Indian Visa for UK Citizens
The Indian Visa for UK citizens is a travel permit that guarantees entry to India. Some nationals, including British travelers, are eligible to apply for the electronic document called eVisa. With the permit, they are allowed to cross the Indian borders while traveling for purposes including tourism, business, or medical treatment.
The online entry permit was first introduced by the Indian government in 2014. It was not possible to issue an electronic visa during the COVID-19 pandemic, however, the permit is again available for eligible UK citizens.
The visa application process is very simple and straightforward, saving a lot of time for the traveler. It only requires filling in the registration form with relevant information, uploading the necessary documentation, and paying the mandatory processing fee.
Once your electronic visa is approved, it will be sent to your e-mail address in PDF form. Remember that the digital version is not accepted on arrival, therefore, you should print it out before your journey.
Is India issuing the eVisa again for UK Citizens?
For a few months, due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the electronic entry visa to India was not available for British travelers. However, now that the situation is more stable, the Indian eVisa has been renewed for United Kingdom citizens.
Requirements to obtain an Indian eVisa from the UK
Before proceeding with the application process, you must ensure you meet all the necessary requirements. It is important to gather the required documentation beforehand so the procedure goes smoothly.
Depending on the selected visa type, you should obtain the following documents:
Tourist Visa
- digital form of the bio-data page from the applicant’s passport
- digital form of the formal biometric photography from the applicant’s passport
Business Visa
- digital form of the bio-data page from the applicant’s passport
- digital form of the formal biometric photography from the applicant’s passport
- invitation letter from the cooperating company
- business card of the cooperating company
Medical Visa
- digital form of the bio-data page from the applicant’s passport
- digital form of the formal biometric photography from the applicant’s passport
- declaration from the medical institution with the details of the applicant’s treatment
It is essential that the passport you are going to use for the visa application remains valid for at least 6 months from the planned date of arrival in India. What is more, the document should stay valid throughout your entire stay abroad – if it expires early, it renders your online visa invalid as well.
How to apply for an Indian visa as a UK citizen?
The electronic visa application process is very convenient compared to the traditional procedure conducted at the Indian Embassy. You can obtain the travel permit from the comfort of your home, only using a working electronic device with a good Internet connection.
If you wish to apply for the India online visa, follow the steps described below:
- select the purpose of your travel
- complete the visa application form
- submit the required documents
- pay the mandatory visa fee
- wait for the visa authorization
Once your visa is approved, you will be notified via e-mail. Then, the PDF version of the permit will be sent to your inbox. You must print it out before leaving for India, as only paper copies are accepted by immigration officers.
What visa should I get to enter India from the UK?
There are numerous visa types you can choose from while applying for an entry permit to India. The documents vary depending on the purpose behind your journey, allowing you to pursue different activities.
Tourist Visa Online
The Tourist Visa to India is a single-entry visa issued for UK citizens wishing to meet their family and friends, visit famous monuments, or attend a sightseeing tour during their trip abroad. It stays valid for 1 month from the issuing date, allowing for a visit lasting up to 30 days.
Additionally, it is possible to request a Tourist Visa with a longer validity period. The available long-term visa types are the One-Year Visa and Five-Year Visa.
Business Visa Online
The Business Visa was created for British travelers visiting India to participate in conferences, conduct negotiations, and pursue business activities. The validity of this permit is 12 months. It grants multiple entries to the country, the trip lasting up to 180 days in total.
Medical Visa Online
The Medical Visa is a multiple-entry permit for citizens of the United Kingdom who visit India for purposes including undergoing medical treatments or surgeries. With the document, you can spend up to 60 days in India. It remains in force for 4 months from the issuing date.
Conference Visa Online
If you wish to attend professional conferences, seminars, or workshops organized in India, you should consider applying for the Conference Visa. This document remains valid for 1 month.
What is the cost of an Indian eVisa for UK citizens?
The India visa fees UK citizens must pay to be given the entry permit differ significantly. The payment you should cover depends on the selected type of visa to India and your nationality.
British travelers who wish to apply for an Indian online visa must pay the following price:
- Tourist eVisa (30 days) – 79 EUR
- Tourist eVisa (1 year) – 129 EUR
- Tourist eVisa (5 years) – 149 EUR
- Business eVisa – 149 EUR
- Medical eVisa – 129 EUR
- Conference eVisa – 149 EUR
You should pay the processing fee while submitting the online application form. You may select one of the online payment methods, including credit card, debit card, and PayPal.
