India second largest US tourism market
India has overtaken the UK as the second-largest US tourism market, driving record numbers of Indian visitors to the United States and increasing visa-related travel pressure.
India has officially overtaken the United Kingdom to become the second-largest foreign tourism market for the United States. This rapid growth in US tourism from India is driven by rising incomes, improved air connectivity and growing interest in long-haul travel. As more Indian visitors to the United States plan leisure and business trips, pressure is increasing across airlines, hotels and border formalities. For many travelers, this surge also brings practical concerns, including travel to the US from India, US visa requirements for Indian citizens and longer visa wait times. Understanding how to get a US visa from India is becoming an essential step in travel planning.
India–US tourism: what you need to know
- 🇮🇳 India is now the second-largest US tourism market, ahead of the UK
- 🇬🇧 The UK moves to third place after years as a top US source market
- 📈 US tourism from India is growing faster than UK travel to the US
- ✈️ Indian visitors to the United States are traveling in record numbers
- 🛂 Rising pressure on US visa requirements for Indian citizens
For years, the United Kingdom held the position of the second-largest source of foreign visitors to the United States, behind only Canada. That ranking has now changed.
India’s rise to become the India second largest US tourism market highlights the scale and speed of growth in outbound travel. Millions of Indian visitors to the United States now travel each year for tourism, business, education and family reasons, strengthening India’s role in global tourism flows.
Key indicators behind this shift include:
The change in rankings does not mean that UK tourism to the United States has collapsed. On the contrary, UK tourism to the United States remains strong and stable. However, growth from India has been significantly faster.
While travel from the UK has largely recovered to pre-pandemic levels, US tourism from India has surged well beyond them. A younger population, rising disposable incomes and a growing appetite for long-haul travel have allowed India to overtake UK US tourism in a relatively short period of time.
This shift illustrates how emerging outbound markets can reshape traditional tourism hierarchies when growth rates diverge sharply.
The momentum behind Indian visitors to the United States is now one of the strongest drivers of international arrivals. Indian travelers are increasingly visible across major US gateways, from New York and San Francisco to Los Angeles and Chicago.
At the same time, travel patterns are evolving. Beyond iconic cities, many Indian tourists are exploring:
This diversification reinforces the depth of US tourism from India, extending its economic impact well beyond traditional entry points.
As more people plan travel to the US from India, demand is rising across the entire travel ecosystem. Airlines report strong load factors on India–US routes, particularly in premium cabins, while hotels in both major cities and emerging destinations are seeing increased bookings.
From a traveler’s perspective, this growth brings new challenges:
The surge in US tourism from India is therefore not only a success story, but also a logistical test for the US travel system.
One of the most direct consequences of rising travel to the US from India is increased pressure on visas. For most travelers, entering the United States requires careful compliance with US visa requirements for Indian citizens.
As demand grows, so does competition for visa appointments, especially for first-time applicants. This has made US visa for Indian citizens a central topic in travel planning, particularly during peak travel periods.
Travelers increasingly need to anticipate:
This question is now among the most searched by travelers: Do Indian citizens need a visa to travel to the US?
In most cases, the answer is yes. Unlike citizens of Visa Waiver Program countries, Indian nationals generally require a visa before boarding a flight to the United States. Meeting US visa requirements for Indian citizens is therefore an essential step before confirming any trip.
This reality differentiates Indian travelers from some other major markets, including the UK, and partially explains why visa capacity has become such a critical issue as India surpasses the UK in visitor numbers.
For the majority of short stays, the US tourist visa India, officially known as the B1/B2 visa, remains the primary entry option. It covers:
Understanding Indian tourists US visa requirements is essential, as application procedures and interview availability can vary by location and season. Despite growing volumes, the US tourist visa India remains the backbone of travel for Indian visitors.
With India now firmly established as a leading source market, knowing how to get a US visa from India has become a key concern for travelers.
The process typically involves several steps, from completing the online application to attending an in-person interview. As US tourism from India continues to grow, early preparation is increasingly important.
Key considerations include:
▶️ How to apply for a US visa from India
When learning how to apply for a US visa from India, travelers should be aware that demand can fluctuate significantly depending on the time of year and location. First-time applicants may face longer timelines, while repeat travelers can sometimes benefit from streamlined procedures.
Regardless of profile, understanding the process well in advance reduces the risk of delays and missed travel plans.
Most analysts expect US tourism from India to continue growing in the coming years, supported by demographic trends, economic expansion and major international events hosted by the United States.
However, future growth will depend on several factors:
If these challenges are addressed, India could further widen the gap with the UK and strengthen its position as one of the most influential inbound tourism markets for the United States.
Find out if your question has been answered in the list below
India has overtaken the UK to become the second-largest US tourism market due to rapid growth in long-haul travel. Rising incomes, improved air connectivity and strong demand for leisure and business trips are driving US tourism from India. As a result, Indian visitors to the United States now represent one of the fastest-growing inbound markets.
Yes, in most cases. Indian citizens generally need a visa to travel to the US, unlike travelers from Visa Waiver Program countries. Meeting US visa requirements for Indian citizens is essential before departure. The US tourist visa India (B1/B2) remains the main option for short stays, tourism and family visits.
The surge in US tourism from India is increasing demand for flights, hotels and visas. Travel to the US from India is becoming more competitive during peak seasons, with limited seat availability and longer visa wait times. Travelers are encouraged to plan early and understand how to get a US visa from India to avoid delays.