canivisit.com
Beta — verify with official sources⌘K
Home/from/in/to/gb
🇮🇳INDIA
🇬🇧UNITED KINGDOMIN-GB

Do India passport holders need a visa to visit United Kingdom?

Standard Visitor Visa required. GBP 135 for 6 months. eVisa from 25 February 2026. Indian ordinary passport holders need a UK Standard Visitor Visa to visit the United Kingdom — there is no visa-on-arrival or visa-free entry for India. The 6-month visa costs GBP 135 (raised from GBP 127 on 8 April 2026); 2-year, 5-year, and 10-year multi-entry options are also available. Since 25 February 2026, the UK Home Office has stopped issuing physical vignette stickers in passports for new Standard Visitor Visa applicants — all visas are now digital eVisas linked to the passport and accessed via a UKVI online account. Processing takes around 15-20 working days, and India has one of the highest UK visitor visa approval rates worldwide (82-91%).
VISA REQUIREDTOURISMMULTIPLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-05-27
For guidance only — visa rules change with little notice. Always confirm directly with the destination's embassy or foreign ministry before booking non-refundable travel. Information here applies to ordinary (non-diplomatic) passports unless noted.
/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-27
Visa type
Standard Visitor Visa
Maximum stay
Up to 6 months per entry
per entry
Entries
Multiple (depending on visa length)
from issue date
Visa fee
GBP 135 (6 months)
consular fee only
Processing time
15-20 working days
standard track
Validity
6 months, 2 years, 5 years, or 10 years
from issue date
/02 — The process

How to apply

/01
Check passport validity
Must be valid for the entire duration of stay. Biometric passport is required.
· valid for stay
/02
Apply online for Standard Visitor Visa
Apply via gov.uk/standard-visitor. Submit personal info, travel plans, employment, and finance details.
· online application
/03
Pay fees and book biometrics
Pay GBP 135 (6-month visa) and book a biometrics appointment at a VFS Global centre in India (Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, Chandigarh, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Pune, Cochin, Goa).
· VFS biometrics
/04
Attend biometrics appointment
Provide fingerprints and a facial photo; submit supporting documents (financials, travel plans, sponsor letters, employment proof).
· VFS appointment
/05
Receive eVisa decision
Decision in 15-20 working days. Since 25 February 2026, successful applicants receive an eVisa linked to their passport via a UKVI account — no physical sticker.
· eVisa from 25 Feb 2026
/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

10 items
Personalized checklist
0 / 10 complete
Indian passport
Valid for duration of stay, biometric chip
UK visa application (online)
Completed and paid
Biometrics appointment
VFS Global centre in India
Bank statements
Last 6 months; sufficient funds
Employment letter
No-objection / leave letter from employer
Travel itinerary
Flight bookings, accommodation, day-by-day plan
Sponsor letter (if applicable)
From UK host with their immigration status
Previous travel evidence
Old passport stamps; previous UK/Schengen/US/AU visas
Tax returns (ITR)
Last 2-3 years strongly recommended
UKVI account access
Set up online account to view eVisa once approved
Track your progress · save & email a copy
/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate
Line itemAmountSource
Standard Visitor Visa (6 months)GBP 135Single applicant; price raised on 8 April 2026
Visitor Visa (2 years)GBP 506Multiple entries, 6 months max per stay
Visitor Visa (5 years)GBP 903Multiple entries, 6 months max per stay
Visitor Visa (10 years)GBP 1,128Multiple entries, 6 months max per stay
Priority Service (5 working days)GBP 500Optional faster processing
Super Priority (1 working day)GBP 1,000Optional fastest processing
Immigration Health SurchargeNot applicableVisitor visas exempt from IHS
Total estimateGBP 135 — GBP 1,128incl. all
/05 — The wait

Processing time

Standard Visitor Visa (6 months)
15-20 working days
Standard processing via VFS Global in India.
Priority Service
5 working days
Additional GBP 500 fee at VFS.
Super Priority Service
1 working day
Additional GBP 1,000 fee; not available at all locations.
Longer visas (2/5/10 years)
15-20 working days
Same processing time as 6-month visa, but higher fees and stronger evidence helpful.
/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency
/01
Insufficient funds shown
Bank statements should clearly show stable income and reserves for the trip; sudden lump-sum deposits raise suspicion.
Medium
/02
Weak ties to India
Unmarried young applicants, no property, no job stability, or no dependents can be deemed at risk of overstaying.
Medium
/03
Inconsistent application
Mismatched dates, vague itinerary, or contradictions between application and supporting documents.
Medium
/04
Previous visa refusal
Past UK, US, Schengen, Canada, or Australia refusals must be declared and explained.
Medium
/05
Frequent visa applications
Multiple short-notice applications can suggest planned long-term residence rather than tourism.
Low
/07 — On arrival

After you land

/01
Immigration
Keep your passport, visa or exemption proof, return ticket, and accommodation details ready for border inspection.
/02
Customs
Review the destination's customs rules before travel and declare restricted goods or large cash amounts when required.
/03
Connectivity
Check whether airport SIMs, eSIMs, or roaming are the best option for your route before arrival.
/08 — The history

Policy changelog

since 2024
2026-05-27
India to UK route verified
Confirmed Standard Visitor Visa GBP 135, eVisa rollout, 15-20 working days processing.
2026-04-08 · major
UK visa fees increased
UK Home Office raised Standard Visitor Visa fee to GBP 135 (from GBP 127) and other categories on 8 April 2026.
2026-02-25 · major
eVisa replaces physical vignettes
UK stopped issuing physical visa stickers for new Standard Visitor Visa applicants; all visas are now digital eVisas in a UKVI account.
/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Do Indian citizens need a UK visa?—
Yes — Indian ordinary passport holders need a UK Standard Visitor Visa for tourism, business, family visits, or short study. There is no visa-on-arrival or ETA option for India.
How much does the UK visa cost?+
How long does the UK visa take?+
Do I get a sticker in my passport?+
What is the approval rate for Indians?+
Can I work in the UK on a visitor visa?+
/11 — Passport tools

Tools for the India passport

🇮🇳⇄
Compare the India passport
Stack it up against another passport→
🇮🇳◐
India visa-free map
See where this passport goes visa-free→
🇮🇳▤
India passport power
Global rank and destination breakdown→
See something wrong on this page?
Policies change. If something looks off, tell us — we review every report within 48 hours.