US Visa Fees For Indians

Are you planning to travel to the US? It's important to know that the US has recently tightened its visa policies. 

The visa fees for Indian citizens can vary significantly based on your nationality and the type of travel documents required. 

Understanding the US visa fee structure for Indians will help you plan your travel expenses before booking your flight.

As an Indian citizen, there are different visa options depending on your length of stay and purpose of visit. The most common visas are the “US B1/B2 visas”, which are for temporary visits for tourism or business.

We provide a detailed table of all US visa application fees in India. We also cover additional expenses related to your American visa application. Keep reading to learn about all the costs involved in your US trip.

Is a US Visa A Necessity For Indians?

All Indian citizens need a valid US visa to travel or move to the US, except for those from countries in the US Visa Waiver Program (VWP).

A US visa allows you to travel to an entry point, like an airport or land border crossing, where you will ask permission from a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Customs and Border Protection (CBP) inspector to enter the US.

DHS/CBP inspectors decide if you can enter the US and for how long you can stay. They handle all immigration matters during your visit.

While a visa does not guarantee entry into the US, it shows that a consular officer at a US Embassy or Consulate has approved you to seek entry.

 

US Visa Fees in India: Types of US Visas for Indians

According to US immigration laws, US visas are broadly categorized into two types based on your travel purposes:

Non-Immigrant Visas: These visas are for travelers who are not US citizens or permanent residents. They are for temporary visits, and the type of non-immigrant visa you need will depend on the purpose and duration of your stay. 

The fees for non-immigrant US visas in India range from ₹15,540 to ₹26,460, depending on the visa type. Here are some common non-immigrant visa categories:

• Business/Tourist Visa (B): Valid for up to 10 years, B1/B2 visas allow visitors to stay in the US for up to 6 months. The cost for a US tourist visa for Indians is ₹15,540. B1 visas are for business, while B2 visas are for leisure. They are often combined as a B1/B2 visa, which also costs ₹15,540.
• Domestic Employee Visa (B-1): For domestic workers accompanying their employer to the US. The fee is the same as the B1/B2 visa fee, ₹15,540.
• Work Visa (H, L, O, P, Q): For temporary workers entering the US for a specific job. The employer must file a petition with US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
• Student Visa (F, M): For students planning to study in the US. The visa type depends on the course and school.
• Exchange Visitor Visa (J): For participants in exchange visitor programs in the US.
• Transit/Crew Member Visas (C, D): Transit (C) visas are for those passing through the US en route to another country. Crew Member (D) visas are for those working on commercial sea vessels or international airlines in the US.
• Religious Worker Visa (R-1): For temporary religious workers in the US.
• Journalist and Media Visa (I): For foreign media representatives traveling temporarily to the US. This includes members of the press, radio, film, and print industries.

Immigrant Visas (K): For those who wish to relocate or immigrate to the US. A petition must be approved by USCIS, either by a relative in the US or a potential employer. The fee for an immigrant or K visa in India is up to ₹22,260.

US Visa Application Fees in India [Summarise in the table]

Visa Types	Description	Fee Amount in USD	Fee Amount in Rupees
B	Business/Tourist	185	₹15,540
C-1	Transit	185	₹15,540
D	Ship/Airline Crew	185	₹15,540
F	Student (academic)	185	₹15,540
I	Journalist and Media	185	₹15,540
J	Exchange Visitors	185	₹15,540
M	Student (vocational)	185	₹15,540
T	Victims of Human Trafficking	185	₹15,540
TN/TD	NAFTA Professionals	185	₹15,540
CW	Transitional Worker CNMI	205	₹17,220
H	Temporary/Seasonal Workers and Employment, Trainees	205	₹17,220
L	Intracompany Transferees	205	₹17,220
O	Persons with Extraordinary Ability	205	₹17,220
P	Athletes, Artists, Entertainers	205	₹17,220
Q	International Cultural Exchange	205	₹17,220
R	Religious Worker	205	₹17,220
E	Treaty Trader/Investor, Long-Term Investor CNMI, Australian Professional Specialty	315	₹26,460
K	Fiancé(e) or Spouse of U.S. Citizen	265	₹22,260

 

Other US Visa Fee Payments in India

Visa Name	Description	Fee Amount in USD	Application Fees in Rupees
Border Crossing Card	For ages 15 and over (Valid 10 years)	185	₹15,540
Border Crossing Card	Under age 15 for Mexican citizens  (Valid 10 years or until the applicant reaches age 15 - whichever is sooner)	15	₹1,227
L Visa Fraud Prevention and Detection Fee	For visa applicants included in the L blanket petition (principal applicant only)	500	₹40,923
Certain H-1B And L-1 Petitioners	For candidates who employ 50 or more individuals in the US if more than 50% of those individuals are in H-1B or L-1 nonimmigrant status	4500	₹3,68,309

 

Another fee to be aware of is the US visa reciprocity fee. This is an extra fee for non-immigrant visas from certain countries that charge US citizens similar fees for their visas. 

Since India does not charge such fees, Indian applicants do not need to pay any reciprocity fees in addition to their US visa application fee.

When is the Non-Immigrant US Visa Application Fee Not Required in India?

• Applicants for A, G, C-2, C-3, NATO, and diplomatic visas.
• Applicants for J visas participating in official US Government-sponsored educational and cultural exchange programs.
• When replacing machine-readable visas if the original visa was not properly affixed or needs reissuing due to no fault of the applicant.
• Applicants exempted by international agreement, including members and staff of observer missions (military personnel) under the United Nations Headquarters recognized by the UN General Assembly and their immediate families.
• Applicants traveling to provide charitable aid and services approved by Visa Services.
• US government employees traveling on official business.
• Parents, siblings, spouses, or children of US government employees killed or critically injured in the line of duty who are:
• Traveling to attend the employee’s funeral and/or burial.
• Traveling to visit during the employee’s emergency treatment and recovery.

 

How to Apply for a US Visa?

Applying for a US visa is simple. Follow these steps:

1. Start Your Application: Click on contact us. Select the visa services from the form. send us your inquiry. One of our US visa experts will get back to you.
2. Complete the Form: Fill out the application form our visa consultant will guide you everything and upload all required documents.
3. Pay the Fees: Pay the mandatory visa fees using one of the available payment methods.

After you make the payment, your documents will be verified, and your US visa will be sent to your email address.

Why You Need Travel Insurance for Your USA Trip

Life is full of uncertainties, so it's smart to be prepared for any unexpected events. If you're planning a trip to the USA, consider getting travel insurance. This insurance will help if you face any problems during your stay, such as falling ill or losing your baggage.

A travel insurance policy for the USA can cover medical expenses and other issues that might come up. Investing in an online travel insurance policy will protect your trip and give you peace of mind.

With our range of travel insurance plans for the USA, you can enjoy a worry-free trip and be ready for any unexpected situations.

Why Choose BTWvisas

 

*Important Note:

Embassy/Consulate reserves the right to ask for additional documents or personal appearance for an interview in special cases. Submission of the above-mentioned documents does not guarantee that a visa is granted, so It's recommended to get a professional visa consultation.

Submission of incomplete documentation or refusal to appear for a special visa interview may result in the rejection of your visa application. Although the information on this website has been prepared with utmost care. However, regulations and requirements are subject to change.