For some years now, it has been possible to travel to India by applying for a visa electronically with the e-visa procedure, which is available to nationals of over 150 countries, including the UK. This means that it is no longer necessary to go to the Indian Embassy in the UK to wait, to have your passport stamped with a visa. The procedure is now done directly online from the official website or a website like the one of the partner we present on this page. On this page we will explain how to get an Indian visa if you are a British citizen.
How to get an e-visa for India as a British citizen?
Since 2014, it is possible to apply for an Indian visa electronically if you are a British citizen. This 100% paperless procedure does not require any paperwork to be completed by British residents to obtain this visa. It can be accessed directly online from the official Indian government website or from a partner website like the one we present on our page.
The India e-visa is an official document allowing legal entry into the country for all UK residents and for tourism purposes for business trips, clinical visits, exchange transaction workshops or other reasons. The whole process is done online, including payment of fees.
In short, to get a visa for India if you are a British traveller, you just need to fill in an online form which will only take a few minutes and pay the required fee by credit card or Paypal.
Of course, an application for a visa to India will also require you to send in some supporting documents, including a photocopy of your passport and a photograph of your face. If they are required, an advisor will contact you so that you can provide these documents electronically, i.e. by email or by downloading them directly from the website.
Once you have obtained your visa, it will be available immediately and will allow you to stay in India for up to 90 consecutive days, with multiple entries into the country.
When is the best time to apply for an e-visa for India as a British citizen?
Generally speaking, it is recommended that British nationals obtain their visa at least 4 days before their departure date to India. If you apply later, your application cannot be processed and you will be refused entry to India.
It is also important to note that the Indian government, which processes visa applications for the country, does not accept applications made more than 120 days before departure. However, you will have the opportunity to apply for a visa online well before this 120 day period, through a service such as the one we offer on our website. Your application will then be checked in advance and sent to the Indian government within the legal timeframe.
But when is the best time to apply for an Indian visa online, depending on how long it takes to process the application? Once the application is accepted and validated, the issuance of an Indian visa online takes a maximum of 4 days. However, delays may occur, especially if the photo you have submitted does not meet the requirements or if you have submitted a form with errors. To avoid any delay in processing your application, we recommend that you use a service provider such as the one we present on this page. They will check all the information and documents submitted with your application to ensure that they are correct.
What are the requirements for an Indian visa for British nationals?
To apply for a visa online, British nationals wishing to travel to India must have a valid passport with a minimum validity of 6 months from the date of arrival in the country.
Other requirements include having a copy of the information page in your possession and a digital passport photo.
It should also be noted that once obtained, the e-visa for India can only be used for entry by air and sea via the airports of Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Bagdogra, Bengaluru, Calicut, Chennai, Chandigarh, Cochin, Coimbatore, Delhi, Gaya, Goa, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mangalore, Mumbai, Nagpur, Pune, Tiruchirapalli, Trivandrum and Varanasi and the ports of Cochin, Goa and Mangalor.
Indeed, it will not be possible to enter India by land with this e-visa. However, there are no restrictions on the use of the visa by land.
What documents may be required for travellers applying for an India visa from the UK?
If you are a British citizen and you wish to obtain an e-visa or electronic visa for India, some documents may be required although the list of documents listed below actually depends on a number of factors including the purpose of your trip to India.
- A valid passport with at least 6 months validity remaining and two blank pages side by side
- A recent passport size photograph
- A return air ticket
- Proof of address (telephone, gas or electricity bill, etc.)
- Proof of financial resources (salary slip, tax return, etc.)
- Proof of the purpose of the trip (invitation letter, hotel booking confirmation, etc.)
It is also recommended to provide a yellow fever vaccination certificate and a copy of the travel insurance.
These documents can usually be submitted electronically, i.e. by downloading them from the website where you are applying or by email.
What are the differences between a regular visa and an e-visa for India for British nationals?
There are several differences between a visa and an e-visa for India:
- Application procedure: The traditional visa can be obtained by visiting the nearest Indian embassy or consulate, while the e-visa can be obtained online by filling in an application form on the Indian government website.
- Processing time: Traditional visas can take longer to process as they have to be manually reviewed by the Indian authorities. The e-visa, on the other hand, is processed quickly, usually within a few days.
- Validity: The traditional visa is valid for up to 10 years, while the e-visa is valid for up to 60 days.
- Cost: The cost of a traditional visa is generally higher than that of an e-visa, as it requires additional processing and service fees.
- Number of trips: The traditional visa allows for multiple trips to India, while the e-visa allows for only one trip.
- Number of ports of entry: The traditional visa allows entry to all ports in India, while the e-visa is valid only for authorised ports of disembarkation and departure.
It is thus obvious that the e-visa procedure for India is more advantageous than the traditional visa procedure. Indeed, this digital procedure will allow you to obtain this precious travel document more quickly, easily and efficiently.
Apply for a visa for India!
Adeline HARMANT
As a web writer and globetrotter with a passion for travel and tourism, I have acquired in-depth knowledge of the procedures that are essential for travellers. I help travellers to complete all the formalities required for a successful trip, particularly when it comes to obtaining a visa online. With several years' experience in this field, I'd like to offer you some valuable advice to help you discover the world with complete peace of mind.
