United States Visa for Indians 2026

US visa for Indians starts at ₹19,499 through Times of Visa, which includes DS-160 filing, document verification, interview preparation, and expert support. Book online above for current pricing and visa plans.

No, the US visa fee ($185) is non-refundable regardless of the outcome. Even if your visa is denied, you cannot get a refund. The fee is for processing your application, not for the visa itself.

Besides the $185 visa fee, you may pay:, Premium Lounge, Courier return, SMS tracking, Photo service. Travel insurance and document preparation are additional optional costs.

US visa fee can be paid online via credit/debit card, net banking, or cash. Multiple payment methods are accepted.

The US visa fee receipt is valid for 1 year from the date of payment. You must schedule and attend your interview within this period, or the fee will expire and you'll need to pay again.

No, SEVIS fee is NOT required for B1/B2 tourist/business visas. SEVIS fee ($350) is only required for F1 (student) and J1 (exchange visitor) visas. Tourist visa applicants only pay the $185 MRV fee.

Yes, children of all ages pay the same $185 visa fee. There is no reduced fee for minors. However, children under 14 don't need to attend an interview if parents have valid US visas.

The fee is the same $185 regardless of visa validity. Whether you get a 1-year or 10-year visa, the application fee remains $185. Validity is determined by the consular officer, not by fee amount.

No one pays $100,000 for H1B visa fees. The standard filing fee is $460 USD (~₹38,000). Employers sponsoring H1B workers may pay additional Labor Condition Application (LCA) fees and legal costs, but there's no $100,000 visa fee requirement.

A US B1/B2 tourist visa costs $185 USD for Indian passport holders. The application fee is non-refundable even if visa is denied.

US visa fees for Indian passport holders are $185 USD for most non-immigrant visa types. Additional processing fees may apply.

The Visa Integrity and Border Security (VIBS) Fee is a $250 supplemental fee introduced in 2025 for certain nonimmigrant visa applicants. It is separate from the $185 MRV application fee and is non-refundable. The fee applies to applicants from select countries — contact our team to confirm whether it applies to your application and for the latest fee structure.

US visa processing typically takes 3-6 weeks from application to passport delivery. Interview wait times vary: New Delhi (3-5 weeks), Mumbai (4-6 weeks), Chennai (3-5 weeks), Hyderabad (3-6 weeks), Kolkata (4-7 weeks).

Wait times change frequently, but generally Chennai and Kolkata have shorter wait times compared to Delhi and Mumbai. Contact our team for real-time availability at your nearest consulate. Applying during off-peak months (September-February) helps.

Emergency appointments are available for: medical emergencies, death of family member, urgent business. Contact our team with supporting documents and we can help you request an expedited appointment. Expedite requests are reviewed case-by-case and not guaranteed.

Administrative processing (221g) typically takes 2-8 weeks but can extend to several months. You'll receive a letter if additional processing is needed. Contact our team to help you track your application status. There is no way to expedite this process.

Best time is September to February (off-peak). Avoid May-July (summer rush for students and families). Also avoid November-December holiday season. Applying 3-4 months before travel gives flexibility.

If approved, passport is typically returned within 3-5 working days via courier or VAC pickup. If 221g (administrative processing) is issued, it may take 2-8 weeks or longer.

Yes, interview is mandatory for first-time applicants aged 14-79. Interview waivers (dropbox) are available for visa renewals within 48 months of expiry with no refusals or overstays.

Interview waivers (dropbox) are available if: (1) Renewing visa within 48 months of expiry, (2) Same visa category, (3) No previous refusals, (4) Age under 14 or over 79. First-time applicants aged 14-79 must attend interview.

Common questions: Why are you visiting USA? How long will you stay? Who will fund your trip? What do you do for work? Do you have relatives in US? What ties do you have to India? What is your salary? Have you traveled abroad before? See our complete US visa interview questions guide with 100+ questions and answers.

The actual interview is typically 2-5 minutes. However, total time at the embassy including security, queue, and biometrics can be 2-4 hours. Arrive 30 minutes before your appointment time.

Dress formally or business casual. Men: collared shirt, trousers, formal shoes. Women: formal wear, salwar kameez, or business attire. Avoid jeans, t-shirts, and casual wear. First impressions matter.

No, electronic devices including phones, smart watches, laptops, tablets, and earphones are NOT allowed inside US Embassy. Leave them in your car or use the locker facility outside (₹50-100).

Prohibited items: mobile phones, laptops, tablets, cameras, electronic devices, bags larger than 25cm, food, liquids, weapons, sharp objects. Only allowed: passport, documents in a clear folder, small wallet.

If rejected under 214(b), you can reapply immediately with stronger documentation. You'll need to pay the fee again. Wait at least 6 months and show changed circumstances for better chances. 212(a) rejections are more serious.

Yes, you can reschedule twice without losing your fee. Contact our team and we'll help you cancel your existing appointment and book a new date. After 2 reschedules, you may need to pay the fee again.

If you miss your interview without canceling, you may need to contact the embassy. Generally, you can reschedule, but multiple no-shows may cause issues. Always cancel if you cannot attend.

Required documents: Valid passport, DS-160 confirmation, appointment letter, photo, fee receipt. Supporting documents: Bank statements (6 months), ITR (3 years), employment letter, property documents, travel itinerary.

There is no official minimum bank balance. However, showing ₹3-6 lakhs with consistent transactions significantly improves approval chances. Balance should justify your trip expenses.

No, confirmed flight tickets are NOT required and NOT recommended before visa approval. You can show a tentative itinerary or travel plan. Booking non-refundable tickets before visa is risky.

Hotel booking is not mandatory but helpful. You can show tentative reservations (refundable) or mention you'll stay with relatives/friends. If visiting someone, carry their invitation letter with address.

You should provide 6 months of bank statements from all your active savings accounts. Statements should be recent (within 1-2 weeks) and stamped by the bank. Avoid sudden large deposits.

Travel insurance is NOT mandatory for US B1/B2 visa (unlike Schengen). However, it's highly recommended as US medical costs are extremely high. Get coverage of at least $50,000-$100,000.

US visa requires 2x2 inch (51x51 mm) color photograph with white background. Photo must be taken within last 6 months. No glasses allowed. Neutral expression, both ears visible.

Carry original documents, not photocopies. The officer may ask to see originals of bank statements, ITR, employment letter, property documents. Keep photocopies as backup but show originals.

Most Indian citizens receive a 10-year multiple entry B1/B2 visa. Maximum stay per visit is 6 months, determined by the immigration officer at the port of entry.

The US B1/B2 visa approval rate for Indian citizens is approximately 75-80%. Success depends on demonstrating strong ties to India, stable employment, and sufficient funds.

The 6-month stay is not guaranteed. Immigration officer at entry decides duration (usually stamped in I-94). Spending too much time in US (over 5-6 months per year) may raise concerns on future visits.

Yes, you can apply for extension through USCIS Form I-539 before your authorized stay expires. Extension requests should be filed at least 45 days before expiry. Not guaranteed to be approved.

No, B1/B2 visa does NOT permit employment. Working on tourist visa is illegal and can result in deportation, visa cancellation, and future visa bans. You need H1B or other work visa to work.

You can take short recreational courses (like cooking, dance) but NOT enroll in degree programs or full-time study. For academic study, you need F1 student visa. Studying on B1/B2 violates visa terms.

Yes, Indian passport holders can get a 10-year B1/B2 visa for the USA. The visa validity depends on your passport validity and visa type. The current application fee is $185 USD.

Common rejection reasons: 214(b) insufficient ties to home country (most common), weak financials, unclear travel purpose, previous overstay, inconsistent information, suspected immigrant intent, misrepresentation.

214(b) means the officer believes you may not return to India. It's not a permanent ban. You can reapply with stronger evidence of ties: stable job, property, family, business, previous travel history.

There's no mandatory waiting period for 214(b) rejection. You can reapply immediately, but it's better to wait 3-6 months and show changed circumstances or stronger documentation.

A US visa rejection doesn't automatically affect other countries, but you must declare it on applications that ask. Some countries (UK, Canada, Australia) do consider previous refusals in their assessment.

Yes, people get visas even after 2-3 rejections. Key is to show significant changes: better job, higher income, property purchase, marriage, previous international travel. Address the specific rejection reason.

Having relatives in US doesn't automatically lead to rejection. What matters is YOUR ties to India. Many people with US relatives get visas by showing strong jobs, property, immediate family in India.

Yes, housewives can get US visa. Show spouse's financials, property in joint names, children in school, family ties. If traveling with spouse who has strong profile, chances improve. Solo applications need stronger documentation.

Yes, students can get B1/B2 visa. Show enrollment letter, parents' financials, purpose of visit (vacation, visiting relatives). If visiting US universities, be clear it's for tours, not enrollment discussions.

Yes, retired persons can get US visa. Show pension statements, retirement benefits, savings, property ownership. Health insurance for the trip is advisable given age. Strong ties through family/property help.

Yes, but it's harder. Show other ties: property, family, savings, spouse's employment. If recently resigned, show previous employment and reason for leaving. Business owners don't need traditional employment.

Yes, B1/B2 visa covers attending social events like weddings. Carry wedding invitation, your relationship to the couple, and travel itinerary. Show you'll return after the event.

Yes, B2 visa covers medical treatment. Provide doctor's letter explaining treatment needed, hospital appointment, estimated cost and duration, proof you can afford treatment, and ties to return.

First-time applicants without travel history have lower approval rates (~65-70%) but many still get approved. Focus on: stable employment, good financials, clear travel purpose, genuine intent to return.

You can sponsor your parents' trip but they must attend the interview themselves. Provide invitation letter with your US status, address, financial ability to support their visit. Their ties to India matter most.

B1 and B2 serve different purposes — B1 is for business activities (meetings, conferences, contract negotiations) while B2 is for tourism, visiting family, and medical treatment. Most Indians apply for the combined B1/B2 visa which covers both purposes. Both have identical fees ($185), validity (up to 10 years), and interview requirements.

Yes, Indian passport holders need a US B1/B2 visa to attend World Cup 2026 matches in the USA. USA is the primary host with 11 stadiums hosting 78 matches including the Final at MetLife Stadium, New York.

Apply as early as January 2026 (or earlier). US visa wait times can be 3-6 months or longer. World Cup runs June 11 - July 19, 2026. Having confirmed match tickets strengthens your visa application.

USA hosts matches in 11 cities: New York/NJ (Final venue), Los Angeles, Dallas, Miami, Atlanta, Houston, Philadelphia, Seattle, San Francisco, Boston, and Kansas City. The Final is at MetLife Stadium on July 19, 2026.

With a valid US B1/B2 visa, you can enter Mexico visa-free for up to 180 days. However, you still need a separate Canada Visitor Visa. This allows you to watch matches in all 3 World Cup host countries.

Yes, having confirmed FIFA World Cup tickets shows clear travel purpose and demonstrates you plan to return after the event. Include ticket confirmation or FIFA lottery registration as supporting documents.

Yes, Indians can apply for US visas. The application fee is $185 USD for non-immigrant visas, with processing times typically 3-5 business days after interview completion.

No, Indian passport holders cannot get visa on arrival in the USA. You must apply for a B1/B2 visa at a US Embassy or Consulate in India before traveling. The application requires an interview at one of the five US consular offices in India (New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad).

US visa processing for Indians has become more competitive due to higher application volumes and additional fees. However, the approval rate remains around 75-80% for well-prepared applicants. Strong ties to India (stable job, property, family), consistent financials, and clear travel purpose remain the key factors. Contact our team for expert guidance on strengthening your application.