US Tourist Visa Cost & Fees for Indians 2026 (B1/B2)

Do Indians Need a Visa for the USA? (2026 Quick Answer)

Yes. Indian passport holders are not included in the US Visa Waiver Program and need a B1/B2 visa, and the application fee is $185, or ₹18,130 at the consular rate of ₹98 per dollar used since May 25, 2026. The B1/B2 is issued as a single combined stamp covering tourism, family visits and short business trips. India's reciprocity table lists it as multiple-entry for up to 10 years (120 months) with no issuance fee, so a 10-year visa costs nothing extra, though an officer can issue a shorter one.

That makes $185 the full government cost per person, paid as the non-refundable Machine Readable Visa (MRV) fee before the interview. Applicants using Visarun.ai pay a total of $205, which includes the $185 government fee plus a $20 service fee covering DS-160 review, appointment coordination, and follow-up support. A $250 Visa Integrity Fee became law in July 2025, but no official collection start date has been published, and the State Department's fee page did not list it on October 6, 2026.

US Visa Cost for Indians in 2026 — Full Fee Breakdown

For an Indian applicant, the government cost of a US B1/B2 visa in 2026 comes down to one $185 application fee. Here is every charge you may read about, as it stood on official US government pages on October 6, 2026:

• MRV application fee — $185, paid before the interview; non-refundable whether the visa is approved or refused
• Reciprocity or visa issuance fee — none for Indian citizens applying for B1/B2, per the US Department of State reciprocity schedule for India
• Visa Integrity Fee — $250 in a law signed on July 4, 2025, which ties it to visa issuance; no official collection start date has been published, and the State Department fee page did not list it on October 6, 2026
• Form I-94 arrival record — no I-94 fee when you arrive by air or sea; a $30 fee applies only at land-border crossings
• Visa bond — not required, as India is not on the State Department's visa bond list updated October 2, 2026
• Visarun.ai service fee — $20, for a Visarun-managed total of $205

A B1/B2 visa therefore costs $185 per person in government fees, and a family of four pays $740, because every applicant, children included, files and pays separately. Check the State Department fee page and the US Mission India visa page before you pay, as amounts and the rupee rate can change.

The MRV Fee and What It Covers (B1/B2)

The MRV fee of $185 covers the administrative cost of processing your visa application. Paying it does not guarantee an interview slot or a visa. What it includes:

• Processing of the DS-160 Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application
• Biometric enrollment at the Offsite Facilitation Center (OFC) — fingerprints and photograph
• The in-person consular interview appointment at the US Embassy or Consulate
• Initial review of the application by a consular officer

The fee is non-refundable if refused and non-transferable to another person. You must book the interview within 365 days of payment; the date itself can be later. A separate $185 payment is required for every new application.

Recent fee changes:

• July 4, 2025 — a $250 Visa Integrity Fee tied to visa issuance became law; no official start date has followed
• September 30, 2025 — the land-border I-94 fee rose from $6 to $30; air and sea arrivals pay none
• May 25, 2026 — India's consular exchange rate moved from ₹96 to ₹98 per dollar
• October 6, 2026 — the State Department fee page lists $185 for B1/B2 and no Integrity Fee

Total Cost in INR — What to Budget

The US Mission in India sets the consular exchange rate that converts visa fees into rupees. Its visa page says the rate changed from ₹96 to ₹98 per US dollar on May 25, 2026, and that was still the latest rate notice on October 6, 2026.

At ₹98/USD (current):

• MRV fee ($185) — ₹18,130
• Reciprocity (issuance) fee for Indian B1/B2 applicants — ₹0
• Visarun.ai total ($205) — ₹20,090
• Family of four, government fees only ($740) — ₹72,520

At the previous rate of ₹96/USD (before May 25, 2026):

• MRV fee ($185) — ₹17,760
• Visarun.ai total ($205) — ₹19,680

Beyond the visa fee, budget separately for photographs, travel to the consulate city if you book a post with a shorter queue, any document notarization, and getting your stamped passport back. None of these is a government visa fee, and prices vary. Check the rupee amount on the official payment page before you pay, as the rate can change again.

How to Pay the US Visa Fee from India

All MRV fee payments must go through the official portal ustraveldocs.com/in, operated by CGI Federal. Payments to any other account are invalid and may indicate fraud. There are two accepted methods:

NEFT or IMPS transfer

Log into your CGI Federal account on ustraveldocs.com/in and generate a fee deposit slip containing the beneficiary bank details and exact rupee amount. Transfer the amount via NEFT or IMPS through internet banking or a mobile app. NEFT typically reflects within 24 hours; IMPS is usually faster. Save the Unique Transaction Reference (UTR) number — you need it to activate the payment on the portal.

Cash at Axis Bank or Citibank

Print the deposit slip from the portal and carry the exact rupee amount in cash (only cash is accepted at the bank counter — demand drafts and cards are not valid) to any participating Axis Bank or Citibank branch in India. The branch stamps the slip as confirmation, typically on the same business day. Once payment is confirmed on the portal, proceed to book appointments.

How to Apply for a US Tourist Visa from India (Step-by-Step)

The B1/B2 application follows a fixed sequence. Attempting to book the interview before confirming fee payment will result in a blocked appointment.

Step 1 — Complete the DS-160

Fill out the DS-160 Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application at ceac.state.gov. Submit it and print the confirmation page with the barcode — this is required at every subsequent stage.

Step 2 — Create a CGI Federal account

Register on ustraveldocs.com/in with your passport number and email address. All family members can be managed under one account login.

Step 3 — Pay the MRV fee

Generate the deposit slip from the portal and pay via NEFT, IMPS, or cash at an Axis Bank or Citibank branch. Wait for payment confirmation before booking appointments.

Step 4 — Book the OFC (biometrics) appointment

Schedule biometric enrollment — fingerprints and photograph — at an Offsite Facilitation Center. OFC slots are generally available within days to two weeks even at busy consulates.

Step 5 — Book the consular interview

After scheduling the OFC, select an interview slot at any of the five US consular posts in India (New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, or Kolkata). Indian applicants may book at any post regardless of home city — see wait times below.

Step 6 — Attend OFC and interview

At the OFC, carry your passport, DS-160 confirmation, and appointment letter. At the consular interview, bring the DS-160 confirmation, fee receipt, valid passport, two photographs in US visa specifications, 3–6 months of bank statements, employment letter or business documents, property records, and any invitation letters from US contacts. Interviews for uncomplicated B1/B2 applications are typically brief.

Step 7 — Receive stamped passport

If approved, the consulate retains the passport for visa stamping and returns it via the official VFS courier, typically within 3–5 business days. For Visarun.ai-managed applications, document handling and coordination takes 5–7 business days before the consulate's own timeline begins.

Visa Appointment Wait Times and Processing

India consistently ranks among the countries with the longest US B1/B2 visa wait times globally. On the State Department's wait-time table dated September 17, 2026, still the latest on October 6, 2026, the next available B1/B2 interview at each Indian post was predicted at:

• Kolkata — about 6.5 months (shortest in India)
• Chennai — about 7.5 months
• New Delhi — about 10 months
• Mumbai — about 11.5 months
• Hyderabad — about 12 months

These figures are predictions, updated monthly, and they change. Because applicants can book at any post in the country, many from Delhi, Mumbai, and Hyderabad are now booking at Kolkata or Chennai to reduce wait time — this is fully permitted. Check current wait times at travel.state.gov before choosing a post.

Interview waiver (dropbox) eligibility

Since October 1, 2025, the US Department of State has limited the B1/B2 interview waiver (dropbox) to renewals. You may qualify only if you are renewing within 12 months of your prior B1/B2 visa's expiration, that visa was issued for full validity, and you were at least 18 when it was issued. You must also apply in your country of nationality or usual residence, never have been refused a visa unless the refusal was overcome or waived, and have no apparent ineligibility; officers can still require an interview in any case. First-time applicants and those whose last B1/B2 expired more than 12 months ago must attend an in-person interview. Confirm eligibility at ustraveldocs.com/in, as criteria are subject to revision.

Administrative processing (221g)

Some applications are held for administrative processing after the interview for additional security review or document requests. No fixed timeline applies — resolution can take weeks to several months. Applicants with time-sensitive travel should apply as early as possible to absorb this risk.

Common Reasons for 214(b) Refusal

Section 214(b) of the US Immigration and Nationality Act presumes every B1/B2 applicant to be a potential immigrant until proven otherwise. A 214(b) refusal means the consular officer was not satisfied that the applicant has strong enough ties to India to ensure their return after the visit. Common reasons include:

• Weak ties to India — no stable employment, no owned property, no dependent family members in India
• Thin or inconsistent financial documentation — irregular bank balance, or funds deposited specifically ahead of the application
• Vague travel purpose — inability to clearly explain the reason for the trip, planned itinerary, or source of funds
• History of overstays in the US or any other country
• Prior US visa refusals without a material change in circumstances
• Inconsistencies between the DS-160 and statements made at the interview
• Close family members already in the US on immigrant status, seen as a potential pull factor

There is no mandatory waiting period before reapplying after a 214(b) refusal, but a fresh application should be backed by materially stronger documentation — updated bank statements, a current employment letter, property records. The $185 MRV fee must be paid again for each new application. Visarun.ai's pre-submission review covers DS-160 accuracy and document completeness to support a better-prepared case; approval authority rests entirely with the consular officer.

FAQ

What is the US B1/B2 visa fee for Indian applicants in 2026?

The MRV application fee is $185, or ₹18,130 at the consular exchange rate of ₹98 per USD used since May 25, 2026 (₹96 before that). India's reciprocity table lists no issuance fee for B1/B2, so $185 is the whole government fee. A $250 Visa Integrity Fee became law in July 2025, but it has no official collection start date and was not on the State Department fee page on October 6, 2026. Applying through Visarun.ai costs $205 total ($185 government fee plus $20 service fee).

Is the MRV fee refundable if my visa is refused?

No. The $185 MRV fee is non-refundable and non-transferable regardless of outcome, and every new application means paying it again. India's reciprocity table lists no issuance fee for B1/B2, so the State Department's fee schedule adds no charge on approval: the government cost is $185 either way.

Can I apply at any US consulate in India regardless of where I live?

Yes. Indian applicants may book appointments at any of the five US posts — New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, or Kolkata — regardless of home city. With predicted waits on the State Department's September 17, 2026 table ranging from about 6.5 months in Kolkata to 12 months in Hyderabad, many applicants choose a post with a shorter queue.

How long is a B1/B2 visa valid for Indian citizens?

India's reciprocity table lists B1/B2 visas as multiple-entry, valid for up to 120 months (10 years), with no issuance fee, so a 10-year visa costs the same $185. A consular officer may still issue a shorter visa in an individual case. Each stay is set by Customs and Border Protection at entry: B-2 visitors are generally admitted for six months, and your I-94 date, not the visa's expiry, is what counts.

Is there a separate fee for B1 (business) versus B2 (tourist)?

No. The B-1 and B-2 categories share the same $185 MRV fee and are applied for on a single DS-160 form. Most Indian applicants receive a combined B1/B2 visa covering both business activities and leisure travel under a single stamp.

Who qualifies for the US visa interview waiver (dropbox) in India in 2026?

Under rules effective October 1, 2025, eligibility requires: the prior B1/B2 visa was issued for full validity, the renewal is filed within 12 months of the prior visa's expiration, and the applicant was at least 18 years old when that visa was issued. You must also apply in your country of nationality or residence and have no unresolved visa refusal or apparent ineligibility. First-time applicants and those whose last B1/B2 expired more than 12 months ago must attend an in-person interview. Verify eligibility at ustraveldocs.com/in before applying.

What documents are needed at the US visa interview?

Applicants typically bring: a valid passport (with at least 6 months of remaining validity beyond the intended stay), prior passports with any previous US visas, the DS-160 confirmation page, MRV fee receipt, two US-specification photographs, 3–6 months of bank statements, salary slips or business income proof, an employment letter or business registration, property or lease documents, and invitation letters if visiting contacts in the US. Each applicant — including children — needs their own DS-160 and fee receipt.

What should I do after a 214(b) refusal?

There is no waiting period — reapplication is permitted immediately, but with the same documentation the result is likely to be the same. Gather stronger evidence of ties to India first: six or more months of updated bank statements, a current employment confirmation, property documents, or business records. Pay the $185 MRV fee again and book a new interview. Address the specific gap that led to the refusal; do not simply repeat the previous application.

When will the $250 Visa Integrity Fee start being charged?

No official date has been published. Public Law 119-21, signed on July 4, 2025, ties the fee to the issuance of a nonimmigrant visa, bars waivers and lets DHS refund it, once the visa has expired, to holders who complied with the visa's conditions. A DHS Federal Register notice of July 22, 2025 said it would be implemented in a future publication; a Federal Register search on October 6, 2026 found no such notice, and the State Department fee page did not list the fee that day.

How long does the full US visa process take from India in 2026?

Mostly as long as the interview queue: on the State Department table dated September 17, 2026, the next B1/B2 interview was predicted at about 6.5 months in Kolkata, 7.5 in Chennai, 10 in New Delhi, 11.5 in Mumbai and 12 in Hyderabad. Add time for the DS-160, fee payment and biometrics before the interview, and for your passport's return after approval. For Visarun.ai-managed applications, document coordination covers 5–7 business days before the consulate's own scheduling applies.