India visa for United Kingdom citizens
For United Kingdom travellers, an Indian tourist visit begins with the online e-Tourist visa application, not a paper form lodged in person. The cost is 40 USD and most approvals are returned within 3–5 days. British passport holders can be granted a stay of up to 180 days, so the same visa covers short city breaks and longer journeys alike. You will need a passport valid for six months beyond arrival, a clear photograph, and a card for the online payment. The approval reaches you by email and should be printed for the airline and the immigration desk.
| Visa required | Yes (source) |
|---|---|
| e-Visa available | Yes (source) |
| Maximum stay | 180 days (source) |
| Processing time | 3–5 days (source) |
| Visa fee | 40 USD (source) |
Requirements
What UK applicants need
- A British passport valid for six months beyond arrival, carrying two or more blank pages.
- A clear digital image of the passport bio-data page.
- A recent photograph with a white background in the format the portal requests.
- A reliable email address for delivery of the electronic approval.
- Your accommodation address in India and your expected arrival date.
- A card to settle the 40 USD fee during the online application.
- Proof of onward travel, which border officials can request.
- Note that the e-Tourist visa grants a stay of up to 180 days and admits you only through approved entry points.
Documents checklist
- British passport valid for six months beyond your arrival, with spare pages for stamps.
- A legible digital image of the passport photo page.
- A recent photograph against a plain white background, matching the portal's dimensions.
- A reliable email address for delivery of the electronic visa.
- The address of your accommodation and your expected arrival date.
- A card to pay the 40 USD fee online.
- Evidence of onward or return travel.
- Proof of adequate funds, which may be requested at the border.
- Records of any previous Indian visa held.
Application steps
- Collect your British passport, a clear image of the photo page, and a compliant photograph.
- Access the official Indian e-Tourist visa portal directly.
- Enter your personal, passport, and itinerary information on the form.
- Upload the photograph and passport scan as instructed.
- Pay the 40 USD fee through the secure online payment page.
- Save your application ID and expect processing in around 3–5 days.
- Print the e-Tourist visa that is emailed to you.
- Arrive at an approved entry point with the printout and passport; the visa allows up to 180 days.
Processing time
3–5 days (source) (typical). Processing times may vary.
Visa cost
Fee (from our data): 40 USD (source) . Fees are subject to change; check the official source before applying.
For UK travellers the Indian e-Tourist visa carries a government fee of 40 USD, charged online during the application. This covers the electronic handling of your visa; biometrics for the e-Tourist route are normally collected on entry rather than at a centre in advance.
You pay by card on the official portal. Prices advertised elsewhere are often inflated by agents who add a markup, so applying directly keeps the cost to the official amount.
Visa charges can be adjusted from time to time, so verify the current fee on the official source before submitting your application.
Common mistakes to avoid
A rejected photo is the commonest reason UK applicants have to restart India's e-Tourist visa — get the documents right the first time.
- Submitting a photo that fails the specification. Use a recent, front-facing photo on a plain background; the portal rejects images with shadows, borders, or the wrong aspect.
- Applying without a processing margin. Allow several days before departure — issuance generally takes 3–5 days and is not instant.
- Not budgeting for the exact fee. The official cost is 40 USD; pay on the official Indian government e-visa portal rather than an intermediary that inflates it.
- Mismatched personal details. Names, date of birth, and passport number must mirror the passport precisely or entry can be denied.
- Misjudging the maximum stay. The visa permits up to 180 days, but the officer at the border decides the period actually granted.
- Carrying no printout. Keep a printed copy of the e-visa approval; some carriers and immigration desks still ask to see it.
- Choosing a non-designated arrival port. The e-visa is only valid at approved airports and seaports.
Country context & recent trends
What UK travellers should know
The online e-Tourist visa removes any need for a consular visit, but it comes with conditions that differ from a traditional sticker visa. Approval generally arrives within 3–5 days, though peak periods over the winter and festival season can stretch that, so apply with time to spare.
Entry is restricted to designated ports, and travel to certain protected or border regions requires extra permits. Rules on validity and permitted activities are periodically updated, so review the current terms on the official source before you rely on older guidance.
How it compares to nearby destinations
For UK visitors deciding between India and other destinations in the region, here is how the entry formalities line up.
| Destination | Visa required | Typical processing | Indicative fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| India | Yes — online e-Tourist visa | 3–5 days | 40 USD |
| Sri Lanka | Yes — electronic travel authorisation | Varies | Varies — check official source |
| Nepal | Visa on arrival available | Issued on arrival | Varies — check official source |
| Thailand | Visa-free for many tourists | Not applicable | None for visa-free entry |
India is among the simpler of these to arrange thanks to its online process, but always confirm the latest rules for each destination on its official source before booking.
Frequently asked questions
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Do UK citizens need a visa to visit India?
Yes. British travellers need a visa, applied for online as an e-Tourist visa. The process is entirely electronic, with no embassy appointment.
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How much does it cost?
The official fee is 40 USD, paid online. Prices advertised on third-party sites are often inflated by added service charges.
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What is the processing time?
Applications are usually decided within about 3–5 days. During the winter peak and festival periods it can take a little longer, so apply early.
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How long is the permitted stay?
UK passport holders can be granted up to 180 days per visit. Check the dates on your approval, as the exact validity can vary.
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Do my children need their own visas?
Yes. Each traveller, regardless of age, must have an individual e-Tourist visa. Apply separately for every member of the party.
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What should I do if I am refused?
A refusal often follows an error or inconsistency in the application. You may reapply with the correct details, but the fee is normally not refunded, so review your entries carefully first.