India Visa for US Citizens: 2026 Fees, Requirements, and How to Apply
US citizens need a visa to visit India, and for tourism the simplest is the India 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.
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.
We take nothing for the visa. It is the government's form, and it is yours to file.
US citizens, at a glance
2026- Visa needed
- Yes, for all ordinary US passport holders
- 30-day cost
- US$25 (US$10 in April–June), plus about 2.5–3% bank charge
- 1-year / 5-year
- US$40 flat; 5-year see below (reciprocal for US citizens)
- Visa on arrival
- Not available for US citizens
- Processing
- Usually about 3 to 4 working days
- Apply window
- 4 to 120 days before travel; pay at least 4 days before arrival
- Official site
- indianvisaonline.gov.in (the only one)
- 30-day, July–March
- US$2530-day, July–March
- 30-day, April–June
- US$1030-day, April–June
- 1-year, multiple entry
- US$401-year, multiple entry
- Visa on arrival for US passports
- NoneVisa on arrival for US passports
Approved by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India · how we check these figures
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.
Ordinary US passport
e-Visa online
Fully online at the official portal. No consulate visit, no interview.
Diplomatic or official US passport
Regular visa
Not e-Visa eligible. Apply for a sticker visa at an Indian mission.
India visa fees for US citizens
| e-Tourist Visa | Validity | Entries | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30-day | 30 days from arrival | Double | US$25 (US$10 in April–June) |
| 1-year | 365 days from grant | Multiple | US$40 |
| 5-year | 5 years from grant | Multiple | US$80 standard; some 2026 listings show up to US$160 |
Scroll the table sideways →
About the 5-year fee — read this before you pay
The 5-year fee is where US citizens may differ: it is US$80 as a standard rate, though some 2026 reciprocal listings report US citizens paying up to US$160. 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.
Confirm your 5-year fee on the portalRules that apply to all three
- All e-Tourist Visas are non-extendable and non-convertible.
- The 1-year and 5-year allow up to 180 days of stay per year.
- A 2.5–3% card charge applies and is non-refundable even if you are refused.
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.
No e-Visa, no boarding passAirlines will not board you without it.
How to apply, in short
- 1
Go to indianvisaonline.gov.in, choose the e-Tourist Visa and your duration.
- 2
Enter your passport and travel details; upload your passport photo page (PDF) and a white-background photo (JPEG).
- 3
Pay at least four days before arrival; the ETA arrives by email in about three to four working days.
- 4
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.
Requirements
A US passport valid at least six months from arrival with two blank pages, a digital passport photo page, a recent white-background photo, and a card for payment.
US passport
Valid at least six months from arrival, with two blank pages.
Passport photo page
A digital scan, as a PDF.
Recent photograph
Front-facing, plain white background, as a JPEG.
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.
Full requirements and documentsPlanning a trip to India 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.
Direct and one-stop
- New York
- Newark
- Chicago
- San Francisco
- Washington
- Delhi
- Mumbai
- When most Americans go
- October – March
- The usual shape
- Golden Triangle plus one contrasting region
50,000+ guests hosted from 35+ countries. Start with our India travel guide.
Agra, Uttar PradeshIndia visa: frequently asked questions
The short answers, for the questions American travellers send us before every first trip.
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.
Where these figures come from
Official portal: indianvisaonline.gov.in. Fees verified against 2026 Government of India listings; always confirm your exact fee on the portal.
Fees last checked . We re-check monthly.
indianvisaonline.gov.inNew to planning India? Start here
Plan my India trip
Send us your dates and we will tell you which visa your itinerary actually needs, when to apply for it, and what else the entry side will ask of you — before you book anything.
50,000+ guests hosted from 35+ countries · 500+ local, third-generation guides