Last update: October 2011
India
Visa Information
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Introduction
Visitors to India require a visa to enter the country unless they are of Indian citizenship. Non-resident Indians that hold a citizenship of another country are also required to obtain a visas before arriving in India. Visas should be obtained from the Indian embassy or consulate in the applicant's home country (except when the application process has been out sourced by the high commission). Special permits are required when visiting the Andaman and Nicobar islands, Bhutan, Lakshadweep, remote northern states and Sikkim.
Foreign nationals who do not reside permanently in India, but who are regularly employed with Indian firms or companies on a monthly salary, are permitted to make recurring remittance of their salaries to their home countries for family maintenance. Authorized dealers are instructed to allow foreign nationals to make this remittance, up to 75% of the net salary (after deduction of a contribution to a retirement benefit plan and tax payable) after verifying that the foreigners hold valid employment visas. However, for foreign nationals holding valid employment visas, remittances in excess of 75% may be made, provided that the foreign national have received perquisites in India, such as free housing, conveyance and medical care, and provided his or her family (spouse and children) are residents outside of India.
General Visa Requirements
The VFS Global are now responsible for the acceptance of visa applications and the return of any documentation. Please select the link below to create your visa application form online.
VFS Global
VFS offices are located in the following areas:
England - India visa application centres
-
Hayes (Postal applications are only accepted at this address)
1-3, Canalside,
Uxbridge Road
Hayes, Middlesex, UB4 0JN
- Manchester
C/o. Jain Community Centre
669 Stockport Road, Longsight,
Manchester, M12 4QE
Scotland/India visa application centres
- Edinburgh
66 Hanover Buildings Rose Street,
Edinburgh EH2 2NN
- Glasgow
C/o. Mel Milaap Centre
134 Berkeley Street,
Glasgow, G3 7HY.
Wales/India visa application centres
- Cardiff
C/o. The India Centre,
Sanquhar Street,
Splott,
Cardiff, CF24 2AA
Please note that no previous versions or handwritten forms will be available on the website or accepted by the Indian visa application centres. Online application forms are now being used.
Once you have completed your online application form, please ensure that you bring a copy of your completed form, signed, when attending your local visa application centre.
The applicants will continue to submit the printed copies of their applications, photos, passports and fees to their local Indian visa application centres. You can also send your application by post. (Hayes Visa Application Centre Only!)
For further information on how to process you visa application online or to track the progress made on your existing application, please click on the external link below.
Visa Application Online
Processing may take up to 10 working days or in some cases longer. Applicants not ordinarily residents 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:
- British nationals holding dual nationality or of other origin,
- Applicants not resident in the UK,
- Where clearance from India is mandatory,
- Visitors to restricted areas and
- 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 in London if you wish to ascertain whether any of the places you intend to visit fall in the category of restricted/protected areas.
Health Card - Swine Influenza A(H1N1)
In view of the spread of the Swine Influenza A(H1N1) all passengers travelling to India will be screened at the International Airports in India on their arrival and required to carry the declaration form (Health Card) at the Immigration. This may also involve quarantine and even hospitalisation, if detected, with any symptoms connected with the flu.
Kindly print the Health screening card from the links below, complete and sign it before travelling to India.
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Visa application
Specific visas are granted for a variety of purposes. The principal types of visas issued are:
Please contact the High Commission of India in London for further details if you are visiting India for purposes other than tourism, such as journalism, conferences, yoga, voluntary work, mountaineering or other expeditions.
Transit Visa
The validity of the Transit visa will be 3 months from the date of issue, for a single Entry only. However stay in India should not exceed 15 days from date of arrival. Evidence of onward travel to a destination outside India is required.
Business Visa
Business Visas are normally granted for three or six months. However, multiple-entry Business Visas for up to two years validity may be granted to technicians/experts going to India in pursuance of bilateral agreements or joint venture projects having government approval.
Student and Employment Visa
Student Visas can be obtained on furnishing proof of admission to recognized Universities/Institutions in India. Employment Visas can also be obtained on furnishing of proof of employment with companies in India.
Entry Visa
Entry Visas are issued to persons of Indian origin for duration of up to five years. These can be obtained, depending on the purpose of visit and eligibility, on a case-by-case basis.
Visa Fee and Additional Charges
Visa fees are non-refundable and subject to change without notice. The High Commission reserves the right on granting and deciding the type/duration of visa irrespective of the fees tendered at the time of making the application. Granting of visa does not confer the right of entry to India and is subject to the discretion of the Immigration Authorities.
Please refer to Additional Charges and Notes below for special fees applicable to nationals of certain countries.
-
Transit Visa Fee - (Single/Double Entry), valid for halts of up to 72 hours within 15 days from date of issue. This visa is issued only for changing of flights en route to another country. Evidence of onward travel outside India is required.
- Valid upto 72 hours, 15 days from date of issue - £27.20
Further extension can be obtained.
Further information on other types of visas can be obtained on the India Visa website, UK. All information above includes the VFS SERVICE CHARGE.
A payment of £16.20 is required for the transfer of a of five-year visa from an expired passport to a new passport. Both the expired and new passports have to be submitted along with a separate application form.
Different nationals are charged different prices for all types of visas and transits, please refer to the India Visa website for more details.
Requirements to register with FRO/FRRO (Foreigner Registration Offices)
Additional Charges (payable in addition to the normal Visa Fees):
- £15.00 to all applicants holding US passports.
- £25.00 Applicants arriving to submit applications beyond Visa Counter hours (08:30-12:00 hrs on working days) on emergency grounds.
- £10.00 Non-UK passport holders. Proof of stay of at least one year required to be produced for exemption.
- £10.20 Service charges for applicants holding Russian passports. (All Visa categories).
The fees above do not apply to applicants holding Japanese, Pakistani, Sri Lankan or Bangladeshi passports, or passports of countries that provide Gratis Visas to Indian passport holders.
Nationals of Pakistan are charged an additional fee of £2.50.
Visa fees applicable to holders of Sri Lankan passports:
- Single-entry valid for up to six months - £25.20
- Multiple-entry valid for up to one year - £30.20
- Single entry visa - £25.20
- Double entry visa - £28.20
- Multiple entry visa - 30.20
- Single entry - £25.20
- Double entry - £28.20
- Tourist, Student, Conference and all other types of visas are £25.20.Single-entry valid for up to six months.
- Multiple entry valid for up to one year - £30.20.
Nationals of Afghanistan, Argentina, Bangladesh, Jamaica, Maldives, Mongolia, Mauritius, North Korea (DPRK), South Africa and Uruguay are charged minimal Visa fees. These applicants should contact the High Commission or its Birmingham or Edinburgh missions for further information.
High Commission Contact details
The address and contact details of the Indian high commission and Consulate generals are listed below:
High Commission of India
India House
Aldwych
London WC2B 4NA
Telephone:
0207 632 3149
0207 632 3152
0207 632 3153
Website:
http://hcilondon.in/
Consulate General of India, Birmingham
20 Augusta Street
Jewellery Quarter, Hockley
Birmingham, B18 6JL
Telehone:
0121 212 2782
Website:
http://www.cgibirmingham.org/
Consulate General of India, Edinburgh
17 Rutland Square
Edinburgh, EH1 2BB
Telephone:
0131 229 2144
Website:
http://www.cgiedinburgh.org/Default.shtml
Source: High Commission of India, London
Last update: October 2011
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