US B1/B2 Visa Application Guide for Indian Passport Holders

Key facts

• MRV application fee: USD 185 (non-refundable)
• Visa validity: 10 years, multiple entry
• Processing time after interview: 3–10 working days
• Authorised stay per entry: Determined by CBP at port of entry (check I-94)
• Application form: DS-160 (online, via CEAC portal)
• Interview requirement: Mandatory for Indian passport holders
• Visa integrity fee (USD 250): Enacted in 2025 but not collected as of October 2026 — do not pay unless on official fee page
• Vistolane service fee: USD 24.01

Overview

The US B1/B2 visitor visa costs USD 185 in non-refundable MRV fees, is typically granted for 10 years with multiple entries, and stamp delivery takes 3–10 working days after a successful interview. For Indian passport holders, demand at consular posts means interview wait times vary widely — check the current wait at your nearest post before planning travel.

What is the B1/B2 visa and who needs it?

The B-1/B-2 is the standard US non-immigrant visitor visa. B-1 covers business activities — attending meetings, negotiating contracts, short-term training. B-2 covers tourism, holidays, visiting family, and medical treatment. Both categories are issued on a single combined sticker, so most applicants apply for both simultaneously.

Indian passport holders do not qualify for the US Visa Waiver Programme (ESTA), so a B1/B2 visa is mandatory for every visit to the United States for tourism or business purposes, regardless of how frequently you travel.

If you are comparing destinations, see how the US process stacks up against the Canada visitor visa or the Australia Visitor visa (subclass 600) for Indians.

What does the B1/B2 visa cost?

The sole fee you pay before your interview is the MRV (Machine Readable Visa) application fee of USD 185. This is paid in Indian rupees at the current exchange rate through the HDFC Bank or Citibank payment portal linked to the US visa scheduling system.

Note: A USD 250 visa integrity fee was enacted in 2025 but is not on the official fee schedule and was not being collected as of October 2026. Do not pay any such fee unless it appears on the official US State Department fee page.

The MRV fee is non-refundable even if your visa is refused. There are no additional consular fees for the B1/B2 category. Vistolane charges a service fee of USD 24.01 if you use the platform for assistance.

How to complete the DS-160 form

The DS-160 Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application is mandatory. You complete it at the Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC). Key points:

• Start the form at the CEAC portal and note your application ID — this lets you return and save progress.
• Select the correct consular post for the location where you will attend your interview (Mumbai, New Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad, or Kolkata).
• Answer every question honestly. Inconsistencies between DS-160 answers and supporting documents are the most common reason for refusals.
• Upload a compliant photo directly on the DS-160 (51 mm x 51 mm, white background, taken within the last six months). If your photo upload fails, you may bring a printed copy to the interview.
• Review every page before submitting — you cannot edit a submitted DS-160; you must start a new one.
• Print the DS-160 confirmation page with the barcode. You will not be admitted to the consulate without it.

How to book your US visa interview in India

US visa interviews in India are managed through the US Travel Docs scheduling portal.

• Create an account at the US Travel Docs portal.
• Pay the USD 185 MRV fee using the bank payment option listed on the portal.
• Log in with your MRV receipt number and DS-160 barcode number.
• Select your preferred consular post and choose an available interview slot.
• Book a courier (VAC) appointment at the nearest Visa Application Centre if you wish to have your passport returned by courier.
• Print the appointment confirmation letter.

Interview wait times at Indian posts fluctuate. Check current estimated waits on the US Travel Docs portal before finalising your travel plans. Wait times at smaller posts (Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata) have historically been shorter than at Mumbai or New Delhi during peak season.

What documents do you need for the B1/B2 interview?

Bring originals plus one set of photocopies. The consulate officer decides what they review — there is no prescribed checklist — but the following are standard:

Core documents - Valid passport (valid at least six months beyond your intended stay) - All previous passports - DS-160 confirmation page (barcode printed) - Appointment confirmation letter - MRV fee payment receipt - One recent photograph (in case the DS-160 photo upload failed)

Financial and employment ties - Last three to six months of bank statements - Latest three salary slips or ITR (Income Tax Return) for self-employed applicants - Letter from employer confirming leave and your return date - Property documents, fixed deposits, or other assets demonstrating ties to India

Purpose of travel - Hotel bookings and a rough itinerary (not mandatory, but helpful) - Invitation letter if visiting family or a business host - Conference or event registration if travelling for business

Previous US travel - Copies of any previously issued US visas and entry stamps

What happens at the US visa interview?

The interview is typically short — two to five minutes for most first-time applicants. The consular officer will ask questions to establish your purpose of travel, financial ability, and ties to India that ensure you will return. Common questions include:

• Why do you want to visit the United States?
• Where will you stay and for how long?
• What is your occupation?
• Who is funding your trip?
• Do you have family in the US?

Read a detailed breakdown of questions and model answers in the companion guide: US B1/B2 Visa Interview: Questions Asked and How to Prepare.

Speak in the language you are most confident in. If you are more comfortable in Hindi or your regional language, an interpreter is not usually available, so English is the practical choice for most applicants. Bring only what the officer asks to see — do not hand over unsolicited documents.

How long does processing take after the interview?

If approved, the visa sticker is affixed to your passport and returned by courier or VAC collection. Processing after the interview is 3–10 working days under normal conditions, per US State Department timelines.

Administrative processing (a form of additional review) can extend this significantly — sometimes to several weeks or months. There is no way to request that administrative processing be expedited. The officer will tell you if your application requires it.

What does a 10-year B1/B2 visa actually allow?

The visa validity of 10 years means you may present the visa for entry to the United States multiple times over that period. However, visa validity is not the same as authorised stay. An immigration officer at the port of entry (CBP officer) decides how long you may stay on each visit, usually by issuing an I-94 record.

For most B1/B2 visitors, the I-94 grants up to 180 days per entry, but shorter periods are common. Always check your I-94 at i94.cbp.dhs.gov after each arrival — the I-94 record, not the visa sticker, is your legal authority to stay.

Overstaying your I-94 period — even by one day — has serious consequences for future US visa applications and may trigger multi-year bars on re-entry.

Comparing the US visa to other long-haul destinations

The 10-year multiple-entry validity compares favourably with many other destinations. The Schengen visa is typically issued for shorter durations. The United Kingdom Standard Visitor visa is issued for up to 10 years but involves a different documentary process and fee structure.

For a broader look at where your Indian passport takes you and what it costs, use the Vistolane eligibility checker or compare destinations on the United States visa page.

If your ultimate goal is long-term residence or work in the United States, the B1/B2 is a non-immigrant visa and cannot be converted into an immigrant visa from inside the US without consequences. Review your broader immigration pathways before travelling.

Questions, answered