🇮🇳India

🇬🇧United KingdomIN-GB

India to United Kingdom visa requirements

Q: How much does the UK visa cost?

GBP 135 for a short-term Standard Visitor visa for up to 6 months; the Home Office India tool listed INR 18,206 when checked on July 25, 2026. Longer 2-year, 5-year and 10-year visas are GBP 506, GBP 903 and GBP 1,128, with each visit limited to 6 months.

Q: How long does the UK visa take?

GOV.UK lists Standard Visitor applications outside the UK as 3 weeks. Priority usually means 5 working days for an extra GBP 500, and Super Priority usually means the next working day for an extra GBP 1,000 if offered.

Q: Do I get a sticker in my passport?

UKVI stopped issuing visa vignette stickers to successful new applicants on July 1, 2026. You get an eVisa and must check it in your UKVI account before travel. If UKVI issues a form for accompanying an eVisa (FAV), collect and carry it as instructed.

Q: Can Indian citizens apply for a UK ETA instead?

No. ETA is for visitors who do not need a visa for short stays. India is listed by GOV.UK as a country whose nationals need a visa to enter or transit the UK.

Q: Do Indian citizens need a visa to transit the UK?

Usually yes for airside or landside transit, but an ordinary Indian passport holder may qualify for Transit Without Visa if all route, timing and document conditions are met — for example, holding certain valid visas or residence permits. The border officer makes the final landside TWOV decision.

Q: Can I work in the UK on a visitor visa?

You cannot take ordinary paid or unpaid work for a UK company or work as self-employed. Certain listed business activities and permitted paid engagements are allowed; otherwise apply for the appropriate work visa.

Indian ordinary passport holders need a Standard Visitor visa before travel. The fee is GBP 135 (currently INR 18,206 in India) for up to 6 months; ETA is not available. Indian ordinary passport holders are visa nationals for the UK and need a Standard Visitor visa before travel for tourism, business visits, family visits, or short study. There is no visa-on-arrival or ETA option for an ordinary visit. The short-term visitor visa costs GBP 135, currently INR 18,206 when applying from India, for up to 6 months. The 2-year, 5-year, and 10-year long-term visitor visas cost GBP 506, GBP 903, and GBP 1,128, with each visit still limited to 6 months. GOV.UK lists standard outside-UK processing as 3 weeks after identity and documents are provided. UKVI stopped issuing visa vignettes to successful new applicants on July 1, 2026: successful applicants get an eVisa and must check it in their UKVI account before travel, although some people may also be issued a form for accompanying an eVisa (FAV).

VISA REQUIREDTOURISMFLEXIBLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-07-25

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.

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/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-07-25

Visa type

Standard Visitor Visa

Maximum stay

Up to 6 months per entry

per entry

Entries

Single or multiple entry, depending on grant

from issue date

Visa fee

GBP 135 / INR 18,206 (up to 6 months; India rate checked July 25, 2026)

consular fee only

Processing time

3 weeks

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

Your passport or travel document must be valid for the whole of your stay in the UK.

· valid for stay

/02

Apply online

Apply through GOV.UK no earlier than 3 months before travel. Provide the requested personal information, planned dates and accommodation, trip cost, income, and relevant immigration history.

· online application· up to 3 months ahead

/03

Pay and book biometrics

The short-term fee is GBP 135; the Home Office India fee tool currently lists INR 18,206. Each traveler needs a separate application and appointment at a visa application centre.

· INR 18,206· biometrics

/04

Prove identity and eligibility

Provide fingerprints and a facial photo, plus evidence that you are a genuine visitor, can fund the trip and onward journey, and will leave the UK. Documents not in English or Welsh need a verifiable certified translation.

· genuine visitor· certified translations

/05

Receive the decision and check eVisa

The standard decision time is usually 3 weeks. Successful new applicants receive an eVisa; sign in to your UKVI account and check the passport linked to it. If UKVI issues a form for accompanying an eVisa (FAV), collect and carry it as instructed.

· 3 weeks· eVisa / FAV

/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

13 items

Personalized checklist

India -> United Kingdom · Standard Visitor Visa

0 / 13 complete

Visa typeTravel date

Deadline reminderAdd a date before export

RequiredIndian passport

Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route

Valid for the whole stay

RequiredUK visa application (online)

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

Completed and paid

RequiredBiometrics appointment

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

Visa application centre appointment

RequiredTrip purpose and plans

Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates

Travel dates, intended activities and accommodation details; paid flight or hotel bookings are not a general requirement

RequiredFinancial evidence

Bank, income, or asset proof with clear name, date, and balances

Show sufficient accessible funds and their origin; GOV.UK does not set a universal balance or six-month statement rule

RequiredHome-country circumstances

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

Employment, study or self-employment evidence where relevant to show your circumstances and reason to return

ConditionalSponsor evidence (if applicable)

Bank, income, or asset proof with clear name, date, and balances

Support offered, relationship, sponsor funds and the sponsor's lawful UK status

ConditionalTravel history (if requested)

Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route

Previous passports or other evidence relevant to the application questions

RequiredCertified translations

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

Required for supporting documents not in English or Welsh

ConditionalUKVI account and linked passport

Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route

Required to view the eVisa; carry an FAV too if UKVI issues one

RequiredOfficial application form or online application

Official form; submit online or print and sign as instructed

Use the current form from the official or designated application channel.

RequiredFlight and hotel itinerary

Confirmed or agency-arranged itinerary when the route guide requires it

Use dates that fit the allowed stay and visa validity.

RecommendedTravel medical insurance

Policy certificate showing traveler name, destination, and coverage dates

Some destinations or agencies require it even when the core visa rule only recommends it.

Official sourcesGOV.UK — UK visa requirements for international carriers GOV.UK — Standard Visitor visa GOV.UK — Apply for a Standard Visitor visa

Application link included: GOV.UK — UK visa requirements for international carriers

Open link

/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate

Line itemAmountSource

Standard Visitor Visa (6 months)GBP 135 / INR 18,206Single applicant; India local fee checked July 25, 2026

Visitor Visa (2 years)GBP 506 / INR 68,239Multiple entries, 6 months max per stay

Visitor Visa (5 years)GBP 903 / INR 121,778Multiple entries, 6 months max per stay

Visitor Visa (10 years)GBP 1,128 / INR 152,121Multiple entries, 6 months max per stay

Priority Service (5 working days)GBP 500Optional if offered for the application

Super Priority (next working day)GBP 1,000Optional if offered; timing depends on appointment or upload day

Immigration Health SurchargeNot applicableVisitor visas exempt from IHS

Total estimateGBP 135 (INR 18,206) — GBP 2,128 for a 10-year visa with Super Priorityincl. all

/05 — The wait

Processing time

Standard Visitor Visa (6 months)

3 weeks

GOV.UK processing time for Standard Visitor applications made outside the UK.

Priority Service

5 working days

Additional GBP 500 fee if the service is available for the application.

Super Priority Service

Next working day

Additional GBP 1,000 fee if available; weekend or bank-holiday appointments can take longer.

Longer visas (2/5/10 years)

3 weeks

Same GOV.UK service standard as other Standard Visitor applications outside the UK.

/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency

/01

Funds are insufficient or their origin is unclear

Evidence should show that the applicant or declared sponsor can cover the trip and onward journey, has access to the money, and can explain its source. GOV.UK sets no universal minimum balance.

Medium

/02

Not satisfied the applicant is a genuine visitor

The applicant must show a permitted purpose, credible personal and economic circumstances, and an intention to leave at the end of the visit. Marital status or property ownership alone is not a refusal rule.

Medium

/03

Application and evidence are inconsistent

Conflicting dates, costs, sponsor details, employment information or travel history can require more checks or undermine credibility.

Medium

/04

Purpose includes prohibited work or another non-visitor activity

Ordinary employment for a UK business, self-employment, public funds and using repeated visits to live in the UK are not permitted under the visitor route.

Medium

/05

Frequent or successive visits suggest UK residence

A visa can be cancelled or refused if the travel pattern shows the visitor is effectively making the UK their main home.

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

2026-07-25 · major

Official fact check after the eVisa transition

Confirmed the July 1 eVisa-only rule for successful new applicants, current India fees, 3-week processing and expedited-service fees; replaced unsupported fixed document periods and demographic refusal claims, and clarified transit and permitted-activity caveats.

2026-06-19

Reviewed by Claude Code

Second-pass review: re-verified the evidence chain against official sources; key facts confirmed and checked-date refreshed.

2026-06-19

Official UK visitor route re-verified

Added checked-date, replaced non-official sources with GOV.UK and Home Office sources, confirmed India remains a visa-national route, updated processing to 3 weeks, removed unsupported passport and statistics claims, and softened eVisa wording.

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.

/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?+

Can Indian citizens apply for a UK ETA instead?+

Do Indian citizens need a visa to transit the UK?+

Can I work in the UK on a visitor visa?+