India Visa: US citizens will need an up to date passport and a visa. Getting a visa is easy to do, but you will need to allow enough time to apply and get it back. As with many things in India, the visa process may not run as smoothly as you like.

If you are in a hurry or worried about getting your visa in time, there are some companies that offer rush services at reasonable costs.

• Getting a visa in person. If you are lucky enough to live near an Indian Consulate / Embassy, you can go and apply in person. It has been my experience that you can get a visa the same day (although it might be a long day!). There are locations in Washington DC, San Francisco, Houston, New York, and Chicago.
• Apply for a visa through the mail. If you cannot go in person, check with the closest Indian Consulate to find out how to apply through the mail. Expect a turn around time of 2-3 weeks according to the San Francisco Consulate (honestly I would expect longer to be safe).

Visa Considerations

• A 6 month tourist visa will cost $60+
• Must pay in cash (in person) or money orders, bank drafts or cashier checks (mail)
• Bring the form with you! If you are going in person, print the visa form before hand. They often run out.
• Bring 2 passport style photos

My Experience: I went in person to the San Francisco Indian Consulate. This was my first slice of the Indian experience. The place was over full of people and hot. It was entirely confusing as to what to do. I took a number from the machine since that seemed obvious. My number was miles ahead of the current "Now Serving" indicator. When I went to the forms counter, they were all out of forms! I meekly asked someone near by about the forms, and found out that the forms had long since run out...

Next day. I arrived bright and early to an even more crowded hot room of Indians. This time I brought my pre-printed, pre-filled form with me. Patiently I waited out the counter. The person at the counter was less than friendly with my paperwork fumbling - and my paperwork / passport were snatched away. A moment later I was dismissed and told to return at 3.

Returning at 3. I somewhat fearfully went back in. To my disbelief the place was completely empty - there wasn't even anyone at the window! I waited a bit and a cheerful Indian face appeared looking at me in an amused / surprised way. I asked for my passport/visa and he handed it to me before I even got the words out.

In the subsequent years I have developed an easier attitude for the place, but my first time was not what I was expecting! Little did I know it was my first taste of how India runs.