United States visa
B1/B2, F-1 student and H-1B sponsorship
United States visa: quick answers
Do Indians need a visa for United States? Yes. With an India passport you need a consulate visa for United States for B1/B2 Visitor, F-1 Student, H-1B Sponsorship travel. You file online, then attend an interview at the consulate where fingerprints and a photo are taken.
How much does a United States visa cost? From ₹22,455 per traveller all-in: ₹17,505 government fee plus ₹4,950 Vistolane filing fee. Premium ₹0, Business ₹0.
How long does a United States visa take? 3–12 working days after interview (about 12 days from the interview); travel.state.gov publishes 3–10 working days after interview. Vistolane shows the document deadline and appointment date before you pay; the decision itself is the authority's.
United States Sticker visa for Indians: quick summary
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Visa type | Sticker visa |
| Format | Consulate visa |
| Government fee | ₹17,505 |
| Vistolane fee | ₹4,950 |
| All-in per traveller | ₹22,455 |
| Processing time | 3–10 working days after interview |
| Validity | 10 years |
| Stay | Up to 6 months per visit |
| Entries | Multiple |
| Biometrics | Required |
| Source | travel.state.gov |
| Last verified | 2026-10-29 |
About the United States Sticker visa
The US combines the B1/B2 visitor visa, the F-1 student route and employer-sponsored H-1B, each with its own interview and petition process.
United States requires an embassy or consulate process. After the online form and fee, you book an interview (with fingerprints and a photo taken on the day); the officer decides at or shortly after the interview and the passport is returned with the visa a few days later.
Government fee ₹17,505, Vistolane filing fee ₹4,950: ₹22,455 per traveller all-in. Premium and Business service levels add ₹2,475 and ₹4,950. Valid 10 years, stay up to 6 months per visit, multiple entry. travel.state.gov publishes a processing time of 3–10 working days after interview (verified 2026-10-29).
Proof of funds for United States, by category
Indicative minimums. Officers read three to six months of statements and compare the closing balance with your itinerary, tuition or salary; the number matters less than the story the statements tell.
| Category | Indicative funds |
|---|---|
| Tourist / visitor | ₹2.84 lakh |
| Student | ₹47.31 lakh |
| Work / sponsored | ₹2.37 lakh |
| Family / partner | ₹24.6 lakh |
| Business / investor | ₹7.57 crore |
| Permanent residence | ₹2.84 lakh |
United States visa document checklist
- Passport valid at least six months beyond the return date, with two blank pages
- Recent passport photo on a plain background (35×45 mm or the digital spec)
- Bank statements for the last three to six months, stamped or downloaded with the bank's name visible
- Proof of employment, self-employment or study (letter, payslips, NOC, enrolment)
- Return or onward booking and a day-by-day itinerary that matches the dates on the form
- Accommodation confirmation or a host's invitation with their ID and address proof
- Travel insurance where the destination requires it
- Interview appointment confirmation and fee receipt
- Evidence of ties: property, family, employer letter confirming leave and return
- Original documents: officers may ask to see them, not copies
Student applicants add the offer letter, tuition receipt and, where required, an English test; sponsored workers add the employer's certificate or contract. Every upload is checked by vistolane against the United States checklist before filing.
Official sources
Fees and windows are re-checked when the authority publishes changes; the date of the last check appears on the destination page.
Applying from India?
United States visa routes, one page each
- United States B-1/B-2 visitor visa: eligibility, fees, documents, refusals
- United States F-1 student visa: eligibility, fees, documents, refusals
- United States H-1B specialty occupation visa: eligibility, fees, documents, refusals
- United States Family immigrant visa (IR-1/CR-1, IR-5, F2A): eligibility, fees, documents, refusals
- United States Green card (EB-2/EB-3, EB-1, EB-5): eligibility, fees, documents, refusals
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Check your passport for United States
Questions, answered
Do Indians need a visa for United States?
Yes. With an India passport you need a consulate visa for United States for B1/B2 Visitor, F-1 Student, H-1B Sponsorship travel. You file online, then attend an interview at the consulate where fingerprints and a photo are taken.
How much does a United States visa cost?
From ₹22,455 per traveller all-in: ₹17,505 government fee plus ₹4,950 Vistolane filing fee. Premium ₹0, Business ₹0.
How long does a United States visa take?
3–12 working days after interview (about 12 days from the interview); travel.state.gov publishes 3–10 working days after interview. Vistolane shows the document deadline and appointment date before you pay; the decision itself is the authority's.
What documents do I need for a United States visa?
A passport valid for the full stay, a recent photo, the completed form, flight and accommodation bookings, three to six months of bank statements and proof of ties such as an employment letter. Students add the admission letter and tuition evidence; workers add the sponsor's offer. The United States checklist on this page is the one Vistolane files with.
How much bank balance do I need for a United States visa?
About ₹2.84 lakh for a tourist visit, rising to ₹7.57 crore for the most demanding route, held steadily over three to six months rather than deposited last week. This is Vistolane's planning guideline, not an official minimum: United States publishes no fixed figure unless its checklist states one.
Can I apply for the United States visa online, or is it visa on arrival?
The form is filed online, but United States does not issue this visa on arrival; an interview at the consulate is part of the process.
How long can I stay in United States on this visa?
Up to 6 months per visit, multiple entry, valid 10 years. Overstaying affects every future application, so count days from the entry stamp.
Is an interview or biometrics required for United States?
Yes. United States decides most applications at an in-person interview with fingerprints and a photo; Vistolane's mock interview covers the questions officers ask.