US citizens can apply for an India eVisa online at indianvisaonline.gov.in. Fees start at $10 for a 30-day e-Tourist Visa (April-June) plus a 3% bank surcharge. Standard processing takes 72 to 96 hours. Applications must be submitted between 120 and 4 days before arrival. US citizens need a passport valid 6+ months, a digital photo (JPEG, 10KB-1MB, white background), and a passport scan (PDF, 10KB-300KB). Data as of September 2026. This is not a government site; apply at indianvisaonline.gov.in.
Who Can Apply for an India eVisa in 2026?
Citizens of the US, UK, Australia, Canada, and EU member states are eligible for India’s e-Tourist, e-Business, e-Medical, e-Conference, and e-Medical Attendant eVisa categories. The eVisa India for US citizens is issued by the Bureau of Immigration, Ministry of Home Affairs. Dual citizens must use the same passport for both application and travel.
Visa on Arrival is restricted to nationals of Japan, South Korea, and the UAE only (UAE nationals must have previously held an Indian eVisa or regular visa). US citizens are not eligible for Visa on Arrival and must obtain an eVisa before travel.
| Entry Document | Stay Duration | Application Method | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| eVisa | Up to 180 days per visit | Online (indianvisaonline.gov.in) | US, UK, AU, CA, EU + 150+ countries |
| Visa on Arrival | Up to 30 days | At 6 designated airports | Japan, South Korea, UAE only |
| OCI Card | Lifelong | Embassy application | Persons of Indian Origin |
eVisa Fees for US Citizens in 2026 – Complete Breakdown
A 30-day e-Tourist Visa for US citizens costs $10 (off-peak, April-June) or $25 (peak, July-March) plus a 3% bank surcharge. You can check the eVisa India fee breakdown for 30-day, 1-year and 5-year costs. Standard processing takes 72 to 96 hours with no express option available.
| eVisa Type | Government Fee (USD) | Season | 3% Surcharge | Total (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30-day e-Tourist | $10 | April-June | $0.30 | $10.30 |
| 30-day e-Tourist | $25 | July-March | $0.75 | $25.75 |
| 1-year e-Tourist | See fee table on indianvisaonline.gov.in | All year | +3% | Fee + 3% |
| 5-year e-Tourist | Up to ~$100 | All year | +3% | ~$103 |
Pay via Visa, MasterCard, or American Express through Axis Bank, SBI, or ICICI payment gateways. A 3% mandatory bank surcharge applies on top of every government fee. Typical US card foreign transaction fees range from 1-3% (e.g., many bank cards charge 3%; some premium cards charge 0%). A $25 fee thus becomes $25.75 + up to $0.77 = $26.52 total. Use a no-FX card to avoid double charges.
Warning: The Government of India does not authorize any agent or intermediary to charge fees for emergency, express, or eVisa processing. Avoid third-party agents claiming “express eVisa” services. Several fake e-Visa websites target US travelers. Always verify the domain is indianvisaonline.gov.in before entering personal data.
eVisa Processing Time for US Citizens – What to Expect in 2026
Standard India eVisa processing for US citizens takes 72 to 96 hours (3 to 4 business days), extending to 5 business days during peak periods. To learn more about how long it takes to process an Indian eVisa, check our detailed guide. No express or emergency eVisa option exists. Any agent claiming otherwise is unauthorized.
US citizens can track eVisa application status via the 24/7 helpline at 011-24300666 (India) or +91-8278087808 (international), email [email protected], or the Madad Portal at madad.gov.in. Factors that delay processing include incomplete applications, Indian public holidays, and peak-season volume (July-March).
How to Apply for an India eVisa – Step-by-Step Guide
US citizens apply for an India eVisa at indianvisaonline.gov.in in seven steps:
Visit indianvisaonline.gov.in and navigate to Indian Visa then Apply Here.
Select eVisa type, nationality (United States), intended port of entry, and arrival date.
Complete the personal form with passport details, India address, and family information.
Upload your photo and passport scan per the specifications below.
Pay the eVisa fee via Visa, MasterCard, or American Express; a 3% bank surcharge applies.
Receive the e-Visa approval as a PDF by email. Print or save it on your phone.
At Indian immigration, present your eVisa, passport, and biometric data (fingerprints and facial scan, 2-5 minutes additional).
When to Apply and Upload Requirements
Submit your application no earlier than 120 days and no later than 4 days before arrival. Make sure your photo meets the eVisa India photo requirements to avoid delays. Optimal timing is 3-4 weeks before departure.
| Document | Format | File Size | Key Specs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Photo | JPEG | 10 KB-1 MB | White/light background, min 350×350 px, no glasses |
| Passport scan | 10 KB-300 KB | Data/photo page only |
eVisa Validity, Entries, and Maximum Stay for US Passport Holders
The 30-day India e-Tourist eVisa allows double entry, while 1-year and 5-year eVisas permit multiple entries with a maximum continuous stay of 180 days per visit. For more details on the validity of an Indian eVisa, see our comprehensive guide.
| eVisa Type | Validity | Entries | Max Stay Per Visit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30-day e-Tourist | 30 days from arrival | Double entry | 30 days |
| 1-year e-Tourist | 365 days from issue | Multiple entry | 180 days |
| 5-year e-Tourist | 5 years from issue | Multiple entry | 180 days |
The eVisa India for US citizens cannot be extended or converted to another visa type while in India. Overstaying triggers penalties; you must exit and reapply if a longer stay is needed. For long-term stays, consider OCI (Overseas Citizenship of India) eligibility, a separate process handled through the embassy.
eVisa Entry Points – Airports and Seaports in India
The eVisa India for US citizens is accepted at 28 designated airports including Delhi (DEL), Mumbai (BOM), Chennai (MAA), Kolkata (CCU), Bengaluru (BLR), and Hyderabad (HYD), and 5 designated seaports: Mumbai, Goa (Mormugao), Mangalore, and Cochin. You can find a complete list of designated airports and seaports on our site. Visa on Arrival is accepted at only 6 airports (Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad) for Japan, South Korea, and UAE nationals.
eVisa Fees and Processing Times Across Nationalities – Comparison
Processing time is identical for all eligible nationalities (72-96 hours). Government fees vary slightly between US, UK, Australian, Canadian, and EU passport holders per the fee schedule on indianvisaonline.gov.in. All nationalities have access to the same eVisa categories.
Common eVisa Rejection Reasons and How to Avoid Them
If you want to know what happens if your Indian eVisa is rejected, it helps to understand the common mistakes. The top reasons for India eVisa rejection for US citizens:
- Non-compliant photo – dark background, glasses, cropped face, or low resolution. Fix: use white background, min 350×350 px, no glasses.
- Passport data errors – typos or passport validity under 6 months. Fix: verify all fields against your passport data page.
- Incorrect entry port selection – must match your actual arrival airport. Fix: confirm your port before submitting.
- Wrong purpose of visit – selecting e-Business for tourism travel. Fix: choose e-Tourist for leisure travel.
- Submitted fewer than 4 days before travel – insufficient processing time. Fix: apply 3-4 weeks before departure.
If rejected, correct the errors and reapply at indianvisaonline.gov.in. There is no appeal process for eVisa denials.
Post-Visa Steps – e-Arrival Card, Biometrics, and Immigration
After eVisa approval, complete the e-Arrival Card at indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival/ no later than 72 hours before arrival in India. The Air Suvidha Self-Declaration Form is a separate mandatory document submitted at airsuvidha.civilaviation.gov.in before reaching immigration counters.
At the port of entry, Indian authorities collect biometric data (fingerprints and facial photograph) during first entry, adding approximately 2 to 5 minutes to the immigration process.
Frequently Asked Questions About India eVisa for US Citizens
How long does an Indian eVisa take for US citizens?
Standard processing takes 72 to 96 hours (3-4 business days), up to 5 business days in peak season. No express option exists.
How much does an India visa cost for US citizens in 2026?
The 30-day e-Tourist Visa costs $10 (April-June) or $25 (July-March) plus a 3% bank surcharge. A 5-year e-Tourist Visa costs up to ~$103 total.
Can US citizens get a visa on arrival for India?
No. Visa on Arrival is limited to Japan, South Korea, and UAE nationals. US citizens must obtain an eVisa before travel.
How long can US citizens stay in India on an eVisa?
A 30-day e-Tourist Visa allows 30 days from arrival. The 1-year and 5-year e-Tourist Visas allow a maximum continuous stay of 180 days per visit.
What documents do I need for an India eVisa as a US citizen?
A passport valid 6+ months from arrival, a passport data page scan (PDF, 10KB-300KB), and a photograph (JPEG, 10KB-1MB, white background, no glasses).
Is there a 10-year Indian visa for US citizens?
No; the maximum tourist eVisa validity is 5 years. For longer stays, consider OCI eligibility (separate embassy process).
Can I extend my India eVisa while in India?
No. India eVisas cannot be extended or converted while in India. You must exit and reapply. Overstaying results in penalties.
Which airports in India accept eVisa for US travelers?
US travelers can enter through 28 designated airports including Delhi (DEL), Mumbai (BOM), Chennai (MAA), Kolkata (CCU), Bengaluru (BLR), and Hyderabad (HYD), plus 5 seaports.
