USA

Authorized Processing for Tourist, Business & Family Visits.

ndian passport holders must apply for a US B1/B2 visitor visa and attend an in-person interview at a US Consulate in India. The application fee is $185 (non-refundable). If approved, Indians typically receive a 10-year multiple-entry visa allowing stays of up to 6 months per visit. Interview wait times in India currently range from 2 to 7+ months depending on the consulate city. No visa-on-arrival or ETA is available for Indian nationals.

Last updated: June 2026 · Verified with travel.state.gov (U.S. Department of State)

• Indian passport holders (ordinary passport) ✅
• Passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended stay in the US
• Must demonstrate "strong ties" to India — the single most important factor
• Must prove the visit is temporary and you intend to return
• Must show sufficient funds to cover the trip
• No age restriction — everyone from infants to seniors needs their own visa
• Previous US visa refusal (214b) does not permanently disqualify you — you can reapply
• ⚠️ Every applicant is presumed to be an intending immigrant until they prove otherwise (Section 214b of US Immigration law)
• India is NOT part of the Visa Waiver Program — no ETA or visa-free entry option exists

US visa decisions are primarily interview-based. Documents support your case but do not guarantee approval.

⚠️ Per travel.state.gov: "Do not make final travel plans or buy tickets until you have a visa."

Mandatory

1. Passport
• Valid 6+ months beyond intended stay, with blank pages. If you have old passports with previous US visas or travel history, bring those too
2. DS-160 Confirmation Page
• Printed, with barcode (we fill this for you)
3. Fee Receipt
• $185 MRV fee payment confirmation
4. Photograph
• 2x2 inches (51mm x 51mm), white background, taken within last 6 months · Uploaded during DS-160 · If upload fails, bring one printed copy

Supporting Documents (strongly recommended):

1. Financial Proof
• Bank statements (6 months) showing consistent income and sufficient funds · ITR for last 3 years · Salary slips (3 months) · FD/investment statements
2. Employment Proof
• Letter from employer on company letterhead (role, salary, tenure, approved leave dates, return date) · Business: GST registration + business registration + company bank statements · Self-employed: client contracts, invoices
3. Ties to India
• Property documents, vehicle registration, ongoing EMIs/loan statements, children's school enrollment, marriage certificate
4. Travel Purpose
• Itinerary, hotel bookings (refundable), event invitations, conference registrations
5. Previous Travel History
• Old passports with stamps from other countries (Schengen, UK, Australia, etc.) — demonstrates you travel and return
6. Sponsor Documents (if someone in US is inviting you)
• Invitation letter (not required per State Dept, but helpful), their US immigration status proof, their bank statements · ⚠️ Per travel.state.gov: "A letter of invitation or Affidavit of Support is not one of the factors used in determining whether to issue or deny the visa"

1. Send us your documents
• WhatsApp scans. We review your profile and assess visa readiness before filing.
2. We fill your DS-160
• The DS-160 form has many questions covering personal details, travel history, employment, education, family, and security. One inconsistency can trigger a refusal. We fill it accurately with you.
3. Pay the MRV fee
• $185 paid online via the US visa scheduling portal (ustraveldocs.com). Fee is valid for 365 days to book an interview.
4. Book interview appointment
• We help you secure the earliest available slot. Wait times vary by city — Chennai is typically fastest.
5. Interview preparation
• We coach you on what to expect, how to answer, what to carry, and common mistakes to avoid.
6. Attend your interview
• In person at the US Consulate (Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, or Kolkata). Decision is usually given the same day.
7. Passport returned
• If approved, passport with visa delivered via courier within 3-5 days.

• Interview wait times are long. Currently 2-7+ months depending on city. Start your process as early as possible — don't wait until you have confirmed travel plans. Chennai currently has the shortest wait times.
• No visa, no tickets. travel.state.gov explicitly states: "Do not make final travel plans or buy tickets until you have a visa." Do not book non-refundable flights.
• A visa does not guarantee entry. CBP officers at the US airport decide whether to admit you and for how long (usually up to 6 months). Your visa allows you to travel to the port of entry — not automatically enter.
• Overstay consequences are severe. If you stay beyond your authorized period, your visa is automatically voided, and you may be barred from future US visas.
• Valid visa in expired passport still works. If your old passport expired but the US visa in it is still valid, you can travel with both your old passport (with visa) and new passport. Do not remove the visa from the old passport.
• Dropbox/Interview Waiver curtailed — Since September 2025, the interview waiver ("Dropbox") facility for renewals has been significantly restricted. Only applicants renewing full-validity B-1/B-2 visas qualify. This is important for repeat travelers.
• Passport collection rule — Since August 2025, applicants must collect passports in person or use paid delivery. Third-party collection is no longer allowed (except for minors under 18).
• Application location restriction — Since September 2025, visa applications must be filed in the applicant's country of residence or nationality. No more applying from third countries.
• Social media screening — Enhanced social media vetting is now standard for multiple visa categories.
• New $250 Visa Integrity Fee (2025 law). Signed into law under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act on July 4, 2025. This $250 fee is charged on top of the $185 application fee when your visa is issued (not at application). Implementation is expected before September 2026 — the Bureau of Consular Affairs has not yet announced the exact start date. For a family of 4, total government fees jump from $740 to $1,740 once active.

✅ Licensed & experienced.

We're a licensed immigration consultancy with 4+ years of experience and thousands of visas processed across 40+ countries.

✅ 214(b) refusal rate for Indians is ~27-30%.

Nearly 1 in 3 Indian applicants is refused. We don't file your application until your profile — finances, ties, travel history — is strong enough to present confidently at the interview.

✅ DS-160 accuracy is everything.

The form has 100+ fields and the consular officer reviews it before your interview. Inconsistencies between your DS-160 and your interview answers are a top refusal reason. We cross-verify every answer against your documents.

✅ Interview coaching.

US visa interviews are short (2-5 minutes) but decisive. We prepare you for likely questions based on your specific profile — first-time traveler, young professional, retired parent, businessperson. We tell you exactly what to say and what NOT to say.

✅ We strengthen weak profiles.

Young, unmarried, recently switched jobs, or no previous travel history? We know which additional documents to prepare and how to frame your ties to India convincingly.

Q: How much does a US visitor visa cost from India? The application fee is $185 USD (approximately ₹15,500). This is non-refundable regardless of whether your visa is approved or denied. If approved, there may be an additional reciprocity/issuance fee depending on your nationality — for Indian nationals, this is minimal.

Q: How long is the US visa valid for Indians? If approved, Indian nationals typically receive a 10-year multiple-entry B1/B2 visa. You can stay up to 6 months per visit. The exact validity is at the consular officer's discretion.

Q: What is Section 214(b) and why was my visa refused? Section 214(b) is the most common refusal reason. Under US immigration law, every applicant is presumed to be an intending immigrant. You must prove your visit is temporary and you will return to India. If the officer isn't convinced of your ties to India, they must refuse you under this section. It's not a permanent ban — you can reapply anytime with a stronger case.

Q: How long is the interview wait time in India? Currently 2 to 7+ months depending on the consulate city. Chennai typically has the shortest wait times. Delhi and Mumbai tend to have the longest. Interview slots are released in batches — early morning and late night are the best times to check for openings.

Q: What questions do they ask in the US visa interview? Common questions include: Why are you visiting the US? Who will you stay with? What do you do for work? How much do you earn? Have you traveled abroad before? Who is funding your trip? When will you return? Interviews typically last 2-5 minutes. Be direct, honest, and consistent with your DS-160.

Q: Can I work on a US visitor visa? No. B1/B2 visa holders cannot accept employment or work in the United States. This includes freelancing, remote work for a US company, or any paid activity. Violations can result in deportation and permanent visa ineligibility.

Q: Should I bring an invitation letter from my US host? It's helpful but not required. Per travel.state.gov: "A letter of invitation or Affidavit of Support is not one of the factors used in determining whether to issue or deny the visa." The decision is based on your ties to India, not your sponsor's assurances.

Q: Can I extend my stay in the US? Yes, you can apply for an extension through USCIS before your authorized stay expires. However, frequent extensions or long stays can affect future visa applications, as it may suggest you are living in the US rather than visiting.

Q: How much does a US visitor visa cost from India? The application fee is $185 USD (non-refundable, paid upfront). A new $250 Visa Integrity Fee is charged when the visa is issued (if approved). Total cost if approved: $435 USD per person (~₹36,500). The integrity fee was signed into law in July 2025 and is expected to be enforced before September 2026. Check with us for the latest status before applying.