Quick answer
Indians need a B1/B2 visitor visa for the US. The application fee is USD 185 (about ₹16,300), most applicants must attend an in-person interview, and waits at Indian posts ran roughly 6 to 12 months during 2026. Approved Indians usually receive a 10-year multiple-entry visa. Apply in India, fill the DS-160 carefully, and book as early as possible.
At a glance
- Visa type
- B1/B2 visitor visa (business and tourism)
- Stay allowed
- Usually up to 6 months per entry, as granted by US border officers
- Fee
- USD 185 (about ₹16,300) application fee; a USD 250 (about ₹22,000) visa integrity fee legislated in 2025 is due at issuance once collection begins; optional USD 750 expedited interview at pilot posts
- Processing
- Interview waits of roughly 6–12 months at Indian posts in 2026; passport return usually 1–2 weeks after approval
- Validity
- Usually 10 years, multiple entry, for Indian nationals
- Apply at
- Official portal
Documents checklist
- DS-160 confirmation page with barcode
- Appointment confirmations for the Visa Application Centre (biometrics) and the consular interview
- Receipt for the USD 185 application fee
- Passport valid at least 6 months beyond your stay, plus all old passports
- One recent 5 x 5 cm photograph (uploaded to the DS-160; carry a print)
- Employer letter with designation, salary, joining date and approved leave, plus recent salary slips
- ITR acknowledgements for the last 3 years
- Bank statements for the last 6 months and proof of assets such as FDs or property
- Self-employed: business registration, GST returns and company financials
- Family visits: invitation letter and the host's status proof; business trips: conference or company invitation
- Previous US visas and evidence of other international travel
Common mistakes that get Indians refused
- DS-160 answers that differ from what you say at the interview; the form is what the officer reads.
- Vague answers about purpose, length of stay and who pays. Refusals under section 214(b) mean the officer was not convinced you will return.
- Booking an interview in another country while living in India; since September 2025 you must apply where you are a national or resident, and third-country fees are forfeited.
- Leaving social media identifiers or past travel off the DS-160.
- Booking non-refundable flights before the visa is printed.
What does a US tourist visa cost?
The B1/B2 visitor visa application fee is USD 185 (about ₹16,300), paid before you can book appointments and not refundable. A separate USD 250 visa integrity fee (about ₹22,000) was legislated in 2025, to be charged when a visa is issued. Its collection had not been clearly rolled out at the time of review, so check the US Embassy India website before you budget. Indians are not in the Visa Waiver Program, so ESTA is not an option.
How long is the interview wait?
This is the real issue. State Department figures for Indian posts through 2026 have shown B1/B2 interview waits of roughly 6 to 12 months, with Mumbai at the long end (around 11 months in the September 2026 update) and New Delhi somewhat shorter. Chennai, Hyderabad and Kolkata swing from month to month. Slots are released regularly, so keep checking rather than accept the first distant date.
From 1 July to 31 December 2026, the State Department is piloting an optional USD 750 expedited-interview fee (about ₹66,000) at selected posts, aiming for an interview within ten business days. It buys a date, not an approval. Check whether Indian posts are included when you book.
What changed in 2025?
- Interview waivers mostly ended from 2 September 2025. Most applicants, including children and seniors, now attend an in-person interview. A narrow exemption remains for some adults renewing a full-validity B1/B2 visa that expired recently.
- Apply where you live. Applicants must book at a US post in their country of nationality or residence. Indians living in India can no longer take an earlier slot in Bangkok or Dubai, and fees paid for such appointments are forfeited.
How does the process work?
- Complete the DS-160 carefully, including social media identifiers and full travel history.
- Pay the fee and book two appointments: biometrics at a Visa Application Centre, then the consular interview.
- Attend the interview with your DS-160 confirmation, passport and supporting documents.
Most approved Indian applicants receive a 10-year multiple-entry visa. At the US border, officers usually admit visitors for up to six months.
Why are visas refused?
Refusals fall under section 214(b): the officer is not persuaded you will return. The interview lasts a few minutes, so answers must be short, clear and consistent with the DS-160. Documents are rarely read in full; they back up what you say about your job, income, family and purpose.
Apply the moment you think you might travel. For a summer 2027 trip, that means now.
Our visa assistance team prepares DS-160s and interview briefings, and we arrange travel insurance, essential given US medical costs. See the USA trip cost and best time to visit the USA guides. Mexico accepts a valid US visa for entry; see the Mexico visa guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the US visa fee for Indians in 2026?
How long is the US visa interview wait in India?
Do I still get an interview waiver for a US visa renewal?
Can I take a US visa interview in Dubai or Bangkok for an earlier date?
What does the USD 750 expedited interview fee buy?
How we checked this page
Last reviewed
Written and fact-checked by the Elitech Travels editorial desk in New Delhi, drawing on our consultants' day-to-day booking work and the official sources below. Rules, fares and fees change — always confirm anything critical with the issuing authority before you travel. Our editorial policy.
