Have you planned to travel to India from the UK? Then you need to apply for an Indian visa. India is one of the amazing countries gifted with a wide diversity of cultures, languages, races and is indeed a marvellous tourist destination. Indian visa requirements are like other countries where it changes from time to time. If you are planning your trip to India, then you need to fulfil the eligibility criteria. With the innovation of technology, you can apply for Indian Evisa at the place where you are. However, the process could take several steps, so it is advisable to get help from the visa services to avoid delay or rejection of the visa. Here, this guide helps you to get an Indian visa from the UK.
Who Can Apply?
If you do not have a residence or occupation in India, you will be granted a tourist visa. On a tourist India visa, no other activity is permissible. Normally, a tourist visa is issued for 3-6 months with single, double or multiple entries and is non-convertible and non-extendable. The issuing authority decides the duration of the visa under your purpose. The visa validity is from the date of issue by the High Commission of India and not from the date of travel on your application form.
If you are a Journalist/Media professional, the High Commission of India has introduced a biometrics enrolment program for specific visa categories.
All foreign journalists should apply for a J (Journalist) visa where they are allowed to stay in India for up to three months. The applicants who are applying for a visa required to give Biometrics at the time of the applications at the designated application centres.
Kindly make sure to fill all the fields of the Indian visa application form. If you are going on a trip, attach a self-undertaking to book your accommodation/hotels on arrival in India.
If you like to travel to restricted areas such as Sikkim/Andaman-Nicobar for tourism, you should obtain the Restricted Area Permit before travelling. When you fill the application, make sure that you have filled the additional information form for the restricted area permit.
Documents Required:
To get an Indian visa, Biometric enrolment is mandatory for a five years Tourist visa.
Tourist Visa:
- Passport validity should be a minimum of 180 days.
- Correct visa fee
- Recent two photographs under the photo specification
- Complete and sign the Application and Declaration form with signatures
Some applicants hold dual nationality when filling up the online application form. They should select the current nationality as the nationality of origin. In section B and British renew 2 year green card, the same nationality details need to be filled in. UK passport holders need to make sure that they filled their nationality correctly.
Processing Time:
At the sole discretion of the High Commission of India and its Consulate in the UK, the processing time differs from applications to application. The processing time of some applications will take longer. So, prepare your plans after obtaining the visa.
Processing Time Will Take Longer for Applicants:
- Non-UK passport holders who reside in the UK for less than two years will take 6-8 working days.
- Nationals or origin of Pakistan will take 7-8 weeks.
- Nationals of Afghanistan, China, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and UK travel documents will take a minimum of 15 working days.
- Generally, it takes up to 3 to 5 working days for regular cases.
After the processing of the documents, the Indian Visa Application Center will contact and inform you of the date and time of the interview.
Before you travel to India, note the validity of the visa starts from the date of issue.
Final Thoughts:
Therefore, this guide helps you to know about the process of getting an Indian visa. However, get assistance from the visa services to get your visa’s success.
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