10 Year India Visa For U.S. Citizens: Visa Fees And How To Apply 2023

Jan 16, 2023

9 min read

If you are from the USA, you probably wonder what visa you need to visit India. Luckily for US citizens, there is a 10 Year Visa For India you can apply for.

This also applies to citizens from Canada and Japan, but in this post, we'll focus on citizens from the US.

An elephant keeper that stops so that a child can touch the elephant in India-min

Here is what you'll need to know:


Do US Citizens Need A Visa For India 2023?

Yes. Travelers must enter either on a paper visa, valid for 10 years for U.S. citizens, or an e-tourist visa.

The India visa is an entry permit that allows US citizens to travel to India for a certain number of days.


How To Apply For An Indian Visa From The USA In 2023?

Have you ever found that applying for a visa is a very stressful and tedious process? From missing documents to tiny errors and websites crashing, and you wonder if you will ever get this visa. With Atlys, US citizens can complete a visa application to India from the US, error-free in under 30 minutes. This sounds crazy, right?

But this is what you can expect from Atlys:

  • Straight-forward application process - this can be done in minutes!
  • Support with gathering your documents - Atlys helps you gather all the required documents.
  • Step-by-step instructions - Atlys will be there every step of the way!

Still don't believe me? Download the Atlys app and start your application now.

Apply For Your India Visa From The US Using The Atlys App

What Is The 10-Year Indian Visa For US Citizens?

Visitors from the United States can obtain a 10-year visa to India if they are US passport holders. However, suppose you intend to visit India more than once during that period.

In that case, this type of visa may be preferable to an India e-Tourist Visa. While obtaining a 10-year India visa takes longer, having one takes the hassle out of future travel plans.

If you don't want the 10-year Indian Visa for US citizens, you can apply for another type, such as the India 10-Year Business Visa.

However, remember that you can also apply for the India e-Visa instead.

Check out our India Visa Guide for US citizens for detailed information on the India Visa.


What You Need To Know About The 10-Year India Tourist Visa

In this section, we'll cover everything you need to know about the duration of your stay, the India visa fee for US citizens, and more.

Later in this post, I will explain the visa requirements and how you can apply for your 10-Year India Tourist Visa. Please feel free to skip to those sections by using the links above.

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Can I Get An Indian Tourist Visa On Arrival?

No. Visa-on-Arrival facility is available to the citizens of Japan, South Korea & UAE only.

How Long Can I Stay In India With The 10-Year Tourist Visa?

You can't stay in India for 10 consecutive years. So if you plan to go to India with the 10-Year Indian Visa, you can only stay for up to 180 days.

You are allowed multiple entries instead of just a single entry. However, you must wait 2 months before re-entering India after your previous trip.

The 10-Year India Tourist Visa from the USA is valid from the date of issuance, not from the date of your first entry.

What Are The 10-Year India Tourist Visa Fees?

The India visa fee for US citizens is more than the India Tourist e-Visa. You can expect to pay between 160 USD, which is reasonable for 10 years of multiple entries.

What Is The 10-Year India Visa Processing Time?

The processing times for the visa to India from the USA may differ depending on the Indian consulate you will apply to. Usually, you can expect to wait about 15-20 business days for your visa application to be processed.

When Should I Apply For The 10-Year India Tourist Visa?

As a general rule, you should apply for your 10 Year Indian Visa for US citizens at least 1 month before your planned departure date.

Where Must I Apply For The 10-Year India Tourist Visa?

Because you are doing a paper visa, you must apply for the 10-Year India Tourist Visa from the USA at an Indian Embassy or Indian Consulate nearest to you.

What Happens If I Get A New Passport?

Regarding the 10 Year Indian Visa for US citizens, you can travel with both passports if a new passport is obtained. Remember that your India Tourist Visa from the USA remains valid in your old passport.

When authorities ask for your Tourist Visa to enter India, the valid visa in your old USA passport can be displayed. As soon as you have given your new valid passport, the Indian authorities will provide it with their stamp of approval.

Obtaining a new passport is an essential part of the international travel experience. A new passport can be obtained for a variety of reasons. For example, perhaps your passport is in poor condition and must be replaced.


What Are The Required Documents For The 10-Year Indian Visa?

Before heading over to the nearest Indian consular, you must gather your travel documents. These travel documents are essential for your application process:

  • A valid US passport (your passport must be valid for 6 months after your planned departure date and must have at least 2 blank visa pages)
  • 2 passport photos
  • Travel itinerary (your flight itinerary or booking confirmations from a travel agency)
  • Proof of residency (driver's license, state ID, or utility bill)
  • If you are applying for a minor, you must submit a Notarized Authorization Form (which must be signed by both parents)

Keep in mind that if you apply through Atlys, you don't have to worry about gathering your documents. All you need is your passport and personal information, leave the rest up to Atlys.


How To Apply For The 10-Year India Tourist Visa?

In this section, I have made 7 easy steps you must follow to apply for your 10-Year India Tourist Visa.

Remember that you can complete your India eVisa application in under 10 minutes with Atlys. All you need to do is download the app, and start your application.

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Step 1 - Gather All The Required Documents

The first and most important step is to gather all the required documents. As I mentioned earlier, these documents are essential for your 10 Year Indian Visa for US citizens.

As a general rule, make copies of all your documents. For example, I lost my travel itinerary once, which delayed my visa application.

Step 2 - Complete The Online Application Form

After gathering all the required documents, you must complete the online visa application form.

On the first page, you will find the required field "Indian Mission/Office." Here you must select your preferred embassy or consulate in the state where you are currently situated. Next, please find the options below:

Options To Choose For The Online Application For The Indian Visa

After you have selected your Indian Mission/Office, you must fill in the rest of your personal details.

After completing the personal information section, you must select the "Visa type" and your "Purpose." Here is an image for an example:

First Page On The Online Application For The Indian Visa

After you have completed the first page of the application as outlined above, you will be redirected to a new page where you will find your Application ID. You must note it down as you will not receive a verification email to confirm your submission.

After completing the online application form and uploading your digital photograph that meets the specified requirements, you must create a VFS Consular Service profile.

Step 3 - Book Your Appointment

After completing the online application form, you will be directed to the VFS Consular website, where you choose how you want to apply. You can apply either by postal or by appointment.

Before booking an appointment online, please ensure you have completed your application online on the Government Portal. You will need the Application Reference Number (ARN) File number, or Application Id to proceed.

If you choose to book an appointment, you will be redirected to the VFS online booking page. Here you will need to provide your reference number and personal details for your online application form.

The reference number will look like this: USAAV00D1322. Your reference number can be found on the right-hand side of your application form.

Step 4 - Attend Your Appointment

You are almost at the end of your application for the 10 Year Indian Visa for US citizens process. Just a few last steps before you are on your way to India.

As the heading suggests, you will need to attend your appointment. This will typically be a short in-person interview with an embassy or consulate staff member. You will be asked a few questions regarding your trip details, but nothing major.

Step 5 - Submit Your Application

Generally, you will submit all your documentation during your appointment. However, this depends on what you selected at the end of your online application process.

You may be asked to submit additional documents when submitting your application. Therefore, ensure you have all the required documents when submitting your application.

Step 6 - Wait For Your Application To Be Processed

The hard part is now officially over. All you have to do is wait for your application to be processed. As soon as your application is processed, you will receive an email to collect your approved 10 Year Indian Visa for US citizens.

Step 7 - Collect Your Approved 10-Year India Tourist Visa

The last thing you need to do is collect your 10 Year Indian Visa for US citizens. You'll be notified by VFS Global visa service when your visa application has been processed.

Your Indian Tourist Visa for US citizens will be couriered to you, or you can head over to your selected consulate or embassy to go and collect it.

Remember that applying through Atlys is much easier as Atlys will guide you through every process step-by-step, leaving you without any uncertainty.


Now You're Officially In For The Long Run

Get ready to travel to India. Now you can enjoy 10 years of multiple entries to India without the hustle of applying for the Indian Tourist Visa for US citizens. The last thing you need to do is set out your different travel dates.

Written By: Shannon Reeler
Fact Checked By: Armando Du Preez

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Can I Stay In India With An Evisa

You can stay for 180 days with a 1-year visa.

How Much Does An Indian Visa Cost?

Single Entry E-Tourist Visa is 10 Years 163 USD. You can check the India visa for Us citizens

How Much Is A 30 Days Tourist Visa?

The Indian e-Tourist Visa cost is USD 25.

Is The India Visa Still Suspended?

No. The Government of India has decided to restore valid long-duration (10 years) regular (paper) tourist visas for the nationals of the USA with immediate effect.

Is The Indian Visa Easy To Get?

Yes. You can check How To get an Indian evisa.

Can I Get An Indian Tourist Visa At The Airport?

No. You have to apply for an India visa before you can go to India.

Is The Evisa To India Fee?

Yes. Check out the India visa for Us citizens.

How Long Can I Visit India Without A Visa?

Unfortunately, you can’t go stay in India without a visa.

Can US Citizens Travel To India Without A Visa?

No. U.S. citizens need a valid passport and valid Indian visa to enter and exit India for any purpose.

What Other Types Of Visas Can I Apply For

There are other types of visas you can apply for. These are either India e-Visas or normal paper visas

  • Tourist Visa (visiting India for tourism)
  • Medical Visa (if you are seeking medical treatment in India)
  • Business Visa (visiting India for a business purpose)
  • Emergency Visa
  • Employment Visa (highly skilled Individuals intending to take up employment)
  • Student Visa (studying in India)
  • Entry Visa (for accompanying families of foreign nationals)
  • Project Visa (for executing projects in the Power and Steel sectors)
  • Research Visa (pursuing research in any field)
  • Transit Visa (travelers passing through India)
  • Conference Visa (international seminars/ seminars held by Govt./ PSUs/NGOs)
What Are The Major Cities In India?

Here is a list of the largest cities in India:

  • Mumbai
  • Delhi
  • Kolkata
  • Chennai
How Long Can A US Citizen Stay In India With OCI?

A PIO cardholder must register with the local Police authority for any stay exceeding 180 days in India on any single visit. In contrast, an OCI cardholder is exempted from registration with the Police authority for any length of stay in India.

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