India Tourist Visa for US citizens: How to apply

Are you planning a trip to India? Before you can, you must secure your India Tourist Visa. Here’s what you need to know to apply for your visa and begin your journey to India.

Do US citizens need a visa for India?

Yes, US citizens need a visa before traveling to India. It’s a mandatory entry requirement that applies whether you’re visiting for tourism, business, or medical reasons.

India visa for US citizens: What are your options?

There are several types of India visas available for US citizens, depending on your travel purpose:

• e-Tourist Visa: Ideal for leisure travel, sightseeing, or visiting family and friends.

• e-Business Visa: For attending business meetings, conferences, or trade fairs.

• e-Medical Visa: For US citizens seeking medical treatment in India.

The e-Tourist Visa is the most common choice for travelers seeking to explore India’s rich cultural heritage.

What is the India Tourist Visa for US citizens?

The India Tourist Visa allows US citizens to visit India for tourism purposes. This includes sightseeing, attending cultural events, and visiting friends or family. The eVisa option allows for a completely online application, saving time and effort compared to traditional visa methods.

Our online process simplifies everything, ensuring that your application is completed smoothly. Once approved, your visa will be sent directly to you via email.

Difficulty Score: 21/100

The India Tourist eVisa application is straightforward, with only 24 questions and 2 required documents.

On average, it takes about 18 minutes to complete the form. Most applicants will not need to attend an in-person interview, and with a low rejection rate of 4%, the visa is highly accessible for US citizens.

Visa validity options

US citizens can choose from the following visa validity options based on their travel plans:

• 30-day Double-Entry Visa

• 1-year Multiple-Entry Visa

• 5-year Multiple-Entry Visa

Keep in mind, eVisas are non-extendable and non-convertible, so choose the visa duration that best suits your needs.

India Tourist Visa application: How to apply in the US

Applying for your India Tourist Visa is simple and takes only a few minutes using our website or mobile app:

1.Fill out the form: Provide your personal and travel details online.

2.Verify your information: Double-check everything and choose the processing time that works for you.

3.Submit your application: Upload your documents and pay the service fee. After submission, we take care of the rest.

Your visa will be emailed directly to you once it is processed. Make sure to carry both a printed and electronic copy when you travel to India.

India tourist visa processing time for US citizens

There are three processing alternatives, each with a different processing time and price depending on your travel needs and type of visa. Here are the processing options we offer:

• Standard Processing: This is the best option if you have more time to wait; it takes 6 days and is also the most economical.

• Rush Processing: A little faster; receiving your visa only takes 4 days.

• Super Rush Processing: Your visa will be delivered in 3 days.

India tourist visa requirements for US citizens

To apply for the India Tourist Visa, you’ll need the following documents:

• Valid US passport: It must be valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay in India and have at least two blank pages.
• Passport-size photo: Ensure the photo meets India’s specific guidelines.

These two documents are all you need to complete your application.

Other entry and exit rules to consider for India

• ✅ Passport validity: Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your date of arrival and have at least two blank pages.

• ✅ Yellow fever certificate: Required only if you are arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission.

• ✅ Restricted/protected areas: Some regions (like parts of Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Ladakh, and Andaman & Nicobar Islands) require a special permit (Protected Area Permit or Restricted Area Permit) in addition to your visa.

• ✅ Overstaying penalties: Overstaying a visa, even by one day, can lead to fines, detention, or future visa bans. Always check your visa expiry carefully.

• ✅ Entry points: Ensure you arrive at an airport, seaport, or land border that accepts your visa type. For example, e-visas are valid only at certain airports and seaports.

• ✅ Currency rules: You can carry up to ₹25,000 in Indian rupees when entering or exiting. For foreign currency, amounts over USD 5,000 (cash) or USD 10,000 (total) must be declared.

• ✅ Customs rules: India has strict regulations on items like gold, electronics, and certain medicines. Prohibited items include satellite phones, some types of drones, and narcotics.

💡 Michael Angelo from The Project Kosmos shared his experience:

"Leaving Mumbai, security was the strictest I’ve faced. They searched all bags and wouldn’t let me carry my GPS, saying it’s a prohibited item. I had to check the GPS separately and carried only my laptop, charger, and iPod until picking up my bag in Bangladesh."

What if my India tourist visa application is denied?

If your application is denied, we can help you reapply. Our team will review your application to ensure everything is accurate before resubmitting it. While the final decision rests with the Indian authorities, our expertise in handling numerous visa applications gives you the best chance of success.

Need more information?

Our customer service team is ready to assist if you have any questions about traveling to India or the India Tourist Visa application. Contact us anytime via WhatsApp or iVisa chat.