
India
Important Information
- All foreign nationals, including children, require a visa to enter India. The only exceptions are nationals of Nepal and Bhutan, who can enter India without a visa.
The Indian High Commission, offers both a standard visa and an electronic visa (eVisa) system. The eVisa is equivalent to a traditional visa, though no stamp or label is placed in the passport.
Documents Required
Passport valid for a minimum of 180 days with at least two blank pages. (Original + Photocopy of Passport)
Two recent 50 mm * 50 mm size photographs.
Photocopy of the previous Indian Visa (if applicable)
Original signed letter from the company in UK containing:
Addressed to High Commission of India or Consulate General of India, Birmingham, or Consulate General of India, Edinburgh.
Letters need to on the company’s headed paper
Letters need to be signed by authorised signatory of the company, proxy signature are not acceptable
Purpose of Visit
Applicants Name
Passport number
Start & Expiry date of the passport
Duration of stay in India (per trip -if applicable)
Copy of the Registration papers of Company/Companies in India
For Person whose previous nationality was Indian before acquiring foreign nationality
Copy of Surrender Certificate and Copy of the Cancelled Indian Passport (Self-Attested) OR
lf travelled to India before, please provide your previous Passport with Indian Visa.
To be eligible for the eVisa, travellers must:
Submit the eVisa application no less than 4 days and no more than 120 days before entry into India.
Arrive by air or sea at designated specific airports or seaports.
Be travelling for a stay of 180 days or less.
Hold a passport valid for at least six months on entry, with two blank visa pages (emergency passports are not accepted).
Show proof of sufficient funds.
Provide proof of onward/return flights.
Hold hotel reservations.
Possess all documents required for the next destination.
Required Documents for Application for eVisa:
A recent photograph.
A copy of the passport information page (emergency passports are not accepted).
A letter of invitation.
A copy of your business card.
Additional Administrative Processing
For applicants of Afghan, Bangladeshi, Chinese, Iraqi, Iranian, Nigerian, Somali, or Sri Lankan origin, visa approval must be obtained from officials in India. The Indian High Commission will retain passports until approval is received. Processing for these applications can take a minimum of eight weeks, and additional consular fees may apply. A supplementary declaration visa form is also required.
Processing Time
Processing times vary for each application and are at the sole discretion of the High Commission of India and its Consulates in the UK. Some applications may take longer than others to process. Therefore, applicants are advised to confirm their travel plans only after obtaining the visa.
Applications submitted in person at the centre may take longer in the following cases:
- Non-UK passport holders residing in the UK for less than two years: Minimum 6-8 working days
- Applications requiring clearance from India: Processing time varies
- Nationals of or applicants of Pakistani origin: Minimum 7-8 weeks
- Nationals of Sri Lanka, China, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and UK Travel Document holders: Minimum 15 working days
- Regular applications: Minimum 3-5 working days