Visa Assistance

United States

Visa requirements, fees, validity and documents for travel to United States.

1 visa type
Starting from $185
Checked 29 Sept 2026

1. Visa Types

Open a type to see processing time, stay, fees, and documents.

Processing time

Interview wait: check the India scheduling portal calendar after paying the MRV fee India posts often book months ahead Passport return: as the post instructs after interview

Stay period

CBP decides length of stay at the port of entry for each visit (commonly up to 6 months; the officer may set a shorter period or issue Form I-94 with a leave-by date) Visa validity is not the same as permitted stay

Validity

India reciprocity schedule (travel.state.gov): B-1, B-2 and B-1/B-2 — Multiple entries, maximum 120 months (10 years) Officer may issue a shorter validity

Visa Fees and Charges

Multiple entry

Nonimmigrant visa application processing fee (MRV) — non-petition categories including B-1/B-2 — non-refundable

$185

Multiple entry

Visa issuance / reciprocity fee — India B-1/B-2: None (travel.state.gov reciprocity schedule)

Entry	Label	Fee
Multiple entry	Nonimmigrant visa application processing fee (MRV) — non-petition categories including B-1/B-2 — non-refundable	$185
Multiple entry	Visa issuance / reciprocity fee — India B-1/B-2: None (travel.state.gov reciprocity schedule)	$0

About This Visa

Indian ordinary-passport holders need a US visitor visa (B-1/B-2) for tourism, family visits, or short business. India is not in the Visa Waiver Program. Usual combined stamp covers B-1 (business) and B-2 (tourism / medical / social).

Pay the non-refundable MRV application fee (USD 185 for non-petition categories including B visitor visas). For Indian nationals the reciprocity schedule lists no extra issuance fee for B-1/B-2; maximum reciprocity validity is multiple entry for 120 months. Complete Form DS-160, pay and book on the official India scheduling portal, give biometrics at a VAC / OFC, then attend the consular interview.

Documents Required

travel.state.gov — Visitor visa (core for interview)

Valid passport — generally valid at least six months beyond the intended stay in the United States (unless a country-specific agreement says otherwise)
Nonimmigrant Visa Application Form DS-160 confirmation page (print with barcode) — https://ceac.state.gov/genniv/
Photo meeting Department of State requirements (upload with DS-160; bring a print if the post asks)
MRV fee payment receipt / proof from the India scheduling portal
Interview and VAC appointment confirmation pages

Also useful at interview (officer may ask)

Proof of ties to India (employment, studies, family, property)
Trip purpose papers (itinerary, invitation if visiting someone, funds for the stay)

Supporting papers do not replace the interview decision.

2. Good to Know

Rules and notes that apply to every visa type

How to apply

Complete and submit Form DS-160 at https://ceac.state.gov/genniv/ — save the confirmation barcode page.
Create a profile on the official India visa scheduling portal (linked from in.usembassy.gov/visas/) and pay the USD 185 MRV fee in INR at the consular exchange rate.
After payment activates, book the VAC / OFC biometrics appointment and the consular interview (biometrics usually before the interview).
Attend VAC for fingerprints and photo, then the Embassy or Consulate interview with passport, DS-160 confirmation, fee receipt and appointment letters.
If approved, follow the post’s passport-return instructions. Entry is still decided by CBP on arrival.

Who can apply

Indian ordinary-passport holders: B-1/B-2 visitor visa before travel for tourism or short business.
Visa Waiver Program (ESTA) does not cover Indian passports.
Study / work / immigrant paths use other visa classes — not this visitor stamp alone.
Apply in the country of residence or nationality; India posts: New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata.

Embassy

U.S. Embassy & Consulates in India — visas
https://in.usembassy.gov/visas/
Visa inquiries: support-india@usvisascheduling.com
Phone (India): +91 20 69020000

U.S. Embassy New Delhi
Shantipath, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110021
+91-11-24198000

Consulates General — Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata (see map / contact blocks on in.usembassy.gov/visas/).

Department of State
Visitor visa: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/tourism-visit/visitor.html
India reciprocity: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/Visa-Reciprocity-and-Civil-Documents-by-Country/India.html
DS-160: https://ceac.state.gov/genniv/

Watch-outs

MRV fee is non-refundable and non-transferable whether the visa is issued or refused.
A visa is permission to request entry, not a guarantee of admission — CBP sets stay on each arrival.
Reciprocity “120 months” is a maximum; the officer may issue shorter validity.
Pay MRV in INR at the current consular exchange rate on the India scheduling portal.

How to track

India scheduling portal account for appointments and fee status. After interview, CEAC / post passport-status tools as linked from travel.state.gov or the Embassy visas page. VAC only collects biometrics — it does not decide the visa.