Indian 1-Year e-Visa for US Citizens

There are two types of Indian 1 year e-Visas for US citizens, known as 1 year e-Tourist and e-Business visas, valid for 365 days. The maximum duration a US national can stay in India on a one-year e-tourist visa or business e-Visa within a calendar year is limited to 180 days.

On both the e-Visas, Americans are not permitted to enter India via land routes. They can only enter India through designated airports and authorized seaports.

Who is Eligible

Citizens of the United States are eligible for the Indian e-Visas (tourist and business) valid for 1 year. 

Exceptions

The following are not eligible for the electronic visas to India:  

• OCI Cardholders do not require a visa  

• Americans who are of Pakistani origin  

• Official/diplomatic and international travel document holders  

• An e-Visa is not available to individuals endorsed on their parent's or spouse's passport. Each individual must have their own passport to apply for an e-Visa.  

Note: Green card holders are advised to check with the nearest Indian embassy if they will require a regular visa. Please be advised that the Indian Embassy/Consulate does not process e-visas. E-visa applications are handled directly by the Indian government's e-Visa portal.  

Some items needed for a tourist eVisa

Passport image

Personal details (name, dob, etc)

Valid email address

e-Tourist Visa for 1 Year

American applicants applying for a e-Tourist Visa valid for 365 days must be aware of the following:  

Purpose: Tourism (sightseeing, meeting friends and relatives, recreation, short yoga courses, unpaid volunteer work)  

Duration: 365 days (1 year) from the grant of ETA  

Entries: Multiple   

Processing fee: 40 USD (2.5% of bank charges will be charged additionally)  

Stay: Continuous stay cannot exceed 180 days for a one-year electronic e-visa  

Note: Visitors from the United States of America must note that the validity of a 1 one-year tourist e-Visa, unlike the 30-day tourist e-Visa, is determined by the date of its issuance rather than the date of the visitor's arrival in India.  

India has introduced an eVisa for yoga, aiming to attract global yoga enthusiasts and bolster its wellness tourism by providing easy access to the country’s rich yogic traditions and programs.

e-Business Visa for 1 Year

US passport holders applying for an Indian business e-Visa must take note of the following:  

Purpose: Business/commercial activities  

Duration: 365 days from the date of grant of ETA  

Entries: Multiple  

Stay: Continuous stay must not exceed 180 days  

Processing Fee: 100 USD (excluding bank charges)  

Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, a pivotal global entry point, welcomes a myriad of visitors to India each day, accommodating both tourists and business travelers. The airport is equipped with the India eVisa system for entry.

Stays over 180 Days

If the intention is to stay for more than 180 days, they must get registered with the Foreign Regional Registration Offices (FRRO) within two weeks after the expiration of 180 days.  

Applicants can submit e-tourist and business e-Visa applications online at least four days before their intended arrival in India.  

India’s Business eVisa enables international entrepreneurs and investors to engage in trade, consultations, and business-related activities within the country, fostering global collaborations and economic exchanges..

Indian Business e-Visa Documents

US citizens applying for an Indian business e-Visa, the following documents are required:  

• Scanned Bio Page of the passport (includes photograph and details).  

• Copy of Business Card.  

• Letter of invitation from Indian parties (if applicable) for conducting business (optional).  

US Citizens Seeking Indian e-Visa: Clarifications

Individuals (previously Indian passport holders) who have acquired US citizenship and are planning to apply for 1 year e-Visa. Most have questions about the e-Visa application process on the following grounds:  

• Renunciation certificate requirement  

• Field: "Any other valid passport/Identity certificate"  

• A section on previous trips to India  

In such cases, it's recommended that they consult the Indian Mission or embassy if they will require a regular visa. Note that embassies and consulates do not process e-Visas, and any inquiries should be directed to the e-Visa portal.  

For assistance with e-Visa applications, individuals can contact the 24/7 helpline at (+91-11-24300666) or send their queries via email to [email protected].

Conclusion

Overall, the Indian 1-year e-Visas for US citizens are flexible and cost-effective options. It is best for those visitors who are still determining how often they will travel to India. It is also a good option for those planning to visit India for a short time.