US Tourist Visa for Indians and How to Apply in 2026

The minimum validity for your Indian passport should be at least six months to receive approval for your visa when travelling to the USA. It is counted after the completion of your intended duration of stay in the country.

No, the fee paid for visa application to visit the USA is non-refundable and will not be returned to you, irrespective of approval or cancellation of your visa application.

No, the fee paid for visa application to visit the USA is non-refundable and will not be returned to you, irrespective of approval or cancellation of your visa application.

If your tourist visa to the USA is damaged, you must reapply for it to receive a new one. However, if it has been issued recently, you will not be required to complete the interview process to receive a new visa in place of a damaged one.

If your tourist visa to the USA is damaged, you must reapply for it to receive a new one. However, if it has been issued recently, you will not be required to complete the interview process to receive a new visa in place of a damaged one.

The validity of a USA visa is non-extendable. Thus, once the validity of your visa expires, you need to apply for a new one.

While the ideal time taken to process a USA visa for an Indian citizen is 3-5 days, it can extend up to 12 weeks for verification requirements. So, prepare to apply for it at least three months before your planned trip.

If your visa is set to expire while you are in the United States, first check your I-94 form to confirm your authorised stay period, which may differ from your visa expiration date. If you need to stay longer, apply for an extension by submitting Form I-539 at least 45 days before your current stay expires. If your visa expires and you must leave, you can reapply at a U.S. consulate. For personalised advice, consult an immigration attorney.

If your visa is set to expire while you are in the United States, first check your I-94 form to confirm your authorised stay period, which may differ from your visa expiration date. If you need to stay longer, apply for an extension by submitting Form I-539 at least 45 days before your current stay expires. If your visa expires and you must leave, you can reapply at a U.S. consulate. For personalised advice, consult an immigration attorney.

If your immigrant visa expires before you can travel to the United States, contact the U.S. consulate or embassy that issued your visa to explain your situation and inquire about reissuing it. You can sometimes request a replacement visa by demonstrating that the delay was beyond your control. Gather supporting documentation, such as medical records or travel restrictions, to explain the delay. Consulting an immigration attorney can provide personalised assistance and help you navigate the process.

If your immigrant visa expires before you can travel to the United States, contact the U.S. consulate or embassy that issued your visa to explain your situation and inquire about reissuing it. You can sometimes request a replacement visa by demonstrating that the delay was beyond your control.

Gather supporting documentation, such as medical records or travel restrictions, to explain the delay. Consulting an immigration attorney can provide personalised assistance and help you navigate the process.

A visa permits you to travel to a U.S. port of entry, like an airport, and request entry into the United States. However, it does not guarantee entry. Upon arrival, a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer will review your documents to decide if you can enter the U.S. for the purpose stated in your visa. Meeting all entry requirements and having the necessary documentation ready is crucial.  

A visa permits you to travel to a U.S. port of entry, like an airport, and request entry into the United States. However, it does not guarantee entry. Upon arrival, a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer will review your documents to decide if you can enter the U.S. for the purpose stated in your visa. Meeting all entry requirements and having the necessary documentation ready is crucial.

To determine how long you are authorised to stay in the United States, check your Form I-94, arrival-departure record issued by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) upon entry. You can retrieve it from the I-94 website or the CBP One app on your mobile device. The I-94 form will indicate your departure date. If you need to extend your stay, apply for an extension before your authorised stay expires.

To determine how long you are authorised to stay in the United States, check your Form I-94, arrival-departure record issued by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) upon entry. You can retrieve it from the I-94 website or the CBP One app on your mobile device. The I-94 form will indicate your departure date. If you need to extend your stay, apply for an extension before your authorised stay expires.

If you didn’t turn in your Form I-94 when you left the United States, it’s crucial to correct this to avoid future entry issues. Verify on the official website if your departure was recorded automatically by a commercial carrier. If not, send your Form I-94 and proof of departure (like boarding passes or passport stamps). Ensure you send documents only to this address so that your departure can be appropriately recorded.

If you didn’t turn in your Form I-94 when you left the United States, it’s crucial to correct this to avoid future entry issues. Verify on the official website if your departure was recorded automatically by a commercial carrier. If not, send your Form I-94 and proof of departure (like boarding passes or passport stamps). Ensure you send documents only to this address so that your departure can be appropriately recorded.

If you believe you have a claim to U.S. citizenship, you should not apply for a U.S. visa. Instead, you should seek to confirm your citizenship status. Applying for a visa could complicate your situation, as U.S. citizens are not eligible for visas. You can contact the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) or a U.S. consulate for guidance on how to proceed with verifying your citizenship claim.

If you believe you have a claim to U.S. citizenship, you should not apply for a U.S. visa. Instead, you should seek to confirm your citizenship status. Applying for a visa could complicate your situation, as U.S. citizens are not eligible for visas. You can contact the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) or a U.S. consulate for guidance on how to proceed with verifying your citizenship claim.

If you have dual citizenship, you must use your U.S. passport to enter and leave the United States. U.S. law requires all U.S. citizens, including dual nationals, to use a U.S. passport for travel to and from the U.S. It’s also a good idea to carry your other passport when travelling, as it may be required for entry into other countries or identification purposes.

If you have dual citizenship, you must use your U.S. passport to enter and leave the United States. U.S. law requires all U.S. citizens, including dual nationals, to use a U.S. passport for travel to and from the U.S. It’s also a good idea to carry your other passport when travelling, as it may be required for entry into other countries or identification purposes.

Knowing whether to contact the Department of State (DOS) or the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) depends on your issue. Contact DOS for U.S. passports, visas, and international travel matters, including visa applications, renewals, and emergencies abroad.  Contact DHS for immigration benefits like green cards, work permits, and citizenship applications, including checking your immigration case status with USCIS. If you need help, visit their websites or contact customer service for guidance.

Knowing whether to contact the Department of State (DOS) or the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) depends on your issue. Contact DOS for U.S. passports, visas, and international travel matters, including visa applications, renewals, and emergencies abroad. 

Contact DHS for immigration benefits like green cards, work permits, and citizenship applications, including checking your immigration case status with USCIS. If you need help, visit their websites or contact customer service for guidance.

It’s advisable to apply for a U.S. visa as early as possible, ideally about three months before your intended travel date. This timeframe allows sufficient processing time, ranging from a few days to several weeks, depending on the visa type and any additional processing needed. Applying early also helps secure an interview appointment, as wait times vary.

It’s advisable to apply for a U.S. visa as early as possible, ideally about three months before your intended travel date. This timeframe allows sufficient processing time, ranging from a few days to several weeks, depending on the visa type and any additional processing needed. Applying early also helps secure an interview appointment, as wait times vary.

You should bring the originals of all required documents for your visa interview. Additionally, it’s a good idea to get photocopies of these documents. The originals will be reviewed and returned to you, while the photocopies may be kept for the records. Bringing both ensures you are fully prepared and helps avoid delays or issues during the interview process.

You should bring the originals of all required documents for your visa interview. Additionally, it’s a good idea to get photocopies of these documents. The originals will be reviewed and returned to you, while the photocopies may be kept for the records. Bringing both ensures you are fully prepared and helps avoid delays or issues during the interview process.

On Form DS-160, you should list your home address from the past six months, even if it differs from the address in your passport. Ensure all other details, including your mailing address, are accurately filled out to prevent any issues during the visa application process.

On Form DS-160, you should list your home address from the past six months, even if it differs from the address in your passport. Ensure all other details, including your mailing address, are accurately filled out to prevent any issues during the visa application process.

Yes, even if you already have a valid visa, you may still need to provide your fingerprints and a digital photograph at a Visa Application Centre (VAC) before your consulate interview. This is part of the biometric data collection process required for visa applications.

Yes, even if you already have a valid visa, you may still need to provide your fingerprints and a digital photograph at a Visa Application Centre (VAC) before your consulate interview. This is part of the biometric data collection process required for visa applications.

No, you cannot transfer a valid U.S. visa from an expired passport to a new one. Instead, it would help if you travelled with both your old passport (containing the valid visa) and your new passport. Ensure that the visa in your old passport is undamaged and valid for your travel purposes. This way, you can present both passports when entering the United States without applying for a new visa.

No, you cannot transfer a valid U.S. visa from an expired passport to a new one. Instead, it would help if you travelled with both your old passport (containing the valid visa) and your new passport. Ensure that the visa in your old passport is undamaged and valid for your travel purposes. This way, you can present both passports when entering the United States without applying for a new visa.

You cannot transfer a valid U.S. visa from your old passport to your new one with your married name. Instead, it would help if you travelled with both your old passport (containing the valid visa) and your new passport. Also, carry your original marriage certificate to explain the name change. Alternatively, you can go through the process of applying for a new visa. Using your new passport involves going through the entire visa application process again.

You cannot transfer a valid U.S. visa from your old passport to your new one with your married name. Instead, it would help if you travelled with both your old passport (containing the valid visa) and your new passport. Also, carry your original marriage certificate to explain the name change. Alternatively, you can go through the process of applying for a new visa. Using your new passport involves going through the entire visa application process again.

No, if your visa application is rejected, you must complete a new DS-160 form for your next application. Once submitted, a DS-160 form cannot be modified or reused. Complete the new form accurately and thoroughly to avoid any issues.

No, if your visa application is rejected, you must complete a new DS-160 form for your next application. Once submitted, a DS-160 form cannot be modified or reused. Complete the new form accurately and thoroughly to avoid any issues.

To renew a visa complete the U.S. non-immigrant visa application form (DS-160) to renew a U.S. visa. Schedule an interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate and pay the required visa application fee. Submit the necessary documents, including your current passport, previous visa, and supporting documents. Attend the scheduled interview if required.

To renew a visa complete the U.S. non-immigrant visa application form (DS-160) to renew a U.S. visa. Schedule an interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate and pay the required visa application fee. Submit the necessary documents, including your current passport, previous visa, and supporting documents. Attend the scheduled interview if required.

Yes, you can re-apply for a U.S. visa even if your previous one was cancelled. When re-applying, address the reasons for the cancellation in your new application. You should provide additional documentation or explanations to support your case. If you’re unsure about the process or need specific guidance, it’s wise to consult with an immigration attorney.

Yes, you can re-apply for a U.S. visa even if your previous one was cancelled. When re-applying, address the reasons for the cancellation in your new application. You should provide additional documentation or explanations to support your case. If you’re unsure about the process or need specific guidance, it’s wise to consult with an immigration attorney.