Learn how to apply for Indian Visa for UK citizens

India is one of the most sought after tourist destinations for UK citizens due to its rich and vibrant culture. Not to mention its cuisine which is quite popular in the UK. It is also home to one of the seven wonders of the world, the Taj Mahal, which has roughly 70,000 visitors on its busiest days.

But before you can travel to and experience India, you need to know whether or not you need a visa to travel to India from the UK.

Do UK Citizens Need a Visa for India?

In 2014, the government of India introduced an eVisa which is now on offer to 166 countries. The UK is one of these eligible countries and in order to travel to India, a visa is required. The introduction of the Indian eVisa has made visa processing less time consuming and more accessible as the eVisa application is 100% online. There is no need to make an appointment at the Indian embassy because the application, visa fee, and document submission are all done online, saving you a lot of time and money.

Depending on the type of traveling you intend to do, you have the option of an INDIAN VISA FOR BRITISH CITIZENS, a business visa, or a medical visa. The India visa for UK citizens application requires you to submit personal, professional, and educational details along with your travel history and where you plan on traveling to within India.

To get started, you need to be aware of the India visa requirements for British citizens which mostly consist of the documents needed to apply for the eVisa.

Required Documents for Getting the India Visa for UK Citizens

When applying for the India visa from the UK, you are required to submit the following documentation:

• Completed eVisa application form
• A copy of your passport, you will need to submit a colored scanned copy of the first and last page and submit it in a PDF format with your application. The passport must be valid for a minimum of 6 months
• A passport-sized photo; the photo must have a white background. The specification of the photos are as follows: JPEG file. The dimension of the photo must be between 350 x 350 pixels and 1,000 x 1,000 pixels

It is important you ensure that the above guidelines are met for the listed documents otherwise there is a chance your application for an eVisa will be rejected.

Please note that the above requirements are for an eVisa for a stay of up to 180 days which is granted to UK citizens.

In order to apply for an eVisa, you will also be required to make an online payment, therefore, you should have a credit or debit card on hand as you fill out the application.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Visa for India from the UK?

The India visa for British citizens takes around 2 business days to process when applying for an eVisa. However, it is recommended that travelers apply for the eVisa at least 4 days before their flight to India. But you can also apply well in advance (up to 120 days). With the fast processing time, you can easily plan a trip 2 weeks in advance and have enough time to apply for a visa and book everything, which makes going to India quite easy for UK citizens.

It is also important to note that UK citizens can only apply for an eVisa twice in a calendar year.

Apply for an Indian Visa from the UK

You don’t need to go through the hassle of going to an embassy to apply for your Indian visa. As a UK national, you have the option of applying for an eVisa online. By filling out the application online, paying the fee, and submitting the required documents, you will have your visa in your email inbox in a couple of days. All you need to do is print it out and take it with you to the airport. It is also recommended that you have the eVisa with you at all times while in India.

The eVisa India makes it easy for you to apply for your visa. With a three-step process which takes roughly 30 minutes, you will have your application submitted and will simply need to wait for the visa approval.

Can British citizens travel to India without a visa?

British passport holders require a visa to enter India. Fortunately, UK passport holders can apply for the essential travel document online. The INDIAN VISA FOR US CITIZENS process is fully electronic with no need to attend an embassy or consulate in person.

British citizens should obtain the correct India visa according to their reason for visiting: tourist, medical, and business eVisas are all available.

The length of time that a British citizen can stay in India depends on the type of visa requested. Moreover, each of the permits allows the holder to enter India more than once during the validity period of the visa.