Indian passport · United States
Do Indian passport holders need a visa for the US?
In brief
Yes. Indian passport holders need a visa for the US, arranged before travel.
US visa fee for Indians: The US visitor visa (B-1/B-2) application fee is US$185, and it is not refunded. Official fee. Source: U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs, checked , read from an archived copy of 9 Jul 2026.
A valid unexpired visa that meets the requirements of part 215, subpart B, of this chapter, if applicable, and an unexpired passport, shall be presented by each arriving nonimmigrant alien
Code of Federal Regulations, 8 CFR 212.1 (DHS)
Checked 1 Nov 2026Source: Code of Federal Regulations, 8 CFR 212.1 (DHS)Report a change
Independent reference, not a government website. We don't issue visas or sell visa services.
ContentsIn brief
At a glance
| Access | Visa required |
|---|---|
| Stay | Not stated by the official source |
| Validity and entries | For Indian citizens a B-1/B-2 visa can be issued for multiple entries and up to 120 months (10 years), with no extra reciprocity (issuance) fee.4 |
| Official fee | The US visitor visa (B-1/B-2) application fee is US$185, and it is not refunded.2In India the fee is paid in rupees at the consular exchange rate, which is 98 rupees per US dollar since 25 May 2026.3 |
| Official processing | Not stated by the official sources we read |
| Where to apply | In India, US visas are handled by the Embassy in New Delhi and the Consulates General in Kolkata, Hyderabad, Chennai and Mumbai.3 |
Do Indians need a visa for the US?
India is not on the exemption lists, and the Code of Federal Regulations, 8 CFR 212.1 (DHS) says that all other nationals need a visa before they travel.
“A valid unexpired visa that meets the requirements of part 215, subpart B, of this chapter, if applicable, and an unexpired passport, shall be presented by each arriving nonimmigrant alien”
Conditions and exceptions
Applicants should book the visa interview at a US embassy or consulate in their country of residence or nationality, so an Indian living in the UAE applies in the UAE or in India.
Applicants for U.S. nonimmigrant visas should schedule their visa interview appointments at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in their country of residence or nationality.
U.S. Embassy and Consulates in India · checked
US visa types for Indians
For Indian citizens a B-1/B-2 visa can be issued for multiple entries and up to 120 months (10 years), with no extra reciprocity (issuance) fee.
U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs · checked · read from an archived copy of 13 Jul 2026
How to apply from India
In India, US visas are handled by the Embassy in New Delhi and the Consulates General in Kolkata, Hyderabad, Chennai and Mumbai.
U.S. Embassy and Consulates in India · checked
How to apply from the UAE
Indian citizens who live in the UAE:
Routine US visa processing is currently not available in the UAE: the Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate in Dubai are open but not processing routine visas.
U.S. Embassy Abu Dhabi and Consulate General Dubai · checked
Fee
The US visitor visa (B-1/B-2) application fee is US$185, and it is not refunded.
U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs · checked · read from an archived copy of 9 Jul 2026In India the fee is paid in rupees at the consular exchange rate, which is 98 rupees per US dollar since 25 May 2026.
U.S. Embassy and Consulates in India · checked
These are government fees as the official sources state them. Agencies add their own service fees; those are not visa fees, and we don't list them.
Processing time
The official sources we read state no processing time.
Documents and entry checks
Not stated by the official sources we read, beyond a valid passport.
If you live in the UAE
We have not checked a separate rule for UAE residents for the US.
If you need a visa, see How to apply from the UAE.
What changed
- In India the fee is paid in rupees at the consular exchange rate, which is 98 rupees per US dollar since 25 May 2026. U.S. Embassy and Consulates in India · checked
- Checked against the official sources on this page: the rule above still holds.
FAQ
Is the US visa-free for Indians now?
No. Indians need a visa before they travel.
How much does a US visa cost in India?
The US visitor visa (B-1/B-2) application fee is US$185, and it is not refunded. In India the fee is paid in rupees at the consular exchange rate, which is 98 rupees per US dollar since 25 May 2026.
Can I get a US visa in 7 days?
The official sources we read state no processing time.
Other trips on an Indian passport
Sources
Official sources only. Each was checked on the date shown.
- Code of Federal Regulations, 8 CFR 212.1 (DHS): entry rule
- U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs: fees
- U.S. Embassy and Consulates in India: fees, how to apply and entry conditions
- U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs: visa types
- U.S. Embassy Abu Dhabi and Consulate General Dubai: applying from the UAE