US Tourist Visa from India: Eligibility, Fees, Timeline

Every figure in this article is as published on the official sources, checked on 2026-10-15. India is not one of the countries designated for the Visa Waiver Program, so there is no ESTA, no e-visa and no visa on arrival for Indian passport holders. A visa placed in your passport is the only way to visit as a tourist. For business, study and work categories, see our US visa guide for Indian citizens.

Who is eligible for a US tourist visa?

The B-2 visa covers tourism, visits to friends or relatives, medical treatment and activities of a fraternal, social or service nature. The B-1 visa covers business trips such as conferences, meetings with business associates or contract negotiations. The Embassy often issues the two together as one B-1/B-2 visa.

Eligibility is not tied to a published income or bank-balance threshold. It turns on Section 214(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which 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.

For most Indian applicants, ties mean a job or business, family responsibilities, property or studies in India. Salary slips, ITR acknowledgements and a leave letter are not on a mandatory list, but the Embassy allows you to bring any supporting documents you believe support what you tell the officer.

How much is the US tourist visa fee for Indians?

The B visa sits in the $185 fee group, together with C-1, D, F, I, J, M, T and TN/TD visas. The fee is non-refundable and is paid in Indian rupees at the Consular Exchange Rate, which the U.S. Embassy set at INR 98 per USD from 25 May 2026 (previously INR 96). The Embassy does not publish a fixed rupee amount, so confirm the figure on the payment page when you pay.

You can pay by NEFT, UPI, debit or credit card, or in cash at DRUK Bank, AXIS Bank or Citibank. You must schedule the appointment within 365 days of the receipt date, although the appointment itself may fall after that window. The optional $750 fee only buys an earlier interview slot where it is offered; it does not speed up processing or guarantee a visa.

How do you apply for a B-2 visa from India?

1. Fill the DS-160. Complete the online nonimmigrant visa application and upload your photo. Keep the confirmation page with the barcode, which must match the barcode used to book your appointment.
2. Pay the $185 fee. UPI or QR payments let you book instantly; NEFT and RuPay cards clear within one business day; cash at AXIS or DRUK Bank clears the following business day.
3. Book both appointments. Schedule a biometrics slot at a Visa Application Center and an interview at the Embassy or a Consulate, with the VAC visit at least 2 business days before the interview.
4. Give biometrics. Your fingerprints and photo are taken at the VAC.
5. Attend the interview. Answer questions on your purpose, length of stay, finances and ties to India.
6. Collect your passport. If approved, the visa is printed in your passport, which you collect or have delivered.

Anyone legally present in India may apply at any of the five posts. VFS Global does not handle US visas in India; appointments run through the Embassy's own scheduling system on ustraveldocs.com, and enquiries go to support-india@usvisascheduling.com or +91 20 69020000.

Which documents do you carry to the interview?

• DS-160 confirmation page with the same barcode used for booking
• Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your period of stay in the US
• Visa fee (MRV) payment receipt
• The photo uploaded with the DS-160, or one printed photo if the upload failed: 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm), white background, taken within the last six months, no eyeglasses
• Any documents stated in your appointment letter
• Optional supporting documents on your purpose, finances and ties to India

Travel insurance is not published as a requirement on the Embassy pages. If you held a B-1, B-2 or B-1/B-2 visa that is still valid or expired within the past 12 months, and you were at least 18 when it was issued, you may qualify for an interview waiver instead of a full interview.

What is the realistic timeline from DS-160 to visa?

The scheduling page advises applying at least three months before your intended travel date, while one FAQ answer says 6-8 weeks; planning for the longer window is safer. At the US border, a CBP officer decides how long you may stay and records it on Form I-94. The expiry date on the visa is only the last day you can use it to enter.

What should you avoid before the interview?

• Buying tickets early. Official guidance is not to buy tickets until the visa is issued. If you want to show planned dates, a verifiable flight reservation or a day-wise travel itinerary does that without locking you into a non-refundable fare.
• Reusing an old visa photo. Renewal applicants generally must not reuse the photo from their previous visa.
• A mismatched DS-160. If you edit the form after booking, carry the confirmation page whose barcode is linked to the appointment.
• Letting the fee receipt lapse. Book within 365 days of paying, because the fee is not refunded.

Yatra For Fun's India office in Gurugram prepares flight reservations, hotel bookings, travel itineraries and cover letters for visa files, with packages from INR 1,000 (flight reservation) to INR 3,000 (reservation, hotel, itinerary and cover letter). WhatsApp +91 95230 91018 or contact our team.

Frequently asked questions

Can Indians get a US visa on arrival or an e-visa?

No. India is not in the Visa Waiver Program, so ESTA is not available, and the US issues no electronic visa or visa on arrival to Indian citizens. The visa is placed in your passport after biometrics and an interview, or an interview waiver if you qualify.

Is there a minimum bank balance for a US tourist visa?

The U.S. Embassy in India publishes no fixed amount. Under Section 214(b) you must show evidence of funds to cover your expenses in the US, along with ties that ensure your return. Supporting financial documents are optional and you choose what to bring.

Can I attend the interview in Chennai if I live in Delhi?

Yes. The official FAQ says anyone legally present in India may apply at any of the five posts: New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad or Kolkata. Book the VAC biometrics appointment at least 2 business days before the interview.

How long can I stay in the US on a B-2 visa?

A CBP officer at the port of entry decides your length of stay and records it on the online Form I-94. You may stay for the period on your I-94 even if the visa expires during your trip.