India eVisa for US Travelers: Who Needs It, How to Apply & Official Channel
Short answer: Holders of a valid USA passport are on India’s eVisa eligible list. For typical tourism, business, and other listed eVisa purposes, apply online before you travel, pay the country-specific fee, and travel with an ETA shown as GRANTED. Apply at least 4 days before arrival for e-Tourist and e-Business. Fee rules and processing planning are below — see processing time for how to plan ahead. Start India eVisa help on my-evisas.com. Stand: 18 August 2026.
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What is the India eVisa?
An India eVisa is an electronic travel authorization for eligible passport holders. You apply online, receive an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) by email, print it, and present it at immigration on arrival in India where the eVisa is stamped in your passport.
For US travelers, the eVisa is the main before-you-fly path for short visits that fit the official categories — distinct from the e-Arrival card, which is separate arrival information (not a visa).
Official apply channel
The official India eVisa website is indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa (Government of India · Indian Visa Online). Use only the indianvisaonline.gov.in domain — consular advisories warn against lookalike e-visa sites.
Embassy and consulate offices do not process e-visas; the application is completed entirely online on the government portal.
Assisted filing for the India eVisa starts at my-evisas.com/visas/india.
→ Start on my-evisas.com/visas/india.
Who can apply — US citizens
USA appears on the official eVisa eligible-country list. The Government of India makes e-Visa available to citizens of certain countries, including the United States of America.
Typical US passport holders planning tourism, visiting family, short business that fits e-Business rules, or other listed eVisa purposes apply through the official portal — or use assisted filing via https://my-evisas.com/visas/india.
Sticker visas or consulate appointments follow a different DIY path — not sold via my-evisas.com.
eVisa categories
The official portal lists eVisa sub-categories including:
- e-Tourist Visa (30 days / 1 year / 5 years)
- e-Business Visa
- e-Medical Visa (with up to two e-Medical Attendant visas per medical visa)
- Other portal-listed categories (e-Student, e-Transit, e-Film, e-Miscellaneous, e-Entry, e-Production Investment Visa)
Choose the category that matches your sole purpose for visiting India. e-Business covers eligible short business visits listed on the official portal.
e-Tourist overview: For 1-year and 5-year e-Tourist visas, maximum stay in India during one calendar year should not exceed 180 days.
Passport and application requirements
Before you apply, confirm:
- Passport valid at least six months at the time of the e-Visa application
- Separate passport for each traveler (not endorsed on a parent’s or spouse’s passport)
- Not available on diplomatic/official passports, laissez-passer, or international travel documents
- Upload a recent front-facing photograph with white background and a clear scan of the passport bio page — applications can be rejected if uploads are not clear or as per specification
- Travel on the same passport you used in the application; carry a printed ETA and confirm status is GRANTED before you fly
- Biometrics are captured at immigration on arrival
Have supporting documents ready for your category (for example business-card details for e-Business) — all uploads must meet portal specifications.
eVisa fee — what to expect
Official rules on the government portal:
- Fee is country/territory specific — amounts appear on the live checkout for your nationality
- Bank transaction charges of 3% apply additionally on applicable e-Visa fees
- Fee must be paid at least 4 days before expected travel or the application will not be processed
- Fee is non-refundable once submitted (processing fee, independent of grant or rejection)
- Government of India makes no provision for official emergency or express e-visa surcharges
Confirm the live amount on the official portal when you pay — do not rely on third-party fee tables.
How to apply — overview
- Confirm you need an eVisa for your trip category and that your US passport is eligible.
- Apply online at least 4 days before arrival (e-Tourist / e-Business) on indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa — or start assisted filing.
- Upload photo and passport page (plus any category-specific document).
- Pay the country-specific fee on the official checkout.
- Receive ETA by email; confirm status GRANTED on the portal before travel.
- Fly to India with a printed ETA; biometrics and stamping happen at immigration.
For timing beyond the 4-day minimum, see India eVisa processing time.
e-Arrival card vs eVisa
The e-Arrival card is arrival information, not a visa. Foreigners and OCI card holders file it online within 72 hours before arrival — after or alongside your visa path.
Full steps and OCI notes are on the e-Arrival guide.
FAQ
Do US citizens need an India eVisa?
For typical short visits under eVisa categories, yes — US passport holders apply through the India eVisa online path. Confirm your category on the official portal before you book non-refundable travel.
What are India eVisa categories for US travelers?
Common paths include e-Tourist, e-Business, and e-Medical (plus attendant visas where applicable). Match your trip purpose to the portal category list before you apply.
How much does an India eVisa cost?
Fees are country-specific with 3% bank charges on top. Pay at least 4 days before travel; the fee is non-refundable. Confirm your amount on the official portal checkout when you apply.
How long before travel should I apply?
Apply at least 4 days before arrival for e-Tourist and e-Business. For broader planning when official pages do not promise a fixed clock time, see processing time.
What photo does the India eVisa form require?
Upload a recent front-facing photograph with white background plus a clear passport bio-page scan. The application can be rejected if the photo or documents are not clear or as per specification — confirm live upload rules on the portal.
What if my India eVisa is rejected or ETA is not GRANTED?
Check application status on the official portal. If ETA is not GRANTED, do not travel on that authorization. Correct errors and submit a new application if needed — fee rules still apply. For persistent issues, contact official helplines listed on the government site.
What is the difference between India eVisa and e-Arrival?
eVisa = visa authorization before you fly. e-Arrival = arrival information filed within 72 hours of landing — not a substitute for a visa. See the e-Arrival guide.
How my-evisas.com can help
my-evisas.com can help you start an India eVisa application — electronic support from https://my-evisas.com/visas/india.
- Provided: India eVisa assisted filing → https://my-evisas.com/visas/india
- Not provided: sticker visas, consulate submission, or embassy appointment services
Sources
- Government of India — Indian Visa Online (eVisa) (accessed 18 August 2026)
- Government of India — eVisa apply (accessed 18 August 2026)
Important Notice
The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. my-evisas.com is a private service provider and not a government authority, embassy, or consulate.
Visa requirements and entry regulations can change at short notice. We do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of the information provided. Only the official regulations in force at the time of your application are authoritative.
As of: 18 August 2026
Binding and up-to-date information is provided exclusively by the relevant official authorities. Please verify the currently applicable requirements before your application or travel: https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/