCIS about 1-2 months to review and process the B-2 visa application.

Next: B2 visa interview questions

Related posts.

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✔ Tourist visa rejection reasons

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Times of India TIMESOFINDIA.COM / TRAVEL NEWS , UNITED STATES / Created : Mar 20, 2024, 15:55 IST

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The USCIS announced the commencement of online registration for H-1B visas for the fiscal year 2025, which began on March 6, 2024. This registration period is scheduled to run until March 22, 2024. The United States Citizenship an … Read more

The USCIS announced the commencement of online registration for H-1B visas for the fiscal year 2025, which began on March 6, 2024. This registration period is scheduled to run until March 22, 2024. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) introduced myUSCIS organisational accounts on February 28, 2024. These accounts aim to enhance user experience and efficiency in managing immigration-related matters. Read less

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Restoration of Valid Long Duration (10 years) Regular (Paper) Tourist Visas

  • Home > Restoration of Valid Long Duration (10 years) Regular (Paper) Tourist Visas

Restoration of Valid Long Duration (10 years) Regular (Paper) Tourist Visas

india tourist visa to the usa

Embassy of India

Washington DC

Press Release

          The Government of India has decided to restore valid long duration (10 years) regular (paper) tourist visas for the nationals of USA with immediate effect. Fresh issue of regular (paper) long-duration (10 years) tourist visas has also been restored for US nationals.

In addition, e-Tourist visas under the two options (one year and five years), which remained suspended since March 2020, shall stand restored. Applications for fresh e-tourist visas for eligible nationalities can also be made at the Indian E-Visa Portal [ https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html ]

The current scheme of regular tourist visa/e-visa (single entry of 30 days duration) on gratis basis will be discontinued w.e.f 1 st April, 2022.

Foreign nationals on tourist/e-tourist visas would be permitted to enter India only through designated Sea Immigration Check Posts (ICPs) or Airport ICPs  by flights, including those under the Vande Bharat Mission or ‘air bubble’ scheme or by any flights as allowed by Indian Ministry of Civil Aviation. In no case, the foreign nationals will be allowed to enter through land border or riverine routes on Tourist visa/E-Tourist visa.

Applicants are also advised to go through the guidelines for international travel to India, available at :

https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/GuidelinesforInternationalarrivalsupdatedon10thFebruary2022.pdf .

Washington DC March 28, 2022

  The Government of India has decided to restore valid long duration (10 years) regular (paper) tourist visas for the nationals of USA with immediate effect. Fresh issue of regular (paper) long-duration (10 years) tourist visas has also been restored for US nationals.

In addition, e-Tourist visas under the three options (one month, one year and five years), which remained suspended since March 2020, shall stand restored. Applications for fresh e-tourist visas for eligible nationalities can also be made at the Indian E-Visa Portal [ https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html ]

The current scheme of regular tourist visa/e-visa (one month stay only) on gratis basis will also continue.

Foreign nationals on tourist/e-tourist visas would be permitted to enter India only through designated Sea Immigration Check Posts (ICPs) or Airport ICPs by flights, including those under the Vande Bharat Mission or ‘air bubble’ scheme or by any flights as allowed by Indian Ministry of Civil Aviation. In no case, the foreign nationals will be allowed to enter through land border or riverine routes on Tourist visa/E-Tourist visa.

Applicants are also advised to go through the guidelines for international travel to India, available at : https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/GuidelinesforInternationalarrivalsupdatedon10thFebruary2022.pdf .

March 15, 2022

Restoration of Long Duration (10 years) Regular (Paper) Tourist Visas

          The Government of India has decided to restore old valid long duration (10 years) regular (paper) tourist visas for the nationals of USA with immediate effect. Fresh issue of regular (paper) long-duration (10 years) tourist visas has also been restored for US nationals.

         In addition, e-Tourist visas under the three options (one month, one year and five years), which remained suspended since March 2020, shall stand restored. Applications for fresh e-tourist visas for eligible nationalities can also be made at the Indian E-Visa Portal [ https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html ]

         The current scheme of regular tourist visa/e-visa (one month stay only) on gratis basis will also continue.

         Foreign nationals on tourist/e-tourist visas would be permitted to enter India only through designated Sea Immigration Check Posts (ICPs) or Airport ICPs  by flights, including those under the Vande Bharat Mission or ‘air bubble’ scheme or by any flights as allowed by Indian Ministry of Civil Aviation. In no case, the foreign nationals will be allowed to enter through land border or riverine routes on Tourist visa/E-Tourist visa.

       Applicants are also advised to go through the guidelines for international travel to India, available at : https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/GuidelinesforInternationalarrivalsupdatedon10thFebruary2022.pdf .

Washington, DC March 15, 2022

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The life and music of Amy Winehouse, through the journey of adolescence to adulthood and the creation of one of the best-selling albums of our time. The life and music of Amy Winehouse, through the journey of adolescence to adulthood and the creation of one of the best-selling albums of our time. The life and music of Amy Winehouse, through the journey of adolescence to adulthood and the creation of one of the best-selling albums of our time.

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  6. India tourist visa from the embassy in 2023: A complete guide

    india tourist visa to the usa

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  2. Top 20 VISA FREE Countries to Travel from India in 2020

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  4. visitor Visa USA|| USA Tourist Visa|| USA Visa

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  1. India Visa Online

    Indianvisaonline.gov.in. All foreign nationals entering India are required to possess a valid international travel document in the form of a national passport with a valid visa from an Indian Mission/Post or eVisa (Limited Categories) from Bureau of Immigration, Ministry of Home Affairs. Avail Indian Visa plus services through "Official app ...

  2. Welcome to Embassy of India, Washington D C, USA

    The Government of India has decided, with immediate effect, to restore valid long duration (10 years) regular (paper) tourist visas for the nationals of USA. Fresh issue of regular (paper) long-duration (10 years) tourist visas has also been restored for nationals of USA. E-Tourist visas under the three options (one month, one year and five ...

  3. Welcome to Consulate General of India, New York (USA)

    3. e-Visa has 5 sub-categories viz. e-Tourist Visa (for 30 days/01 year/ 05 years), e-Business Visa, e-Medical Visa, e-Medical Attendant Visa and e-Conference Visa. A foreigner (other than those applying for e-Conference Visa) will be allowed to club activities permitted under these categories.

  4. Welcome to Embassy of India, Washington D C, USA

    Applicants requiring help regarding e-Visa may call the 24X7 helpline number (+91-11-24300666) or send an email to [email protected] for any queries. The e-Visa facility is in addition to the existing Visa services being provided through Indian Embassy and Consulates.

  5. Welcome to Consulate General of India, New York (USA)

    Consulate General of India. New York ***** The Government of India has decided to restore all valid regular paper /e-visa [including long term 10 years tourist regular paper visa and 5 years e-visa] irrespective of its issue date, for the nationals of USA since 16 March 2022.

  6. Welcome to Consulate General of India, New York (USA)

    A. Foreign nationals intending to visit a place falling in the Protected/ Restricted Area in India, may submit an application for the grant of Protected/Restricted Area Permit to Concerned offices in particular Indian states OR nearest Indian Mission/Post. This requirement is in addition to getting an Indian visa.

  7. Welcome to Embassy of India, Washington D C, USA

    Film Visa (F) Up to 1 years / Single or Multiple Entry. 140.00. 12. Transit Visa - Up to 15 days / Single or Double Entry. 40.00. Welcome to Embassy of India, Washington D C, USA.

  8. Here's how to get a visa to visit India

    Almost everyone needs a visa to visit India, but for most nationalities, tourist visas are easy to obtain online or through your local Indian embassy or consulate. Citizens of 166 countries - including most nations in the EU and EEA, the UK, the US, Australia and New Zealand, and many countries in Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Latin ...

  9. India tourist visa from the embassy in 2023: A complete guide

    The visa fee varies depending on the visa period, the embassy's location and the nationality. For example, the fee for a 10-year India visa for a US citizen applying from the US is $160 plus VFS charges. The fee for a 1 year India visa for Bangladesh nationals applying from Bangladesh is free of charge. —.

  10. India International Travel Information

    Call us in Washington, D.C. at 1-888-407-4747 (toll-free in the United States and Canada) or 1-202-501-4444 (from all other countries) from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). See the State Department's travel website for the Worldwide Caution and Travel Advisories.

  11. E-VISA APPLICATION PROCESS

    Invitation Letter to foreign sports teams and sports persons to visit India by the concerned Sports Federation/Association in India. ... SBIePay provides 24*7*365 customer support to all the e-Visa applicants. Applicants can also call us on the below mentioned number(s): Contact No: +91-22-2753-5773 ... For e-Tourist Visa (01 year / 05 years ...

  12. Visas

    When booking your visa appointment, you must ensure that you, or your representative, submit a properly completed DS-160 form (online visa application). A properly completed DS-160 form contains the complete and correct information (including name, gender, visa class, date of birth, passport number, et cetera.) for the applicant who will appear ...

  13. Visitor Visa

    Generally, a citizen of a foreign country who wishes to enter the United States must first obtain a visa, either a nonimmigrant visa for a temporary stay, or an immigrant visa for permanent residence. Visitor visas are nonimmigrant visas for persons who want to enter the United States temporarily for business (visa category B-1), for tourism (visa category B-2), or for a combination of both ...

  14. U.S. Visas

    A citizen of a foreign country who seeks to enter the United States generally must first obtain a U.S. visa, which is placed in the traveler's passport, a travel document issued by the traveler's country of citizenship. Certain international travelers may be eligible to travel to the United States without a visa if they meet the ...

  15. Nonimmigrant Visas

    Nonimmigrant Visas. The Consular Sections of the U.S. Embassy and the Consulates are responsible for providing visa services to those seeking to enter the United States for a temporary period and for those wishing to take up indefinite or permanent residence in the United States. Please visit our Global Support Services (GSS) website for ...

  16. Visa Appointment Wait Times

    Visa applicants are reminded to apply early for their visas, well in advance of the anticipated travel date. Important Notice: Except in cases of emergency travel (i.e. serious illnesses, injuries, or deaths in your immediate family), before making inquiries about status of administrative processing, applicants should wait at least 180 days ...

  17. This Is How You Can Apply For A US Visa From India

    The three things that you need to schedule the appointment are your passport, the MRV application fee receipt number and the ten (10) digit barcode number from your DS-160 confirmation page. The official website says, "DS-160 visa application is valid for one year from the date of submission on the Form.".

  18. Guide to US Tourist Visa from India: How to Apply for USA Visa

    Apply for a U.S. Visa in India. Briefly, to apply for a U.S. Tourist Visa in India, you need to follow these 6 steps: Understand your visa type. Complete your DS-160 online application. Pay your visa fee of 12,000 INR (per person) Schedule your appointment. Attend your interview (in person) Track your passport.

  19. US Visa India

    To apply for a US visa in India, you have to follow these steps: Determine what type of US visa you need. Complete the US visa application form (Form DS-160). Pay the US visa fee. Schedule a visa appointment. Collect the required documents. Submit the application at the US Visa Application Centre. Enter your US visa interview at the US Embassy.

  20. H-1B Visa registration for FY 2025 open till March 22 ...

    The USCIS announced the commencement of online registration for H-1B visas for the fiscal year 2025, which began on March 6, 2024. This registration period is scheduled to run until March 22, 2024.

  21. The Five Best Travel Credit Cards for 2024

    Recommendations that suit your travel needs, whether you're looking to rack up points for free travel, guarantee lounge access or shortcut your way to elite airline status.

  22. Welcome to Embassy of India, Washington D C, USA

    The Government of India has decided to restore valid long duration (10 years) regular (paper) tourist visas for the nationals of USA with immediate effect. Fresh issue of regular (paper) long-duration (10 years) tourist visas has also been restored for US nationals. In addition, e-Tourist visas under the two options (one year and five years ...

  23. Back to Black (2024)

    Back to Black: Directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson. With Lesley Manville, Jack O'Connell, Eddie Marsan, Marisa Abela. The life and music of Amy Winehouse, through the journey of adolescence to adulthood and the creation of one of the best-selling albums of our time.