Quick facts
| Nationality | United States |
|---|---|
| Destination | India |
| Typical route | National eVisa when eligible |
| Passport | Passport should usually remain valid at least six months beyond arrival. |
| Processing | 5 business days |
| Estimated total | $84 USD |
| Validity | 90 days |
| Last reviewed | 2026-06-03 |
Quick answer
Visa required — online eVisa may be available
Plain-language takeaway
Most U.S. travelers complete India's eVisa online before departure with accurate passport details, clear uploads, and payment of the government fee. Only the Government of India approves or rejects the application.
Rules and eligibility change without blogs updating first—confirm the latest requirements on linked government portals before you book.
Eligibility & eVisa notes
Arrive only at listed checkpoints; a paid fee does not fix a wrong airport code.
Passport validity rules
Passport should usually remain valid at least six months beyond arrival.
Stay rules
Overstay means fines and possible future issues.
Fees (summary)
Government fee $25 USD; service fee $59 USD; estimated total $84 USD.
Requirements
Official applications typically ask you to show:
- Form data Match ICAO/MRZ spelling, including suffixes and double surnames.
- Photo Portal spec: plain background, no filters.
- Itinerary Real arrival and exit aligned with tickets before you apply.
- Payment Card that clears foreign government charges; tell your bank if they block government checkout domains.
- PDF backup Keep approval offline on phone and on paper.
- Children Separate application per minor passport.
Processing times
Allow about 5 business days; bad photos and holiday queues add delay.
Common mistakes
Third-party PDFs
What usually goes wrong Unofficial approvals may not verify at check-in.
Why that can mess up your trip No fly or no entry.
What to do instead Use downloads from government eVisa URLs only.
Misread stay dates
What usually goes wrong Hotel checkout ≠ last legal day in country.
Why that can mess up your trip Overstay fines.
What to do instead Set a calendar alert from your PDF's end rule.
Volunteering on tourist eVisa
What usually goes wrong Teaching or builders' trips can exceed allowed activity.
Why that can mess up your trip Entry denial or enforcement risk.
What to do instead Use the visa class your host sponsors.
Before you apply
- Check eligibility On the official portal, confirm U.S. passports and your trip type.
- Prepare files Clean passport scan; portrait to live spec.
- Apply and pay Official checkout only; save receipts.
- Travel PDF + tickets; enter only listed ports on valid dates.
On this site
Before you book flights
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FAQs
Do U.S. citizens ever enter India without any visa?
Only if India officially publishes a waiver that clearly covers your nationality and trip type for your travel dates. When in doubt, assume you need an approved visa or eVisa.
Does Go e-Visa issue the visa?
No. We help you prepare and review paperwork; the Government of India makes the final approval decision.
Can children travel on a parent's application?
Each child usually needs a separate application tied to their own passport. Confirm the exact rule on India's live form before you submit.
India eVisa hub
Fees, document checks, and official application links.
Official sources
Confirm rules on official sites before you book or pay.
- India — National eVisa portal
Government of India (Bureau of Immigration)
- U.S. State Dept — India travel information
U.S. Department of State
Trust signals
We align answers with primary sources, not forums.
- India portal + U.S. passport travel advisory linked on every answer page.
- Updated when immigration guidance changes.
Go e-Visa is an independent travel visa assistance platform. We are not affiliated with any government agency, embassy, or immigration authority. Final visa approval decisions are made solely by the relevant government authorities.