Get an India Visa
Sample of the Business Travel Requirements for an India Visa for UK Citizens
Passport
The applicant's actual passport. The passport must:
- Have at least two blank visa pages
- Be valid for at least 190 days beyond exit date
Photographs
Two Indian passport sized colour photographs. The photographs must:
- Measure 5cm x 5cm without including the borders
- Have a white background
- Be taken within the last six months
- Be identical
Business Introduction Letter
An original letter of introduction from the applicant's UK employer. This letter must:
- Be addressed to:"The Indian High Commission, India House, Aldwych, London, WC2B 4NA"
- Be on company letterhead paper with the name and address matching exactly to that which is stated on the visa form
- Include the name of the applicant
- Specify the purpose of journey
- Specify the exact nature of the business being conducted
- Include the name of the organisation(s) to be visited
- Specify the requested number of entries and the length of visa required
- Include an acceptance of financial responsibility for the applicant
- Be signed by the applicant's supervisor or the company's HR department
Letter of Invitation
A letter of invitation from the company to be visited in India. A copy is acceptable. This letter must:
- Be addressed to:"The Indian High Commission, India House, Aldwych, London, WC2B 4NA"
- Be on company letterhead paper with the name and address matching exactly to that which is stated on the visa form
- Include the name of the applicant
- Specify the purpose of journey
- Specify the exact nature of the business being conducted
- Specify the requested number of entries and the length of visa required
Visa Application Form
One fully completed and signed application form. This form must:
-
Be completed online at: http://in.vfsglobal.co.uk/ihcukredirection.html
- Be printed on two separate pages, forms that are copied back to back are not accepted
- Be signed in the original on both pages in black ink only
- Request the correct "period of visa" to be issued
- Have section G completed in full
- Have no handwritten corrections/modifications
- Bear a signature that matches the applicant's passport
- Be submitted to the Embassy within 45 calendar days of completion
-
Declaration Form
One fully completed and signed Declaration Form which must be completed in black ink only. A copy is accepted.
VisaCentral Order Confirmation
For orders placed on the VisaCentral website, a copy of the Online Order Confirmation which is sent to you via email, must be submitted.
For all other orders, and where applicable, a completed Manual Order Form should be submitted.
Visa Validity
The visa is ordinarily valid for six months. Applicants who would like a visa valid for one year must request this on the visa application form. It is also strongly recommended that the business introduction letter and invitation letter request the issuance of a "one year multiple entry visa" as this length of visa is not guaranteed and is issued solely at the visa officers discretion
Same Day Service
The same day service is available for urgent business travel. Applications submitted on the same day service are currently being released late in the evening of the same day. Direct delivery or airport meet & greet services are available for applicants requiring their passports urgently. All other applications submitted on this service will be despatched from our offices on the next working day
Charity and Media Professionals
Visa approvals for applicants working in charity or media related professions will be referred to officials in India. As a result, processing time may extend for up to twelve weeks and additional consular fees may be charged.
Applicants with charity or media related professions are usually only issued a three month single entry "J" visa by the High Commission.
Applicants of Pakistani Origin
There are different visa requirements for Applicants of Pakistani origin. For a complete set of requirements return to our Visa Search box and next to the statement "I will be travelling for" select the appropriate visa type with the annotation "(Applicants of Pakistani Origin)"
Former Indian Nationals
Under the Indian law, people of Indian origin, who have acquired foreign nationality, are required to surrender their Indian passport to the High Commission of India before submitting their visa applications. Once this process is complete, a Surrender Certificate will be issued. A copy of this certificate will need to be submitted with the application. In case the applicant does not have the Indian passports in their possession for any reason, they are required to furnish duly notarised affidavit in this regard. A police report is also required if the passport has been declared lost or stolen
Processing Time
Visa approval for applicants of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, China, Iraq, Iran, Nigeria, Somalia or Sri Lanka origin will be sought from officials in India. Passports will be retained by the Indian High Commission until approval is received. Processing time will be considerably longer and additional consular fees may be charged.
Applicants of Bangladesh, China and Sri Lanka origin are advised to access visa information according to their country of origin as an additional supplementary visa form will be required.
Sample of the Tourist Travel Requirements for an India Visa for UK Citizens
Passport
The applicant's actual passport. The passport must:
- Have at least two blank visa pages
- Be valid for at least 190 days beyond exit date
Photographs
Two Indian passport sized colour photographs. The photographs must:
- Measure 5cm x 5cm without including the borders
- Have a white background
- Be taken within the last six months
- Be identical
Proof of Purpose
Applicants whose occupation includes Media Related Professionals, Police, Lawyer, Armed Forces, Commercial Pilots, Medical Personnel, Charity/Social Workers and Priests must:
- Include a copy of a letter of employment from the applicant's UK employer stating purpose of travel
- Include an undertaking letter stating no professional related activities will be undertaken during their stay for applicants who are self employed media related professionals
Applicants with these occupations are usually only issued a three month single entry visa and may be charged additional consular fees.
Visa Application Form
One fully completed and signed application form. This form must:
-
Be completed online at: http://in.vfsglobal.co.uk/ihcukredirection.html
- Be printed on two separate pages, forms that are copied back to back are not accepted
- Be signed in the original on both pages in black ink only
- Request the correct "period of visa" to be issued
- Have section G completed in full
- Have no handwritten corrections/modifications
- Bear a signature that matches the applicant's passport
- Be submitted to the Embassy within 45 calendar days of completion
-
Declaration Form
One fully completed and signed Declaration Form which must be completed in black ink only. A copy is accepted.
VisaCentral Order Confirmation
For orders placed on the VisaCentral website, a copy of the Online Order Confirmation which is sent to you via email, must be submitted.
For all other orders, and where applicable, a completed Manual Order Form should be submitted.
Visa Conditions
For travellers entering India by air/land there must be a gap of at least two months between two visits to India on a multiple entry visa. Where the need exists to visit India two or more times within a two month period, applicants must:
- Supply an itinerary detailing all entries to India
- Stipulate exactly how many entries are required when completing the application form online. If more than two entries are required, applicants must select "Double" when completing the form.
- Travellers entering India on a cruise must apply for a "multiple entry" visa and supply an itinerary
Applicants of Pakistani Origin
There are different visa requirements for Applicants of Pakistani origin. For a complete set of requirements return to our Visa Search box and next to the statement "I will be travelling for" select the appropriate visa type with the annotation "(Applicants of Pakistani Origin)"
Charity and Media Professionals
Visa approvals for applicants working in charity or media related professions will be referred to officials in India. As a result, processing time may extend for up to twelve weeks and additional consular fees may be charged.
Applicants with charity or media related professions are usually only issued a three month single entry "J" visa by the High Commission.
Former Indian Nationals
Under the Indian law, people of Indian origin, who have acquired foreign nationality, are required to surrender their Indian passport to the High Commission of India before submitting their visa applications. Once this process is complete, a Surrender Certificate will be issued. A copy of this certificate will need to be submitted with the application. In case the applicant does not have the Indian passports in their possession for any reason, they are required to furnish duly notarised affidavit in this regard. A police report is also required if the passport has been declared lost or stolen
Processing Time
Visa approval for applicants of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, China, Iraq, Iran, Nigeria, Somalia or Sri Lanka origin will be sought from officials in India. Passports will be retained by the Indian High Commission until approval is received. Processing time will be considerably longer and additional consular fees may be charged.
Applicants of Bangladesh, China and Sri Lanka origin are advised to access visa information according to their country of origin as an additional supplementary visa form will be required.
Children Under the Age of 16
Applicants under 16 years of age must provide the following additional supporting documents:
- Copy of birth certificate (long version)
- A clear copy of the information page(s) from both parents passports
- A clear copy of of any current Indian visa held by either parent
- An original and dated letter of consent signed by both parents which must be addressed to:"The Indian High Commission, India House, Aldwych, London, WC2B 4NA"
- In case of divorce, Child Custody Letter from court
- In case of single parent, Solicitor's Letter and Child Benefit Letter
- Application form must be signed by applicant's parent(s)