Visa guide · Indian passport holders
United States visa for Indian citizens
Indian citizens apply for a United States visa directly with the embassy or its official visa portal. The published fee for B, C-1, D, F, I, J, M, T, TN/TD is $185. Application locations listed include New Delhi (VAC: Shivaji Stadium Metro Station; Embassy: Shanti Path, Chanakya Puri), Mumbai (VAC: Bandra Kurla Complex; Consulate General: C-49, G-Block, BKC), Chennai (VAC: Nungambakkam; Consulate General: Anna Salai), Hyderabad (VAC: Hitec City Metro Station; Consulate General: Nanakramguda) and Kolkata (VAC: Mirza Ghalib Street; Consulate General: Ho Chi Minh Sarani). Sources checked on October 10, 2026.
United States visa for Indians — key facts
- Visa fee
- $185B, C-1, D, F, I, J, M, T, TN/TD
- Processing time
- Not published
- Where to apply
- 5 locations listedNew Delhi (VAC: Shivaji Stadium Metro Station; Embassy: Shanti Path, Chanakya Puri), Mumbai (VAC: Bandra Kurla Complex; Consulate General: C-49, G-Block, BKC), Chennai (VAC: Nungambakkam; Consulate General: Anna Salai)…
- Insurance required
- Not published
Overview
How do Indian citizens apply for a United States visa?
Who handles applications in India
VFS Global does not handle US visas from India (visa.vfsglobal.com/ind/en/usa returns 404). Applicants complete the online Form DS-160, pay the non-refundable MRV fee, and schedule appointments online via the U.S. Embassy's appointment system (ustraveldocs.com/in / usvisascheduling.com). Applicants attend a biometrics appointment at a Visa Application Center (at least 2 business days before the interview) and an in-person interview at the U.S. Embassy New Delhi or Consulates General in Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad or Kolkata; previous B1/B2 visa holders may qualify for an interview waiver.
How to apply from India — step by step
- 1
Complete the application form
Fill in the United States visa application form linked from the official pages below.
- 2
Prepare your documents
Gather the documents listed in the "Documents required" section — the common list plus the checklist for your visa category.
- 3
Book an appointment
Book an appointment as described on the embassy's official page.
- 4
Submit your application
Submit at a listed location: New Delhi (VAC: Shivaji Stadium Metro Station; Embassy: Shanti Path, Chanakya Puri), Mumbai (VAC: Bandra Kurla Complex; Consulate General: C-49, G-Block, BKC), Chennai (VAC: Nungambakkam; Consulate General: Anna Salai), Hyderabad (VAC: Hitec City Metro Station; Consulate General: Nanakramguda) and Kolkata (VAC: Mirza Ghalib Street; Consulate General: Ho Chi Minh Sarani).
- 5
Give biometrics
Attend in person for biometrics where the official pages require it.
- 6
Pay the fees
Pay the visa fee shown in the "Visa fees" section.
Steps follow the official pages in the Sources section; always follow the latest instructions there.
Before you apply
- Check the documents required for your visa category
- Get photos to the photo specifications
- Check the travel medical insurance rule
- Note the visa fee and processing time
- Prepare a flight reservation, hotel booking, itinerary and cover letter if your checklist asks for them — our documentation packages start at INR 1,000 (dummy ticket, dummy hotel booking)
Visa fees
How much is the United States visa fee for Indian citizens?
B, C-1, D, F, I, J, M, T, TN/TD
$185
Non-refundable; payable in local currency (NEFT, UPI, Debit/Credit Card, Cash at DRUK Bank, AXIS Bank & Citibank); fee receipt valid 365 days
CW, H, L, O, P, Q, R
$205
Non-refundable
E
$315
Non-refundable
K
$265
Non-refundable
Official and Diplomatic travelers
Generally exempt from application fees
Other fees
Reciprocity (issuance) fees, SEVIS fee, Blanket L fraud prevention and detection fee where applicable
Amounts not listed on the page read
Service fee: Not published by VFS Global or the embassy — check the official links below.
Checklist
What documents are required for a United States visa from India?
All applicants
5 items
- DS-160 Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application confirmation (barcode) page - must match the barcode used to book the appointment
- Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your period of stay in the United States (unless exempt by country-specific agreements)
- Photo uploaded with the DS-160 (one printed photo if upload fails)
- Visa fee (MRV) payment receipt
- Documents stated in the appointment letter
Official and Diplomatic (A, G, C-2, C-3)
5 items
- DS-160 barcode page
- Passport
- Photo
- Diplomatic Note/Letter from International Organization
- Domestic employees (A-3, G-5): employment contract and in-person appearance
H and L work visas
1 item
- Approved petition from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security before an interview can be scheduled
F, M, J and specified categories
1 item
- Adjust privacy settings on all social media accounts to 'public' (A-3, C-3, G-5, H-1B, H-3, H-4, F, I, J, M, K, Q, R, S, T, TN, TD, U)
Photo
What are the United States visa photo specifications?
- Size
- Not published
- Background
- Not published
- Taken within the last six months
- Renewal applicants generally must not reuse the photo on the old visa
- Uploaded during DS-160; printed copy if upload fails
Insurance
Is travel medical insurance required for a United States visa?
Not published as a requirement on the embassy pages read
Processing
How long does United States visa processing take?
Not published by VFS Global or the embassy — check the official links below.
Visa types
Which United States visa types can Indian citizens apply for?
Nonimmigrant visas ($185 fee group)
- B - Business/Tourist
- C-1 - Transit
- D - Ship/Airline Crew
- F - Student (academic)
- I - Journalist and Media
- J - Exchange Visitors
- M - Student (vocational)
- T - Victim of Human Trafficking
- TN/TD - NAFTA Professionals
Nonimmigrant visas ($205 fee group)
- CW - Transitional Worker CNMI
- H - Temporary/Seasonal Workers and Employment, Trainees
- L - Intracompany Transferees
- O - Persons with Extraordinary Ability
- P - Athletes, Artists, Entertainers
- Q - International Cultural Exchange
- R - Religious Worker
Nonimmigrant visas ($315 fee group)
- E - Treaty Trader/Investor, Australian Professional Specialty, Long-Term Investor CNMI
Nonimmigrant visas ($265 fee group)
- K - Fiancé(e) or Spouse of U.S. Citizen
Diplomatic and Official visas
- A
- G
- C-2
- C-3
Embassy visa type headings
- Tourism & Visit
- Study & Exchange
- Business
- Immigrate
- Employment
- Other Types of Visas
Where to apply
Where do Indian citizens apply for a United States visa?
- New Delhi (VAC: Shivaji Stadium Metro Station; Embassy: Shanti Path, Chanakya Puri)
- Mumbai (VAC: Bandra Kurla Complex; Consulate General: C-49, G-Block, BKC)
- Chennai (VAC: Nungambakkam; Consulate General: Anna Salai)
- Hyderabad (VAC: Hitec City Metro Station; Consulate General: Nanakramguda)
- Kolkata (VAC: Mirza Ghalib Street; Consulate General: Ho Chi Minh Sarani)
FAQ
United States visa for Indians — frequently asked questions
Answers built only from the VFS Global and embassy pages listed in the Sources section.
How much is the United States visa fee for Indian citizens?
B, C-1, D, F, I, J, M, T, TN/TD: $185; CW, H, L, O, P, Q, R: $205; E: $315. 3 more fee rows are listed on this page.
What documents are required for a United States visa from India?
DS-160 Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application confirmation (barcode) page - must match the barcode used to book the appointment; Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your period of stay in the United States (unless exempt by country-specific agreements); Photo uploaded with the DS-160 (one printed photo if upload fails); Visa fee (MRV) payment receipt; Documents stated in the appointment letter. Category-specific checklists are listed for 3 visa categories.
Where do Indian citizens apply for a United States visa?
Applications go via Embassy/official portal. Locations listed: New Delhi (VAC: Shivaji Stadium Metro Station; Embassy: Shanti Path, Chanakya Puri), Mumbai (VAC: Bandra Kurla Complex; Consulate General: C-49, G-Block, BKC), Chennai (VAC: Nungambakkam; Consulate General: Anna Salai), Hyderabad (VAC: Hitec City Metro Station; Consulate General: Nanakramguda), Kolkata (VAC: Mirza Ghalib Street; Consulate General: Ho Chi Minh Sarani).
Is travel medical insurance required for a United States visa?
Not published as a requirement on the embassy pages read
Which United States visa types can Indian citizens apply for?
Nonimmigrant visas ($185 fee group), Nonimmigrant visas ($205 fee group), Nonimmigrant visas ($315 fee group), Nonimmigrant visas ($265 fee group), Diplomatic and Official visas and Embassy visa type headings. 28 visa types are listed on this page.
Sources
Sources
- U.S. Embassy & Consulates in India - VisasEmbassy / official government site · Checked on · https://in.usembassy.gov/visas/
- U.S. Embassy India - Nonimmigrant VisasEmbassy / official government site · Checked on · https://in.usembassy.gov/nonimmigrant-visas/
- U.S. Embassy India - Types of VisasEmbassy / official government site · Checked on · https://in.usembassy.gov/types-of-visas/
- U.S. Embassy India - Apply for a Nonimmigrant VisaEmbassy / official government site · Checked on · https://in.usembassy.gov/apply-for-a-nonimmigrant-visa/
- Embassy appointment portal (linked as 'Fees for Visa Services') - Pay your visa feesEmbassy / official government site · Checked on · https://www.ustraveldocs.com/in/en/step-3
- Embassy appointment portal - Complete your application (DS-160, photo, fingerprints)Embassy / official government site · Checked on · https://www.ustraveldocs.com/in/en/step-2
- Embassy appointment portal - Attend your interview (VAC locations)Embassy / official government site · Checked on · https://www.ustraveldocs.com/in/en/step-5
Machine-readable version: /visa/india/usa/markdown
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