India Visa for US Citizens 2026 — Apply Online, Fees & Processing

US citizens can apply for the eTourist Visa (30-day, 1-year, or 5-year), eBusiness Visa (1 year), eMedical Visa (60 days), and eConference Visa (30 days). The 5-year multiple-entry eTourist Visa is the most popular choice for Americans who plan to visit India more than once. Each visit on the 1-year or 5-year visa allows a continuous stay of up to 180 days. The 30-day visa permits double entry only and is suitable for a single short trip.

US citizens pay higher eVisa fees than most other nationalities due to India-US reciprocity arrangements. In 2026, the 30-day eTourist Visa costs approximately USD 75, the 1-year visa is around USD 75 to USD 80, and the 5-year visa is approximately USD 100. These fees include the base government charge plus the reciprocity surcharge. A payment processing fee of roughly 2.5% is added at checkout. All fees are non-refundable, so ensure your application is accurate before submitting.

Standard eVisa processing for US citizens in 2026 takes 72 to 96 hours. Applications submitted during US business hours are typically reviewed during the following Indian business day due to the 9.5 to 12.5-hour time difference between US time zones and IST. Applying on a Monday through Wednesday gives the best chance of receiving your ETA before the weekend. During peak seasons like Thanksgiving travel, Christmas, and summer holidays, processing may extend to 5 business days.

The 5-year multiple-entry eTourist Visa is the best value option for Americans who visit India regularly for family, tourism, or yoga retreats. At approximately USD 100, it costs only marginally more than the 1-year option but provides five full years of unlimited entries. Each stay can last up to 180 continuous days. The visa is electronically linked to your passport, so if you renew your US passport during the 5-year period, you will need to apply for a new eVisa linked to the new passport number.

In 2026, direct flights from the US to India operate from several major hubs. Air India and United Airlines fly nonstop from Newark (EWR) and San Francisco (SFO) to Delhi (DEL) and Mumbai (BOM). American Airlines operates seasonal nonstop service from New York JFK to Delhi. From Chicago O'Hare (ORD), Air India offers direct service to Delhi. Connecting options through the Gulf carriers from nearly every US city remain the most affordable routes, with typical layovers in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, or Doha adding 3 to 5 hours to total travel time.

TSA PreCheck and Global Entry expedite your departure from and return to the United States, but they have no effect on Indian immigration processing. Upon arrival in India, US eVisa holders proceed to the e-Visa immigration counter where biometrics are collected and the printed ETA is verified. The process typically takes 15 to 30 minutes depending on the queue. Enrolling in Global Entry is recommended for a faster return through US Customs, especially after long international flights from India.