canivisit.com
Beta — verify with official sources⌘K
Home/from/us/to/in
🇺🇸UNITED STATES
🇮🇳INDIAUS-IN

Do United States passport holders need a visa to visit India?

Americans need an e-Visa for India: USD 25 (30 days), USD 40 (1-year multi), or USD 80 (5-year multi) at indianvisaonline.gov.in. US passport holders must obtain an e-Visa or paper visa before traveling to India. The e-Tourist Visa (eTV) is the simplest option: USD 25 for 30-day double entry, USD 40 for 1-year multi-entry, or USD 80 for 5-year multi-entry, all applied online at indianvisaonline.gov.in. Each stay capped at 90 days per visit (180 for US, UK, Canada, Japan 1/5-year holders). Apply 4-30 days before travel; most approvals come within 72 hours. Passport must be valid 6+ months with 2 blank pages. e-Visa entry is permitted at 31 designated airports (including DEL, BOM, BLR, MAA, CCU, HYD, GOI) and 6 seaports. Restricted areas (Jammu & Kashmir, Northeast states, Sikkim) require additional Protected/Restricted Area Permits. e-Visas cannot be extended, converted, or changed in India.
VISA REQUIREDTOURISMSINGLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-05-27
For guidance only — visa rules change with little notice. Always confirm directly with the destination's embassy or foreign ministry before booking non-refundable travel. Information here applies to ordinary (non-diplomatic) passports unless noted.
United States (Green Card)Living in United States as a permanent resident? See PR-specific guidance→
/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-27
Visa type
e-Visa (eTV) or paper visa
Maximum stay
30 days / 90 days / 180 days per entry
per entry
Entries
Single, double, or multi-entry
from issue date
Visa fee
USD 25 / USD 40 / USD 80
consular fee only
Processing time
Up to 72 hours
standard track
Validity
30 days / 1 year / 5 years
from issue date
/02 — The process

How to apply

/01
Check passport validity
US passport valid 6+ months beyond entry date with 2 blank pages.
· 6 months validity· 2 blank pages
/02
Choose e-Visa category
Tourist (eTV), Business (eBV), Medical (eMV), or Conference. 30-day, 1-year, or 5-year for tourism.
· e-Visa categories
/03
Apply online
At indianvisaonline.gov.in 4-30 days before travel. Upload passport photo + bio page. Pay by card.
· online application
/04
Wait for ETA grant
Most approved within 72 hours (allow 4 days). Print ETA letter to show airline + immigration.
· 72-hour processing
/05
Arrive at designated airport/seaport
Use 31 e-Visa airports incl. DEL, BOM, BLR, MAA, HYD, CCU, GOI. Biometrics on arrival.
· designated entry points
/06
Track your stay
Don't overstay. e-Visa cannot be extended, converted, or changed in country.
· non-extendable
/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

6 items
Personalized checklist
0 / 6 complete
US passport
Valid 6+ months beyond entry, 2 blank pages
Digital passport photo
JPEG 350x350, white background, recent
Passport bio page scan
PDF under 300KB
Credit/debit card
For USD 25/40/80 e-Visa fee
Return/onward ticket
Confirmed flight out of India
Accommodation address
Hotel or host details for application
Track your progress · save & email a copy
/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate
Line itemAmountSource
e-Tourist Visa (30-day double entry)USD 25Cheapest option; two entries within 30 days
e-Tourist Visa (1-year multi)USD 40Best value for repeat visits; 90 days per stay
e-Tourist Visa (5-year multi)USD 80Long-term option; 90 days per stay (180 for US)
e-Business Visa (1-year multi)USD 80Business meetings, trade fairs; not for employment
e-Conference VisaUSD 25Single entry; requires conference invitation
Paper visa (consular)USD 160+VFS Global service fee additional; longer validity options
Overstay penaltyUSD 300-500/dayPlus deportation and re-entry ban
Total estimateUSD 25 — USD 80incl. all
/05 — The wait

Processing time

e-Visa standard
Up to 72 hours
Most approved within hours; allow 4 days before travel.
Paper visa via VFS
5-15 business days
At VFS Global offices across the US.
Walk-in at consulate
Same-day in select cases
Limited availability; check Indian consulate jurisdiction.
Extension request
Not available
e-Visas cannot be extended or converted in India.
/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency
/01
Passport biographic mismatch
Names on application must exactly match passport; mismatches cause rejection.
High
/02
Poor photo upload
Wrong size, dark background, or glasses cause rejection; use JPEG 350x350 white bg.
Medium
/03
Pakistani-origin documents
Applicants with Pakistani ancestry should apply for paper visa, not e-Visa.
Medium
/04
Wrong entry point
Only 31 airports + 6 seaports accept e-Visa; land borders require paper visa.
Medium
/05
Overstay
Heavy fines USD 300-500/day plus 5-year re-entry ban.
Low
/07 — On arrival

After you land

/01
Immigration
Keep your passport, visa or exemption proof, return ticket, and accommodation details ready for border inspection.
/02
Customs
Review the destination's customs rules before travel and declare restricted goods or large cash amounts when required.
/03
Connectivity
Check whether airport SIMs, eSIMs, or roaming are the best option for your route before arrival.
/08 — The history

Policy changelog

since 2024
2026-05-27
US to India route verified
Confirmed e-Visa options for US citizens; up to 180 days per stay for US 1/5-year holders.
2014-11-27 · major
India launched e-Visa program
Replaced visa-on-arrival; expanded to 30-day, 1-year, 5-year options.
/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Do Americans need a visa for India?—
Yes - either an e-Visa (USD 25-80) at indianvisaonline.gov.in or a paper visa via VFS.
What is the e-Tourist Visa fee?+
How long can I stay on e-Visa?+
Can I extend my e-Visa in India?+
Which airports accept e-Visa?+
What if I want to visit restricted areas?+
/11 — Passport tools

Tools for the United States passport

🇺🇸⇄
Compare the United States passport
Stack it up against another passport→
🇺🇸◐
United States visa-free map
See where this passport goes visa-free→
🇺🇸▤
United States passport power
Global rank and destination breakdown→
See something wrong on this page?
Policies change. If something looks off, tell us — we review every report within 48 hours.