Apply visa
Apply visa
Last Update: 17-07-2024
⚡Quick Summary
 Is a visa required for the USA? | Yes, all Indian passport holders require a visa to visit the USA. |
 US tourist visa processing time | 6-12 Months |
 US tourist visa fees | US$ 185 (~ ₹ 15,540) |
 US tourist visa validity | 10 Years |
 US tourist visa stay duration | 6 Months |
 How to apply for a USA visa |
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 Documents required for USA visa |
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 Does the USA offer visas on arrival? | No, the USA does not grant visas on arrival to Indians. |
Yes, Indians need a tourist visa to visit the USA for recreational or tourism purposes. This visa is known as the B-2 visa. With a B-2 visa, Indians can engage in tourism, sightseeing, visiting family or friends, or receiving medical treatment. B-1 Visa is for people travelling to the United States for business-related activities such as negotiation of contracts, and attending educational, scientific, and professional conferences or conventions, and seminars. Generally, B-1 and B-2 visas are combined and issued together as one called B-1/B-2 visa.
Planning a trip to the USA can be exciting! But navigating the visa process can be equally overwhelming. So, in this comprehensive blog, we share everything you need to obtain your US tourist visa from India.
From essential documentation to in-depth application procedure, US visitor visa price, validity, practical tips and more, we’ll cover all the details. Whether you're a first-time traveller or a seasoned globetrotter, our goal is to make your journey to the USA stress-free.
If you have any questions, reach out to our dedicated team of visa experts. Call us on 073148 52914 or drop us a message on WhatsApp.
Let's go to the USA, leaving all our visa worries behind!
No, Indians cannot get a USA visa on arrival. Travellers from India need to obtain a visa before arriving in the United States. The USA visa for tourism is the B-2 visa or B-1/B-2 visa and requires an application process and approval before travel.
Following are the documents required for a tourist visa to America from India:
Passport |
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Recent Photograph |
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Bank Statement | Last 6 months' bank statements |
Income Tax Return | Income Tax Return for the past 3 years |
Cover Letter |
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Invitation Letter | If visiting friends or family, outline trip details, accommodation, and the immigration status of the host in the USA |
DS 160 Confirmation | A Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application Form or DS 160 Form |
If Employed |
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If Self-Employed | Company registration licence, business registration certificate, GST registration with annexure A & B, partnership deed, or proof of proprietorship |
If Sponsored |
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Recentness: The US visa photo should be taken within 6 months of submitting the visa application and should reflect your current appearance.
USA visit visa photo size :
Background:
Eye wear:
Headwear: Hats and head coverings are prohibited, except for religious or medical purposes.
USA visit visa Photo guidelines for children:
Teleport makes applying for a USA visa super straightforward and completely stress-free. Simply follow the steps below-
Step 1: Start Your USA Visa Application
Go to Teleport's USA visa application page and select 'Start Application.'
Step 2: Enter Basic Information and Make Payment
Provide digital copies of the front and back of your passport. Teleport allows you to either automatically populate your data or enter it by hand. Opt to pay the visa fee either in full or partially upfront.
Step 3: Collect Your Documents
A dedicated Teleport relationship manager will guide you through collecting all the necessary B-1/B-2 visa documents required for a US visit visa.
Step 4: Appointment Booking
Your Teleport relationship manager will schedule an US visit visa appointment at the visa application centre.
Step 5: Visit the Visa Application Centre
Visit the visa centre and the US Embassy to submit your biometrics, and documents, and for your interview, all with your relationship manager’s guidance.
✅ Teleport thoroughly checks your application and documents before submission with the visa authorities.
✅ We will keep you updated on your visa application status through regular WhatsApp messages and emails. Upon approval, you can also download your visa from the Teleport Dashboard.
Step 1: Know Your Visa Type
Determine the type of visa you need based on the purpose of travel. For tourism and recreational purposes, Indians typically need a B-1/B-2 visa.
Step 2: Complete the Visa Application Form
Complete the Non immigrant Visa Electronic Application (DS-160) form. You will need your DS-160 number to book your US visitor visa appointment. Read the Guidelines for Completing the DS-160 Form before starting the application. You can’t make changes to the form once it is submitted.
Step 3: Pay the US Tourist Visa Fees
Visa applicants are required to pay a non-refundable, non-transferable Machine Readable Visa (MRV) application fee, whether or not a visa is issued to them.
To ensure the proper amount is paid timely, create a profile and choose the Schedule Appointment option. On the payment confirmation screen, you will be presented with payment options and further details for initiating payment. It can take up to 1 business day from the time of payment for your receipt to be activated.
You can pay the MRV fee using NEFT, UPI, debit or credit card, etc.
Step 4: Schedule Your Visa Appointment
To schedule your US tourist visa appointment, login to your profile with the same credentials you used to pay your visa fee. On the dashboard, select the Schedule Appointment button. This will start the process of scheduling your appointment.
Applicants need to schedule two appointments, one for the Visa Application Center and one for the visa interview at the Embassy or Consulate
You will need the following to schedule your US tourist visa appointment-
As you go through the process you will be able to select your visa type, enter personal data, add dependents, select your document delivery location, confirm visa payment, and schedule your appointment.
Step 5: Attend Your Visa Appointment
For your Visa Application Center appointment, you must present the authorities with the undermentioned-
| Visa Application Centre | Address |
Delhi | S-1 American Plaza (Hotel Eros managed by Hilton), International Trade Tower, Nehru Place, New Delhi - 110019 |
Chennai | No. 3, Cenotaph Road, Teynampet, Chennai - 600018 |
Hyderabad | 502, Gowra Grand, S.P. Road, Begumpet, Secunderabad - 500003 |
Kolkata | Jasmine Tower, 31, Shakespeare Sarani (1st Floor), Kolkata - 700017 |
Mumbai | Trade Center, Gr. Floor, G Block, Bandra Kurla Complex, Bandra East, Mumbai - 400051 |
Note
Children under 14 years of age are not required to attend the appointment at the Visa Application Center or visa interview at the Embassy/Consulate. Parents, guardians, and authorised representatives can present the documents above.
Step 6: Track Your Application
If your visa application is approved, your passport and visa can be collected from the pickup location you selected when you scheduled your interview appointment. When your passport is available at the selected location you will receive an email and an SMS that your passport is “Ready for Pick Up”. Domestic and international delivery services to the applicant’s address are available as a premium service.
The processing time for a USA visa for Indians can vary depending on factors such as the workload at the US consulate, time of the year, etc. Generally, it takes around 7 to 10 working days to get your visa processed upon submission of necessary documents at the visa application centre.
However, the US tourist visa waiting time for the appointment at the visa centre can take 6-12 months. So, effectively, the processing time for a US B-2 visa can range anywhere between 6-12 months.
It's recommended to apply for a USA visa a year in advance of your intended travel dates to allow for potential delays in processing. Using fast-track processing services may expedite the visa processing time.
Teleport offers an express US visitor visa appointment service that can help you reduce your US tourist visa waiting time for appointments from 6-12 months to merely 60 days at an additional charge of ₹ 20,000 per application.
| Visa Type | Fee Type | Amount |
B1/B2 Visa | Embassy Fees | USD 185 (INR 15,540/-) |
The US tourist visa fee are non-refundable and subject to change. Additional fees may apply depending on factors such as foreign exchange fluctuations, expedited processing service, or courier delivery if availed.
Your US tourist visa or B-1/B-2 visa is usually valid for 10 years from the date of issuance and allows for a stay of 180 days or 6 months. It is a multiple-entry visa.
However, please note that the validity granted depends on various factors, including the consular officer's discretion, the purpose of the visit, and the applicant's circumstances. And even though a visa is valid for 10 years, the duration of stay allowed during each visit is determined by the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer at the port of entry and is conveyed via Form I-94. Typically, CBP officers grant entry for a period of up to six months on a tourist visa.
No, Indians can’t extend their US tourist visa. Note that the validity of a US visa cannot be extended regardless of its type. You will always have to apply for a new visa when your old visa expires.
However, when re-applying for your US visa, you may proceed without a consular interview. For this, you should have an existing U.S. visa in the same class as the visa for which you wish to apply, and that existing visa should still be valid or should have expired within the last 48 months.
If you've applied for your US visa with Teleport, expect to get real-time updates via WhatsApp, email, or directly within the Teleport Dashboard.
Here's how to check your application's progress:
For an alternative way to keep track of your USA visa application, you can use the official government portal
Knowing what could lead to US visa denial is important for strengthening your application and increasing the likelihood of getting your visa approved. Here are points to keep in mind:
As per the US’s Visa Waiver Program (VWP), Indians seeking to enter the US for business or tourism for less than 90 days and holding a valid US business visa (B-1) or tourist visa (B-2) are normally eligible for visa-free entry into the US and don’t need a transit or C1 visa.
If you do not have a B-1/B-2 visa, you will need a US transit visa in these cases-
When you arrive at a US airport, here are key points visitors should keep in mind:
Note
A US Customs officer attaches Form I-94 to your passport upon entry to the U.S. You must exit the U.S. on or before the departure date stamped on this Form I-94. This is the “Admit Until Date” on the electronic Form I-94. The Form I-94 number also is known as the Departure Number or Admission Record Number.
Securing US visas can pose challenges. Through this blog, we aim to simplify the process of obtaining a USA tourist or B-1/B-2 visa. Should you have any questions, \reach out to us on 073148 52914 or drop us a message on WhatsApp.
Opt to apply with Teleport for a tourist visa to America from India. Our intuitive and user-friendly platform simplifies the entire process so you have one less worry thing to worry about - your visa!
Wishing you safe travels and unforgettable adventures in the US!
