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India Visa for US Citizens: 2026 Fees, Requirements, and How to Apply
Founder, Experience My India · IIT Jodhpur
US citizens need a visa to visit India, and for tourism the simplest is the e-Tourist Visa, applied for online at indianvisaonline.gov.in. Experience My India recommends the 30-day, 1-year, or 5-year option; the 30-day costs US$25, and there is no visa on arrival for American passport holders.
Do US citizens need a visa for India
Yes. All ordinary US passport holders need a visa to enter India, and for tourism the e-Tourist Visa is almost always the right choice: it is fully online, with no consulate visit. Diplomatic and official US passports are not e-Visa eligible and must apply for a regular visa at an Indian mission.
| Criteria | 30-day | 1-year | 5-year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Validity | 30 days from arrival | 365 days from grant | 5 years from grant |
| Entries | Double | Multiple | Multiple |
| Fee | US$25 (US$10 in April–June) | US$40 | US$80 standard; some 2026 listings report up to US$160 |
The 5-year fee for US citizens is unsettled
This is the one figure on this page worth double-checking yourself. Our visa hub lists the US 5-year fee as a confirmed US$160; this page's own sourcing gives US$80 as the standard rate, with some 2026 listings reporting up to US$160. Both figures are shown as written rather than one quietly overwriting the other. Because sources vary, confirm your exact 5-year fee on the official portal before you pay. The 30-day (US$25, or US$10 April to June) and 1-year (US$40) fees are the same as for most nationalities. (confirmed on enquiry)
Can US citizens get a visa on arrival in India
No. There is no visa-on-arrival or visa-free entry to India for ordinary US passport holders. Apply for the e-Visa online before you fly; airlines will not board you without it.
How to apply
Start on the official portal
Go to indianvisaonline.gov.in, choose the e-Tourist Visa and your duration.
Enter your details
Enter your passport and travel details; upload your passport photo page (PDF) and a white-background photo (JPEG).
Pay and wait
Pay at least four days before arrival; the ETA arrives by email in about three to four working days.
Print and carry it
Print the ETA and carry it. For the full step-by-step, documents, status checks, and rejection help, see our complete India e-Visa guide.
What you need
- A US passport valid at least six months from arrival with two blank pages.
- A digital scan of your passport photo page.
- A recent front-facing photo on a plain white background.
- A payment card for the fee plus the 2.5–3% bank charge.
- Apply on the passport you will travel with; renewing it later means applying again.
Flying from the US
The US is one of India's largest inbound markets, with direct and one-stop flights from New York, Newark, Chicago, San Francisco, and Washington to Delhi and Mumbai. Most first-time American visitors travel between October and March and pair the Golden Triangle with one contrasting region. When you plan a trip with us, we tell you exactly which visa to get and handle the timing.
The only official site
indianvisaonline.gov.in is the only official India e-Visa site. Lookalike sites file the same application and charge two to five times the government fee. If a site is not indianvisaonline.gov.in, do not pay it.
Sources
- Official portal: https://indianvisaonline.gov.in
- Fees verified against 2026 Government of India listings; always confirm your exact fee on the portal.
Frequently asked questions
Do US citizens need a visa for India?
Yes, all ordinary US passport holders do; most use the online e-Tourist Visa.
How much is the India visa for US citizens?
US$25 for 30 days (US$10 in April–June) and US$40 for one year; the 5-year is US$80 standard but some 2026 listings show up to US$160, so confirm on the portal.
Can US citizens get a visa on arrival in India?
No; apply for the e-Visa online before travelling.
What is the only official site for US citizens?
indianvisaonline.gov.in; every other paid "visa" site is a third party charging more.
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