The India visa process for UK citizens is actually straightforward — but it’s easy to go wrong if you don’t know where to apply, which visa type you need, or what the photo requirements are.
Most problems are preventable.
There are also unofficial websites that look convincingly real and charge extra fees for doing nothing.
This page covers exactly what you need: the right visa type for your trip, the official website, real fees in 2026, processing times, and the specific mistakes that get applications rejected.
Download Your Free India Visa Checklist for UK Travelers
Get a practical checklist covering passport requirements, photo specifications, application details, supporting documents, and the most common mistakes that delay India visa applications.
Do UK Citizens Need a Visa for India?
Yes. A visa is mandatory for all UK passport holders traveling to India.
There is no visa on arrival for UK citizens.
Your visa must be approved before you board your flight.
The standard route for most UK travelers is the India e-Visa — applied for online, approved by email, and accepted at all major Indian international airports.
The Scam Website Problem — Read This First
This is the detail most guides skip, and it causes real problems.
When you search “India e-Visa UK” or “apply India visa online,” dozens of unofficial third-party websites appear.
Many look almost identical to the official portal.
They charge processing fees (£30–£70 in some cases) for doing what you can do yourself for free — and then submit your application to the same official system anyway.
The only official India e-Visa application website is: indianvisaonline.gov.in
It ends in .gov.in — not .com, not .co.uk, not .org.
Bookmark it. Apply there. Nowhere else.
The application fee on the official site is paid directly to the Indian government and is significantly lower than what third-party sites charge.
Which India Visa Should UK Citizens Apply For?
There are three tourist e-Visa options for UK citizens.
The difference is not just duration — it’s also about how many times you can enter and how long you can stay per visit.
India Tourist e-Visa Comparison
| Visa Type | Validity | Maximum Stay Per Visit | Entry Type | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30-Day Tourist e-Visa | 30 days from your first entry into India | 30 days | Double Entry | Short vacations and single-destination trips |
| 1-Year Tourist e-Visa | Valid for 1 year from the date of issue | Up to 90 days per visit | Multiple Entry | Flexible travel plans and multiple trips |
| 5-Year Tourist e-Visa | Valid for 5 years from the date of issue | Up to 90 days per visit | Multiple Entry | Frequent visitors to India |
Validity
30 days from first entry
Maximum Stay Per Visit
30 days
Entry Type
Double Entry
Best For
Short vacations and single-destination trips.
Validity
1 year from issue date
Maximum Stay Per Visit
Up to 90 days
Entry Type
Multiple Entry
Best For
Flexible travel plans and multiple visits.
Validity
5 years from issue date
Maximum Stay Per Visit
Up to 90 days
Entry Type
Multiple Entry
Best For
Frequent travelers to India.
The detail most people miss
The 1-year and 5-year visas do not let you stay for the full year or five years continuously.
The maximum stay per visit on either of these visas is 90 days.
If you want to stay longer than 90 days, you need to exit India and re-enter.
e-Visas also cannot be extended while you’re in India.
Plan your trip length before choosing your visa type.
Which one is right for your trip?
Choose the 30-day e-Visa if:
- Your trip is 2–4 weeks
- You’re visiting India once this year
- You want to pay the lowest possible fee
Choose the 1-year e-Visa if:
- You’re planning two or more India trips within 12 months
- Your trip might extend beyond 30 days (up to 90)
- You want flexibility without reapplying
Choose the 5-year e-Visa if:
- You visit India regularly for work or family
- You want to avoid the application process for several years
India e-Visa Fees for UK Citizens (2026)
Fees are charged in USD on the official portal and converted at the time of payment.
India Tourist e-Visa Government Fees
| Visa Type | Government Fee (USD) | Approximate GBP Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 30-Day Tourist e-Visa | USD $10 | ~£8 |
| 1-Year Tourist e-Visa | USD $40 | ~£32 |
| 5-Year Tourist e-Visa | USD $80 | ~£63 |
Government Fee
USD $10
Approximate GBP Equivalent
~£8
Government Fee
USD $40
Approximate GBP Equivalent
~£32
Government Fee
USD $80
Approximate GBP Equivalent
~£63
GBP figures are approximate and depend on the exchange rate at time of application. A small bank processing fee may also apply.
These are the fees on the official government portal only.
If a website is charging you more than these amounts for a tourist e-Visa, it is a third-party site — not the official one.
How Long Does India e-Visa Take from the UK?
Standard processing time: 72 hours (3 business days)
In most cases, approval arrives within 72 hours of a complete, correct submission.
Allow up to 7 days during peak travel periods (October–December, school holidays) or if there are any document issues.
⚠️ Important: Apply at least 2 weeks before travel — not because processing always takes that long, but because if something is wrong with your application, you’ll have time to correct and resubmit.
Do not apply the day before travel. There is no guaranteed same-day processing.
Documents Required for India Visa (UK Citizens)
Required documents
- Valid UK passport (minimum 6 months validity beyond your arrival date in India)
- At least 2 blank pages in your passport
- Recent passport-size photograph (see specs below)
- Valid email address to receive the e-Visa
- Debit or credit card for the application fee
Passport photo specifications — follow these exactly
Photo errors are the most common reason applications are rejected or flagged.
- Background: Plain white only — no patterns, no grey
- Size: Between 10 KB and 1 MB
- Format: JPEG only
- Your face must cover 70–80% of the frame
- No spectacles — even if you wear them daily
- No head covering unless for religious reasons
- Expression: Neutral, both eyes open
- Taken within the last 6 months
Take the photo in good natural light against a white wall.
A smartphone photo is fine — as long as it meets the specs above.
How to Apply for an India e-Visa
Complete your application in just a few simple steps. Make sure every detail matches your passport to help avoid unnecessary delays.
Visit the Official Website
Go to indianvisaonline.gov.in, the Government of India's official e-Visa portal.
Start Your Application
Click Apply and choose Tourist Visa as your visa category.
Enter Personal Details
Complete all personal and passport information exactly as it appears on your passport.
Upload Documents
Upload your passport-size photo and a scanned copy of your passport's bio page.
Add Travel Details
Enter your expected arrival date and intended port of entry into India.
Pay the Visa Fee
Complete the online payment securely using your debit or credit card.
Save Your Reference Number
Write down or save your Application Reference Number for future tracking.
Wait for Approval
Most applications are processed within approximately 72 hours. Check your email regularly.
Download Your e-Visa
Print your approved e-Visa and carry it with your passport when travelling to India.
Planning Your India Trip Around Your Visa Timeline?
Once your visa timeline is confirmed, Nitin Batra can help you build a well-sequenced India itinerary with the right travel dates, destinations, hotel stays, and transportation, so everything fits together before you depart.
Common Reasons India Visa Gets Rejected
These are the most frequent issues for UK applicants — all preventable.
Photo not on white background Grey or cream backgrounds are rejected. It must be plain white.
Photo shows spectacles Even prescription glasses are not allowed in the photo. Resubmit without them.
Passport details entered incorrectly The name, date of birth, and passport number on the form must match your passport exactly — including spacing and spelling.
Passport validity less than 6 months If your passport expires within 6 months of your India arrival date, renew it before applying.
Uploading a scanned photo instead of a digital one A scanned passport-size print often compresses poorly. Use a fresh digital photo taken against a white background.
Applying too close to travel date If the application is flagged for review and you have no buffer, you may miss your flight. Two weeks’ lead time is the safe minimum.
Special Situations UK Travelers Should Know About
OCI Card Holders (Overseas Citizens of India)
If you hold an OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) card — given to foreign nationals of Indian origin — you do not need an e-Visa.
Your OCI card gives you lifelong, multiple-entry rights to visit India for any duration.
Check that your OCI card is valid and that the passport number linked to it is your current one.
If you’ve renewed your passport since getting the OCI card, you may need to update the linkage at the Indian High Commission.
Dual Nationals
India does not recognise dual citizenship.
If you hold both a UK passport and an Indian passport, you cannot travel to India on your Indian passport once you’ve taken UK citizenship.
You must surrender the Indian passport and apply for an OCI card or a regular e-Visa on your UK passport.
If you’re unsure of your status, the Indian High Commission in London is the right place to get clarification before booking travel.
Traveling via Pakistan or Other Restricted Borders
e-Visas are valid only at specific designated entry points — predominantly major international airports.
Land borders between India and Pakistan are not open to foreign nationals on tourist visas.
If your itinerary involves overland entry from Nepal or Bangladesh, confirm that your specific entry point accepts e-Visas before applying.
Have a Complex Visa Situation? Talk to Someone Who Knows India Well
If your circumstances go beyond a standard visa application, Nitin Batra can help you understand the process before you apply. Discuss dual nationality, OCI eligibility, previous India visa history, or travel to restricted regions with confidence.
What to Do After Your e-Visa is Approved
Once the approval email arrives:
- Download the PDF immediately — do not rely on being able to access your email in India
- Print at least two copies — one to hand in at immigration, one to keep
- Check every detail — name, passport number, validity dates — if anything is wrong, contact the Indian e-Visa helpdesk before you travel
- Do not laminate the printout — immigration officers need to stamp or write on it
At Indian immigration, present your printed e-Visa alongside your UK passport.
The officer will scan it and stamp your passport.
Can You Extend an India e-Visa Inside India?
No.
e-Visas cannot be extended once you are in India.
If you want to stay beyond your visa’s permitted duration, you need to leave India, reapply from outside, and re-enter.
Some travelers exit to Nepal or Sri Lanka briefly and re-enter on a new e-Visa.
This is legal but plan it in advance — do not try to sort it on short notice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything UK travelers commonly ask about applying for and using an India e-Visa.
Is the India e-Visa the same as a sticker visa?
No.
The India e-Visa is completely electronic and is not attached to your passport.
After approval, download and print the PDF confirmation. Your passport will be stamped when you arrive in India.
Can I apply for an India e-Visa using my mobile phone?
Yes.
The official application portal works on mobile devices, although many applicants find it easier to complete the form on a desktop or laptop, especially when uploading passport and photograph files.
How many times can I enter India with a one-year tourist e-Visa?
A one-year tourist e-Visa allows multiple entries.
Each stay is generally limited to a maximum of 90 days, and immigration officers expect genuine travel rather than repeated immediate re-entry.
What is the maximum stay allowed on an India tourist e-Visa?
The 30-day e-Visa allows stays of up to 30 days.
The one-year and five-year tourist e-Visas generally allow stays of up to 90 days per visit.
Tourist e-Visas cannot normally be extended while you are in India.
Do children need their own India visa?
Yes.
Every traveler, including infants and children, must have an individual passport and an approved visa before traveling to India.
My passport expires in five months. Can I still apply?
No.
Your passport must normally remain valid for at least six months from your planned arrival date in India.
Renew your passport first, then submit your visa application.
I used a third-party visa website. Is that a problem?
Not necessarily.
Many companies charge an additional service fee to submit applications on your behalf.
Check your approval document carefully to confirm it is an official Indian government e-Visa with the correct passport details and visa number.
Can UK citizens get an India visa on arrival?
No.
UK passport holders must obtain an approved India e-Visa before departure.
Airlines normally verify your visa before allowing you to board your flight.
I have an OCI card but renewed my passport. Do I need a new visa?
No new visa is required.
However, you should update your OCI record with your new passport information according to current OCI requirements and carry the appropriate travel documents until the update is complete.
What should I do if my India visa application is rejected?
You may submit a new application after correcting the issue that caused the rejection.
Common reasons include photo problems, passport mismatches, or incomplete information.
Do not attempt to travel until you receive an approved visa.
Can I enter India through any airport with an e-Visa?
The India e-Visa is accepted at many designated international airports and selected seaports.
Before booking your flights, verify that your arrival airport appears on the official list of authorized entry points.
Can I arrive in one Indian city and depart from another using an e-Visa?
Yes.
You can arrive and depart through different approved international airports.
If your travel plans change after applying, update the authorities when appropriate and ensure both airports accept e-Visa arrivals or departures.
Contact White Pigeon Holidays
Planning an India tour around your pace, comfort, and peace of mind starts with one conversation.
We specialise in private, personally arranged India holidays for senior travellers from the UK. Every itinerary is planned from scratch around your interests, travel pace, comfort level, and preferred style of travel. Nothing is taken off a shelf.
