UK Visa for Indians - All You Should Know in 2025

Indian applicants eligible if applying for following types of UK visas: 

1. Work visa 
2. Study visa 

1. Family visa 
2. Transit visa 

Who Does Not Require UK Visa

You will not require a UK Visa to visit the UK if you meet any of the following requirements:

• Individuals from a country in the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA), or Switzerland
• Citizens of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar, Oman, or Kuwait can get an electronic visa waiver by paying 30 pounds
• Individuals visiting the UK on official government or diplomatic business

Features of UK Visa

The features of a UK Visa are as follows:

• You can visit Scotland, Wales, England, and Northern Ireland with a UK visa.
• Standard Visitor visa can be availed for six months or 11 months.
• You can pay an extra fee to receive a decision on your UK visa application India within one or five business days.
• UK visa is available for permanent residence as well as short duration.
• Long term Standard Visitor visa can be availed for two, five, and ten years.

How to Apply for a UK Visa for Indians?

Step-by-Step Application Process:

1. Choose the visa type (Tourist, Student, Work, Family, etc.)

1. Fill out the online application form on the official UK visa portal.

1. Upload or prepare required documents, such as: Passport Travel itinerary & accommodation details Bank statements / proof of funds Invitation letter (if applicable) Supporting documents (job, study, family ties)

1. Pay the visa fee online.

1. Book an appointment at a Visa Application Centre (VAC) via VFS Global.

1. Attend the appointment: Submit documents Provide biometrics (photo & fingerprints)
   1. Submit documents
   2. Provide biometrics (photo & fingerprints)

1. Wait for visa decision (usually 3 weeks for Visitor visas).

1. Collect your passport with the visa vignette (or BRP for long-stay visas).

Types of UK Visa

UK Visitor Visa: A non-British person may enter, remain in, and transit the UK with this kind of visa. This visa is available to people going to the UK for leisure, business, medical treatment, meetings with family and friends, participation in sports, or other cultural activities.

UK Transit Visa: A UK Transit Visa allows a foreigner to transit through the international transit sections of UK airports. This visa is of two types, namely, the Visitor in Transit visa and UK Direct Airside Transit Visa (DATV).

UK Permitted Paid Engagement Visa: This kind of visa is available to foreign citizens who have been invited by a UK-based organization or client due to their expertise in a particular subject. People who want to go independently to the UK to work for pay must apply for a UK Permitted Paid Engagement Visa.

UK Study Visa: If a non-British person wants to study in the UK, they can apply for a UK Study Visa. Both kids and adults who want to study for a short or long time at a UK school or institution can apply for this student visa for the UK. With this visa, students can do research as part of their course requirements.

UK Child Student Visa: Students under 18 who wish to attend a school or other educational facility in the UK must submit an application for a UK Study Visa. A child can apply for this visa if they are between the ages of 4 and 17. These visa holders may also work full- or part-time under certain circumstances. A UK child student visa's duration may be increased.  

UK Short-term Study Visa: This visa can be applied for by people who intend to take brief study courses in the UK, such as language or training courses. Research can be done as part of studies by those with a UK short-term study visa. You must be at least 16 years old to apply for this visa. This kind of UK visa normally has a six-month validity period. However, it can be issued for 11 months if you're taking an English language course.

UK General Student Visa: Foreign people may apply for this type of visa if they want to take a long-term course in graduate or postgraduate study at a UK institution of higher learning. To be eligible to apply for this visa, candidates must be at least 16 years old and proficient in writing, reading, speaking, and understanding English. This Tier 4 visa may also be extended if the student's program is anticipated to last longer than six months.

UK Work Visa: This type of UK visa allows a non-British national to go to the UK to work in an organisation. Before applying for this visa, applicants need have a minimum of 945 pounds in their bank accounts for up to 90 days. Indian applicants must additionally pay a healthcare fee to acquire a UK Work Visa. A worker’s dependent family members can apply for this type of visa provided each of them possesses at least 630 pounds at the time of application. The various types of UK Work Visas are as follows: 

• UK Short-term Work Visa: This type of visa allows an individual to work in the UK for a short duration. It is a Tier five UK visa for temporary workers and contains the following categories: Youth Mobility Scheme Visa, Seasonal Worker Visa, Creative and Sporting Visa, Religious Worker Visa, International Agreement Visa, Charity Worker Visa, and Government Authorized Exchange Visa.
• UK Long-term Work Visa: Holders of this visa can stay in the UK for a long duration. It is a Tier two visa that the UK grants to foreign individuals who wish to work in the country. General Work Visa, Intra-company Transfer Visa, Sportsperson Visa, and Minister of Religion Visa are included in this type of visa.
• UK Investor, Business Development, and Talent Visa: Foreigners who want to operate, establish, or invest in a company/business in the UK can apply for this type of visa. Investor Visitor, Exceptional Talent Visa, Innovator Visa, and Start-up Visa come under this type of visa.

Other types of work visas include Representative of an Overseas Business Visa, Exempt Vignette, Ancestry Visa, and Domestic Workers in a Private Household Visa.  

UK Standard Visitor Visa: Individuals going for vacation, business, to obtain medical treatment, or to attend cultural or sports events should apply for this type of visit visa.  

UK Family Visa: Non-British nationals should apply for this kind of visa if they want to live in the UK with family members who have been there longer than six months. Family members can include a partner, spouse, parents, children, fiancé or fiancée, or a relative who need long-term care. You must pay a health fee when you apply for this UK visa.  

UK Marriage Visitor Visa: People who want to get married or register a civil partnership should apply for this kind of visa. A person may also apply for this visa if they intend to give a marriage or civil partnership notice. After getting married or entering a civil partnership, the holders of this UK visa are not allowed to stay there permanently.

Documents Required for Various UK Visas 

The following is the list of documents required for specific UK visas: 

UK Standard Visitor Visa: 

1. For a non-Indian applicant living in India, residential address proof 

1. Financial documents 
2. Valid passports 
3. If applicable, submit previously issued passports 
4. Employment and academic details of the applicant 
5. Financial document of the sponsor 

1. For a self-employed applicant, submits documents related to registered business 
2. Proof of business trip, such as letter and documents from the UK business owner 

UK Study Visa: 

1. Tuberculosis test report 
2. Current valid passport 

1. Financial stability evidence 
2. Certificate of English proficiency 
3. Documents for UK accommodation 
4. Documents supporting the education history of the applicant 
5. For the sponsor’s financial status and occupation, submit document evidence 

1. For a minor applicant, consent letter of legal guardian or parent 

UK Transit Visitor Visa: 

1. Confirmed travel booking details 
2. Documents proving the evidence of final destination country 
3. Valid passport 

1. for the final destination country- Visa, Green Card, or Residence Permit 

UK Family Visa: 

1. Proof of financial stability 
2. Proof of English language proficiency 
3. Valid passport 

1. If applicable, submit previously issued passports 
2. Immigration application details if submitted previously 
3. UK accommodation evidence 

UK Work Visa: 

1. Report of criminal conviction, if applicable 

1. Proof of financial stability 
2. Current valid passport 
3. Credential of applicant’s sponsorship certificate 
4. Previously issued certificate 
5. Certificate of English proficiency 

1. Tuberculosis report of the applicants 

UK Visa Photo Requirements for Indians

The following are the requirements for uploading photo for Indians applying for UK visa:

1. Dimension of photo should be 35mm x 45mm
2. Facial expression should be neutral

1. Photo background should be light grey or basic cream
2. Recent photograph should be taken
3. Spectacles should be worn by the applicant only under specific medical condition while taking the photograph
4. Photo should not have red-eye effect
5. Photo of the applicant should look direct to the camera lens

1. Headgear is allowed only under religious purposes

UK Visa Validity

UK Visa Fee Exemptions

Individuals applying for a UK visa on the grounds of their personal circumstances may be excluded from paying visa fees under the following conditions:

1. Undefined 

1. An applicant who is earning a low income and paying visa fees might have an impact on their child's well-being. 
2. Applicants who do not have a residence or the resources to afford one. 
3. Applicants who have a residence but cannot pay for food and other expenses. 

Duration of Stay

You can stay up to six months on a tourist visa. Apart from this, you can also extend your stay if you come to the UK for medical treatment purposes by paying additional charges. You can even extend your visa duration if you are in the UK for attending an academic program.

Long Term Visitor Visa

You can apply for a long-term Standard Visitor visa with a duration of two, five, or 10 years if you need to stay longer in the nation. During each visit, you can stay for a maximum of six months. 

UK Student Visa

The steps to apply for a UK student visa is mentioned below - 

Step 1: Registering with a Consultancy

Before starting the visa application process, the student must first register with a consultancy for admission. Your consultant will walk you through each step, making it simpler for you to navigate while studying abroad.

Step 2: Applying for Admission

Students planning to study in the UK can rely on the consultant to assist with applications to their preferred institutions. Required documents include academic credentials and proof of English proficiency. Students must provide all listed documents for the visa application, which the consultant can submit on their behalf while keeping them updated on its status. The consultant also liaises with the university to ensure timely processing.

Step 3: Payment of Tuition Fee

Tuition fees, typically for the first semester, must be paid to the institution via Direct Debit or Telegraphic Transfer and acknowledged to proceed with the visa application. After payment, the university issues an electronic confirmation of enrollment, which the applicant must present with required documents for verification.

Step 4: Lodging Your Visa Application

To lodge the student's visa application, the documents specified in the checklist provided by the consultant must be submitted. Similar to the admissions process, the consultant will keep the applicant informed about the status of their application and track it by communicating with the visa office on their behalf.

Step 5: Undertaking Medical Examinations

After submitting your visa application, you must undergo a medical examination within 28 days with a UK-approved doctor. The doctor will send the reports directly to the visa office, and your consultant will inform you of the outcome. If approved, collect your grant letter from the consultant before planning your travel and accommodation.