Do you want to visit the UK from India for tourism or to meet family? You need to apply for UK Visitor Visa. For Indian citizens, the UK visiting visa cost depends on visa duration. If you choose priority processing, you will need to pay additional amount as well. In this blog, we discuss application procedure, UK visitor visa fees, documents required and so on.
UK visitor visa
UK visit visa is officially known as UK Standard Visitor Visa. You can travel to UK with Visitor Visa for tourism, study (courses up to 6 months), work, business activities and other permitted activities. Indian can stay in UK for up to 6 months. You might be able to apply for longer stay in certain circumstances like to get medical treatment.
Eligibility criteria for a UK visitor visa
Here is eligibility criteria to see if you qualify for UK Visa from India.
- Valid Passport: You must have valid passport/travel document to enter and stay in the UK.
- Temporary Stay: You must show that you will leave UK at the end of your visit.
- Financial Stability: You must have enough funds to support yourself and your dependents during your trip or someone else will fund your stay in UK.
- Return/Onward Journey: You should be able to pay for your return or onward journey or someone else has the funds to pay for your journey.
- No Long-Term Settlement: You won’t make UK your main home or stay for prolonged periods.
UK visitor visa fees from India
Here is visiting visa fees for UK:
| Visa types | Visa Application Fees (Rs.) |
| Half a year validity Short-term Visa for both adults and child visitors | 9487 |
| 2-year validity Long-term Visa for both adults and children | 35672 |
| 5-year validity Long-term Visa for both adults and children | 63564 |
| 10-year validity Long-term Visa for both adults and child visitors | 79408 |
| Visiting for academics for more than 6 months up to 12 months | 18974 |
| Marriage visitor visa | 9487 |
| Private medical treatment for more than 6 but less than 11 months | 18974 |
| Students studying English language for more than 6 months but not more than 11 months | 18974 |
| 12-month validity Visa for the Parent of a Student child visa | 50377 |
| Transit visa for Visitors | 6072 |
Documents required for UK visitor visa application
Relevant documents required by Indians for:
- Original Indian Passport with at least 6 months validity and a minimum of 3 blank pages + all old passports (if any)
- Application form
- Confirmation of Appointment letter
- Fees Receipt;
- 2 recent colour photos
- Personal Cover letter: For Employed – On Plain paper/ For Self-Employed – Letterhead of their company.
- Bank Statement with sufficient bank balance for last 6 months
- Income Tax Returns for last 3 years;
- Financial Documents such as FDs, Property Investments, Recurring Deposits or any other Investments and so on. (Optional)
- Travel Itinerary
Please note that:
For Business Visa
- Invitation letter from UK Company stating the purpose of trip and business details
- Cover letter from the Indian company on the company’s Letterhead.
If Visiting a friend or a relative in the UK
- Invitation letter from friend/relative
- Inviter’s ID proof like a Passport/Resident Permit;
- Proof of Address like any Electricity bill or Utility bill.
If Minor
- Birth Certificate
- NOC from parents / non-accompanying parent or Rs 100/- stamp paper
- ID proof of the Parents like Passport/PAN card.
UK visitor visa application process from India
Follow the steps to apply for UK Visitor Visa from India: –
- Visit British High Commission’s portal
- Download UK tourist visa application and fill it up. Schedule an appointment with the nearest Consulate in India.
- Attend the appointment, submit your application, provide biometrics and submit required documents.
- You will receive acknowledgement after submission.
- Track your application and wait for the decision.
UK visitor visa processing time from India
UK visitor visa processing time from India is around 7 weeks. In some cases, applications may take longer.
You will get decision within 3 weeks if you apply visa for:
- Vacation/to see family or friends
- Business meeting/trip
- Marriage
- Study for 6 months or less
How to track UK visitor visa application status
To check status of UK Visitor Visa you can contact the Embassy/Consulate of the UK in India where you have applied by mail or phone.
You can also visit TRACK YOUR APPLICATION – ONLINE TRACKING (vfsvisaonline.com) or the British Consulate of the city where you have applied
Embassy and Consulate of the UK in India
The Embassy of the UK (British High Commission) in India is located in New Delhi. The Consulates of the UK (Deputy Commission) is located in Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Chandigarh, Chennai, Bangalore, Goa, Hyderabad and Mumbai.
Find your nearest UK Visa Application Centre in India at Find visa application centre at Gov.UK
FAQs
How early should I apply for UK Visitor Visa?
You should apply at least 3 months before your planned travel date.
What is most common reason for UK Visitor Visa rejection?
Most rejections happen because applicants do not show enough financial proof to support their stay in the UK.
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