Quick facts
Visa needed?
Yes
Standard Visitor Visa
Visa fee
£127–£135
~₹13,500–14,500 · fee rose Apr 2026 — verify
Processing time
~3 weeks
From biometrics appointment
Max stay
6 months
Per visit
Long-term options
2, 5, 10 yrs
£475 / £848 / £1,059
Earliest application
3 months
Before travel date
Your application checklist
Core documents
✓
Passport valid 6+ months with a blank page
Include old passports too if you have prior travel history — previous visas strengthen your application.
✓
6 months of bank statements
A stable balance of ₹3–5 lakh is commonly recommended. Sudden large deposits just before applying raise red flags — build the balance gradually.
✓
Income Tax Returns — last 3 years
ITR documents demonstrate financial stability and strong ties to India.
✓
Employment letter / business proof
Employed: letter confirming role, salary, and approved leave. Self-employed: business registration and financials. This is your strongest "I will return" evidence.
✓
Accommodation proof & travel itinerary
Hotel bookings or a letter of invitation if staying with family/friends (include their UK immigration status proof). Keep the itinerary realistic — vague or overly long plans raise suspicion.
✓
English translations for any non-English documents
All documents must be in English or Welsh, or include a certified translation.
Before you fly
✓
Travel insurance
The NHS charges visitors for treatment. Insurance covering medical care, cancellation, and baggage is strongly advised — and it also strengthens your visa application.
✓
Carry your supporting documents in hand luggage
Border Force can ask to see accommodation details, return ticket, and funds — keep them accessible, not in checked baggage.
✓
Money for the UK
Notify your bank, or use a multi-currency card to avoid mark-ups on every pound spent.
On arrival
✓
Border questions — consistency is everything
Your answers must match your visa application. Purpose, duration, where you're staying — any contradiction can mean refused entry even with a valid visa.
✓
Do not overstay — ever
Overstaying poisons every future UK application and can trigger re-entry bans. Leave before your visa expires.
How to apply — step by step
01
Apply online at GOV.UK
Complete the application at gov.uk covering travel plans, finances, employment, and background. Pay the fee online. You can apply up to 3 months before travel.
02
Book your VFS Global biometrics appointment
Centres in New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Chandigarh, Cochin, Goa, Jaipur, Jalandhar, and Pune. VFS service charges apply separately.
03
Attend biometrics & submit documents
Fingerprints and photo taken. Bring every supporting document — organised, consistent, and translated where needed.
04
Wait for the decision (~3 weeks)
Need it faster? Priority service (~5 working days) and Super Priority (next working day) are available at extra cost. Your decision arrives as an eVisa linked to your passport.
Mistakes that get Indian applications refused
Sudden large deposits. Dumping ₹5 lakh into your account a week before applying looks like borrowed "show money" — decision-makers check statement patterns, not just balances.
Using a visitor visa for study. Any course over 30 days requires a Short-term Study visa or full Student visa. A 4-week management course on a visitor visa triggers refusal.
Any work at all. The visitor visa permits zero work — including freelancing for clients back in India while in the UK. That's a breach.
Inconsistencies between documents. Your form says tourism, your invitation letter says helping with a family business? Refused. Every document must tell the same story.
Ignoring a previous refusal. Reapplying without addressing why you were refused last time almost guarantees another refusal. Directly evidence what's changed.
Smart traveller essentials
Travel insurance that strengthens your application
NHS treatment isn't free for visitors, and showing insurance in your application demonstrates responsible planning.
Compare travel insurance →
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Spend in pounds without the mark-up
A multi-currency card gives you the real GBP exchange rate — Indian bank cards typically add 3–5% forex mark-up plus GST on every transaction.
Get a Wise card →
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UK data from the moment you land
Skip airport SIM queues — an eSIM installed in India activates automatically when you arrive at Heathrow.
Browse UK eSIMs →
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Official sources
This checklist is compiled from
- → GOV.UK — Visit the UK as a Standard Visitor
- → GOV.UK — Apply for a Standard Visitor visa
- → VFS Global — UK visa application centres in India
- → GOV.UK — Visa decision waiting times
✓ Last verified: July 2026 · The visitor visa fee rose in April 2026 — always confirm the current fee on GOV.UK