US Visa Requirements for Indian Citizens
US B1/B2 visa for Indian citizens: $185 fee, apply-in-India rule, interview waiver limits, wait times, documents and refusal reasons. Checked 5 Nov 2026.
Indian citizens need a visa to visit the United States for tourism or business. India is not part of the US Visa Waiver Program, so there is no ESTA route. The usual visa is the B1/B2 visitor visa. For most first-time applicants it means an online form, a fee of $185, and an in-person interview at a US consulate in India. Since September 2025 you must apply in India (your country of nationality or residence), and appointment waits can be long. This guide explains the process and what to check before you pay.
What the B1/B2 visa allows
The B1 is for business visits such as meetings and conferences, and the B2 is for tourism and visiting family or friends. One visa and one application cover both. You cannot work, study full time or settle in the US on it; those need other visa categories. Indian applicants are often issued visas valid for up to ten years, but the officer at the US border decides how long you may stay on each visit.
Fees and costs
- Visa application fee: $185 for the B1/B2, non-refundable even if the visa is refused. The payment receipt is generally valid for one year.
- Expedited appointment pilot: from 1 July to 31 December 2026 the State Department is testing a $750 option for an interview within about ten business days at selected posts, on top of the $185 fee, as reported by Business Today.
- Visa integrity fee: a $250 fee was created by the law signed on 4 July 2025. In the sources we checked, collection had not been confirmed as started, so check travel.state.gov before you pay.
How to apply
- Complete the online DS-160 form and keep the confirmation page.
- Pay the visa application fee.
- Schedule your biometrics and interview at the US Embassy in New Delhi or the consulates in Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad or Kolkata.
- Attend the interview with your passport, DS-160 confirmation, appointment letter and fee receipt.
Where you can apply
On 6 September 2025 the State Department told nonimmigrant visa applicants to schedule interviews in their country of nationality or residence. That ended the practice many Indians used of booking interviews in a third country to get an earlier date. Unless you are legally resident in another country, plan to apply in India.
Interview waiver
The interview waiver is now narrow. Reported conditions are that you apply in your country of nationality or residence, have never been refused a visa (unless it was overcome or waived), and have no apparent or potential ineligibility. Renewals under the waiver are reported to be limited to visas that expired within the last 12 months. The embassy decides eligibility, and an officer can still ask for an interview, so check the US Embassy India website before you assume you qualify.
Wait times
US Department of State data updated on 17 September 2026 shows B1/B2 interview appointments stretching to about 12 months at some Indian posts, as reported by Wego. Waits differ by city and change often, so check the State Department’s wait-time tool before you plan any trip.
Supporting documents and the interview
- Passport valid for the period required for your trip, and old passports with US visas.
- Evidence of your ties to India, such as employment, business, property or family.
- Your trip plan and proof of how you will pay for it.
- An invitation letter and your host’s status, if you are visiting someone.
The officer decides mostly from your answers at the interview, so keep them short, consistent with your DS-160, and truthful.
Common reasons for refusal
Most visitor visa refusals are under Section 214(b) of US law, which means the officer was not satisfied that you will return home after a temporary visit. Errors or inconsistencies on the DS-160, unclear travel plans and weak ties to India can all contribute. A refusal does not stop you applying again, but the new application should address what changed.
Ready to apply? Start your visa application or check your documents at OnlineEVisa.com.
Last verified: 5 November 2026 against the sources linked below. Visa rules change often, so confirm the details on the official link before you book or apply.
Official sources
Found something out of date? Tell us through our corrections policy. This page is general information, not legal or immigration advice: see our disclaimer.
Vinay Patel
Vinay Patel is Managing Director of Visa2Travel (Vinpay Overseas Pvt. Ltd.), based in Anand, Gujarat. He runs visa2travel.news and the Visa2Travel brand, which has served travellers since 2015.
