How Indian passport holders get a visa for United States: visa type, government fee, processing time, maximum stay, the documents required and where to apply. Government-sourced — always verify on the official site before you travel.
Quick facts
- Visa type: B1/B2 visitor visa — embassy interview (or Drop Box for renewals ≤12 months)
- Government fee: US$185 (~₹15,600) MRV fee per applicant (B1/B2). No refund whatever the outcome.
- Processing time: Interview wait times in India remain among the longest globally (as of May 2026): Mumbai ~9–10 months, New Delhi ~6–10 months, Hyderabad ~5–8 months, Kolkata ~2.5–5 months, Chennai ~3.5–4 months. Drop Box (interview waiver) renewals are processed in ~7–21 days.
- Maximum stay: Up to 6 months per entry (CBP discretion); visa typically valid 10 years multi-entry.
- Interview: May be required
- Ease for Indian travellers: 20/100
Documents you'll need
- Passport 6+ months valid
- DS-160 confirmation page
- MRV fee receipt
- Recent 2×2 inch photograph (white background)
- Appointment confirmation
- Proof of funds (bank statements, ITRs last 3 years)
- Employer NOC / business proof
- Strong ties to India (property, family, job)
How & where to apply
Pay MRV fee on ustraveldocs.com, fill DS-160, then book at any of Mumbai, New Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad consulates. Renewals within 12 months of prior visa expiry may qualify for Drop Box (no interview) — submit at any VFS VAC. travel.state.gov — Visitor (B1/B2) visa (official)
Transit & connections
Indians need a US visa (C-1 transit or B1/B2) even for airside transit through any US airport — there is no airside transit zone in the United States.
How United States compares in the Americas
With an ease score of 20/100 this is one of the tougher applications for Indians — expect strict document scrutiny and plan well ahead of travel. United States requires a full pre-travel application (embassy / visa application centre) for Indian passport holders.
| Country | Visa type | Government fee | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇺🇸 United States | B1/B2 visitor visa — embassy interview (or Drop Box for renewals ≤12 months) | US$185 (~₹15,600) MRV fee per applicant (B1/B2). No refund whatever the outcome. | Interview wait times in India remain among the longest globally (as of May 2026): Mumbai ~9–10 months, New Delhi ~6–10 months, Hyderabad ~5–8 months, Kolkata ~2.5–5 months, Chennai ~3.5–4 months. Drop Box (interview waiver) renewals are processed in ~7–21 days. |
| 🇦🇷 Argentina | Consular tourist visa — or visa-free if you hold a qualifying US visa / Green Card | Free for Indian nationals under bilateral agreement (zero consular fee). Visa-free entry is also free if eligible. | Consular visa: typically 10–15 working days after document submission at the Embassy in New Delhi or Consulate in Mumbai. |
| 🇲🇽 Mexico | Consular visa — or visa-free if you hold US/Canada/UK/Japan/Schengen visa | Consular tourist visa US$54 (~₹4,600). Visa-free entry is free — only the FMM/FMME tourist card (free if filed online or ~MXN 717 / ~₹3,600 at land borders) is needed. | Consular visa: 2–10 working days at the Mexican Embassy in New Delhi after appointment. Visa-free entry: instant at port of entry. |
| 🇨🇱 Chile | Consular tourist visa — or visa-free if you hold a valid US visa / Green Card | Tourist visa US$25 (~₹2,100) consular fee for Indian nationals. Visa-free entry is free. | Consular visa: typically 10–15 working days at the Embassy of Chile in New Delhi after document submission. |
| 🇵🇪 Peru | Consular tourist visa — or visa-free if you hold a US/Canada/UK/Australia/Schengen visa | Tourist visa approx US$30 (~₹2,500) consular fee at the Embassy in New Delhi. Visa-free entry is free. | Consular visa: 7–10 working days after the in-person interview at the Embassy of Peru in New Delhi. |
| 🇧🇷 Brazil | Tourist visa via Embassy / VFS — eVisa for business travellers only (as of mid-2026) | Tourist visa ₹6,400 (~US$77) consular fee. Business eVisa via VFS: US$40 + US$25 service fee (~₹5,500). | Tourist visa: 10–15 working days from VFS submission. Business eVisa: 5–10 working days. |
| 🇨🇦 Canada | Visitor visa (TRV) — apply online + VFS biometrics | CAD 100 (~₹6,300) visitor visa fee + CAD 85 (~₹5,400) biometrics. Total ~₹11,700. | From India: about 70–90 days after biometrics (IRCC posted ~71–88 days in early-to-mid 2026). IRCC targeting 60 days global by Q4 2026. |
Fees and processing times are indicative and change with exchange rates and season — always confirm on each country's official source before applying.
Good to know
Drop Box (interview waiver) was tightened in Feb 2025 — only renewals where the prior visa is still valid or expired within the last 12 months qualify (down from 48 months). If your prior B1/B2 visa expired within the last 12 months, you can apply for renewal via Drop Box (no interview) and get a result in ~7–21 days. Centralised processing in New Delhi for all Drop Box. Always check live wait times before booking — they swing weekly. One MRV payment allows unlimited free rescheduling. Visa rules change often — confirm on the official government source: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/wait-times.html
Frequently asked questions
Do Indians need a visa for United States?
B1/B2 visitor visa — embassy interview (or Drop Box for renewals ≤12 months). Drop Box (interview waiver) was tightened in Feb 2025 — only renewals where the prior visa is still valid or expired within the last 12 months qualify (down from 48 months). If your prior B1/B2 visa expired within the last 12 months, you can apply for renewal via Drop Box (no interview) and get a result in ~7–21 days. Centralised processing in New Delhi for all Drop Box. Always check live wait times before booking — they swing weekly. One MRV payment allows unlimited free rescheduling.
What documents do Indians need for a United States visa?
Passport 6+ months valid; DS-160 confirmation page; MRV fee receipt; Recent 2×2 inch photograph (white background); Appointment confirmation; Proof of funds (bank statements, ITRs last 3 years); Employer NOC / business proof; Strong ties to India (property, family, job)
How long does a United States visa take and what does it cost?
Processing: Interview wait times in India remain among the longest globally (as of May 2026): Mumbai ~9–10 months, New Delhi ~6–10 months, Hyderabad ~5–8 months, Kolkata ~2.5–5 months, Chennai ~3.5–4 months. Drop Box (interview waiver) renewals are processed in ~7–21 days.. Government fee: US$185 (~₹15,600) MRV fee per applicant (B1/B2). No refund whatever the outcome.. Maximum stay: Up to 6 months per entry (CBP discretion); visa typically valid 10 years multi-entry..
How do Indians apply for a United States visa?
Pay MRV fee on ustraveldocs.com, fill DS-160, then book at any of Mumbai, New Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad consulates. Renewals within 12 months of prior visa expiry may qualify for Drop Box (no interview) — submit at any VFS VAC. Official source: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/wait-times.html
Is a United States visa hard to get for Indian citizens?
With an ease score of 20/100 this is one of the tougher applications for Indians — expect strict document scrutiny and plan well ahead of travel. An interview may be required.
Can Indians get a United States visa online or on arrival?
United States requires a full pre-travel application (embassy / visa application centre) for Indian passport holders.
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