View our guide to visas for India and how to obtain them.
E-Tourist Visas
If you have a passport which is endorsed ‘British citizen’ and you meet the eligibility criteria you can apply for a double entry e-Tourist Visa (e-TV) to enter India at certain airports.
This way you can get your Indian Visa online. The eligibility criteria include only visiting for tourism, visiting family or friends or short duration medical treatment or casual business visit, have at least 6 months validity on your passport and have two full blank pages free.
6 months or 12 months Indian Tourist Visa
If you want to visit India for longer than 1 or 2 months then you will still need to apply for a visa in the regular way by sending away your application and passport.
UK citizens can travel to India on a tourist visa choosing from single, double or multiple entry, 3, 6 or 12 months. All Tourist visas are non-extendable and non-convertible and the price and process for applying for each visa is the same, so you might as well choose a 6-month or even 12-month multiple entry tourist visa.
Make sure you know though that even on a 12-month visa you are not allowed to spend more than 180 days which is 6 months in India. But you can leave for a day and come back.
Tourist visas are only given to foreigners who do not have a residence or work in India and whose sole objective of visiting is for tourism or a casual visit to meet friends and relatives.
If you wish to do anything else during your trip then you will need an alternative visa. If you want to do volunteering in India, are study, conducting journalism, or travelling for employment, business or research then you will need a different visa.
How to Apply for a Tourist Visa from the UK
You can fill in the form online then make an appointment to apply in person or apply by post. You will need
1) Printed and signed application form
2) Declaration form
3) Your Passport
4) Two passport sized photos
Then send it off to the Indian Visa and Consular Application Centre in Hounslow or book an appointment with your nearest office.
Problems Getting a Visa
You may have problems or it might be a bit more difficult for a few different reasons.
If your work involves the media, police or armed forces, Pilot or cabin crew, charity work, research or you are a priest you may need to supply additional information.
You might need to provide a letter from your employer to state why you are travelling even if you are just traveling as a tourist. These occupations can sometimes lead to Visa rejection.
Applicants of Pakistani origin need to provide additional information. This includes you if your parents or grandparents are from Pakistan.
Those who hold dual British-Pakistan nationality must apply for an Indian visa on their Pakistan passport. If you have cancelled your Pakistani passport would need to submit documentary evidence of this.
Do You Need More Information?
This is just a snapshot of how to apply for an Indian Visa and if you need some more information try the UKs Foreign travel advice for India. Or if you need inspiration for where to go search India tours.
