US Citizen India Visa Process: What You Need to Know Before You Go

For US citizen India visa process, the official requirement for Americans traveling to India for tourism, business, or medical reasons. Also known as India tourist visa for US passport holders, it’s a digital system that replaced paper applications years ago and now takes less than five minutes to start. You don’t need to visit an embassy. You don’t need to mail anything. You just need a valid US passport, a credit card, and about 20 minutes of your time.

The India tourist visa, a type of electronic travel authorization issued online for short-term visits is valid for 10 years and lets you stay up to 180 days per trip. It’s not a one-time pass—it’s good for multiple entries, which means you can hop over to Nepal and come back without reapplying. This works great if you’re planning a long bike trip across India, maybe starting in Goa, riding through Kerala, then heading up to Ladakh. You’ll need to apply at least four days before departure, but most people get approval in under 72 hours. No interviews. No fingerprints. No waiting in line.

Don’t confuse this with the India travel requirements, the full set of rules covering visas, vaccinations, customs, and entry rules for foreign travelers. The visa is just the first step. You also need proof of onward travel (a return ticket or next destination), enough money to cover your stay (no set amount, but border officers might ask), and a clean criminal record. No one checks your bank statements, but if you look like you’re planning to overstay, they’ll ask questions. Most US travelers never run into issues—if you’re honest and prepared, you’re fine.

And yes, you can still get a visa on arrival if you’re flying into certain airports—but only if you’re not a US citizen. That option was removed for Americans back in 2015. So skip the rumors. The only way in is through the online portal. The government site is indianvisaonline.gov.in. Don’t use third-party sites—they charge extra for nothing. The fee is $10 for the e-Tourist Visa. That’s it. No hidden fees. No surprise charges. You pay once, you get approved, you print the confirmation, and you’re good to go.

What trips most people up? Not the visa itself. It’s the passport. It must be valid for at least six months beyond your planned departure date from India. And it needs two blank pages. If your passport is old, worn, or has a faded photo, they might turn you away—even if your visa is approved. Get a new one before you book your flight.

Once you land, you’ll be asked to show your e-Visa confirmation, your passport, and your return ticket. That’s it. No forms to fill out. No lines for immigration. Just scan, smile, and walk through. Most US travelers report smooth, fast entries at Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru airports. The real challenge? Getting from the airport to your rented bike. But that’s a different story.

Below, you’ll find real advice from people who’ve done it—what to pack, where to apply, how to avoid scams, and what happens if your visa gets denied. No fluff. No theory. Just what works when you’re standing at the airport with a backpack and a bike reservation waiting.