India Visa Guide

An India visa affixed in a valid passport is required of all United States citizens wanting to enter India. The Indian Embassy has outsourced the processing of visa applications. apply online to expedite your India visa.

Each visa is limited to the purpose for which it is issued. The most frequently requested are the tourist visa and the business visa. Other types which are less frequent inlude visas for transit, missionaries, journalists, conference attendance, medical and students.

India Visa Requirements

India visa requirements include, but are not limited to:

• passport with a minimum validity of 6 months and 2 blank visa pages;
• 2 identical passport photos taken within last 6 months (no glasses allowed);
• proof of travel to India (computer-generated itinerary);
• proof of residency (legible color copy of driver's license of state issued ID or copy of major utility bill if you recently moved);
• completed India travel visa application form;
• India visa fee payment.

Once you receive your India business or tourist visa, you have 90 days to use it.

India Tourist Visa

An India tourist visa has a validity of either 6 months, 5 years or 10 years. This is a multiple entry visa. Each entry has a limited duration of 6 months. This means that the maximum amount of time you can stay after entering the country is 6 months. Once you exit, you must wait for a period of 2 months before re-entering unless you obtain special permission.

India Business Visa

To acquire a business visa, you must submit a Business Cover Letter from a U.S. company indicating purpose of travel to India, duration of stay and moral and financial responsibilities. You are also required to submit a letter from the sponsoring organization in India on company letterhead indicating the nature of your business, probable duration of stay, state the validity of visa applied for (1-year or 5-year), places and organizations to be visited and also a guarantee to meet maintenance expenses etc.

India Visa Application Form

The India visa application form can be completed online and then printed. Since the Indian Embassy outsources the handling of visa applications, you must apply through an authorized visa service. We recommend It's Easy Passport and Visa Service. Click here to complete the India visa application. Be sure to review your application after completion. If there are any mistakes, you should complete a new application form.

The name used on the application must match the name on your passport exactly. The address you put on the form must match the address on your driver's license. Applications for minors must be signed by both parents. Copies of parent's passports must be sent also.

NOTE: There is a new requirement for anyone applying for a visa to India that is in effect immediately. This will apply to all citizenships and for any application completed with a date of January 15, 2010 or later. Applicants must now submit a photocopy of the birth certificate or school diploma. You should not submit the original birth certificate or diploma. The Indian consulate is not responsible for original documents.

Indian Consulate Jurisdiction

India ENFORCES jurisdiction. That means you must fill in the application form for the appropriate jurisdiction, and the time frame that the visa application will be process will depend on the jurisdiction that you live in.

New York Jurisdiction: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont, as well as Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands

Chicago Jurisdiction: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin and Missouri

Houston Jurisdiction: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma and Texas

San Francisco Jurisdiction: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming

Washington DC Jurisdiction: Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and the Bahamas

India Travel Visa Form

India Visa Fees

India Tourist Visa Fees

India Business Visa Fees

India Visa Services

The Indian Embassy does not receive visa applications directly. This service is outsourced to professional travel document expediters. U.S. Passport Service Guide has a directory of more than 40 expediting services. From our many years of experience, there is one company that stands out. It's Easy Passport and Visa Service has provided fast and efficient visa expediting for more than 30 years. When you are in a hurry, you can count on It's Easy. Click here to get a visa to India quickly.