🇺🇸 United States visas for Indians 2026
Last verified: October 1, 2026
Indians moving to United States from India have 2 main visa routes: H-1B Specialty Occupation Visa and F-1 Student Visa. The fastest is the F-1 Student Visa at 4–16 weeks. 1 of them needs no job offer. Every requirement below links to the official government source.
Just visiting? United States tourist visa for Indians covers tourism, family visits, conferences and business trips.
Compare United States visas for Indians: cost, processing time, and requirements
| Visa | Processing | Gov. fee | Job offer | Family | PR path |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| H-1B Specialty Occupation Visawork | 12–32 weeks | $400 | Required | Yes | Yes |
| F-1 Student Visastudy | 4–16 weeks | $535 | Not required | Yes | No |
United States visa guides for Indians
H-1B Specialty Occupation Visa
workEmployer-sponsored visa for specialty occupations requiring a bachelor's degree or higher. Subject to an annual March lottery ($215 registration); the employer files the petition and pays its fees, and your offered salary must meet the prevailing wage for the role and location. Indian nationals face multi-year green-card backlogs. The $100,000 payment from the Sept 2025 proclamation is not currently collected: a federal court vacated the guidance implementing it in June 2026, but the case is ongoing and DHS says it still plans to collect the payment if that order is lifted.
F-1 Student Visa
studyFor full-time study at a SEVP-certified school. Requires a Form I-20 from the school, the $350 SEVIS I-901 fee, the $185 DS-160 application fee, and proof of funds covering the amount stated on your I-20 (typically first-year tuition plus living costs). You may enter the US up to 30 days before your program starts. Your spouse and unmarried children under 21 can accompany you as F-2 dependants, each on their own Form I-20; F-2 dependants are not allowed to work.
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Check my eligibilityFrequently asked questions
- Can India citizens move to United States?
- Yes. India citizens have 2 main routes into United States: the H-1B Specialty Occupation Visa and the F-1 Student Visa. Each has its own requirements, fees, and processing time, compared on this page.
- What is the fastest United States visa for Indians?
- The F-1 Student Visa typically processes in 4–16 weeks, the shortest of the 2 routes we track. Add time for gathering documents, translations, and apostilles.
- Can Indians move to United States without a job offer?
- Yes. The F-1 Student Visa does not require a job offer from a United States employer.
- What is the cheapest United States visa for Indians?
- The H-1B Specialty Occupation Visa has the lowest government fee at about $400. Translations, apostilles, insurance, and courier costs come on top of every route.
- Which United States visas let Indians bring family?
- The H-1B Specialty Occupation Visa and the F-1 Student Visa allow accompanying family members with additional documentation.
- Which United States visas lead to permanent residency for Indians?
- The H-1B Specialty Occupation Visa offers a path to permanent residency after the qualifying period.
- How much does a United States visa cost for Indians?
- Government fees for Indians are about $400 for the H-1B Specialty Occupation Visa and $535 for the F-1 Student Visa (USD equivalents). Translations, apostilles, medicals, insurance, and courier costs come on top of every route.
- How long does a United States visa take for Indians?
- Typical processing is 12–32 weeks for the H-1B Specialty Occupation Visa and 4–16 weeks for the F-1 Student Visa, counted from the date you apply. Add time for gathering documents.