Visa Information

All foreign nationals, including children, require a visa to enter India.

Visa fees are non-refundable and subject to change without notice. The High Commission reserves the right on granting and deciding type/duration of visa irrespective of the fees tendered at the time of making application. Granting of Visa does not confer the right of entry to India and is subject to the discretion of the Immigration Authorities.

Visas can be applied for in person or by post at the High Commission of India in London. Visa applications from persons not ordinarily residing in the UK or from people of Pakistani, Bangladeshi and Sri Lankan origin are considered only in the High Commission of India, London and Consulate General of India, Birmingham and their processing may take one week or in some cases much longer. Applicants not ordinarily resident in the UK and Sri Lankan nationals are required to complete an additional form. Pakistani and Bangladeshi nationals have to file special visa application forms. In the following cases processing of applications will take longer:

(a) British Nationals holding dual nationality or of other origin,

(b) applicants not resident in the UK,

(c) where clearance from India is mandatory,

(d) visitors to restricted areas and

(e) certain cases where documents may need to be verified.

Visa Section will contact the applicant about the time of delivery for such passports. Please note that each application is examined individually and the time taken for issuing visas will vary from case to case.

Visitors to restricted/protected areas need special permits and for this purpose an additional form has to be completed. Please contact the High Commission of India, London if you wish to ascertain whether any of the places you intend to visit fall in the category of restricted/protected areas.

All types of visa application forms can be obtained free of charge in any of the following ways:

• collected from the India Place window of the High Commission of India at Aldwych, London from 8.30 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. and from 2.00 p.m. to 4.00 p.m. Mondays to Fridays, except holidays. However, for processing of visa applications at the counters, queue numbers are issued to applicants only between 8.30 a.m. and 12.00 noon.
• download visa application here
• obtained through fax back service - please dial 0906 844 4543. (To use this service, you need to dial the number from an ordinary telephone, follow instructions and you must have a fax machine on which you can receive the form returned by the High Commission.)
• obtained through the post by sending a stamped self addressed envelope to the Visa Section of the High Commission of India at India House, Aldwych, London, WC2B 4NA.
• please ensure that your letters sent to us also have your full address (sender's address) clearly written down on the envelope. Specific visas are granted for a variety of purposes. The principal types of visas issued are mentioned below.

Please contact the High Commission of India for further details if you are visiting India for purposes other than tourism, such as journalism, conferences, yoga, voluntary work, mountaineering or other expeditions. The visa application form is, however, the same. Separate forms are available for Pakistani and Bangladeshi Nationals.

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