US Citizen India Requirements: What You Need to Know Before You Go

When a US citizen, a person holding United States nationality who travels internationally plans a trip to India, they’re not just booking a flight—they’re preparing for a country with its own set of rules, customs, and systems. The India visa for Americans, the official electronic or physical authorization required for U.S. passport holders to enter India is the first and most critical step. It’s not optional. It’s not a suggestion. It’s the gatekeeper to everything else—from seeing the Taj Mahal to eating street food in Delhi.

India doesn’t offer visa-free entry to U.S. travelers. You need an e-Visa, an electronic travel authorization issued online by the Indian government for tourism, business, or medical purposes, and it must be applied for at least four days before arrival. You can’t get it at the airport. You can’t walk in and pay cash. You apply online, upload your photo and passport page, pay the fee, and wait for an email. It’s simple if you do it early. It’s stressful if you wait until the night before. And yes, your passport must have at least six months of validity left from the date you enter India. No exceptions. No leniency. This isn’t Europe. This isn’t Canada. India’s rules are clear and strictly enforced.

What about vaccines? India doesn’t require proof of yellow fever for U.S. travelers—unless you’re coming from a country with yellow fever risk. But if you’re planning to visit rural areas or spend time in the northeast, talk to your doctor about typhoid, hepatitis A, and rabies shots. Many Americans skip this and end up sick. It’s not worth the risk. Also, bring enough prescription meds in original bottles with your name on them. Customs doesn’t like mystery pills. And don’t assume your U.S. insurance covers you here. Buy travel insurance that includes medical evacuation. You’ll thank yourself if something goes wrong in a remote part of Rajasthan or the Himalayas.

There’s no need to overcomplicate this. The US citizen India requirements boil down to three things: a valid e-Visa, a passport with enough validity, and common-sense health prep. Skip the myths. Don’t listen to someone who says, "I just showed up last year and they let me in." That was luck, not policy. India’s system is digital now. It’s fast. It’s reliable. You just have to follow it.

Below, you’ll find real guides from travelers who’ve been there—what they ate safely, where they got stuck on paperwork, how they avoided scams, and which cities surprised them the most. No fluff. No theory. Just what works.