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Quick answer: US citizens can apply online for an Indian e-Visa through the official portal at least 4 days before arrival, and up to 120 days ahead for the main categories. The e-Tourist visa comes in 30 day, 1 year and 5 year versions, with base fees of $10 or $25 (30 days, depending on the month), $40 (1 year) and $160 (5 years), plus payment charges. This guide focuses on the tourist options. Other categories such as business and medical have their own conditions. If you qualify for OCI and expect to visit India repeatedly, compare OCI with the e-Tourist visa.
This is general information, not legal advice. Visa fees, rules and entry points change, so use the official portal as the final word and read the details shown at payment. This guide is independent and is not affiliated with the Government of India or any consulate.
Who it is for
The USA is on the list of countries eligible for the e-Visa on the official portal. You need a passport valid for at least six months when you apply, with at least two blank pages, a return or onward ticket and enough funds. It is not available to holders of diplomatic or official passports, or to anyone with a Pakistani passport or Pakistani parentage or origin. If you have a defence, military, security or police background, disclose it accurately in the application and ask the visa helpdesk or your nearest Indian mission for clarification. Applicants who are not eligible use the regular visa route.
Tourist options and other common e-Visa categories
Most US travellers choose one of the three e-Tourist options. These are the details to compare:
| e-Tourist option | Validity | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 30 days | 30 days from first arrival | Multiple entry. Cannot be extended or converted |
| 1 year | 365 days from the date the authorisation is granted | Multiple entry. Stay is limited to 180 days per calendar year |
| 5 years | 5 years from grant | Multiple entry. Stay is limited to 180 days per calendar year |
Other common categories include e-Business, e-Conference and e-Medical with attendant visas. The government now describes a wider range of electronic visa categories, including student and transit categories, so this is a selected list and not a complete one. Each has its own conditions, so read the official page for the category before you apply. For an e-Medical visa, check the current category instructions. If official pages conflict about the validity, ask the e-Visa helpdesk for clarification, and after approval follow the validity and entry conditions on your authorisation.
Allowed purposes for the tourist visa include tourism, short courses, voluntary work of up to a month that is unpaid, and visiting family. Employment, work for an NGO and journalism are not allowed. A tourist e-Visa cannot be converted to another type of visa while you are in India.
Fees for US citizens
| e-Tourist visa | Base fee on the official table |
|---|---|
| 30 days, April to June | $10 |
| 30 days, July to March | $25 |
| 1 year | $40 |
| 5 years | $160 |
Source: the official e-Tourist fee table dated 8 September 2026 (see the fee table). Older pages and some consulate pages show $80 for the 5 year visa, which has been superseded.
- Payment processing charges are additional. SBIePay’s guidance lists 3% for card payments and 4% for PayPal. Check the charge displayed by your selected gateway before paying.
- Fees are not refunded whether the authorisation is granted or refused, and there is no government charge for emergency or express processing.
- For e-Business, e-Medical and attendant visas, read the fee shown at payment.
Timing: three different questions
| Question | What to know |
|---|---|
| When can I apply? | At least 4 days before arrival, and up to 120 days ahead for e-Tourist, e-Business and e-Medical visas. Four days is the minimum interval, not a recommended date, so do not wait until then. |
| When will I receive a decision? | The portal publishes no standard time. The government has reported that about 95% of e-Visa applications are processed in under 72 hours (see Press Information Bureau). That is an aggregate figure and not a guaranteed turnaround for your application. Re-upload requests normally arrive by email within about a day. |
| How long can I stay in India? | Visa validity and permitted stay are different things. The conditions on your authorisation (ETA) govern the trip, including the 180 day limit for the 1 year and 5 year tourist options. |
How to apply
| Step | What to do |
|---|---|
| 1 | Open the official portal and choose the e-Visa application. Check the address carefully, because many look alike sites charge extra fees. |
| 2 | Fill in your details exactly as in your passport. |
| 3 | Upload the photograph and the passport data page, plus any supporting documents the category needs. |
| 4 | Pay the fee online and save the application ID and payment reference. |
| 5 | Check the application status on the portal. Payment confirmation is different from visa approval. Travel only when the status shows GRANTED, and print the authorisation to carry. |
| 6 | Complete the e-Arrival Card within 72 hours before arrival. It collects arrival information and is not a visa. |
Before you submit
| Check | What to verify |
|---|---|
| Identity | Name, passport number and nationality match the passport |
| Category | The selected category matches the actual purpose of travel |
| Files | Images are readable and meet the upload requirements |
| Dates | Your arrival date and travel plans fit the chosen visa |
| Contact details | You can access the email address you used |
| Records | The application ID and payment reference are saved |
- Photograph: JPEG, between 10 KB and 1 MB, square (equal height and width), front view, full face, eyes open, no glasses, plain light or white background with no shadows or borders.
- Passport data page: PDF, between 10 KB and 300 KB, showing your photo and details. A photograph and a passport scan are not necessarily the complete checklist, because supporting documents vary by category.
- Fingerprints and a photo are taken on arrival. Travel on the same passport you used in the application. If you have a new passport, the portal has a service to transfer the authorisation, and you should carry both passports.
If a payment fails or is unclear
Check the status of the existing transaction on the portal before you pay again. A second payment is a separate fee, and fees are not refunded.
Families and children
Each traveller needs a separate passport and a separate application, including children. Each child’s passport needs the same validity and blank page conditions as an adult’s.
Where you can enter India on an e-Visa
e-Visa holders must use a designated entry port. These include approved airports, seaports and land ports, as announced by the Ministry of Home Affairs on 10 August 2026 (see Press Information Bureau). Mumbai and Navi Mumbai airports appear on the government’s published list, along with Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Goa. Check the latest list and your ETA conditions before booking your route. You can leave through any Indian immigration check post. See the guide to reaching Navi Mumbai airport if you are coming to Navi Mumbai.
Limits and restrictions
- The e-Visa is not valid for protected, restricted or cantonment areas, and prior permission from the civil authority is needed for them. Check permit rules before you plan travel in border regions.
- The tourist e-Visa cannot be extended. A stay that needs an extension, or a longer stay, requires a regular visa.
- A business e-Visa holder who stays more than 180 days must register with the FRRO within two weeks after the 180 days end.
- Travellers from countries affected by yellow fever need a vaccination card.
When you need a regular visa instead
Use the regular visa route, through the Indian visa application centre listed on the Embassy or Consulate website, if you want to work, report as a journalist, stay beyond what the e-Visa allows, extend, or if you are not eligible for an e-Visa. Visa on arrival does not apply to US citizens.
Compare with OCI
If you qualify for OCI and expect to visit India repeatedly, compare OCI with an e-Tourist visa. Indian ancestry alone should not be treated as confirmation of eligibility, and OCI is not always the better choice, because eligibility, timing and your travel purpose matter.
| Reader situation | Relevant next step |
|---|---|
| Planning a short visit | Compare the tourist options above. |
| Eligible for OCI and expecting repeated visits | Read the guide to applying for an OCI card from the USA. |
| Former Indian citizen | Check the passport surrender requirements in the guide to surrendering an Indian passport in the USA. |
| Already holds OCI and has renewed their passport | Read the guide to e-OCI and passport updates. |
The US State Department publishes its own travel advisory for India. Read it before you travel (see the State Department page). For consular questions, the Consulate General in New York lists a phone line on its site (see the Consulate website).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can US citizens get an e-Visa for India?
Yes. The USA is on the eligible list on the official portal, for tourism, business, medical visits, short courses and conferences, with different conditions for each category.
How much does the e-Tourist visa cost for a US citizen?
The official fee table lists $10 or $25 for 30 days depending on the month, $40 for 1 year and $160 for 5 years. Payment charges are additional, and SBIePay lists 3% for cards and 4% for PayPal, so check the charge shown at checkout.
How early should I apply?
At least 4 days before arrival and up to 120 days ahead. Four days is the minimum, not a target, so apply earlier and allow time in case the portal asks for a re-upload.
How long does the decision take?
The portal publishes no standard time. The government reports that about 95% of applications are processed in under 72 hours, but that is an aggregate figure and not a guarantee for your application.
Can I work in India on an e-Visa?
No. Employment, NGO work and journalism are not permitted. Use the regular visa route for those.
Can I extend an e-Tourist visa?
No. The e-Tourist visa cannot be extended or converted. A stay that needs an extension requires a regular visa.
Does each family member need a separate application?
Yes. Each traveller, including each child, needs a separate passport and application.
Is an OCI card better than a visa?
Only if you qualify for OCI and expect to visit India repeatedly. It costs more and takes longer to get, so compare it with the visa for your plans.
Sources
| Point | Source |
|---|---|
| Eligibility, types, limits | Government of India e-Visa portal and registration page |
| Fees for US citizens | Official e-Tourist fee table (8 September 2026) |
| Entry ports and processing | Press Information Bureau |
| Travel advisory | US State Department |
Reviewed on 2 November 2026. Rules, fees and entry points change, so check the official portal before you apply.
NaviMumbai.com is an independent information site and is not affiliated with any government body.
