Your complete guide to a UK visa for Indians
If you're planning to visit the UK, applying for a visa is a crucial step in your travel planning. The process can be a bit daunting, but with the right information and documents, it can be a smooth and hassle-free experience. Here's a guide to the UK visa application process for Indian citizens.
Do Indians need a visa for the UK?
Yes, Indian passport holders need a visa to enter the United Kingdom. The type of visa varies depending on your travel plans and your length of stay. VFS Global handles all UK visa requests and processing in India. Generally, getting a UK visa in India can take around 2 to 3 weeks once you have submitted an application with all your documents.¹
Types of UK visas
The list of possible visas covers a wide range of purposes so be sure to check which type of visa you are best eligible for before applying.²
UK tourist visa for Indians
The UK offers tourist or visit visas to Indians for tourism and visiting family and friends. The visit can be up to 6 months and you are not allowed to earn money on a visit visa.
Free family permits are available if your partner or family member is a British citizen or from specific EU countries, like Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein. The family member already in the UK will need to show evidence of being able to financially support you during the stay.³
Couples getting married or registering a civil partnership can consider the Marriage visa.
A visit visa can also be used for the following reasons but you may need to provide supporting documents along with your application:
- For attending meetings, conferences, training, or academic research for less than six months.
- Studying if the period of study is less than six months.
- Traveling to Ireland and visiting the UK in transit.
- Traveling for medical treatment.
UK work visa for Indians
A UK work visa applies to Indians intending to work for more than six months in the UK. The UK work visa is available in multiple categories, depending on the profession.⁴
The UK Work Visa is determined based on the following.
- Your qualifications and skills.
- Your job offer and sponsorship.
- Whether you bring your family with you.
- The nature of your job.
The most popular visas are the Health and Care Worker visa and the Skilled Worker visa. Additionally, there are visas to work for an overseas employer while residing in the UK and other visas under the global business mobility scheme. Temporary work visas are also available for creative, seasonal, or charity workers.
Here are some of the types of UK work visas according to the applicant’s profession:
- Academics or researchers have nine different categories to choose from.
- Arts and culture professionals.
- Professional athletes, depending on your capability to work as an elite sportsperson.
- Religious worker, depending on the nature of the work.
- Start a business based on whether you are founding a startup, an innovator, or an established businessperson.
- Any other work not listed already.
The UK has recently launched a new scheme called the India Young Professionals Scheme where Indian citizens with a UK bachelor's degree or equivalent and savings to support themselves for a stay in the country can apply for a visa.
UK transit visa for Indians
A transit visa is for when you are flying through the UK on your way to another country. You do not need a transit visa if you already have a standard visitor visa or marriage visa or if you are staying within the airport terminal.⁶
The UK offers two types of transit visas, depending on whether you go through border control.⁷ Generally, visitors pass through the UK border control under the following four circumstances:
- Leaving the main airport building for any reason.
- Baggage has to be collected and you need to check in for an onward flight.
- The next flight leaves on a different calendar date.
- You don’t have any accommodation to stay overnight.
If you fall into any of these situations, you must apply for a Visitor in Transit Visa.⁸ You may require a Direct Airside Transit Visa if you do not pass through border control but there are exemptions.⁹
UK student visa for Indians
If you’re planning to go to the UK for higher education for more than six months, you must apply for a UK Study Visa. Three types of UK study visas are available, depending on the length of stay and type of study program:¹⁰
- Short-term study visa: is for students who go to the UK for English language study for six to 11 months.
- Student Visa: for students who are doing a longer course and have a confirmed spot at a licensed college or university. Students may be able to work on this visa.
- Child Student Visa: for students between ages 4 and 17 who intend to study at an independent school.
For studies under six months, a standard visitor visa is sufficient.
How much does a UK visa cost for Indians?
The UK visa cost for Indians depends on the type of visa you apply for. Here are some reference pricing for popular visa categories.¹¹
UK Standard Visitor Visa
| Individual visa category | Cost in Indian rupees |
|---|---|
| Short-term (up to 6 months, single or multiple entries) | INR 10,660. |
| Long-term (up to 2 years) | INR 40,080. |
| Longer term (5 years) | INR 71,419. |
| Visiting academic or private medical treatment (more than six months up to 11 months) | INR 21,319 |
| Marriage visitor visa | INR 10,660. |
UK Work Visa
Here are the visa costs for applications made outside the UK.
| Individual visa category | Cost in Indian rupees |
|---|---|
| Skilled worker with sponsorship for 3 years or less. | INR 66,622. |
| Global Business Mobility. | INR 66,622 - INR 1,31,646. |
| Health and Care visa for 3 years or less. | INR 26,329. |
| Temporary work- creative worker. | INR 27,608. |
| Start-up. | INR 40,293. |
Tier 1 visas for exceptional talent which is on a points-based system have a visa fee ranging from INR 17,802 to INR 66,409.
UK Transit Visa
| Individual visa category. | Cost in Indian rupees |
|---|---|
| Direct Airside Transit. | INR 3,731. |
| Visitor in Transit visa. | INR 6,822. |
UK Student Visa
| Individual visa category. | Cost in Indian rupees |
|---|---|
| Short-term student | INR 21,319. |
| Student Visa | INR 38,694. |
| Child Student Visa | INR 38,694. |
Visa fees and currency conversion verified on 9 June 2023.
UK visa requirements for Indian citizens
To apply for a UK Visa, you must provide the following general information:
- Personal details.
- Salary, employment, and financial details.
- Travel history and itinerary.
- Enough funds to pay for your stay in the UK.
- Enough funds to prove you can pay for travel in and out of the UK.
- Sufficient evidence that you will leave the UK at the end of your visit.
Applicants must submit the following documents at the VFS Global visa application center when applying for their UK visa:
- The original passport
- Self-attested photocopies of KYC documents.
- Employment, salary, and financial details (for work, business, tourist visas).
- Educational qualification documents (for student visa).
- Travel itinerary and history.
- Proof of adequate funds to sustain your stay in the UK and pay for air travel to and from the UK (bank statements).
- Proof that you will leave the UK at the end of the visit.
Check your individual visa type on the UK Visas and Immigration websitefor the exact documents you will need to provide.
How to apply for a UK visa from India
VFS Global handles all the processing work forUK visas in India. The procedure is simple if you have all the documents in order.¹²
- Visit the VFS Global website.
- Select the correct visa for your UK trip. The information is available on the UK Visas and Immigration website.
- Once you have the information, return to the UK Visas and Immigration website to identify your visa and apply.
- Pay the visa fee and note down the reference number.
- Choose the visa applicationcenter nearest to your residence and make an appointment.
- Upload the supporting documents.
- Visit the application center and attend your appointment.
- The visa application center will inform you of the decision by email. Then, you can collect your documents and your passport.
How long does it take to get a UK visa?
The processing times for a UK visa depend on the current volume of visa applications. Generally, the average time is around 3 weeks from the application date.
When can I apply for a UK visa?
Ideally, you must apply for your UK visa well in advance. The earliest you can apply depends on the visa category.¹⁴
- Visit visas: Three months before the proposed travel date.
- Work visas: Three months before the employment start date.
- Student visas: Six months before the course commencement date.
How long are UK visas valid?
| Type of visa | Validity from entry |
|---|---|
| Standard Visitor Visa | Generally, six months |
| Work Visa | Generally, three to five years |
| Student Visa | Two to five years, depending on the degree level. |
| Transit Visa | Six months on each visit, with the visa lasting 2, 5, or 10 years. |
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Sources used for this article:
- UK Visa for Indians - Do Indians need a visa for the UK?
- UK Visa for Indians - Check which type of visa you are eligible for
- UK Visa for Indians - Exceptions to the standard visitor visa
- UK Visa for Indians - Work Visa
- UK Visa for Indians - Standard Visitor Visa
- UK Visa for Indians - Exceptions to the UK Transit Visa
- UK Visa for Indians - Transit visa
- UK Visa for Indians - Visitor in Transit Visa
- UK Visa for Indians - Direct Airside Transit Visa
- UK Visa for Indians - UK Student Visa
- UK Visa for Indians - Visa fees
- UK Visa for Indians - How to apply
- UK Visa for Indians - processing times
- UK Visa for Indians - When to apply for the UK visa
Sources verified on 9 June 2023.
Cover photo by Chris Boland.
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