Embassy of India in Washington DC

US citizens require a visa to enter India for all purposes including tourism, business, medical treatment, conferences, and family visits. India offers several visa categories through its e-Visa system (electronic visa) and traditional visa application process. The e-Visa is available for US citizens for tourism, business, medical treatment, medical attendant, and conference purposes, allowing travelers to apply online without visiting the embassy or consulates. E-Visas are processed electronically and typically approved within 2-4 business days for most applicants. Traditional visa applications for longer stays, work, study, research, journalism, employment, missionary work, or other special purposes require submission through Indian visa application centers operated by VFS Global or authorized service providers. The Embassy and Consulates General (in New York, San Francisco, Chicago, Houston, Atlanta) process visa applications submitted through designated application centers. US travelers should visit the embassy website or official Indian visa application portal for current requirements, fees, appointment booking, and application procedures. Required documentation typically includes passport with minimum 6 months validity, photographs meeting Indian visa specifications, travel itinerary, proof of financial means, and purpose-specific documents. Processing times vary by visa category: e-Visas typically within 2-4 days, regular tourist/business visas within one week, and employment/long-stay visas may require several weeks. Emergency visa processing is available in genuine emergency situations. US travelers should apply well in advance of planned travel dates. The embassy cannot provide status updates on e-Visa applications as these are processed centrally by the Government of India. For current visa information, fees, and online applications, visit the official Indian visa application website.

India and the United States maintain substantial and rapidly growing trade relations with bilateral trade exceeding USD 190 billion annually and growing toward the target of USD 500 billion. The United States is India's largest trading partner and a major source of investment and technology. US exports to India include aircraft and aviation equipment, machinery and mechanical appliances, electrical machinery and electronics, mineral fuels and petroleum products, optical and medical instruments, precious stones (particularly diamonds), organic chemicals and pharmaceuticals, plastics and plastic articles, defense equipment and technology, and agricultural products including almonds, soybeans, and pulses, while India exports to the United States include pharmaceuticals and generic medicines (India supplies significant portion of US generic drug market), precious stones and jewelry (particularly diamonds processed in India), machinery and mechanical equipment, IT services and software, textiles and garments, organic chemicals, vehicles and automotive components (Indian automotive companies have US manufacturing facilities), iron and steel products, seafood (particularly shrimp), rice and basmati rice, and tea and spices. Indian companies have made major investments in the United States including Tata Consultancy Services, Infosys, Wipro (major IT services providers with thousands of US employees), Tata Motors (owns Jaguar Land Rover with US sales), Dr. Reddy's Laboratories, Sun Pharmaceutical, and numerous other firms employing tens of thousands of Americans. US companies maintain significant presence in India across sectors including technology (Apple, Google, Amazon, Microsoft, Intel, Qualcomm), manufacturing (Boeing, General Electric, Caterpillar, Ford, General Motors), consumer goods (Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, McDonald's, Starbucks), energy (ExxonMobil, Chevron), finance (Citigroup, JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, Mastercard, Visa), defense, and services. The embassy's commercial section actively supports trade promotion, business facilitation, and commercial diplomacy through events, business delegations, trade shows, and matchmaking services.

The embassy actively facilitates US-India business relations through its commercial and economic sections working closely with US Department of Commerce, US Trade Representative, Export-Import Bank, US-India Business Council (USIBC), US Chamber of Commerce, and American business organizations. US companies exploring Indian markets can contact the embassy for market intelligence, regulatory guidance, sector-specific information, business contacts, trade promotion support, and facilitation services. The embassy coordinates trade missions, business delegations, participation in major trade shows and exhibitions, roadshows, and business networking events. Services include business matchmaking, information on investment procedures and regulations, facilitation of government-to-business connections, commercial dispute resolution support, and advocacy on business climate issues. The embassy also supports Indian businesses seeking US partnerships, investment opportunities, technology collaborations, or market access. Key sectors of bilateral business cooperation include information technology and digital services (Indian IT companies major presence in US; American tech companies expanding in India), pharmaceuticals and healthcare (India's generics industry supplying US market; US medical device companies in India), defense and aerospace (growing sector with technology transfer and co-production initiatives), renewable energy and clean technology, advanced manufacturing and engineering, financial services and fintech, education and skill development, agriculture and food processing, space technology and satellite communications, and emerging technologies including artificial intelligence, quantum computing, biotechnology, and semiconductors. Both countries collaborate extensively on innovation ecosystems, startup engagement, research and development, and technology commercialization. US-India Commercial Dialogue, CEO Forum, Strategic and Commercial Dialogue, and various sectoral working groups drive bilateral economic cooperation.

The Embassy of India in Washington DC has jurisdiction over the District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. However, India maintains six Consulates General in the United States providing consular services in their respective jurisdictions: Consulate General in New York (serving northeastern states), San Francisco (serving western states including California, Nevada, and others), Chicago (serving midwestern states), Houston (serving southern states including Texas, Louisiana, and others), Atlanta (serving southeastern states), and Seattle (serving northwestern states). For consular services, US residents should contact the Indian embassy or consulate general with jurisdiction over their state of residence. Most consular services including passport applications, OCI applications, and document attestation are processed through VFS Global's network of 17 application centers across the United States. Visit the embassy website (indianembassyusa.gov.in) to find the appropriate mission with jurisdiction over your location, VFS center locations, appointment booking systems, and service-specific requirements. For visa applications, applicants may use designated visa application centers regardless of their state of residence, though some categories may have specific jurisdictional requirements.

The Embassy of India is located at 2107 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington DC 20008, in the Embassy Row neighborhood of northwest Washington. The Consular Wing is at a separate nearby location: 2536 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington DC 20008. The area is accessible via Washington Metro: Dupont Circle station (Red Line) is nearest. The neighborhood is well-served by DC's Metrorail and Metrobus systems. Street parking is limited and regulated; public transportation or taxi services are recommended. Visitors must present valid government-issued photo identification (passport or US driver's license) and pass security screening to enter embassy premises. Only persons with confirmed appointments will be admitted to the Consular Wing. The embassy observes both Indian and US federal holidays. Major Indian national celebrations including Republic Day (January 26), Independence Day (August 15), and Gandhi Jayanti (October 2) feature flag-hoisting ceremonies, cultural programs, and receptions often attended by Indian Americans, US government officials, diplomats, and friends of India. These celebrations showcase India's democratic traditions, cultural heritage, and growing bilateral partnership. For US travelers to India, the embassy website provides comprehensive travel information, visa requirements, health recommendations (vaccinations, malaria prophylaxis for certain regions recommended by CDC), safety advice, and links to official resources. For US citizens of Indian origin, OCI status offers significant benefits including visa-free entry to India, permission for long-term stay, parity with non-resident Indians in economic and educational matters (excluding political rights and agricultural land ownership in certain states). OCI application processes, eligibility criteria, required documentation, and benefits are detailed on the embassy website. US citizens should also consult the US Department of State's travel advisory for India for current safety and security information. India's diverse attractions including historical monuments (Taj Mahal, Red Fort, ancient temples), spiritual centers (Varanasi, Rishikesh, Amritsar's Golden Temple), Himalayan regions (Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand), beaches (Goa, Kerala, Andaman Islands), wildlife sanctuaries and tiger reserves, cultural heritage sites, yoga and wellness centers (Ayurvedic retreats), and vibrant festivals draw hundreds of thousands of American visitors annually. India's IT hubs (Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune), business centers (Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai), and emerging startup ecosystem attract American business travelers and investors. The embassy can provide guidance on business visa requirements, investment procedures, and business operating environment in India.