India eVisa for US Citizens: Cost, Processing Time, How to Apply
Short answer: Yes, US citizens need a visa for India, and for almost every tourist the right move is the India e-Visa, applied for online before you fly. There is no visa on arrival for ordinary US passport holders.
The options at a glance
| Option | Fee (US citizens) | Processing | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30-day e-Tourist | $25 (Jul–Mar), $10 (Apr–Jun) | ~3–5 business days | Double entry; validity counts from arrival |
| 1-year e-Tourist | $40 | ~3–5 business days | Multiple entry, up to 90 days per visit |
| 5-year e-Tourist | Confirm on portal — published sources differ ($80 vs $160 for US citizens) | ~3–5 business days | Multiple entry, up to 90 days per visit |
| Regular tourist visa (embassy) | $160 + fees | 5–10 business days | Up to 10 years, multiple entry |
Government fees verified against October 2026 sources; a ~2.5–3% bank charge is added at payment. Always confirm the exact fee the portal displays before paying.
How to apply
- Go to the official portal: indianvisaonline.gov.in — the only official India e-Visa site. Beware of copycat sites charging inflated fees.
- Apply 4 to 120 days before travel, and pay at least 4 days before arrival.
- You'll need a passport scan and a photo meeting the portal's specs. Biometrics are captured on arrival in India.
- Approval usually arrives by email in 3–5 business days. Apply 2+ weeks ahead in peak season (July–March).
Know before you go
- The e-Visa cannot be extended or converted inside India.
- e-Business ($140) and e-Medical ($100) are separate categories on the same portal.
- If you need a longer stay than the e-Visa allows, the regular 10-year embassy visa is usually the better deal.
Apply
apply direct at indianvisaonline.gov.in and pay only the government fee.
Quick facts
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Fee | 30-day e-Tourist: $25 (Jul–Mar), $10 (Apr–Jun); 1-year e-Tourist: $40; 5-year e-Tourist: Confirm on the official portal; regular embassy tourist visa: $160 + fees |
| Processing | ~3–5 business days |
| Validity and entries | 30-day: double entry, validity counts from arrival; 1-year and 5-year: multiple entry, up to 90 days per visit |
| Official portal | indianvisaonline.gov.in |
Before you apply
- Have a passport scan and a photo that meets the portal's specs ready.
- Check your travel dates fall inside the 4-to-120-day application window, and plan to pay at least 4 days before arrival.
- Have a payment card ready; a bank charge of about 2.5–3% is added at payment.
- Double-check every name and passport number before submitting.
Common mistakes
- Paying a copycat site's inflated fee instead of applying on the official portal.
- Applying outside the 4-to-120-day window.
- Assuming there is a visa on arrival for ordinary US passport holders — there is not.
- Assuming the e-Visa can be extended or converted inside India — it cannot.
FAQs
- Do US citizens need a visa for India? Yes. For almost every tourist, the right move is the India e-Visa, applied for online before flying.
- How long does the e-Visa take? Approval usually arrives by email in 3–5 business days; apply 2+ weeks ahead in peak season (July–March).
- Can I extend my e-Visa inside India? No. The e-Visa cannot be extended or converted inside India.
- What if I need a longer stay than the e-Visa allows? The regular 10-year embassy visa is usually the better deal.
*Visa rules change. Confirm current requirements on the official portal before applying. Not legal or immigration advice.*