UK Visa for Indians

For Indian travellers to the United Kingdom, a UK visa is necessary. However, a UK visa isn't mandatory for Canadians, Americans, and Australian passport holders. A visa for your UK visit from India will take three weeks to process. But it’s not difficult to get a UK visa from India. As long as you have every single document ready and you are sure of your visa requirements, you will not have any problem getting a UK tourist visa from India.

You can apply for UK visa from India through a British Consulate or Embassy. This visa will permit you to travel to the UK from India as a tourist. Apart from that, even if you need to transit through any one of the destinations in the UK, a UK visa is required. Such a visa is also often referred to as a London visa as it allows visitors to visit London from other parts of the world.

The UK comprises four different European countries, namely –

1. Scotland
2. Northern Ireland
3. Wales
4. England

So, if you plan a trip to any of the countries mentioned above, a UK visa is mandated. It is also advisable to apply for a UK visa and not an individual visa for every country you visit on your UK trip. This single visa will allow you to visit every destination in the four countries listed above.

There are different types of UK visas for Indian citizens –

• UK Visitors Visa (Standard)

UK Standard Visitors visa comprises a UK tourist visa and a UK business visa. If you plan your trip to the UK, you can apply for this visa, valid for 6 months. Also, if you need to visit the UK for research purposes, the validity of the visa can be extended up to 11 months. Again, for visiting the UK for medical treatments, the validity of the visa can be extended up to a year.

If a traveller needs to visit the United Kingdom and stay there for more than 6 months, they need to apply for a biometric residence permit. So, if you are not really sure about how long you will need to stay in the UK during your next visit, it’s better to apply for this kind of visa to be safe. If you are a frequent flyer to the UK, you can also apply for a long-term Standard Visitor visa, whose validity could be 2 years, 5 years, and 10 years.

UK Work/Business Visa

The UK offers Work and Business visas to highly skilled and qualified professionals who wish to stay and work in the UK for short or long periods.

Student Visa

Indian students who wish to study in the UK can apply for the following categories of student visas:

• Standard Visitor Visa
• Short-term Study Visa
• Student Visa
• Child Student Visa
• Family Visa

People with family members living and working in the UK can apply for a Family Visa. One can apply for this visa category as a dependent if they want to stay for more than 6 months in the UK. A spouse, partner, child, parent, etc., can apply for a Family Visa.

• UK Transit Visa

This visa type is for all those non-British citizens who need to transit through the UK to visit any other destination. A UK transit visa will allow you to be at any one of the UK international airports from where you will need to board the connecting flight to some other destination. Again, the UK transit visa is of two types –

a. UK Direct Airside Transit Visa

This one is for the non-British citizens who aren’t passing through the UK border control.

b. Visitor in Transit Visa

This one is for non-British citizens who need to pass through the UK border control and leave the country within 48 hours.

• UK Marriage Visitor Visa

For non-British citizens who wish to get married in the United Kingdom or file for a civil partnership, apply for this visa. Also, for non-British citizens who need to visit the UK for giving notice regarding their marriage or civil partnership, needs to apply for this visa type. However, you must know that this visa will not allow you to settle down in the UK post-marriage or civil partnership.

• The UK Permitted Paid Engagement Visa

If any UK-based business or a company professional invites a non-British citizen who has certain expertise in any specific profession, they need to apply for this kind of UK visa. This visa is also valid for those who wish to visit the UK to complete any paid work over there.

Family Reunion Visas for Refugees

A person’s family member who got separated when he/she had to leave the country forcefully can apply for a Family Reunion Visa. For this, the individual must have received asylum or 5 years’ humanitarian protection.

• UK Parent of a Tier 4 Child Visa

This visa is applied by the parents of a child who needs to get admitted to a school in the UK by paying regular UK visa fees. In order to apply for this visa, the child needs to be between 4 to 11 years and should be attending an independent school in the UK.

The validity period of a UK visa depends on the visa type one has applied for.

Every Indian citizen who needs to travel to the UK should apply for a UK visa. Whether it’s for a short vacation or a long-term stay in the UK, applying for a visa is a must. Even the ones who need to travel for work has to apply for a UK visa. So much so, that the people transiting through the UK need a valid transit visa to legally await their connecting flight at any one of the UK international airports.

Indian citizens must obtain a valid UK visa from the United Kingdom Embassy or Consulate if they plan to visit more than one UK country. The main destination in the UK indicates the country where the applicant will spend the maximum length of their trip.

If you are travelling to the UK with your family, and need to apply for a UK visa, ensure that you buy the right UK visitor visa from India for your family.

The process of getting a UK visa from India takes around 3 weeks. For a Family visa, the usual duration is around 12 weeks. So, you need to keep in mind your travel dates while applying for a UK visa.

The UK visa application process is very simple nowadays. You can visit the official website of the UK government to choose your visa type and then apply for the same online. Apart from that, websites like VFS can also help you apply for a UK visa from India. Follow the below-mentioned steps to apply for a UK visa –

• Choose the Visa Category: First, you will need to understand the type of UK visa you will need to travel to the UK. Select the visa category and then apply for the same.
• Prepare Your Application: You can apply online for most visas. You can apply up to 3 months before your travel for a visit or work visa, and up to 6 months before your course starts for a student or child student visa.
• Keep all the documents in place and be very careful while filling up the visa application form online.
• Pay the visa fees, depending on the type of visa you are applying for. This may also include a healthcare surcharge.
• If you plan to visit the UK for more than 6 months, you may have to provide a certificate verifying that you do not have Tuberculosis.
• Book an appointment online with the UK visa application centre.
• Do not forget to visit the centre on the specified date and submit your biometric details there.
• You need to attend the visa interview, and once cleared, your visa will be issued to you.

All UK Visa applicants are required to submit a few important documents during the time of application. Here's a list of all the documents you will need to submit along with your visa application form to get a UK visa:

• UK Visa application form.
• Two coloured photographs (taken within last 6 months)
• A valid Indian passport
• Documents supporting your financial position (bank statements/financial standing of your sponsor/ details of your employment)
• For students, academic proof and a letter on the letterhead of the institution proving their enrolment in any one of the UK colleges/universities
• For employees, a letter from the employer on the letterhead of the company mentioning their current designation and salary details
• For business owners, documents substantiating the registration of the business, name of the owner, etc.
• Legal residential address in India for Indian travellers
• Proof of accommodation
• Travel itinerary
• TB Test results
• Biometric information
• UK visa fees
• UK visa invitation/cover letter (if applicable)
• Certified translations of all documents not in English or Welsh.

UK visa fees India is different for the different types of visas. All applicants applying for a UK visa need to pay a certain amount as a visa fee during the submission of the application along with the documents. The following table shows the UK visa fees payable by applicants based on their visa type:

*(The price of one pound in Indian valuation currently stands at ₹99.57. However, rates may change depending on the market). *VFS Global Services charges a service fee besides the UK visa fee.

Travelling to the United Kingdom could be fascinating for every traveller from India. The country boasts of some amazing travel destinations, and you will be overwhelmed with the rich experiences you will have during your stay over there. Whether you are planning a trip for leisure or business, you need to be fully prepared for every kind of trip-related adversity. And for that, choosing the best travel insurance plan for the UK is a must. Get a family travel insurance policy if you are making the trip with your family members so that all you can stay safe from uncertain emergencies and make the most out of your trip!

A travel medical policy will tackle the major health or accident issues that may hamper your trip to the UK. With Tata AIG’s travel insurance’s financial assistance to travellers, you can be assured of not burning a hole in your pocket! Accidents may arise at any point in time. You may fall sick or meet with an accident. Moreover, you may lose your passport,luggage or other essentials. Your flight may get delayed or cancelled. And during such tough times, you will not know where to go and whom to approach for help.

At Tata AIG's official website, you can compare travel insurance plans online and find the right match for your insurance needs with our travel insurance premium calculator.

You can check your UK visa application progress by following the below-mentioned steps:

• Visit the VFS Global website or the UK government’s official website
• Choose the UK Embassy/Consulate where you had applied for your visa
• Select the tab on the menu bar showing 'Book an appointment’
• Scroll down the mentioned page and press the 'Track now' button which is under 'Track your application'
• You will need to enter your last name and reference number
• After filling the code, you will need to submit the necessary details
• You UK visa status will now be displayed right on the screen

The ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic has drastically changed the way people travel internationally. However, as the virus is losing its grip over our lives, currently, entry restrictions have been lifted by the UK government for its international visitors. You must check the travel restrictions in the United Kingdom before booking your tickets.

Your application for a UK visa may be rejected because of the following reasons:

• Submission of inaccurate/incomplete visa application form
• History of immigration crimes or involvement in criminal activities
• No clear proof of one's plans and purpose from going or returning from the UK
• Insufficient documentary evidence required to prove your visa application

Before travelling to the UK, you should be aware about the mandatory documents required for travel. You should also be well-equipped with certain key information about this magnificent country, for instance:

• UK’s official currency is a sterling pound.
• It is located in North-western Europe and comprises a total area of 242,900 km.
• The country's full name is The United Kingdom of Britain and Northern Ireland.
• British universities are some of the best places to study in the world.
• Britons usually start their education at the very young age of three years.
• There are several UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the UK that you must keep in your travel itinerary.

The UK is composed of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. And this has been a top-favourite for tourists from all over the world. The UK has a rich culture, beautiful countryside, stunning landscapes, and more. Here are the things in the UK that you must explore –

• Admire the stunning beauty of the Lake District, the second-largest National Park in the UK.
• A visit to Cambridge and give a glimpse of its true culture.
• Pay a visit to the city of Chester to be a part of its 2000 years old culture.
• A visit to the quaint and charming Cornwall, located in the westernmost point of the UK.
• The walled city of York to witness the meeting of River Foss and River Ouse.
• Visit Edinburgh to pay close attention to its cultural importance.
• Stonehenge could be a visitor’s paradise and is also one of the most popular locations in the UK.
• The Scottish Highlands can give you a glimpse of rugged nature and its wonders.

Information last updated April 22. While this information is sourced reliably, visa requirements can change. For the most current visa details, visit the official Consulate/Embassy website.