India e-Visa for U.S. Citizens (2026): How to Apply, Documents & Fees
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Quick answer: U.S. citizens apply for an India e-Visa entirely online. You need a passport valid for at least 6 months with two blank pages, a recent square (1:1) digital photo on a plain white background, a scan of your passport bio-page, and a U.S. address and travel details. Most applications are approved within 72 hours. There is no need to visit an embassy.
Are U.S. Citizens Eligible?
Yes. American passport holders are eligible for the Indian e-Visa for tourism (e-Tourist), business (e-Business), and medical (e-Medical) purposes. Ordinary U.S. passports qualify; emergency or temporary travel documents do not.
What Documents Do I Need as a U.S. Citizen?
- Passport: Valid at least 6 months beyond arrival, with 2 blank pages.
- Digital photo: Recent, color, square (1:1), plain white background, full face visible.
- Passport bio-page scan: Clear, in color, with the full machine-readable zone (MRZ) showing.
- Travel details: Approximate arrival date and a reference address in India (a hotel booking is fine).
- For e-Business: An invitation letter or business contact in India.
Need a compliant photo fast? Use our free India visa photo tool and review the full photo requirements.
How Do I Apply for an India e-Visa From the United States?
- Choose your visa type and duration (30-day, 1-year, or 5-year tourist; business; or medical).
- Complete the online form with your personal and passport details — match your passport exactly.
- Upload your photo and passport bio-page scan.
- Pay the government fee (plus any service fee) online.
- Receive your approved e-Visa by email, usually within 72 hours, and carry a printed copy.
Fees & Processing Time
U.S. citizens pay a government fee that varies by visa duration and season, plus any assistance fee. Standard processing is about 72 hours; urgent options can return approval in 24 hours. Apply at least 4 days before travel. For details see our processing time guide.
Common U.S. applicant mistakes
Names that don't exactly match the passport, a photo that isn't square or has a shadowed background, a cropped MRZ on the passport scan, and applying too close to departure. Any of these can delay or reject your e-Visa.
Ready to begin? Start your India e-Visa application with guided, error-checked assistance.
About the Author
Falguni Patel
Former Indian Consular Officer, Toronto
"Former consular officer at the Indian mission in Toronto, Canada, with first-hand experience processing visa and travel-document applications. Now guides international travelers through the Indian e-Visa process."
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply for an India e-Visa from the United States?
Apply online: choose your visa type, complete the form with details matching your passport exactly, upload a square photo and a clear passport bio-page scan, pay the fee, and receive your approved e-Visa by email — usually within 72 hours. No embassy visit is required.
What documents do I need for an India e-Visa as a US citizen?
A passport valid 6+ months with two blank pages, a recent square (1:1) color photo on a plain white background, a clear color scan of your passport bio-page with the full MRZ visible, and your travel dates plus a reference address in India. e-Business applicants also need an invitation or business contact.
Can US citizens apply for an India tourist visa online?
Yes. U.S. citizens are eligible for the e-Tourist visa (30-day, 1-year, and 5-year options) entirely online, with no need to visit an Indian embassy or consulate.
How long does the India e-Visa take for US citizens?
Standard processing is around 72 hours. Urgent processing can return an approval in as little as 24 hours. Apply at least 4 days before your travel date to allow a buffer.
