Is US Visa-Free for Indians in 2026?

This page explains what that means for a trip from India in 2026: which entry routes are closed, which visa you actually need, what it costs in rupees and where you apply. Everything below is as published on the official sources, checked on 15 October 2026.

Is the US visa-free, visa-on-arrival or e-visa for Indians?

None of the three. Ordinary Indian passport holders have no visa-free entry, no visa on arrival and no electronic visa for the United States. A foreign citizen generally must first obtain a visa placed in the passport before travelling, and that rule applies to Indians for short trips too.

Why can't Indians just apply for ESTA online?

ESTA, the Electronic System for Travel Authorization run by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, exists only for citizens of Visa Waiver Program countries. The Department of Homeland Security's Visa Waiver Program page lists the designated countries, and India is not one of them. An ESTA is therefore not a valid way for an Indian passport holder to enter the US.

The online steps you do complete for a US trip are part of a normal visa application. You fill in the DS-160 Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application, pay the non-refundable visa (MRV) fee and book your appointments online. None of these replaces the visa itself. The US also has a separate C-1 transit visa in the same $185 fee group, so check the embassy's visa types if your itinerary only connects through a US airport.

Which US visa do Indian tourists and business visitors need?

The B visa. B-1 covers business activities such as consulting with business associates, attending scientific, educational, professional or business conventions, settling an estate or negotiating contracts. B-2 covers tourism, visits to friends or relatives, medical treatment and activities of a fraternal, social or service nature. The two are often issued together as one B-1/B-2 visa.

Section 214(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act presumes that every B applicant is an intending immigrant. To overcome that presumption, you must show the consular officer:

• that the trip is a temporary visit for business, pleasure or medical treatment;
• that you plan to stay for a specific, limited period;
• evidence of funds to cover your expenses while in the US;
• a residence outside the US and other binding social or economic ties that will ensure your return.

Students (F-1, M-1), exchange visitors (J) and workers (H-1B, L-1) apply in their own classes. Some categories are closed to Indian citizens altogether: Indian passport holders are not eligible for H-2A or H-2B seasonal worker visas, and Indian citizens are not included in the Diversity Visa lottery.

How much does a US visa cost Indians, and how long does it take?

The visa application fee depends on the class and is non-refundable. You pay it in Indian rupees at the consular exchange rate, which the U.S. Embassy set at INR 98 per US dollar from 25 May 2026 (previously INR 96). The embassy does not publish a fixed rupee amount, so confirm the rate on the payment page on the day you pay.

The fee payment is valid for 365 days from the receipt date, and you must schedule your appointment within that period. You can pay by NEFT, UPI, debit or credit card, or in cash at DRUK Bank, AXIS Bank or Citibank. A UPI or QR payment lets you book the interview instantly; NEFT and RuPay card payments take up to one business day.

After the interview, nonimmigrant visas are typically processed in 7-10 working days, though individual cases may take longer. Some applications need administrative processing, which cannot be predicted in advance; most is resolved within 180 days of the interview. The official appointment service advises applying at least three months before your intended travel date and not buying tickets until the visa is issued.

From 1 July to 31 December 2026, an optional $750 fee for an expedited B1/B2 interview appointment is being piloted at limited posts listed on travel.state.gov. Whether Indian posts take part has not been verified, and the fee does not speed up visa processing or guarantee a visa.

Where do Indians apply for a US visa?

VFS Global does not handle US visas in India. You book two appointments through the U.S. Embassy's appointment system: biometrics at a Visa Application Center at least two business days before the interview, then the interview at the Embassy or a Consulate General. According to the official visa FAQ, anyone legally present in India may apply at any of the five posts:

• U.S. Embassy New Delhi (VAC at Shivaji Stadium Metro Station)
• U.S. Consulate General Mumbai (VAC at Bandra Kurla Complex)
• U.S. Consulate General Chennai (VAC at Nungambakkam)
• U.S. Consulate General Hyderabad (VAC at Hitec City Metro Station)
• U.S. Consulate General Kolkata (VAC at Mirza Ghalib Street)

Previous B-1/B-2 holders may qualify for an interview waiver if the earlier visa is still valid or expired within the past 12 months, they were at least 18 when it was issued and all ten fingerprints were taken. Allow up to three weeks from passport drop-off for these renewals; they cannot be expedited.

Does the visa's expiry date decide how long you can stay?

No. The expiry date on the visa is the last day you may use it to enter the US. A U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer at the port of entry decides how long you may stay, and records it on the online Form I-94. You may stay for the period on your I-94 even if the visa itself expires during your trip.

What should you check before you apply?

• Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay in the US.
• The photo must be 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm), on a white background, taken within the last six months, with no eyeglasses. Renewal applicants generally must not reuse the photo from the old visa.
• The DS-160 barcode on your confirmation page must match the one used to book the appointment.
• Do not buy non-refundable tickets before the visa is issued. If you want to carry a travel plan as optional supporting evidence, use a verifiable flight reservation instead of a paid ticket.

For fees by visa class, document lists and appointment steps in one place, see our US visa guide for Indian applicants or read the U.S. Embassy's visa pages.

If you need paperwork for the file, Yatra For Fun's India office in Gurugram prepares flight reservations, hotel bookings, travel itineraries and cover letters for visa applications. Packages run from INR 1,000 for a flight reservation to INR 3,000 for a reservation, hotel booking, itinerary and cover letter together. Message us on WhatsApp at +91 95230 91018 or use our contact page.

Frequently asked questions

Can Indians with a UK or Schengen visa enter the US without a US visa?

The official US sources state that Indian citizens need a US visa even for short tourist or business trips because India is not a Visa Waiver Program country. They list no exemption based on visas from other countries, so plan for a full B-1/B-2 application.

Is the US visa fee refunded if my application is refused?

No. The visa application (MRV) fee is non-refundable for every class, including the $185 B-1/B-2 fee. The payment stays valid for 365 days from the receipt date for scheduling an appointment.

How many years is a US tourist visa valid for Indians?

Validity and the number of entries for Indian nationals are set in the State Department's reciprocity schedule on travel.state.gov, which could not be verified for this page. Check it there before you apply. How long you may stay on each visit is decided separately by the CBP officer and recorded on Form I-94.

Is travel insurance mandatory for a US visa from India?

Travel insurance is not published as a requirement on the U.S. Embassy pages read for this guide. You may still choose to buy cover, but it is not on the official document list for a B-1/B-2 application.