India Visa for United States Citizens 2026 - Requirements, Fees & Processing

Overview

Planning a trip to India as an American citizen? This guide covers everything you need for the e-Tourist Visa application: required documents, current fees starting at $25, processing times of 2-5 business days, and tips for a smooth application. With a near-perfect approval rate for US applicants, India's e-Visa system makes travel planning straightforward.

Visa Application process

The India e-Tourist Visa is applied for entirely online through the official government portal.1 The process is straightforward and typically completed in under 30 minutes.

Complete Online Application

Visit indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa and select “e-Tourist Visa.”1 Fill in your personal details, passport information, and travel plans. Upload your photo and passport scan.

Pay the Visa Fee

Pay the applicable fee online using a credit card, debit card, or payment wallet.1 Fees vary by visa duration: $25-40 for 30-day visa, $40 for 1-year visa, or $80 for 5-year visa.

Receive ETA via Email

Within 2-5 business days, you will receive your Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) via email.1 Print this document; you will need to present it at Indian immigration.

Travel to India

Present your printed ETA and passport at the immigration counter upon arrival.1 Entry is permitted at 28 designated airports and 5 seaports across India.

Visa Application Steps

1. Complete Online Application
2. Pay the Visa Fee
3. Receive ETA via Email
4. Travel to India

Visa Fees breakdown

Visa Type: Duration	e-Tourist (Apr-Jun): 30 days	e-Tourist (Jul-Mar): 30 days	e-Tourist 1-Year: 1 year	e-Tourist 5-Year: 5 years	Regular Tourist (Embassy): Up to 10 years	Note: An additional 2.5% bank charge applies to all e-Visa fees.1

What you need to prove

The India e-Visa process for American citizens is straightforward.1 You need to demonstrate:

Valid travel document: US passport with 6+ months validity and blank pages 1
Legitimate purpose: Tourism, visiting family, short-term yoga programs, or medical treatment 1
Onward travel: While not strictly required, having a return ticket can smooth entry 2

Required documents

Valid Passport
Digital Photograph
Passport Bio Page Scan
Valid Email Address
Payment Method
Travel Information

Valid Passport

Your US passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your arrival date in India • At least two blank pages for visa stamps; • Must be a regular passport (diplomatic, official, and service passports require different process); • Passport must not be damaged or altered] (Tip: Check passport expiration date well before applyingRenew passport if it expires within 6 months of travel)

Digital Photograph

Recent passport-style photograph in digital format • Square format (minimum 350x350 pixels); • White or light background; • Face should occupy 50-60% of the photo; • JPEG format, file size between 10KB-1MB] (Tip: Take photo against a plain white wallEnsure good lighting with no shadows on faceDo not wear glasses in the photo)

Passport Bio Page Scan

Clear scan or photo of your passport's information page • PDF format preferred; • File size between 10KB-300KB; • All text must be clearly readable; • Include Machine Readable Zone (MRZ)] (Tip: Use a scanner for best qualitySmartphone photo works if well-lit and in focus)

Valid Email Address

Active email address to receive Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) • ETA will be sent to this email; • Must be accessible during travel] (Tip: Check spam folder if ETA is not receivedUse a personal email rather than work email)

Payment Method

Credit or debit card for online fee payment • Visa, MasterCard, or other major cards accepted; • Payment wallets also accepted] (Tip: International transactions must be enabled on your card)

Travel Information

Basic details about your planned trip to India • Expected arrival date and port of entry; • Accommodation address in India; • Reference name and address in India] (Tip: Hotel booking confirmation helps but is not mandatoryCan enter hotel name as reference if visiting as tourist)

Comparison

Visa Type	Duration	Fee	Entry Type
e-Tourist (Apr-Jun)	30 days	US$25	Double entry
e-Tourist (Jul-Mar)	30 days	US$40	Double entry
e-Tourist 1-Year	1 year	US$40	Multiple entry
e-Tourist 5-Year	5 years	US$80	Multiple entry
Regular Tourist (Embassy)	Up to 10 years	US$160	Multiple entry

Common rejection reasons

%	Reason
35%	Passport Photo Mismatch
30%	Incomplete Information
20%	Invalid Passport
10%	Payment Issues
5%	Previously Overstayed

35% - Passport Photo Mismatch

How to avoid: Use a recent photo with white background. Ensure face occupies 50-60% of the frame. Do not wear glasses or headwear (unless religious).

30% - Incomplete Information

How to avoid: Double-check all entries against your passport. Verify dates are in the correct format. Save your application and review before submitting.

20% - Invalid Passport

How to avoid: Ensure passport is valid for at least 6 months from arrival date and has at least 2 blank pages.

10% - Payment Issues

How to avoid: Enable international transactions on your card. Keep sufficient funds available. Try a different card if payment fails.

5% - Previously Overstayed

How to avoid: If you have previous immigration issues, consider applying through the embassy instead of e-Visa for better support.

Frequently asked questions

Do American citizens need a visa for India?

Yes, US citizens must obtain a visa before traveling to India. The e-Tourist Visa is the most convenient option for tourism, allowing you to apply entirely online without visiting an embassy.

How long does India e-Visa processing take?

Most e-Tourist Visa applications are processed within 2-5 business days. It's recommended to apply at least 4 days before your planned travel date. Some applications may take longer if additional verification is needed.

What is the India tourist visa fee for Americans in 2026?

The 30-day e-Tourist Visa costs $25 (April-June) or $40 (July-March). The 1-year multiple entry e-Tourist Visa is $40, and the 5-year multiple entry visa is $80. Traditional visas through the embassy cost $160 for 10-year validity.

How long can I stay in India on a tourist visa?

The e-Tourist Visa allows continuous stays of up to 90 days (for US citizens) per visit. The total stay cannot exceed 180 days in a calendar year. Each entry must be through one of the 28 designated airports or 5 seaports.

Can I extend my India tourist visa?

The e-Tourist Visa cannot be extended. If you need to stay longer, you must leave India and apply for a new visa. For extended stays, consider applying for a regular tourist visa through the embassy, which offers more flexibility.

What airports can I enter India with an e-Visa?

US citizens with an e-Tourist Visa can enter through 28 airports including Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Goa, and Cochin. Entry is also permitted at 5 designated seaports.

Do I need to print my India e-Visa?

Yes, you must print the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) received via email and present it at immigration upon arrival. Keep a digital copy on your phone as backup.

What is the approval rate for India e-Visas?

The approval rate for US citizens applying for India e-Tourist Visas is approximately 98%. Refusals are rare and typically due to incomplete applications or documentation errors.

Apply for India tourist visa online

Sources

Indian e-Visa Portal

https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/

Embassy of India, Washington D.C.

https://www.indianembassyusa.gov.in/extra?id=90

U.S. State Department - India Travel

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/India.html

VFS Global USA - India Visa Services

https://services.vfsglobal.com/usa/en/ind/apply-visa

At a glance