UK Visa For Indians

The citizens from other countries who wish to visit the UK for study, work, business, tourism or to join a family member or partner/friend can apply for the UK Visa through the online portal. Depending on the type of the visa, the applicant will be required to fill in a specific type of visa application form in English, pay the visa fee online, print a copy of the completed application form, and book the appointment for submitting the documents and biometric details. The online facility allows the applicant to save the application’s progress and continue at a later stage.

Applying for the UK visa with an Indian Passport

The Indian passport holders can visit the official website - https://visas-immigration.service.gov.uk/product/uk-visit-visa to initiate the online application process. The applicant can choose from 19 other languages apart from English to carry out the application process. Once the language selection has been made, the applicant will need to indicate the particular type of UK visa he/she is applying for. The website allows the applicants to proceed with one of the following types of UK Visas:

Types of UK Visas

• Standard Visitor Visa
• Marriage Visitor Visa
• Permitted Paid Engagement Visa
• Tier 4 (General) Student Visa
• Tier 4 (Child) Student Visa
• Tier 4 (Chevening, Marshall and Commonwealth scholars) Student Visa
• Tier 2 (General) Visa
• Tier 2 (Sportsperson) Visa
• Tier 2 (Minister of Religion) Visa
• Tier 2 (Intra-company Transfer) Visa - Long-term Staff
• Tier 2 (Intra-company Transfer) Visa - Graduate Trainee
• Short-term Student Visa
• PBS Dependant - Partner Visa
• PBS Dependant - Child Visa
• Other visas, including study, work and Parent of a Tier 4 Child

For an applicant who is travelling for the first time, the options may seem overwhelming, however, the official website enables the applicant to determine the exact type of visa that he/she should be applying. The website prompts the applicant to choose one of the following reasons for visiting the UK:

• Tourism, including visiting friends or family
• Work, academic visit or business
• Study
• Transit
• Join partner or family for a long stay
• Stay with the child, if they’re at school
• To get private medical treatment
• Get married or enter into a civil partnership
• For official diplomatic or government business (including transit through the UK)

List of UK Visa Application Centers in India

VFS Global manages the visa application centres in India. UK Visa applicants are required to contact one of these branches (whichever is closer) to apply for the visa by filling in the application form and providing the required documents along with the biometric details.

Following are the address details of the visa application centres along with their working hours:

Few of the visa application centres operate under the user pay scheme where the applicant is required to pay a certain fee to take advantage of the convenient visa services. However, an applicant can choose to travel to the nearest free to use visa application centre to avoid the fee involved in utilizing the user pay visa application centres.

Apply for UK Visa

In order to apply for UK visa, the applicants are required to complete the online application form on www.gov.uk. Once the form is submitted successfully and the visa fee is paid, the applicant will be required to schedule the visa appointment where he/she is required to carry the specified documents and provide biometric details.

Documents required for the UK Visa application

The following documents are required for the UK Visa application:

• Visa appointment confirmation
• Visa fee receipt
• User pay visa application centre service fee receipt (if applicable)
• Valid passport or any other travel document
• One passport size photograph as per the specified guidelines
• Print copy of the online application form with the applicant’s signature
• Visa applications under the points-based system require furnishing the completed self-assessment form along with the applicant's signature
• Other specific documents based on the type of the visa

Visa Appointment Guidelines

The following guidelines are applicable to the UK Visa applicants:

• Mobile phones are allowed in the Visa Application Centre (VAC), however, it must be kept in silent mode and should be switched on while entering the VAC.
• The applicant can carry only one cabin bag to the VAC which should not more than 45 cm x 30 cm x 20 cm (18” x 12” x 8”) in dimensions.
• Applicants are advised not to bring any of the following items to the VAC due to security reasons-

1. Any kind of sealed package
2. Battery operated devices such as music players, tablets, and storage devices such as pen drive, HDD, etc.
3. Any kind of weapon
4. Inflammable items such as lighters, fuel, etc.
5. Sharp objects such as knives, scissors, etc.
6. Other items based on the latest security policies

• The website will automatically sign-off the applicant if he/she is inactive for over 25 minutes
• Applicants are required to carry the original and a photocopy of all the specified documents
• The documents submitted for the visa application must be in English, however, in case any of the document is not in English, the applicant will be required to furnish the certified translation of the documents.

UK Visa Fees

UK Visa Processing Time

The visa processing time depends on various factors and may change based on the visa type. The following table provides the approximate processing time for each type of UK Visa:

UK Visa Status

Once the visa application is submitted, the applicant can choose to receive the document by post or visit the VAC to collect the documents in person. While filling in the visa application form, the applicant can provide his/her valid mobile number and/or email ID to receive notifications pertaining to the visa application.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is VFS Global?

VFS Global is the concerning authority for managing UK Visa and Immigration applications. VFS Global manages visa and passport application-related administrative and non-discretionary duty for the governments and diplomatic missions worldwide.

2. How to pay the UK Visa fee?

While going through the online application process, the applicant will get an option to pay the visa fee. VFS Global does not accept visa fee payment at any of the VAC (except for instances where certain nationalities are allowed to make the cash payment at one of the specified VACs).

3. Is the visa fee refundable?

The visa fee is refundable only if a written request has been submitted five days prior to the visa appointment date. Visa fee is not refundable after the biometric details or the live image is captured.

4. What is the visa application process for a minor at VFS Global VAC?

Children of all age groups are required to attend the VAC in person, however, the biometric data is not captured for children who are below the age of five. Additionally, applicants below the age of 18 are required to be accompanied by an adult who is not a member of VFS Global staff.

5. When should I apply for the visa?

An applicant can apply for the UK Visa up to three months prior to the intended travel date.

6. What are the documents required for the visa appointment?
• Appointment confirmation in electronic format or a physical copy
• Visa fee receipt and other receipts (applicable for availing premium visa services)
• Self-attested copy of the online application form
• Other applicable documents based on the type of the visa
7. Is there an option to expedite visa application process?

Yes, the applicants have the option to take advantage of the Super Priority Visa Service which enables the applications to be processed on the same day. Only the VACs at New Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai offer the Super Priority Visa Service. All applicants for the visitor’s visa, Tier 2, Tier 3, Tier 5, and short-term study visas categories are eligible to apply for the expedite visa processing service.

8. How do I get the visa application status?

You will receive notifications through text SMS and email (if provided during the application process) that will keep you updated.

9. How do I report a technical problem in my application?

The applicant can contact the UK Visa and Immigration with details of his/her application and a description of the technical issue.

10. How do I contact the UK Visa and Immigration?

If you are contacting from outside the UK, the following methods can be utilized:

• By Telephone: 00 44 203 481 1736 (Monday to Sunday - 24 hours)
• By Email - Visit https://www.gov.uk/ to send an email enquiry at £5.48

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