Curated by Vinod Kumar Jain & Amit Jain · All Frontier Global · free, no login · reviewed 2026-07-05
Land of opportunity and natural splendor
The US remains India's single largest export market, and February 2026 reset the relationship: Washington cut its reciprocal tariff on Indian goods from 25% to 18% and scrapped the extra 25% penalty tied to Russian oil, in exchange for an Indian commitment to buy roughly $500 billion in American energy, aircraft and technology over five years. The interim pact still leaves textiles, footwear and gems exposed to the 18% line while promising relief for generic pharma and diamonds once the full Bilateral Trade Agreement lands — so for exporters and the H-1B diaspora alike, 2026 is a year of cautious thaw rather than settled certainty.
Route 66 neon flickers over desert diners while redwood fog rolls in two time zones away — one road trip barely scratches the continent.
Trade agreements (14): 14 FTAs covering 20 countries incl. USMCA, KORUS.
Passport strength: visa-free/VOA to ~186 destinations. Among the strongest passports.
India × United States hub ↗ All countries factsheet
ESTA up to 90 days for VWP; others need a visa; varies by nationality
e-Visa: no · Visa on arrival: No (ESTA for VWP)
Rental cars outside big cities; subways/buses in NYC, Chicago and DC; Uber/Lyft everywhere.
Car vs taxi: Rent a car outside big metros; rely on Uber/Lyft in NYC or SF.
Money: Cards accepted almost everywhere; ATMs widespread; carry some cash for tips.
SIM & data: eSIMs available before arrival; local SIMs (AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon) at airports and stores.
Tipping: Tip 15–20% at restaurants, $1–2/drink, $2–5/bag; service workers rely on tips.
Etiquette: Tipping is expected, not optional; personal space and queuing are respected.
Food: Try regional BBQ, burgers and diner classics; tap water is safe nationwide.
Say hello: English — “Hello” · thanks “Thank you” · how much? “How much is this?”
Generally safe; petty crime in some urban areas — check local advisories.
For nomads: No dedicated nomad visa, but vast coworking and café culture; Austin, Miami, Denver and NYC are popular bases.
Education: Among the world's most expensive; public universities cheaper for residents.
Healthcare: Very high without insurance; a short ER visit can run into thousands.
ESTA up to 90 days for VWP; others need a visa; varies by nationality
United States uses the US dollar (USD). Capital: Washington, D.C..
14 FTAs covering 20 countries incl. USMCA, KORUS.
Generally safe; petty crime in some urban areas — check local advisories.