US Visa for Indians 2026: B1/B2 Fees & Process

Visa Summary

Indian citizens need a B1/B2 visa to visit the United States for tourism, business or medical treatment. The process runs through the DS-160 form, the US$185 MRV fee and an in-person interview (or dropbox interview waiver for eligible renewals), with visas usually issued for 10 years, multiple entry.

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Processing Time

Interview wait times vary sharply by consulate and fluctuate month to month. In 2026 first-appointment waits across India's five posts have ranged from roughly 1 month (often Chennai) to 9-10 months (often Mumbai), with an all-India average of around 6-7 months. Dropbox (interview-waiver) cases are usually faster, often clearing in about 2-4 weeks once documents are submitted. Always check the live wait time on travel.state.gov before planning travel.

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Estimated Fees

US Department of State (travel.state.gov, "Fees for Visa Services") and ustraveldocs.com India; nonimmigrant MRV application-fee schedule effective June 17, 2023 and current for 2026.

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Eligibility

Most applications require valid passport and financial proof.

Time to Get Visa

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Estimated Processing Time

Interview wait times vary sharply by consulate and fluctuate month to month. In 2026 first-appointment waits across India's five posts have ranged from roughly 1 month (often Chennai) to 9-10 months (often Mumbai), with an all-India average of around 6-7 months. Dropbox (interview-waiver) cases are usually faster, often clearing in about 2-4 weeks once documents are submitted. Always check the live wait time on travel.state.gov before planning travel.

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Timeline Note

Processing windows can change due to consulate workload and seasonality.

Visa Fees

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Visa Fees

US Department of State (travel.state.gov, "Fees for Visa Services") and ustraveldocs.com India; nonimmigrant MRV application-fee schedule effective June 17, 2023 and current for 2026.

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Fee Note

Final cost depends on visa category, stay duration, and service level.

Visa Type	Official Fee	Approx. INR	Validity / Notes
B-1 Business	US$ 185	≈ ₹16,300	Typically 10-year multiple-entry for Indian nationals (issuance and stay length at consular officer's discretion) — Non-petition-based MRV fee, non-refundable. In-person interview generally required; interview-waiver (dropbox) only for narrow renewal cases post-2025 rules.
B-2 Tourist/Medical	US$ 185	≈ ₹16,300	Typically 10-year multiple-entry for Indian nationals (stay usually up to 6 months per entry, officer's discretion) — Non-petition-based MRV fee, non-refundable. In-person interview generally required; dropbox eligibility narrowed in 2025.
B-1/B-2 combined	US$ 185	≈ ₹16,300	Typically 10-year multiple-entry for Indian nationals — Single MRV fee covers the combined B-1/B-2 visitor visa (most common category for Indians). Non-refundable; MRV receipt valid 365 days. Interview generally required.
C-1 Transit	US$ 185	≈ ₹16,300	Varies by trip/itinerary; validity at consular officer's discretion — Non-petition-based MRV fee (same $185 band as B/F/M/J). No fee for applicants transiting to/from the United Nations Headquarters. Non-refundable; interview generally required.
F-1 Student	US$ 185	≈ ₹16,300	Tied to program/duration of status; visa validity for Indians commonly up to 5 years, officer's discretion — Non-petition-based MRV fee, non-refundable. Separate SEVIS I-901 fee (US$ 350) is required in addition and is paid separately. In-person interview generally required.
2026 Visa Integrity Fee (all NIV categories)	US$ 250 - may apply, confirm on official site	≈ ₹22,000	One-time charge collected at visa issuance (potentially refundable/creditable per statute conditions) — Enacted July 4, 2025; tied to FY2026 inflation. As of Aug 2026 not yet actively collected at India posts pending final State Department rulemaking - mark 'may apply, confirm on travel.state.gov'. Would be charged in addition to the MRV fee, only for approved applicants at issuance.

The MRV (Machine Readable Visa) application fee is the non-refundable, non-transferable fee every applicant (including children) must pay before the interview; it is charged whether or not the visa is issued. Amounts are set by the State Department in USD; at Indian posts you pay the local-currency equivalent via ustraveldocs.com/in. The MRV fee receipt is valid for 365 days from payment (interview must be scheduled within that window). INR figures are approximate at ~Rs 88/USD (Aug 2026) and vary with the daily rate. Interview-waiver ('dropbox') eligibility was tightened in 2025; most first-time applicants and many renewals now require an in-person interview. A separate $250 Visa Integrity Fee (enacted July 4, 2025) may apply at visa issuance once rulemaking is finalized - confirm on the official site. A temporary $750 expedited-appointment option ran at limited posts July 1-Dec 31, 2026.

Overview

If you are searching for the right us visa for indians, most travellers heading to the United States for tourism, business, visiting family or medical treatment need the B1/B2 visitor visa. Unlike many countries, the US does not offer an e-visa or visa on arrival for Indian passport holders. Every applicant files an online form, pays a fee and – in most cases – attends an in-person interview at a US consulate in India.

Who needs a US visitor visa

Indian citizens must hold a valid nonimmigrant visa before travelling to the US for short visits. The B1 covers business activities such as meetings, conferences and negotiations, while the B2 covers tourism, visiting relatives and medical care. Most Indians are issued the combined B1/B2, which allows both. Study (F1), exchange (J1) and work (H-1B and similar) fall under separate visa categories with their own procedures.

DS-160, MRV fee and the interview

The process is standardised across India’s consulates in Mumbai, New Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata and Hyderabad. First you complete the online DS-160 application and save the barcoded confirmation. Next you register on ustraveldocs.com and pay the MRV (Machine Readable Visa) application fee of US$185 – roughly Rs 15,500-16,500 depending on the exchange rate. You then schedule two appointments: biometrics (fingerprints and photograph) at a Visa Application Centre, and the visa interview at your chosen consulate. Separately, a Visa Integrity and Border Security Fee may apply to approved applicants at issuance under 2026 rules; confirm the latest fees on travel.state.gov and ustraveldocs before you pay.

Documents Indian applicants should carry

Valid passport (and any old passports with prior US or international visas).
DS-160 confirmation page and the interview appointment letter.
MRV fee payment receipt.
A recent photograph meeting US specifications.
Proof of ties to India – employment letter, salary slips, business papers, property documents, family details.
Financial evidence such as bank statements and income tax returns.
Travel purpose support – itinerary, invitation letter, hospital appointment or conference details as relevant.

Interview wait times and the dropbox waiver

Interview wait times in India vary a great deal and change month to month. In 2026 first-appointment waits have ranged from about a month at some posts to nine or ten months at others, so always check the live figure on the official wait-time page before booking travel. Eligible applicants can skip the interview through the dropbox (interview waiver). Under rules effective 1 October 2025, this is generally limited to B1/B2 renewals where the previous visa expired within the last 12 months, was issued for full validity, the applicant was 18 or older, there are no prior refusals, and the application is made in India. Waivers remain at the consular officer’s discretion, and first-time applicants must interview in person.

Validity and the 214(b) refusal

When approved, B1/B2 visas for Indians are usually issued for 10 years, multiple entry, though the actual length of each stay is decided by a Customs and Border Protection officer on arrival (commonly up to six months). The most common refusal is under Section 214(b): US law presumes every applicant intends to immigrate, and the visa is refused if the officer is not convinced the visit is temporary and that you will return. Weak or unclear ties to India – unstable employment, thin finances or a vague travel purpose – are the usual triggers. A 214(b) refusal is not a ban; you may reapply once your circumstances or documentation are stronger.

Practical tips

Fill the DS-160 carefully – errors and mismatches slow things down.
Be ready to explain your trip clearly and concisely at the interview.
Carry organised proof of employment, finances and family ties.
Book early, as slots can be scarce, and monitor the official wait-time page.

Disclaimer: VisaForTrip is a private visa-assistance service. We help Indian travellers prepare and file the DS-160, pay the MRV fee, book appointments and practise for the interview. We are not a government body, we do not issue visas, and we cannot guarantee approval or influence consular decisions – every decision rests solely with the US Department of State. US visa rules, fees and wait times change frequently; always verify the latest information on travel.state.gov and ustraveldocs.com before applying.

Visa Process

1

Complete the online DS-160 nonimmigrant visa application on ceac.state.gov and save the confirmation page with barcode.

Complete this step accurately to avoid processing delays.

2

Create a profile on ustraveldocs.com (US Visa Service for India) and pay the US$185 MRV visa application fee.

Complete this step accurately to avoid processing delays.

3

Book your appointment(s): a biometrics slot at a Visa Application Centre (VAC) and the visa interview at a US Consulate (Mumbai, New Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata or Hyderabad).

Complete this step accurately to avoid processing delays.

4

Attend biometrics (fingerprints and photo) at the VAC as scheduled.

Complete this step accurately to avoid processing delays.

5

Attend the in-person interview at the consulate with your DS-160 confirmation, passport, appointment letter and supporting documents; answer the consular officer's questions about your trip and ties to India.

Complete this step accurately to avoid processing delays.

6

If eligible, use the dropbox (interview waiver) instead of an interview for a qualifying B1/B2 renewal; after approval, collect your passport or receive it by courier.

Complete this step accurately to avoid processing delays.