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Indian Visa from United Kingdom

Are you a United Kingdom citizens looking to travel to India and navigate the requirements for a visa? Look no further! From eligibility criteria to necessary documents, we have everything you need to know to make your journey seamless and hassle-free. Let’s dive in and get you one step closer to exploring India’s vibrant culture and breathtaking landscapes!

Indian e-Visa Eligibility

  • British citizens can apply for an eVisa India
  • United Kingdom was a launch member of the India e-Visa program
  • British citizens should submit the eVisa application at least 4 days before travelling to India
  • British Passport must be Ordinary or Regular, Diplomatic Passport is not allowed.

Other e-Visa Requirements

  • Credit or Debit card (VISA, MasterCard or Amex) is required for payment
  • India e-Visa is valid at designated aiports and seaports only
  • Tourist e-Visa for India is available for 30 days, 365 days or 5 years
  • Business e-Visa for India is valid for 12 months
  • Medical e-Visa for India can also be applied online
United Kingdom citizens

Introduction to India Visa for United Kingdom Citizens

Travelling to India from the United Kingdom requires a valid visa for all UK citizens. A visa is an official document that allows a foreign national to enter, stay, and exit a country. India offers various types of visas to meet the different travel needs of visitors, including tourists, business travellers, and those seeking medical treatment.

Tourist Visa:

A tourist visa is the most commonly sought-after type of visa by United Kingdom travellers visiting India. It allows individuals to visit the country for recreational purposes such as sightseeing, attending cultural events, or exploring historical attractions. The validity of this visa can range from 30 days to one year with either single or multiple entry options.

Business Visa:

United Kingdom citizens travelling to India for business-related activities must apply for a Business Visa. This type of visa is issued when travelling for contracts or negotiations with Indian companies/organizations, conducting business meetings, or attending conferences/exhibitions in India. The validity of this visa can be up to five years, with multiple entries allowed.

Medical Visa:

United Kingdom residents seeking medical treatment in India must apply for a Medical Visa before their arrival. This type of visa is granted based on genuine medical reasons only, like treatment at reputed hospitals in specialized fields such as neurology, cardiology, and organ transplantations, among others.

Applicants must submit their medical reports, proof of financial resources for medical treatment, and payment fees to obtain the visa. The validity of the Medical Visa ranges from 30 days to one year, depending on the recommendation of the issuing authority.

– Tourist Visa: Requirements and Process

Are you planning a trip to India? As a United Kingdom traveller, one of the first things you must do is obtain a tourist visa. It is essential to understand the requirements and process of receiving this type of visa, as it can determine whether your trip will succeed.

Firstly, let’s understand what a tourist visa is. A tourist visa is issued for leisure travel purposes such as sightseeing, visiting friends and family, or attending cultural events in India. It is valid for six months from the date of issue and allows multiple entries into the country with a maximum stay of 180 days per visit.

To apply for a tourist visa, specific requirements need to be met. The first requirement is a valid passport with at least six months before expiration. Your passport should also have at least two blank pages for stamping visas.

Next, you will need to complete an online application form on the our website. The form requires personal information, travel details, and other necessary information, such as your address in India and references within the country.

You also need to provide proof of accommodation during your stay in India. This could be hotel reservations or an invitation letter from someone you know living in India who will accommodate you during your visit.

One of the most important requirements for a tourist visa is proof of sufficient funds to cover your expenses during your stay in India. This could include bank or credit card statements showing adequate funds for tourism activities.

Once you have all these documents ready, you can submit them along with your application fee through the online portal. The processing time for a tourist visa can take up to five working days; however, it is recommended that you apply well in advance before your intended departure date.

– Business Visa: Requirements and Process

A business visa is a type of India visa that allows United Kingdom travellers to travel to the country for business-related purposes. This includes attending meetings, conferences, or any other activities related to their work or company.

Requirements for a Business Visa:

1. Valid Passport – The first and foremost requirement for any India visa is a valid passport with at least 6 months of validity remaining on it from the date of entry into India. It should also have at least two blank pages for stamping purposes.

2. Completed Application Form – The next step is to fill out the online application form accurately with correct personal and travel details. Any discrepancies in the provided information can lead to delay or rejection of the visa.

3. Photographs – A business visa application requires two recent colour photographs with a white background. The picture should be taken within the last three months and should only have headgear if worn due to religious reasons.

4. Invitation letter from Indian Company/Host – A letter of invitation from an Indian company or host organization stating the purpose of the visit, duration, and details about accommodation arrangements must be provided along with your application.

5. Proof of Business Activities in India – As this is a business visa, you will need to provide proof that you will engage in legitimate business activities during your stay in India, such as trade fairs, meetings, site visits, etc.

6. Financial Documents – You may be asked to furnish documents showing adequate financial means for your trip, such as bank statements for the last 3 months, pay slips, income tax returns, etc.

Process for a Business Visa:

1. Apply Online – The first step is to apply online through the our websites.

2. Manage Appointment – Once you have successfully submitted your application online and made payment for fees, you can schedule an appointment at one of the India visa application centres in the United Kingdom.

3. Submit Application – On the day of your appointment, you will be required to submit all the necessary documents along with your passport at the application centre.

4. Wait for Processing – The processing time for a business visa is generally 2-5 working days, but it may vary depending on individual cases and peak season. It is recommended to apply well in advance to avoid any last-minute delays or issues.

5. Collect Your Visa – After processing your visa, you can collect it from the application centre or have it delivered to your home address by paying an additional fee.

– Medical Visa: Requirements and Process

Medical tourism in India is a rapidly growing industry, with travellers worldwide seeking high-quality medical treatments at affordable prices. If you are a UK traveller looking to visit India for medical purposes, you will need to obtain a medical visa before your trip. This section will discuss the requirements and process for obtaining a medical visa for India.

Requirements:

1. Valid Passport: The first requirement for any Indian visa is having a valid passport with at least six months of validity remaining.

2. Completed Application Form: The next step is to complete the online application form available on the our official website. Ensure that all information provided is accurate and matches your passport.

3. Letter from Recognized Hospital: To apply for a medical visa, you will need to present an invitation or letter from a recognized hospital in India indicating the treatment required and its duration.

4. Proof of Funds: You must provide proof of sufficient funds to cover your stay in India as well as any medical expenses that may arise.

5. Medical Documents: It is essential to submit relevant medical documents such as diagnosis reports, doctor’s recommendations, and details of previous treatments if applicable.

6. Additional Documents: Depending on the nature of your treatment, you may be required to submit additional documents such as x-rays, MRI reports, etc.

Differences Between the Three Types of Visas

India is a diverse and vibrant country that attracts a large number of travellers from all around the globe. If you are a United Kingdom citizen planning to visit India, it is essential to understand the different types of visas available for your travel. Depending on your purpose of visit, there are three main types of visas that you can apply for – Tourist Visa, Business Visa, and Medical Visa.

Tourist Visa:

A Tourist Visa is issued to those who plan to visit India for recreational purposes such as tourism, sightseeing or visiting friends and family. This visa allows an individual to stay in India for a maximum period of 180 days (6 months), with multiple entries permitted within the validity period. It is important to note that this type of visa does not allow any employment or business-related activities while in India.

Business Visa:

As the name suggests, a Business Visa is intended for individuals travelling to India for business-related activities such as meetings, conferences, trade fairs, etc. This type of visa also allows for tourism and recreational activities but restricts any employment in India. The validity period may vary between 6 months to 10 years, with multiple entries allowed during this period depending on the purpose stated by the applicant.

Medical Visa:

A Medical Visa is granted to those travelling specifically for medical treatment in recognized hospitals or treatment centres in India. Eligible applicants include both patients travelling themselves and their accompanying attendants/support person(s). A Medical Visa allows multiple entries into India with a maximum duration permitted up to one year from the date of issue or duration specified by the treating hospital/medical facility.

Key Differences between these Visas:

1) Purpose: The primary difference among these visas lies in their purpose – tourist visas are solely for leisure and recreation, while business and medical visas serve specific purposes related to their names.

2) Validity: The validity period varies greatly among these visas depending on their purpose and intended duration of stay. As mentioned above, a Tourist Visa allows for a maximum stay of 180 days, while a Business and Medical Visa can have a validity period of up to 10 years.

3) Work Permits: Business visa holders are not allowed to undertake any employment while in India. On the other hand, medical visa holders are permitted to accompany their patients and attendants, provided they do not engage in any work or business.

4) Supporting Documents: While all three visas require similar basic documents such as passport, application form, photographs, etc., additional supporting documents specific to the purpose may be required. For instance, a tourist visa may need proof of accommodation and a travel itinerary, while a business visa may require letters from the inviting company in India.

Understanding the differences between these visas is crucial for United Kingdom travellers planning to visit India. It is also important to note that each type of visa has its own set of requirements and fees, which should be carefully reviewed before applying.

How to Apply for an India Visa from the United Kingdom?

If you are a United Kingdom (UK) resident planning to travel to India, the first step is to determine the type of visa that best fits your purpose of visit.

Step 1: Determine your visa category

As mentioned in our previous section, there are three main categories of Indian visas for United Kingdom travellers – Tourist visas, Business visas, and Medical visas. Carefully evaluate your purpose of visit and select the corresponding category. It is important to note that each visa type has its own set of requirements and supporting documents.

Step 2: Required documents

Once you have determined your visa category, gather all necessary documents as specified by the Indian embassy or consulate in the UK. The documentation requirements may vary depending on your specific circumstances, such as if you hold dual citizenship or if you are a non-UK resident applying from within the UK. Make sure that all your documents are up to date and meet the specified criteria.

Step 3: Complete an online application form

All applicants must complete an online application form, which can be accessed through https://www.india-online-visa.com/visa/application-form. This is a detailed form where you will need to provide personal information, passport details, travel plans, and other relevant information related to your purpose of visit.

Step 4: Pay visa fees

The visa application fees can be paid online. The cost may vary depending on the type of visa you are applying for, and it is non-refundable even if your application gets rejected.

Step 5: Track your application 

After submitting your documents and biometrics, you can track the status of your application.

Congratulations! You have now successfully applied for an India visa from the United Kingdom. Once approved, you will receive your visa via mail or email, and you are now ready to embark on your journey to exploring Incredible India!

Is Indian Visa for UK citizens needed if coming by cruise ship?

Electronic India Visa is required if coming by a cruise ship. As of today, however, the eVisa India is valid on the following sea ports if arriving by cruise ship:

  • Chennai
  • Cochin
  • Goa
  • Mangalore
  • Mumbai

When do I need to contact Embassy?

During the Online electronic Visa process for India, at no stage are you required to visit or call Embassy of India.

However, if your eVisa is rejected for some reason, which is very rare case, then, you may be asked to apply for a regular paper Visa at the Indian Embassy. Read our guide on how to avoid rejection of Indian Visa.

Can I visit India from any country in the world?

Yes, you can enter India from ANY country in the world into India. You need not be living in that country as a resident.

However, there is a limitation on which ports you can enter from and which ports you can exit from. Airports and Seaports are allowed for Entry into India on eVisa. While Airports, Seaports, Railway Ports and Land Ports are allowed for Exit from India on eVisa.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How long does it take to process an India Visa for UK citizens?

Processing times vary but typically range from a few days to several weeks, depending on the type of visa and the volume of applications.

Can I extend my India Visa if my travel plans change?

Yes, certain types of visas, such as tourist visas, can be extended under specific circumstances. You must apply for an extension before your current visa expires.

Do UK citizens need a visa for short visits to India?

Yes, UK citizens require a visa for any length of stay in India, whether for tourism, business, or other purposes.

Can I apply for an India Visa upon arrival in India?

No, India does not offer visa-on-arrival facilities for UK citizens. You must obtain a visa before traveling to India.

Are there any restrictions on where I can travel within India with a tourist visa?

Tourist visas allow travel to most parts of India, except certain restricted or protected areas. Always check the latest travel advisories before planning your itinerary.

What should I do if my India Visa application is rejected?

In case of visa rejection, review the reasons provided and consider reapplying with corrected or additional documentation. Alternatively, seek assistance from visa consultants or legal advisors.