India passport → United Kingdom

United Kingdom visa for citizens of India

Embassy / VFSStandard Visitor visa (tourism, up to 6 months)

Citizens of India need a visa for the United Kingdom and must apply in person at an embassy or visa centre.

Verified · Last checked 2026-07-06. Policies change. Confirm with the embassy or official visa portal before you travel.

Key facts

Entry route	Embassy / VFS · Standard Visitor visa (tourism, up to 6 months)
How to apply	In-person at an embassy or visa center
Maximum stay	Up to 180 days
Visa validity	180 days
Entries	Multiple entry
Processing time	15–21 days
Government fee	£135
Biometrics	Required
Appointment	Required
Interview	Not required
Onward or return ticket	Not required
Proof of funds	No fixed minimum published by UKVI — you must show you can support yourself for the whole trip and pay for your return or onward journey, from your own funds or credible sponsorship. Large unexplained recent deposits are a common refusal trigger.

How to apply

1
Check eligibility and gather documents
Confirm you qualify as a genuine visitor (tourism, up to 6 months) and assemble passport, 6 months of bank statements, employment/ITR evidence and itinerary. Earliest application: 3 months before travel.
2
Complete the online application on GOV.UK
Apply at gov.uk/standard-visitor/apply-standard-visitor-visa (form runs on visas-immigration.service.gov.uk). Each family member needs their own application.
3
Pay the visa fee
Pay £135 online (6-month Standard Visitor). Optional priority (+£500, ~5 working days) or super priority (+£1,000, next working day) at selected centres.
4
Book a VFS Global appointment
After payment you are redirected to VFS Global (visa.vfsglobal.com/ind/en/gbr) to book a biometric appointment at a UK visa application centre in India.
5
Attend biometrics and submit documents
Provide fingerprints and a photo at the VFS centre, and submit/scan your passport and supporting documents. Processing time starts here.
6
Track your application
Standard decisions usually take 3 weeks (15 working days) after biometrics. Track via VFS email/SMS updates.
7
Collect your passport
Collect from the VFS centre or use courier return. Check the visa vignette (name, dates, type) immediately and report any errors.

Documents checklist

Identity

Valid passport
Valid for the whole stay with a blank page for the visa vignette. Carry previous passports showing travel history if available.
Completed online application (GOV.UK)
Submitted online before booking biometrics; keep the confirmation/checklist generated at the end.
Birth certificate
If under 18
For applicants under 18 — establishes identity and parentage.

Travel

Travel itinerary
Optional
Planned dates and activities in the UK. UKVI advises NOT to pay for flights before the visa is decided; a booking is not required.
Accommodation details
Optional
Hotel reservations or the address where you'll stay (host's details if staying with family/friends).

Financial

Bank statements (last 6 months)
If you pay for the trip yourself
Personal statements showing regular income and a balance consistent with the trip cost. Avoid large unexplained deposits shortly before applying.
Income Tax Returns (ITR) / Form 16
OptionalIf you pay for the trip yourself
Commonly submitted by Indian applicants (typically last 2–3 assessment years) as evidence of income and ties to India. Strongly recommended.
Sponsorship / third-party funding evidence
OptionalIf someone else sponsors the trip
When someone else pays: their bank statements, sponsorship letter and proof of status (assessed under Appendix V).

Employment

Employment letter and approved leave
OptionalIf you are employed
Letter confirming role, salary, length of service and sanctioned leave — evidence of your intention to return.
Business registration / GST documents
OptionalIf you are self-employed
For self-employed applicants: company registration, GST returns or similar proving ongoing business activity in India.
Enrolment / bonafide letter from your institution
OptionalIf you are a student
For students: proof of current enrolment and approved leave of absence for the trip.

Supporting

Cover letter
Optional
Not on the official checklist but widely recommended — introduces your trip, funding and ties to India. Nowah can draft this for you.
Invitation letter from UK host
OptionalIf visiting family
For visits to family or friends: letter with the host's UK immigration status and address, plus evidence of your relationship.
Evidence of ties to India
OptionalIf 18 or over
Property documents, family responsibilities, ongoing studies or employment — anything showing you will leave the UK at the end of the visit (Appendix V V4.2).
Parental consent + both parents’ passport copies
If under 18
For applicants under 18: written consent to travel from both parents/guardians, with copies of their passports and, if either parent is not travelling, evidence of care arrangements in the UK.
TB test certificate
Optional
NOT required for visits under 6 months. India is on the UK TB-test list only for stays of 6 months or more.

Proof of funds

Minimum balance: No official minimum published by UKVI — funds must credibly cover travel, accommodation, daily costs and the return journey

Personal bank statements (last 6 months)
Salary slips / employment letter
Income Tax Returns (ITR) / Form 16
Sponsor's bank statements and sponsorship letter (if third-party funded)

UKVI assesses whether funds are genuinely available and consistent with your income profile. Large deposits appearing shortly before the application without explanation are a well-known refusal trigger. If a UK host pays, document the relationship and their financial capacity.

Where to apply

UK Visa Application Centre (VFS Global) — New Delhi
New Delhi
Super-priority service available. Check the VFS page for the current street address.
Website Book an appointment
UK Visa Application Centre (VFS Global) — Mumbai
Mumbai
Super-priority service available. Check the VFS page for the current street address.
Website Book an appointment
UK Visa Application Centre (VFS Global) — Bengaluru
Bengaluru
Super-priority service available. Check the VFS page for the current street address.
Website Book an appointment
UK Visa Application Centre (VFS Global) — Chennai
Chennai
Super-priority service available. Check the VFS page for the current street address.
Website Book an appointment
UK Visa Application Centre (VFS Global) — Kolkata
Kolkata
VFS operates 18 UK VACs across India — see the VFS page for the full list and addresses.
Website Book an appointment

Good to know

Do not book non-refundable flights or accommodation before the visa is decided — GOV.UK explicitly advises not to pay for travel until you have your visa.
Apply early: the earliest you can apply is 3 months before travel, and standard processing is 3 weeks after your biometric appointment; VFS slots can be scarce in peak season.
Priority (£500) and super priority (£1,000) are paid add-ons, not guarantees, and are only available at selected Indian centres; availability can be suspended in busy periods.
UKVI's 'genuine visitor' test (Appendix V, V4.2) is the single most common refusal ground for Indian applicants — weak ties to India (no job, family obligations or assets) sinks applications.
Fees typically increase each April (was £127, now £135 since 8 April 2026) — re-verify before relying on the amount.
A visa does not guarantee entry; Border Force can still question you on arrival, and using repeated visits to effectively live in the UK breaches visitor rules.

Common refusal reasons

Doubts you are a genuine visitor who will leave the UK (Appendix V V4.2)

Evidence strong ties to India: employment letter with approved leave, ongoing studies, property, dependants. Keep the trip purpose specific and consistent.

Large unexplained deposits in bank statements

Submit 6 months of statements showing organic salary credits. Attach documentary proof of the source for any genuine lump sum.

Funds not genuinely available or trip cost disproportionate to income

Show the budget is realistic against declared income; if sponsored, provide the sponsor's statements, letter and proof of relationship.

Inconsistent or false information across application and documents

Ensure employment dates, salary, travel history and previous refusals match exactly everywhere; declare past refusals honestly — concealment risks a 10-year ban.

Insufficient documentation of accommodation/itinerary or vague trip purpose

Provide a coherent itinerary, accommodation details or a host invitation letter with the host's UK status documents.

Adverse immigration history (overstays, prior refusals, deception)

Address previous refusals head-on in a cover letter explaining what has changed; never re-apply with identical evidence.

FAQ

Do citizens of India need a visa for the United Kingdom?

Citizens of India need a visa for the United Kingdom and must apply in person at an embassy or visa centre. Visa type: Standard Visitor visa (tourism, up to 6 months).

How long can citizens of India stay in the United Kingdom?

Up to 180 days.

How much does the United Kingdom visa cost for citizens of India?

Government fee: £135.

How long does United Kingdom visa processing take?

Typically 15–21 days.

What documents do citizens of India need for the United Kingdom?

Valid passport; Completed online application (GOV.UK); Bank statements (last 6 months); Income Tax Returns (ITR) / Form 16; Employment letter and approved leave; Business registration / GST documents; and 10 more depending on your situation.

Where do I apply?

On the official site: https://www.gov.uk/standard-visitor/apply-standard-visitor-visa

Sources

Plan your trip to the United Kingdom

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