Updated October 2026. If you are searching for an India visa for US citizens, the simplest route for most American tourists is India’s official e-Tourist Visa. This guide explains how to apply for an Indian visa from the USA step by step, including the official India e-Visa website, current 2026 fees, documents, payment, ETA status and when a regular paper visa may be needed instead.
Important: Apply only through the Government of India portal at Indian Visa Online – e-Visa. Indian consulates in the United States warn that look-alike commercial e-visa sites exist and may charge extra fees.
Do U.S. citizens need a visa for India?
Yes. A U.S. citizen traveling on an ordinary U.S. passport generally needs an Indian visa before travel. For eligible tourism, business, medical and certain conference trips, India offers an online e-Visa. U.S. citizens can also apply for a regular paper visa where the e-Visa is unsuitable.
If you need embassy contact details rather than the online application, see our Embassy of India in USA – Contact & Visa Info directory page.
India e-Tourist Visa fees for U.S. citizens in 2026
The Government of India’s country-specific fee schedule, updated September 8, 2026, lists these e-Tourist Visa fees for United States passport holders:
| e-Tourist Visa | Government fee |
|---|---|
| 30 days, travel April–June | US$10 |
| 30 days, travel July–March | US$25 |
| 1 year | US$40 |
| 5 years | US$160 |
The official portal states that a 3% bank transaction charge is added. Visa fees are processing fees and are non-refundable even if the application is refused. Because fees can change, confirm the amount shown on the official payment screen before paying.
India e-Visa requirements for US citizens
Prepare the passport you will use to travel. The Government of India says it should have at least six months’ validity from your date of arrival and at least two blank pages. You should also have a recent digital photograph, a clear scan of the passport bio page, an active email address, payment card or supported payment method, your India accommodation/address details, and your expected arrival information. Travelers should have an onward or return ticket and sufficient funds for their stay.
How to apply for an India visa from the USA: step-by-step e-Visa application
Step 1: Open the official Government of India e-Visa website
Go directly to indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html. Check that the domain is exactly indianvisaonline.gov.in. Do not choose a sponsored or similarly named website simply because it appears first in search results.
Step 2: Select “Apply here for e-visa”
On the e-Visa homepage, choose the option to start a new e-Visa application. The same portal also contains options to complete a partially filled application, verify payment, check visa status and print the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA).
Step 3: Enter the first application details
Complete the opening form using your passport exactly as issued. Select your passport type, nationality as United States of America, port of arrival, date of birth, email address, expected date of arrival and the e-Visa service that matches the purpose of your trip. For an ordinary vacation, sightseeing or eligible casual visit, choose the appropriate e-Tourist Visa option.
Do not select tourism if your actual purpose is employment, journalism, study or another activity requiring a different visa category.
Step 4: Save your application ID
After starting the application, note the temporary/application ID displayed by the system. Keep it with the email address used for the application. It can help you return to an unfinished form instead of starting over.
Step 5: Complete your personal and passport information
Enter your name, sex, date and place of birth, citizenship details, passport number, place and date of issue, and expiry date exactly as they appear in the passport. Answer the nationality and previous-passport questions truthfully. A spelling mismatch between the form and passport can cause delays or problems at boarding or immigration.
Step 6: Enter address, family and occupation details
Complete the permanent and present-address sections, parent details and occupation information requested by the form. Use accurate current information. Do not invent an employer, occupation or address to make the application appear stronger.
Step 7: Enter your India travel details
Provide the places you plan to visit, accommodation/contact details in India, expected port of entry and other travel information requested. If the form asks about previous travel to India or previous Indian visas, answer from your actual travel history.
Step 8: Answer the background questions
Read every security/background question carefully and answer truthfully. Review the entire application before moving to document upload. Visa decisions are made by Indian authorities, and inaccurate information can lead to refusal or later immigration problems.
Step 9: Upload the photograph
Upload a recent front-facing photograph that meets the dimensions, format and file-size instructions displayed by the portal. Avoid blurry, cropped or heavily edited images. The Indian authorities specifically warn that unclear or non-compliant uploads can result in rejection.
Step 10: Upload the passport bio page
Upload a clear scan of the passport page containing your photograph and personal details. Make sure the full page is readable, including your name, passport number, dates and machine-readable lines. Other e-Visa categories may require an additional supporting document.
Step 11: Review the completed application before submitting
Check your name, passport number, nationality, date of birth, visa category, arrival date and email address one final time. Submit only when the information matches your documents.
Step 12: Pay the e-Visa fee online
Continue to the official payment stage and pay the fee shown for your nationality and visa type using an available credit/debit card or payment wallet. The portal says payment should be completed at least four days before the expected travel date. A 3% bank transaction charge is currently added.
If money is deducted but the portal does not immediately show payment as successful, use the portal’s Verify Payment/Pay Visa Fee function rather than immediately submitting a duplicate application.
Step 13: Check your application status
Return to the official e-Visa portal and use Check your Visa Status. Enter the requested application details. Do not travel merely because you have a payment receipt or application confirmation: the Government of India tells travelers to confirm that the ETA status is GRANTED.
Step 14: Download and print the ETA
Once granted, download the Electronic Travel Authorization and keep a printed or readily accessible copy for your journey. Travel using the passport linked to the application. If your passport changes after the ETA is issued, follow the official portal’s current passport/ETA transfer guidance before travel.
Step 15: Arrival in India
Present your passport and granted ETA when required. Biometric details are captured by Indian immigration on arrival. The e-Visa is not valid for every restricted, protected or cantonment area, which may require separate permission.
India e-Visa processing time: how early should US citizens apply?
The official e-Visa portal currently says eligible applicants may apply at least four days before arrival and up to 120 days before the proposed travel date for the listed e-Visa categories. Do not leave the application until the final days before an international flight; extra time gives you room to correct upload or payment problems.
India tourist visa for US citizens: 30-day vs 1-year vs 5-year e-Visa
For a short one-off trip, the 30-day option can be the lowest-cost choice. For U.S. travelers expecting repeat trips, the 1-year visa is US$40 before the bank charge, while the current 5-year U.S. fee is US$160. Choose based on your genuine travel needs rather than assuming the longest visa automatically permits an uninterrupted multi-year stay. Indian authorities state that a foreigner’s stay on e-Tourist/regular tourist visas is restricted to a maximum of 180 days in a calendar year.
Can you enter India by land on an e-Tourist Visa?
Do not assume an e-Tourist Visa permits entry at any border. Indian consular guidance for U.S. passport holders states that foreign nationals are not allowed to enter India through land routes on e-Tourist or regular paper Tourist Visas. Check the official e-Visa portal’s current list of designated entry airports and seaports when planning your itinerary.
When should you use a regular paper Indian visa?
A regular visa may be necessary when your travel purpose is not covered by e-Visa rules, when your circumstances make you ineligible for e-Visa, or when the specific visa category requires consular processing. The Indian government also directs Pakistani passport holders and people of Pakistani origin to the regular visa route. Diplomatic/official passport holders and certain travel-document holders are not eligible for e-Visa.
For regular visa fees and submission procedures in the United States, Indian consulates direct applicants to the authorized VFS Global India service. Start with the relevant Indian embassy/consulate guidance and use the official VFS route it links to rather than an unrelated visa agency.
Common mistakes that can delay an India visa application
- Using a commercial look-alike site instead of indianvisaonline.gov.in.
- Entering a passport number, name or date differently from the passport.
- Uploading a blurry passport scan or unsuitable photograph.
- Choosing the wrong visa category for the real purpose of travel.
- Waiting until fewer than four days before travel to apply/pay.
- Assuming an application confirmation means the visa has been granted.
- Booking a land-border itinerary without checking permitted e-Visa entry points.
India e-Visa application checklist for U.S. citizens
- U.S. passport with sufficient validity and blank pages
- Digital passport-style photograph
- Clear passport bio-page scan
- Email address you check regularly
- India address/accommodation information
- Expected arrival date and port
- Online payment method
- Granted ETA downloaded before departure
- Return/onward travel arrangements
India visa for US citizens: frequently asked questions
How much is an India tourist e-Visa for a U.S. citizen in 2026?
As of the Government of India fee schedule updated September 8, 2026: US$10 for a 30-day e-Tourist Visa for April–June travel, US$25 for July–March travel, US$40 for one year, and US$160 for five years, plus a 3% bank transaction charge.
Can I apply for an India visa completely online from the USA?
For eligible e-Visa categories, yes. The e-Visa application, document upload, payment and ETA process are online. Regular paper visas follow a different process.
Do I need to visit the Indian Embassy for an e-Visa?
Normally no. Indian consulates state that e-Visas are handled through the central Government of India e-Visa system and the consulate does not process them.
Is an Indian e-Visa fee refundable if refused?
No. The official portal states that the fee is a processing charge and is non-refundable regardless of whether the ETA is granted or rejected.
What website should Americans use to apply?
Use the official Government of India e-Visa portal: indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html.
Official sources and final check
Visa rules and fees can change. Before paying or booking around a visa assumption, verify the latest requirements on the Government of India e-Visa portal. For U.S.-based consular information, consult the appropriate Indian Embassy or Consulate. Our India Embassy in USA directory page can help you locate the relevant contact information.
Embassy Visa Directory is an independent travel-information website and is not affiliated with the Government of India. This guide is for general information; the official visa portal and Indian authorities control eligibility and visa decisions.
