USA Visa for Indians - Fees, Requirements & Application in 2026

About the US Visa

Only the citizens of countries not part of the USA Visa Waiver Program (VWP) require a US visa. As India does not qualify for the VWP program of the US, all Indians must apply for an American visa to visit this country. Look at some of the key highlights of the US visa for Indians:

Having a valid US visa does not guarantee entry into the United States of America. The visa is just a document from the US Consular Officer that establishes your eligibility to enter the US for the stated purpose. The actual permission to enter the United States of America and the duration of the stay are decided by the immigration officer at the entry point of the airport.

Features of a US Visa

Available for both immigrants and non-immigrants.
More than 20 types of non-immigrant visas.
A US Tourist visa is valid for 10 years and lets you stay 180 days or 6 months in a single visit.
Offers a Group US visa appointment option to people travelling in groups of 10 or more.
Option to get an expedited US visa appointment in case of urgent travel to the US.

US Visa Fees

A lot of people wonder how much a US visa costs. As per the US immigration laws, all the US visa applicants, including children, must pay the necessary US visa fee. This fee has to be paid by all, whether or not the US visa is approved. The application fee is non-refundable and can't be transferred to another person.

Your US visa fee amount depends on the visa categories. The various kinds of US visa fees are provided below:

Non-Immigrant Fees
Immigrant Fees

Non-immigrant US Visa Types	Purpose of Travel	US Visa Cost/ Fee in USD
B	Business, Tourism or Medical Treatment	$185
C-1	Transiting to the US	$185
D	Ship/ Airline Crewmembers	$185
F	Students (academic)	$185
H	Temporary Employment/ Workers or Trainees	$205
I	Journalists and Media	$185
J	Exchange Visitors	$185
K	Spouse or Fiance(e) of a US Citizen	$265
L	Intracompany Transferees	$205
M	Students (vocational)	$185
O	Persons with Extraordinary Ability	$205
P	Artists, Athletes or Entertainers	$205
Q	International Cultural Exchange	$205
R	Religious Worker	$205
T	Human Trafficking Victims	$185
TN/ TD	NAFTA* Professionals	$185
U	Victims of Criminal Activities	$185

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*NAFTA stands for North American Free Trade Agreement

Additional Fees for Non-immigrant US Visa

Additional fees that certain travellers may have to pay for obtaining a nonimmigrant US visa are:

Nonimmigrant Visa Issuance Fee.
SEVIS or Student & Exchange Visitor Information System Fee (ranging between USD 220 to USD 350).
Blanket L Fee, which consists of :
- Fraud Prevention and Detection Fee of USD 500.
- Biometric Entry-Exit Fee of USD 4500.
Border Crossing Card Fee of USD 160.

The US visa fee application can be paid online via cash, a demand draft or a credit card. You can also pay the application fee for a US visa online through NEFT. However, payment through debit cards and cheques is not accepted.

Once the US visa fee has been paid, a payment receipt will be generated. The payment receipt is valid for one year and lets you schedule an interview at the US Consulate. If you do not schedule an interview at the Consulate within one year of the validity of the receipt, you will have to pay the US visa fees again.

Types of Petitions/ Applications	Application Description	US Visa Cost/ Fee in USD
I-130 petition	Immigrant petition for a relative	$675
I-600I-800	Orphan petition by an immediate relative	$775
I-130I-600I-800	Immediate relative & family	$325
I-140I-526	Employment	$345
I-360other immigrant applications	Self-petitioners, applicants of special immigrant visas and other applications except for DV program applications	$205

Additional Fees for Immigrant US Visa

Other fees that an immigrant US visa applicant may have to pay include:

Diversity visa lottery fee of USD 330
Support review affidavit fee of USD 120 (for domestic review)
Fee for determining the Returning Residents Status (DS-117 form) of USD 180
Transportation letter fee of USD 575 for legal permanent residents of the US
Application fee of USD 120 for waiver of the two-year residency under J category (DS-3035 form)
Application fee of USD 930 for waiver of visa ineligibility (I-601 form)

Exceptions on US Visa Fee Payment

People applying for A, C-2, C-3, and G categories of visas or NATO or diplomatic visas.
J visa category applicants who are travelling to take part in specific official US government-sponsored cultural or educational exchanges.
In case the machine-readable American visa needs to be replaced or the visa needs to be reissued within one year of its issuance due to improper fixing, without the fault of the applicant.
Members or staff of an observer mission to the UN headquarters that has been recognised by the UN General Assembly, including their immediate family members.
People travelling for specific charitable services.

US Visa Types

The purpose of travelling to the United States plays a major role in determining the type of visa you will be eligible for. According to the immigration laws of the United States of America, there are two kinds of US visa types:

USA Immigrant Visa
USA Nonimmigrant Visa

USA Immigrant Visa

This type of US visa is for people who are travelling to the United States to obtain permanent residency. It includes people shifting due to work relocation, living with a spouse or who have an immediate family member, etc. The US Citizenship and Immigration Services or USCIS approve all petitions for immigrant visas.

USA Nonimmigrant Visa

Non-immigrant visas are the most common category required by people travelling to America for a short period. It is granted to people who are travelling for the purpose of tourism, education, business, medical treatment, participation in an exchange program or for some personal work. There are more than 15 non-immigrant US visa types; a few of them are mentioned below.

Business Visitor (B-1 US Visa)

The US business visa offers entry to people for business-related purposes. People who are travelling to the US to meet business associates, attend educational, scientific, professional or business conferences, settle an estate or negotiate contracts can apply for a B1 business visa in the USA.

Tourism, Vacation, Pleasure Visitor (B-2 Visa)

With so many great places to visit in the US, foreigners coming here for the purpose of tourism or vacation can apply for a B2 US visa. It includes people who are travelling to the US to meet their friends and families or for recreational purposes.

Student: Academic, Vocational (F/M US Visa)

The US has some of the best universities in the world and offers a scope of higher education to talents from all over the world. The US student visa is available to students who want to pursue their education in the United States. Students seeking academic education should apply for the F1 visa USA offers, and students of vocational studies should apply for the M1 visa category.

US Work Visa (H-1B & L-1 US Visa)

A visa for the US is for people who wish to temporarily work in the US as non-immigrants. Someone with highly specialised job knowledge should apply for a US H1B visa, and an intracompany transferee can apply for an L1 visa USA. Other US work visa categories include H1B1, H2A, H2B, H3, H4, L2, O, P and Q.

US Exchange Visitor Visa (J Visa)

The US Exchange Visitor visa is available for people who are travelling to the US to participate in an exchange program. An authorised sponsor in the US should have accepted people seeking this visa. The sponsor will provide the participant with the DS-2019 form. All applicants for US visitor visa should select the 'J' visa category.

US Journalist and Media Visa (I Visa)

Representatives of the Indian media travelling to cover a story, incident or event are eligible for this type of US visa. This type of visa is only granted to people from the Indian media whose home office remains in India. Applicants for this visa should apply for the 'I' visa category.

Other popular non-immigrant US visa types are transit visa, ship crew visa, religious worker visa, domestic employee visa and investor visa USA.

Non-immigrant US Visa Types	Purpose of Travel to the US
A	Foreign government officers and diplomats
A1-2 G1-4 NATO1-6	Renewal of visa in the US for A, G and NATO categories
A-2 NATO1-6	Foreign military personnel posted in the US
B-1	Athletes, professionals & amateurs (competing for prize money) Business visitors Domestic employees, including nannies
B-2	Tourism, vacations or pleasure visitors People travelling for medical treatment
BCC	Border Crossing Card - Mexico
C	Transiting through the US
D	Serving airline or sea vessel crew members in the US
E-1	Treaty traders
E-2	Treaty investors
E-3	Australian worker - professional speciality
F-1	Students - academic and language
F-2	Students who are dependents of an F-1 visa holder
G-1-G-5 NATO	Employees of specific international organisations and NATO
H-1B	People working in speciality occupations which require highly specialised knowledge
H-1B J1	Physicians
H-1B1	Free Trade Agreement (FTA) professionals - Chile, Singapore
H-1C	Nurses travelling to areas with a scarcity of medical professionals
H-2A	Temporary workers - seasonal agricultural
H-2B	Temporary workers - non-agricultural
H-3	Non-employment training in a program
H-4	Dependents of H visa holders
I	Media, Journalists or representatives of information media
J	Exchange visitors
J Q	Exchange visitors - international cultural
J-1	Exchange visitors - au pairs, Exchange visitors - professors, teachers, scholars
J-2	Exchange visitors - Spouse of J-1 visa holder or children below 21 years of age
K-1	vFiance(e)
L	Intracompany transferees
M-1	Students - vocational
M-2	Students who are dependents of an M-1 visa holder
O-1	Foreign citizens with exceptional abilities in science, arts, athletics, education or business
P	Athletes, entertainers and artists
R	Religious workers
T-1	Human trafficking victims
U-1	Criminal activity victims

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How to Apply for a US Visa?

The procedure to apply for a US visa is different for immigrant and nonimmigrant visa seekers, which is given below:

Apply for Non-Immigrant US Visa

Temporary visas, tourism, or short-term work.

Determine Visa Type

Identify the correct visa category according to the specific purpose of your travel.
Electronic Application Form

Complete the non-immigrant visa form (DS-160) at the official US Consular site and submit it online.
Application Fee Payment

Pay the required US visa application fee online through NEFT or approved payment methods.
Appointment Booking

Log in to book your appointment for both the Visa Application Centre (VAC) and the US Embassy/Consulate.
Biometrics & Interview

Visit the VAC for photographs and fingerprints, then appear at the Embassy for your interview.
Visa Granted

Upon successfully clearing the interview, your US visa will be granted and processed.

Apply for Immigrant US Visa

Permanent residency or long-term settlement.

Submit an Immigration Petition

File an immigration petition with USCIS through a sponsor, employer, or eligible self-petition category.
Receive Petition Approval

Once approved, USCIS assigns a priority date and allows you to proceed with the visa process.
Complete Pre-Application Requirements

Obtain a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) and undergo a medical examination with an approved physician.
Submit the Visa Application

Complete and submit the DS-260 Immigrant Visa Application Form online and save the confirmation page.
Schedule & Complete Appointments

Create your visa profile, select a passport pickup location, attend the Visa Application Center (VAC) for biometrics & schedule your visa interview.
Attend the Interview & Receive Decision

Visit the U.S. Embassy or Consulate with the required documents. If approved, your immigrant visa will be issued.

Documents Required to Apply for US Visa

For Visa Application Centre Appointment

Immigrant Visa

Valid Indian passport
Printout of the DS-260 confirmation page
Printout of the appointment confirmation page
One photograph (for children under 14 years of age)

Applying for 'K' Class Category

Valid Indian passport
Printout of the DS-160 confirmation page
Printout of the appointment confirmation page

Nonimmigrant Visa

Valid Indian passport
Printout of the DS-160 confirmation page
Printout of the appointment confirmation page
One photograph (for children under 14 years of age)

For Embassy/ Consulate Appointment

Immigrant Visa

Printout of the DS-260 confirmation page stamped at the Visa Application Centre.
Current and old passports
PCC Certificate from Regional Passport Office
Medical examination report
Other supporting documents

Applying for 'K' Class Category

Printout of the DS-160 confirmation page stamped at the Visa Application Centre
Current and old passports
PCC Certificate from Regional Passport Office
Medical examination report
Other documents supporting visa type

Nonimmigrant Visa

Printout of the appointment confirmation letter
Printout of the DS-160 confirmation page stamped at the Visa Application Centre
Current and old passports
Other documents supporting visa type

Supporting Documents for US visa from India

Flight tickets and travel itinerary for the USA
Letter of Employment (in case working for an organisation)
Financial Statements
ITR payments
Any support affidavit required by the Embassy/Consulate
I-20 form (for student visa USA applicants)
Other supporting documents according to the US visa type

Forms Required for US Visa Application

It's important to know the major forms required for your American visa application:

DS-160 Form/ DS-260 Form

Each non-immigrant US visa applicant needs to submit a duly completed DS-160 form online before booking an appointment at the Visa Application Centre as per the US Embassy/Consulate instructions.

The DS-160/ DS-260 form is a certification from the applicant's side, which confirms that all information mentioned in the form is true. Furnishing any incorrect information in the form will eliminate your chances of entering the United States of America.All DS-160/ DS-260 forms need to be signed electronically. You should also bring a printed copy of the confirmation page to the US visa interview.

I-20 Form

Every person who wants to study in America needs the I-20 form for their F or M US student visa. The form states that the applicant has been accepted to an American college/university and requires a student visa. The USA does not guarantee a visa to each applicant with an I-20 form. Only when the applicant student has submitted all the required documents and has cleared the visa interview they are granted a student visa.

Do's to Ensure Smooth Processing of US Visa Application

It's important to know the major forms required for your American visa application:

Your passport should be valid for at least six months after the scheduled date of departure from the United States.

Photographs of children under 14 years should be taken according to the guidelines issued by the US Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs.

The appointment at the Visa Application Centre should be at least a day before the appointment at the Embassy or Consulate.

People with no PCC certificate and medical examination report will not be allowed to enter the US Embassy or Consulate.

People who have been denied a US visa earlier should apply for a fresh DS-160 form.

People travelling to the United States in groups of 10 or more people can apply for a group visa appointment.

Who Can Apply for an Expedited US Visa Appointment?

In some cases, applicants are provided with expedited appointments for their US visa interview. Documents supporting the urgency need to be submitted at the time of the interview. You can apply for an expedited US visa appointment under the following circumstances:

Need for urgent medical treatment in the US.
Death or funeral of an immediate family member in the US.
Urgent travel to the US for business purposes.
Students or exchange visitors whose program is going to start within 60 days.

Who Can Apply for an Expedited US Visa Appointment?

How to Check US Visa Status?

Once you have submitted your US travel visa application and have attended your visa interview, the Consular Department of the US Embassy & Consulates will take a few days to process it. During this period, you can check the application status of your US visa online by visiting the official website of the US Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC).

Take the following steps to view your US visa application status:

Visit the official website of the US CEAC.

Select 'Check my visa application status'.

Select your US visa application type.

Enter your interview location.

Enter your Application ID or the case number.

Click on submit.

Check your US visa status: Accepted, Refused, or Pending.

Administrative Processing during US Visa Process

Some US visa applications get delayed because they require further administrative processing under Section 221(g) of the US Immigration & Nationality Act. Such applications take a minimum of 180 days to get processed, starting from the date of the interview or submission of additional documents.

In cases of emergencies, including critical injury, illness or death of an immediate family member, applications with administrative processing can get processed faster. If a US travel visa application requires administrative processing, the Consular Officer will inform the applicant about the same to the applicant at the end of the US visa interview.

USA Travel Insurance

Getting a US travel visa is not a cakewalk. In fact, the US visa rejection rate in India for student visas was 41% in 2023-2024. A lot of efforts, documents and a strenuous visa interview are involved in a US visa. Even if you do get a visa, you must prepare for any possible setback that could affect your emotional and financial state in the US.

What if an unforeseen incident like a flight delay, loss of check-in baggage or a road accident ruins your trip to the USA? Not only do such unpredictable emergencies spoil your travel plans, but they also put a big financial burden on your shoulders.

By buying a travel insurance policy, you can stay prepared for such adversities and continue to have fun with so many things to do in the US. Travel insurance for the US comes with varying coverage, including medical expenses, loss of passport, delay or loss of check-in baggage, personal accident, flight delay, missed connecting flight, personal liability, emergency cash advance and many more. Right from student travel insurance to family travel insurance, different types of travel insurance plans can cater to the needs of different kinds of travellers.

Having a valid travel insurance policy for USA is not mandatory as per the laws of the United States. However, the US has pretty expensive medical care, and thus, even a small visit to a healthcare provider during your travel will end up burning a big hole in your pockets. What's more, many international travel insurance policies cover you for setbacks like visa rejection as well, in case your US visa was rejected unfairly. Overall, your US trip insurance provides financial aid in your hour of need.

US Visa: FAQs

Q: How early should I apply for a US visa?

Ans: The general rule of thumb is to apply for a US visa as early as possible to get your visa before your scheduled date of departure. Non-immigrant visa applicants should apply for a US visa at least three months before their scheduled departure. US student visa seekers should apply within 120 days of getting the I-20.
Q: Is it mandatory for all visa applicants to appear for a US visa interview?

Ans: No. Children below the age of 14 years do not have to be physically present at the Visa Application Centre, Embassy, or Consulate for their visa interviews.
Q: How many days does it take for a US visa application to get processed?

Ans: It usually takes seven to ten working days to process a US visa application from the date of the interview. In some rare cases, the US visa application can take more time to get processed due to individual circumstances and requirements.
Q: Why was my US visa application rejected?

Ans: The exact reason for the refusal of an American visa can differ from one applicant to another. However, the most common reason for the rejection of a non-immigrant US visa is due to Section 214(b) of the US Immigration & Nationality Act. Under this section, your Consular Officer believes that you don't have a strong reason to return to India and are planning to immigrate to the USA.
Q: How can I avoid US visa rejections?
Ans: To avoid rejection on common grounds, you can take the following steps:
- Prove that you intend to return to your home
- Show that you are travelling for a short period of time due to a specific purpose and will return to India once your purpose is fulfilled
- You can afford your trip to the USA
- Ensure that you meet all the requirements of the visa category you are applying for, and the category allows you to undertake your planned activity.
Q: Can I reapply for a non-immigrant US visa after it was rejected once?

Ans: Yes. In case you were denied a non-immigrant US visa under Section 214(b) of the US Immigration & Nationality Act, you can reapply if your circumstances have changed and you have new information.
Q: Do I need to fill up the I-94 form to enter the US?

Ans: No. Foreigners who are visiting the US via air or sea for a short period of time no longer need to submit an I-94 form or the Customs & Border Protection (CBP) form. The CBP now gathers all the information about a traveller's arrival and departure directly from their e-travel records. However, foreign nationals arriving in the US via land need to fill up an offline I-94 form provided by the CBP. The I-94 form should be submitted to the immigration officer at the time of exiting the US.

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Disclaimer: The list of insurers mentioned are arranged according to the alphabetical order of the names of insurers respectively. Policybazaar does not endorse, rate or recommend any particular insurer or insurance product offered by any insurer. The list of plans listed here comprise of insurance products offered by all the insurance partners of Policybazaar. For complete list of insurers in India refer to the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India website www.irdai.gov.in