Planning a trip to India? Or visiting family or friends in India? Then, you are at the right place. United Kingdom citizens need a valid visa before traveling to India. For purposes including tourism, visiting family/ friends, or business-related tours, the best option is India tourist visa. What is more, India offers e-tourist visas that can be obtained online.
Learn in this comprehensive guide everything you need to know about Indian tourist visa from UK, including requirements, documentation, Indian e travel visa application, and processing time.
Planning Your Trip to India?
Explore India Visa Services Simple Process. Reliable Guidance. Hassle-Free Support.Indian Tourist Visa – Key Features
The India tourist visa is specifically designed for tourism, recreation, sightseeing, or visits to family or friends. It does not permit employment, business operations, study, or journalism.
Visa Types & Validity
Tourist visas to India are available as e-visas or regular paper sticker visas.
- e-Tourist Visa 30 Days: Double entry. Valid for 30 days from the date of arrival.
- e-Tourist Visa 1 Year: Multiple entries. Valid for 365 days from the ETA grant date.
- e-Tourist Visa 5 Years: Multiple entries. Valid for 5 years from the ETA grant date.
- Paper Tourist Visa: Typically carry a validity of up to 5 years (10 years in some cases) from the date of issue.
Stay Duration
For 1 year and 5-year visas, the stay cannot exceed 90 days per visit. And the aggregate stay cannot exceed 180 days per calendar year.
Extension or Conversion
Tourist visas to India are specifically non extendable visas. Moreover, typically, they cannot be converted to another visa type. Extensions can only be allowed in rare medical emergencies.
Requirements for Indian Tourist Visa
British travelers need a pre-approved visa to visit India. For short-term tourism, business meetings, and visiting family or friends, they can either apply for an Indian e-Visa or paper tourist visa.
- Valid Passport: You must have a UK passport with at least 6 months of validity from the date of arrival in India and at least 2 blank pages.
- Document Copy: A clear, scanned copy of the bio page of your passport.
- Payment: A credit card, debit card or valid payment wallet to pay the applicable visa fee.
- Travel Condition: You will receive an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) after your Indian visa application is approved. You must print out your ETA and carry it during immigration to India.
Documents Required for India Tourist Visa
The documents required for visa application depend on whether you are applying Indian e travel visa (e Visa) or paper tourist visa.
e-Visa (Indian Travel Visa Online)
- Passport: UK visa with at least 6 months of validity and 2 blank pages.
- Photograph: A recent passport sized photograph with white or light-colored background in JPEG format.
- Address Proof: Not necessarily required every time, but authorities may ask depending upon individual case.
- Additional Documents: Supporting documents may be required based on individual cases.
Paper Tourist Visa
- Passport
- Two recent passport photographs with 50×50 mm size and white or light-colored background.
- A signed and complete online application form.
- Your previous passports with Indian visa pages if you have traveled to India before.
- Additional documents, as per requirements.
How to Apply for India Tourist Visa from UK
The process and where to apply for Indian tourist visa depends on the visa you are applying for. You can apply for Indian e travel visa (e-Tourist visa) through the Official Indian e-Visa Portal. While for paper tourist visa, you must apply through the High Commission of India, London and submit your application to the VFS India, UK.
Indian e Travel Visa Application (e-Tourist Visa)
- Visit the official Indian e-Visa portal. Select the visa type based on your intended trip duration, requirements, and eligibility.
- Pay the applicable processing fee online.
- Receive your ETA via email.
- Print your ETA and carry it to present it during the immigration check post.
Paper Indian Tourist Visa Application
- Visit the High Commission of India, London website. Fill the application form.
- Visit the VFS Global website and book an appointment at an application center.
- Attend your appointment to submit your passport, photos, and supporting documents.
- After approval, you will receive your passport with the visa stamp.
Processing Time
The processing time also depends on the visa you have applied for.
- e-Tourist Visa: After application submission, typically it takes around 1 to 3 days for the Indian e Visa to process.
- Paper Tourist Visa: After application submission, it can take around 7 to 10 days for the visa to process.
When to Apply
For e Visa, you should apply at least 4 days before your intended journey. Having said that, it is much better to apply early to avoid planning overlaps, delays or any unforeseen circumstances.
For regular tourist visa, you can apply from 120 days to 4 days before your travel date. Comparatively, paper tourist visa takes longer to process, so, you should apply accordingly.
Practical Tips for UK Travelers
Applying for Indian visa from UK? Consider these tips for a hassle-free application process:
- Apply for the Right Visa: There are many options available for tourist visas to India. You should apply for the one that aligns with your requirements, intended travel plans, and duration.
- Compile Documents: You should gather the necessary documents before applying to save yourself both time and effort.
- Apply Early: The average processing times may vary depending upon various factors. That is why it is better to apply early and avoid any unnecessary delays.
- Follow the Correct Process: The application procedure is different for e-tourist visas and paper visas. You should follow the correct procedure for the visa type you are applying for.
- Take Professional Help: Navigating government portals, compiling documents, and the entire process can be exhausting and confusing for most applicants applying on their own. That is why you should take help from professionals like the team at Documitra.
Planning Your Trip to India?
Explore India Visa Services Simple Process. Reliable Guidance. Hassle-Free Support.Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, UK citizens require a pre-approved visa before traveling to India, unless you have a valid OCI card.
The standard processing time for an Indian e visa is around 3 days. However, certain factors such as backlogs, high-volume periods can affect the processing time. So, it is best to apply early.
ETA with reference to Indian e Visa is Electronic Travel Authorization. It is a permit document granted to applicants approved for e-visa. Once your e-visa application is approved, you will receive an ETA within 24 hours to 72 hours. You should print out your ETA and carry it to show during immigration check.
Your permitted stay duration in India depends on the type of e-Tourist visa you have applied for. With a 30 day e-Tourist visa, you can stay for a maximum of 30 days in India. While with a 1 year or 5 years e-Tourist visa, you can stay a maximum of 90 days per visit and a maximum of 180 days per calendar year.
Yes, definitely. We have a team of professionals with years of experience in documentation and visa services. We provide expert assistance in the complete process, from eligibility checks to final application submission.
