Apply visa
Last Update: 14-11-2024
⚡Quick Summary
 How to apply for a US visa? |
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 US visa wait times | More than 400 calendar days for cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Hyderabad |
 US visitor B1/B2 visa fees | US$185 (INR 15,540) |
 US visa validity | 10 Years |
 US visitor B1/B2 visa requirements |
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Yes, Indian citizens need a US visa to travel to the United States. The type of visa you require depends on the purpose of your visit, such as a tourist visa (B2) for leisure or a business visa (B1) for work-related activities. Ensure you meet the eligibility criteria and gather the necessary documents before applying.
If you're a foreign national planning to travel to the United States, you'll typically need to obtain a visa. U.S. visitor visas are nonimmigrant visas intended for temporary stays, including business (B-1 visa), tourism (B-2 visa), or a combination of both (B-1/B-2 visa).
Activities Allowed with a Visitor Visa
With a visitor visa, you can engage in the following activities:
Activities Not Allowed with a Visitor Visa
Certain activities require different visa categories and are not permitted under a visitor visa, including:
Here is how you can apply for a US visa through Teleport:
US Visa Application Centres in India
| 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 |
The US visa application fee for most non-immigrant visas, including B1/B2 (Tourist/Business) visas, is $185 (₹15,500 approx.). Additional fees may apply for other visa types or services like expedited processing.
The processing time for a US visitor visa is approximately 10-15 working days after the application is received by the Embassy. An additional 2-3 working days may be required for the return of your passport. However, appointment wait times in India, including cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Hyderabad, currently exceed 400 calendar days. It is advisable to plan your application well in advance.
No, Indians can’t extend their US visitor 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.
The USA does not typically offer an online visa application process for Indian tourist visas. The application process can be initiated online, but you need to visit the visa application centre and US embassy/consulate to submit biometrics and appear for an interview.
A US tourist visa (B-1 visa), or business visa (B-2 visa), or a combined B-1/B-2 visa can cost Indians around $ 185 or ₹ 15,540. Additional charges apply if you opt for expedited visa appointment, courier facility, etc.
Your US visitor visa 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.
It's generally advisable to wait until your U.S. tourist visa is approved before booking your flights and hotels. This is because visa approvals are not guaranteed, and pre-booking could lead to financial losses if your visa application is denied. However, you may need to provide a travel itinerary or proof of accommodation when you apply, so having a tentative plan without firm bookings can be useful.
Form I-94 is the Arrival/Departure Record issued by the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to people travelling to the USA. Air and sea travellers will be issued I-94s during the admission process at the port of entry. A Customs officer attaches Form I-94 to the visitor's passport upon entry to the U.S. The visitor must exit the U.S. on or before the departure date stamped on the Form I-94.
Upon US visa rejection, you may reapply in the future. If you reapply for a visa after being found ineligible, with the exception of 221(g) refusals, you must submit a new visa application and pay the visa application fee again. 221(g) refusal means that the visa application is being put on hold or temporarily refused pending further administrative processing or additional documentation.
Before reapplying, carefully review the rejection letter or notice provided by the U.S. embassy or consulate to understand the reasons for the visa denial.
While travel insurance is not a mandatory requirement for a US tourist visa, it's highly recommended to have comprehensive travel insurance coverage for medical emergencies, trip cancellations, and other unexpected events during your stay in the US.
You can arrive in the United States right up to the last date of validity indicated on the visa. The Customs and Border Protection officer on arrival determines the duration of your stay in the United States. Your visa can expire while you are still in the United States – just be sure that you do not overstay the period of time the officer grants.
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