Indian Visa For US Citizens: How To Get Indian Visa? Here's A Step-By-Step Instructional Guide

India is a country with a rich heritage of diversity. People here belong to various religions, speak different languages, and follow different cultures, among other diversities, which makes it a perfect destination for adventurers. That¡¯s why the arrival of American citizens in India has grown in the last few years.

So, if you are a US passport holder and planning a trip to India, you might require a visa to enter India. Here is everything you need to know about the requirements and regulations for US citizens to apply for an Indian visa.

Indian Visa for US Citizens | traveldocs

What are the types of Indian visas?

An Indian Visa for US citizens, which allows for multiple entries like tourism, conferences, yoga, medical visits, study, workshops, deal-and-exchange, and other business adventures. Here are some visa categories issued by the Indian government for US citizens.

1. Tourist Visa

2. Medical Visa

3. Medical Attendant Visa

4. Business Visa

5. Conference Visa

Indian visa requirements for US citizens

Indian Visa For US Citizens | Unsplash

The requirement for United States citizens is to have the following ready for the India eVisa:

- Email Id

- Full Name (as per passport)

- Date and place of birth

- Address and contact info

- Passport details

- Applicant Photo

- Ordinary Passport that is valid for 6 months

- Scanned copy of Passport Personal Details

- Other documents are required if the purpose of the visit is different, like business or medical.

- Credit/Debit Card or Paypal Account

How to get an India visa for US citizens

Indian Visa For US Citizens | Unsplash

Getting an Indian visa for US citizens is quite simple, and it's been a 100 percent online process since 2014, but you can apply offline as well.

e-Visa Application

American citizens whose sole objective for visiting India is tourism, medical treatment, conferences, yoga, study, courses, attending a conference, seminar, or workshop organised by a ministry or department of the Government of India, state governments, or UT administrations, etc., can apply for an e-Visa.

India e-Visa has 5 sub-categories:

- e-Tourist Visa for US citizens

- e-Business Visa for US citizens

- e-Medical Visa for US citizens

- e-Medical Attendant Visa for US citizens

- e-Conference Visa for US citizens

Indian visa for US citizens: what documents are required?

Indian Visa For US Citizens | Unsplash

Before you start the application, make sure to have these documents ready:

- A scanned bio page of your passport or other travel document with your photo and passport information.

The passport's validity has to be more than 6 months. If your passport expires within 6 months, you will not be allowed to submit your Indian e-Visa application.

- A recent passport-size photograph taken on a white background.

- Your reference's address and contact information in India, if you know anyone there.

- Enough funds to cover the India Visa fee

- Other documents are required if the purpose of the visit is different, like business or medical.

How to apply e-visa for US citizens?

While US passport holders greatly benefit from visa waivers for international travel worldwide, we will still need a valid visa to enter India. Fortunately, US citizens can apply for an Indian e-Visa. Follow the below steps to apply for an e-Visa as a US citizen.

STEP 1: Visit e-visa portal. https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/

Indian Visa For US Citizens

STEP 2: Click on "Apply here for e-visa"

Indian Visa For US Citizens

STEP 3: Enter the required details

Indian Visa For US Citizens

STEP 4: Select the type of Visa

Indian Visa For US Citizens

STEP 5: Click on Continue.

STEP 6: Enter the applicant details and passport details

STEP 7: Click on Save and Continue.

STEP 8: Enter the present address, permanent address, family details, marital status etc.

Indian Visa For US Citizens

STEP 9: Enter the details of the Visa sought along with the previous visa and currently valid visa details.

STEP 10: Save and Continue.

STEP 11: Confirm the required details

STEP 12: Upload JPEG format front-facing photograph

Indian Visa For US Citizens

STEP 13: Upload a Scanned bio page of your passport showing the photograph and details

STEP 14: Other documents are required if the purpose of the visit is different, like Business or Medical.

STEP 15: Click on Confirm

STEP 16: Verify the details

STEP 17: e-Visa fee payment

How to apply for a regular Indian visa for US citizens

Applicants may fill out the online application form by going to the official website for Indian visas. Here's a step-by-step guide:

STEP 1: Vist the official website for Regular visa application: indianvisaonline.gov.in

Indian Visa For US Citizens

STEP 2: Click on Regular/Paper Visa Application

STEP 3: Fill out the application online as per the forms standardised by the Ministry

Indian Visa For US Citizens

STEP 4: Submit the form

After filling out the form and submitting it, the system shall automatically generate an Application Id that will be required for further communications with the concerned Indian Mission.

STEP 5: After submitting the form, the System will ask you to select 'YES' if you want to seek an appointment with Indian Mission and make payment online or 'No' if the applicant just wants to print the submitted application form.

If you click "Yes," the system will use the link to do the following:

*Selection of Appointment Date and Time at the Concerned Indian Mission

*Calculation of Visa fee, service charge, VAT, and so on, as applicable to the Visa type.

- If you select "No," the system will request that the applicant print a copy of the submitted online application form and visit the relevant Indian mission to submit the online form along with supporting documents.

Online payment is not available for all Indian missions around the world. Wherever the said facility is not available, it is requested that the applicant kindly submit the application fees to either the outsourcing agency or the mission directly, along with the supporting documents.

FAQs on Indian Visas for US Citizens

Indian Visa For US Citizens | Unsplash

Does India offer visas on arrival for US citizens?

No, the Visa-on-Arrival facility for American citizens is not available, it's only available to the citizens of Japan, South Korea, and the UAE. So if you are planning to visit India, you need to apply for and obtain your visa for India.

Fees for Indian Visas for US Citizens

Indian Visa For US Citizens

The fee depends on the type of visa applied for and the duration of the visa. Depending on the case, the visa fee is divided into three types: the basic fee, the special fee, and the processing fee charged by the outsourced agency. The basic fee will be displayed near the end of the online registration process. For further information on this, please check with the local embassy office, Indian Visa Application Center office, or websites for information on applicable fees and payment methods.

Here's the fee structure for an Indian e-Tourist visa for US citizens:

- 30-day e-Tourist Visa (from July to March): US$ 25.00

- 30-day e-Tourist Visa (April to June): US$ 10.00

- One-year e-Tourist Visa: US$ 40.00

- Five-year e-Tourist Visa: US$ 80.00

Bank transaction charges of 2.5% will be charged in addition to applicable e-Visa fees.

10-year Indian visa for US citizens

Indian Visa For US Citizens

The 10-Year India Tourist Visa for US citizens is valid for 10 years from the date of issuance, not from the date of your first entry. But if you plan to stay in India on a 10-year Indian visa for US citizens, you can only stay for up to 180 days, or 6 months, in India with the 10-year visa. Travellers with this visa need to wait at least 2 months between visits to India.

Fees for a 10-year Indian visa for US citizens

The 10-year Indian Visa fee for US citizens will be calculated (including bank processing fees for e-payments) when you fill in your application form on the visa website. In general, the application fee is about $80¨C$200 depending on the exact details of your application, which is reasonable for 10 years of multiple entries.

Indian visa processing time for US citizens

The India electronic visa application is easy to complete. The processing time for an Indian visa for US citizens is usually 4 to 5 days, but it¡¯s also common for applicants to receive their visas within 24 hours of completing their application.

Indian Visa for US Citizens of Pakistani Origin

Indian Visa For US Citizens | Unsplash

Pakistani nationals are not eligible for tourist visas; they should apply for visitor visas instead. All applicants of Pakistani origin who hold dual nationality must apply for an Indian visa on their Pakistani passport only.

Those holding a NICOP (National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis) must give a copy thereof. Those who have renounced Pakistani nationality or cancelled their Pakistani passport should submit documentary proof of the same.

How to get Indian Visa for US Citizen Baby

Each and every foreign traveller needs a visa to enter India, irrespective of their age. Minors under the age of 16 are not exempt, and they all require separate visas.

To get an Indian visa for US citizen babies, you will need a photo of the minor and a scanned copy of the passport personal details section, After that, the whole process is just like a normal Indian visa.

For more trending stories, follow us on Telegram.