If you hold a US passport, you need a visa to enter India. There is no visa-free entry and no visa on arrival for Americans. The good news is that most tourists can apply online for an e-Tourist Visa, without visiting an embassy.
This guide walks through the visa types, who qualifies, what you need, how to apply on the official site, what it costs and the mistakes that trip people up. Rules and fees can change, so treat this as a starting point and confirm everything on the official portal before you pay.
The short answer
Yes, US citizens need a visa for India. Most tourists apply for the e-Tourist Visa on the Government of India's official portal, indianvisaonline.gov.in, at least 4 days before arrival. Apply only on that site. The government states that no agent is needed and that it has no emergency or express fees.
Do you need a visa to visit India from the US?
Yes. The official e-Visa FAQ says the visa-on-arrival facility is for nationals of Japan, South Korea and the UAE only, and that other eligible nationalities must apply online and wait for their authorization before flying. The United States is on the e-Visa eligibility list, so you have two broad options:
- e-Tourist Visa: applied for online and issued as an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) by email. This is the usual choice for tourism.
- Regular visa: for people who are not eligible for the e-Visa or whose trip falls outside its purposes. See the section on regular visas below.
If you hold an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card, different rules apply, so check with the Indian authorities rather than relying on this guide.
e-Tourist Visa types and fees for US citizens
The portal offers three e-Tourist Visa durations. Fees are set by nationality, and the figures below are for US citizens on the official fee schedule dated 8 September 2026.
| Visa | Validity | Entries | Fee (US$) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30-day e-Tourist | 30 days from first arrival | Multiple, within validity | $10 (April to June) or $25 (July to March) |
| 1-year e-Tourist | 365 days from ETA grant | Multiple | $40 |
| 5-year e-Tourist | 5 years from ETA grant | Multiple | $160 |
On the 1-year and 5-year visas, total stay in India in a calendar year must not exceed 180 days. A bank charge of 3% is added on card payments, and the portal shows the PayPal charge as 4%. The fee is not refunded, whether your application is granted or rejected.
Check the fee yourself. Some older pages, including some embassy pages and many travel sites, still list US$80 for the 5-year visa. The portal's current schedule is the one that counts, so confirm it on the official e-Tourist Visa fee PDF before you pay.
Which one should you choose?
For a single trip of two to three weeks, the 30-day visa usually covers you. If you expect to return within a few years, the 1-year or 5-year visa may be better value. Whichever you pick, the fee is fixed once paid, so choose carefully.
Who is eligible?
According to the portal, the e-Tourist Visa is for people whose sole purpose is recreation, sightseeing, visiting friends and relatives, a short yoga programme, short informal courses, or short voluntary work of up to one month with no payment. You also need:
- A US passport with at least six months' validity when you apply, and at least two blank pages for stamps
- A return or onward ticket, and enough money for your stay
- A separate passport for every traveler. Children cannot be added to a parent's passport application
Who cannot use the e-Visa
- People with a Pakistani passport, or whose parents or grandparents were born in or permanently lived in Pakistan, who must apply for a regular visa
- Holders of diplomatic or official passports
- People with a defence, military, security or police background, current or retired, who are told to apply for a regular visa
- Anyone traveling for employment, NGO work or journalism
If you are unsure whether you qualify, read the eligibility box on the official page or contact the e-Visa support team before paying.
Documents and photo requirements
For a standard tourist application you upload two things. Both must be clear, or your application may be rejected or sent back for re-upload.
- Recent photo: JPEG, 10 KB to 1 MB, with equal height and width, full face and front view, eyes open, no spectacles, plain light or white background, no shadows or borders
- Passport bio page: a scan of the page with your photo and details, in PDF format, 10 KB to 300 KB
- Extra letter, only if relevant: for example a letter from an organization if you are joining a short course or doing short voluntary work
Keep your passport, travel dates and ticket details to hand, as the form also asks for previous visa details and your intended arrival information.
How to apply safely on the official website
Only one website is official for the e-Visa. Follow these steps in order.
- Go to the official site directly. Type
indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisainto your browser. Check that the address ends in .gov.in. Do not click ads or look-alike links. - Choose e-Tourist Visa and select 30 days, 1 year or 5 years, then start a new application.
- Fill in the form yourself, copying your name, passport number and dates exactly as they appear on your passport. You are responsible for accuracy.
- Upload your photo and passport page in the required formats.
- Pay the fee on the portal. It uses the payment gateways it lists, accepting Visa and Mastercard cards and PayPal. Keep your order and application numbers. If payment status doesn't update, the portal says to wait before paying again.
- Watch your email. You get a submission confirmation, and the portal may ask you to re-upload a document within about 24 hours if something is unclear.
- Check your status. Use the portal's status tool until your ETA shows as granted, then print it.
- Carry the printed ETA and your passport to India. The visa is stamped by immigration on arrival, and biometrics are captured there.
The official site also offers an e-Arrival card, which you can complete online within 72 hours before arrival. It is arrival information, not a visa.
How to spot an unofficial site
- The address is not on indianvisaonline.gov.in, or it charges "service" or "express" fees on top of the government fee
- It promises guaranteed approval or special fast processing. The government says it makes no provision for emergency or express fees
- It asks for far more personal information than the official form
If something goes wrong, the portal lists an e-Visa support email, indian-evisa@gov.in, and payment helpdesk numbers on its page.
Timing and processing
The portal says to apply at least 4 days before your arrival date, up to 120 days ahead, and to pay the fee at least 4 days before you travel, or the application will not be processed. It does not guarantee a processing time. Many travel sites report a few days, but treat that as an estimate. As our own suggestion, applying two to four weeks before departure gives you room to fix a photo problem without stress.
If you get a new passport after your ETA is issued, you must carry both passports, and the portal also offers a service to transfer an ETA to a new passport.
Common mistakes to avoid
Using a look-alike site
Paying extra on an unofficial site is the most common and costly error. Start from the official address every time.
Passport too close to expiry
You need at least six months' validity when you apply, plus blank pages. Renew first if you are close.
A photo that does not meet the rules
Wearing glasses, a shadowed face, a non-square image or a busy background can lead to a re-upload request or rejection.
Typos in names or dates
The government treats the applicant as responsible for errors, including mismatches on your ETA. Check every field before you submit.
Applying too late
Leaving it to the last few days risks missing the 4-day cut-off if anything needs fixing.
Paying twice
If the portal doesn't update after payment, wait and check the payment status before trying again.
Arriving at a non-designated port
E-Visa holders must enter through the airports and seaports on the official list. Check that your arrival airport is on it.
Forgetting to print the ETA
Carry a copy, and confirm its status shows as granted before you leave.
What the e-Tourist Visa can't do
- It cannot be extended or converted to another visa type
- It is not valid for Protected, Restricted or Cantonment areas unless you get prior permission from the relevant authority
- It cannot be used for employment, NGO work or journalism
- If you arrive within six days of leaving a yellow-fever-affected country, you must carry a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate
If you need a regular visa
If you are not eligible for the e-Visa, or want a different visa type or longer stay, you may need a regular visa. The Government of India's visa portal and the Embassy of India in Washington DC explain the current process, so start there rather than relying on third-party summaries.
Why choose Zentrevo?
We don't issue visas, and you should apply for yours directly on the official site. What we can do is build the trip around it. Zentrevo designs personalized journeys for travelers around the world, including India. We plan trips around you, not off a rigid package.
Custom itineraries
Your dates, pace and interests, from Delhi and Agra to Rajasthan, Varanasi and Kerala.
Private transport
A dedicated driver and pre-arranged transfers, so you can step off the plane without haggling.
Local guides
Guides who help you get more from each site and avoid common tourist traps.
Support while you travel
Reach our team on WhatsApp if plans change.
Need ideas? See our 10-day India itinerary, our guide to a private tour with a driver, the custom India tour page, or whether Varanasi is safe for foreign tourists. You can also browse our tour packages and destinations.
Frequently asked questions
Do US citizens need a visa to visit India?
Yes. US passport holders need a visa before arriving in India. The simplest option for tourism is the e-Tourist Visa, applied for online on the official Indian government portal. Visa on arrival is not offered to US citizens.
How do I apply for the India e-Visa safely?
Type indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa into your browser yourself, rather than clicking an ad or search result, and apply only there. The government says no agent or intermediary is needed, and it makes no provision for emergency or express fees.
How early should I apply for an India e-Visa?
The portal says to apply at least 4 days before arrival, and up to 120 days ahead. The fee also has to be paid at least 4 days before travel. There is no guaranteed processing time, so applying a few weeks ahead leaves a comfortable buffer.
Which e-Tourist Visa should I choose?
The 30-day visa suits a single trip. The 1-year and 5-year visas suit repeat visitors, but total stay in a calendar year is capped at 180 days. Compare the fees below and check the official schedule before you pay.
How much does the India e-Visa cost for US citizens?
On the official fee schedule dated 8 September 2026, US citizens pay US$10 (April to June) or US$25 (July to March) for the 30-day visa, US$40 for the 1-year and US$160 for the 5-year, plus a bank charge of 3% for card payments. Confirm the current figure on the portal, because some older pages still show different amounts.
Can I extend or convert an India e-Visa?
No. The e-Visa is non-extendable and non-convertible. If you need longer or a different purpose, you would need to look at a regular visa through the proper channels.
Can I visit all parts of India on an e-Tourist Visa?
Not every area. The e-Visa is not valid for Protected, Restricted or Cantonment areas without prior permission from the relevant authority. You must also enter through one of the designated airports or seaports on the official list.
Does my child need a separate e-Visa?
Yes. The portal says each traveler needs their own passport and their own application, and a child's passport should have at least six months of validity from the arrival date.
Official sources and further reading
- Government of India e-Visa portal (instructions, eligibility, FAQs)
- Official country-wise e-Tourist Visa fee schedule (PDF)
- Bureau of Immigration, Government of India
- Embassy of India, Washington DC
- US State Department: India travel advisory
Last reviewed 12 October 2026. Visa rules, fees and procedures change, so confirm everything on the official portal before you apply or pay. This guide is general information, not legal or immigration advice, and Zentrevo does not issue or process visas.
