Determine what type of visa is appropriate for your trip. You can get tourist visas that are valid for 6 months, 1 year, 5 years or 10 years. Business and student visas are also available for 1 year.
Visit the Indian Embassy or one of the Indian Consulates located in Chicago, San Francisco, New York or Houston to apply for your visa in person. This usually can be done in the same day. Alternatively, you can apply through the mail, but it takes longer.
Provide your trip information, passport number, photographs, visa fee and completed application for your visa. Check that you sent everything you need if you are applying through the mail, or your visa could be delayed.
Wait for your visa to arrive. If you sent your application materials through the mail, it could take several weeks for your visa to be sent back to you. Plan to apply early enough to allow for mailing delays.
Show your visa along with your passport and disembarkation card when you arrive in India. Check that your passport has been stamped correctly before you leave immigration so there are no problems during your stay.
Get registered at a foreigner's registration office in one of India's main cities within 14 days if you are traveling on a visa that's valid for more than 180 days.
