Documents Required

Visa category-wise requirements/supporting documents: (Please look at the bottom of this page to get additional information about nationality-specific requirements)

1) Tourist:

a. Passport valid for a minimum of 190 days with at least two blank pages.
b. Correct visa fee.
c. Two recent identical passport-size photographs.
d. Filled application form (all columns in the form are mandatory and must be filled).

Journalist going to India for tourism:

Apart from the above requirements the applicant will also need to submit the below:-

1. Letter from the employer stating the purpose of travel.
2. An undertaking stating that the applicant will not do any media or media-related work during his/ her stay in India.

Please click here to know the additional documents required from persons not holding a UK passport or holding dual nationalities and originating from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, China.

2) Business:

a. Passport valid for a minimum of 190 days with at least two blank pages.
b. Correct visa fee.
c. Two recent identical passport-size photographs.
d. Filled application form (all the columns of the form are mandatory and must be filled).
e. An original signed letter from the company in UK explaining the nature of business and duration of visit.
f. A signed Letter of invitation from an Indian company.

Please click here to know the additional documents required from persons not holding a UK passport or holding dual nationalities and originating from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, China.

3) Employment:

a. Passport valid for a minimum of 190 days with at least two blank pages.
b. Correct visa fee.
c. Two recent identical passport-size photographs.
d. Filled application form (all columns in the form are mandatory and must be filled).
e. Copy of an employment contract signed by both parties. The contract should have a specific clause for payment of income tax in India.

Employment in journalism and the media sector: An undertaking from the employer in India.

Please click here to know the additional documents required from persons not holding a UK passport or holding dual nationalities and originating from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, China.

4) Student:

a. Passport valid for a minimum of 190 days with at least two blank pages.
b. Correct visa fee.
c. Two recent identical passport-size photographs.
d. Filled application form (all columns in the form are mandatory and must be filled).
e. Letter of admission from a recognised Indian educational institution with duration of the course.
f. Bona fide letter from the school/college.
g. Receipt of fee paid to the school/college.
h. Document showing financial support for the tuition fee and stay in India.

Please click here to know the additional documents required from persons not holding a UK passport or holding dual nationalities and originating from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, China.

5) Conference:

a. Passport valid for a minimum of 190 days with at least two blank pages.
b. Correct visa fee.
c. Two recent identical passport-size photographs.
d. Filled application form (all columns in the form are mandatory and must be filled).
e. A copy of the signed letter of invitation from the conference organiser in India and a copy of the letter from the institution represented in the UK and a copy of clearance from the competent authority in India where required.

Please click here to know the additional documents required from persons not holding a UK passport or holding dual nationalities and originating from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, China.

6) Transfer of visa:

a. Specific form for the transfer of visa.
b. Expired and new passports.
c. Passport valid for a minimum of 190 days with at least two blank pages.
d. Correct visa fee

Note: Indian visas issued for a year or more can be transferred only by the High Commission/Consulate where the visa was earlier issued.

7) Research:

a. Passport valid for a minimum of 190 days with at least two blank pages.
b. Correct visa fee.
c. Two recent identical passport-size photographs.
d. Filled application form (all columns of the form are mandatory and must be filled).
e. Application to be made after obtaining clearance from the Ministry of Human Resource Development, the Nodal Ministry in India or the authority concerned in HCI, London.
f. Invitation letter from India.
g. Other relevant documents from the university/organisation proving that necessary clearance has been obtained from the competent authority in India.

Please click here to know the additional documents required from persons not holding a UK passport or holding dual nationalities and originating from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, China.

8) Transit:

a. Passport valid for a minimum of 190 days with at least two blank pages.
b. Correct visa fee.
c. Two recent identical passport-size photographs.
d. Filled application form (all columns in the form are mandatory and must be filled).
e. Evidence of onward travel outside India - confirmed air ticket for onward journey.

Please click here to know the additional documents required from persons not holding a UK passport or holding dual nationalities and originating from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, China.

9) Entry:

a. Passport valid for a minimum of 190 days with at least two blank pages.
b. Correct visa fee.
c. Two recent identical passport-size photographs.
d. Filled application form (all columns in the form are mandatory and must be filled).
e. Proof of Indian origin OR
Parents' Indian passport (copies should be attested) OR
Marriage certificate (copies should be attested) OR
Invitation/admission letter for short-term courses like yoga, mountaineering,
spiritual courses etc OR
Invitation letter for voluntary workers from an organisation based in India.

Please click here to know the additional documents required from persons not holding a UK passport or holding dual nationalities and originating from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, China.

10) Medical:

a. Passport valid for a minimum of 190 days with at least two blank pages.
b. Correct visa fee.
c. Two recent identical passport-size photographs.
d. Filled application form (all columns in the form are mandatory and must be filled).
e. Relevant letters signed and stamped from the hospital concerned in India.

Please click here to know the additional documents required from persons not holding a UK passport or holding dual nationalities and originating from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, China.

11) Medical Escort (only one per specific medical visa case):

a. Passport valid for a minimum of 190 days with at least two blank pages.
b. Correct visa fee.
c. Two recent identical passport-size photographs.
d. Filled application form (all columns of the form are mandatory and must be filled).
e. Relevant letters of the patient concerned hospital in India.
f. Declaration by the patient or an immediate family member.

Please click here to know the additional documents required from persons not holding a UK passport or holding dual nationalities and originating from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, China.

12) Journalist:

a. Passport valid for a minimum of 190 days with at least two blank pages.
b. Correct visa fee.
c. Two recent identical passport-size photographs.
d. Filled application form (all columns of the form are mandatory and must be filled).
e. Employer's letter stating the purpose of travel and detailed programme and the places to be visited for journalism purposes.

13) Persons/Companies wishing to film documentaries in India are required to submit the following:

Apart from the above requirements the applicant will also need to submit the below:-

a. Written application form with signature
b. Undertaking in the prescribed form
c. Script/synopsis
d. Details of locations where documentary is proposed to be filmed
e. Visa Application form for each team member with their passport, 2 recent identical photograph and correct visa fee
f. List of cinematic equipment to be temporarily imported into India

Once the HCI receives all these information, the same will be forwarded to the concerned authorities in New Delhi for their clearance. Please allow at least 10 weeks time for the clearance to be obtained

Additional documents required from persons not holding a UK passport or holding dual nationalities and originating from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, China:

1. Individuals holding a Pakistani passport

i. Five sets of specific application forms for Pakistani nationals with one identical photo on each form.
ii. A notarised invitation from relative(s) in India.
iii. A copy of employer's letter OR chartered accountant's certificate (if self-employed) OR unemployment allowance letter / disability allowance letter / benefit letter, AND past three months' bank statement
Only three airports of entry to India - Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai AND one land route of entry-Attari

Note: If the applicant has been living in the UK for less than a year, the processing time will be longer and subject to clearance from the competent authority:

2. British passport holders of Pakistani origin:

i. General application form.
ii. A copy of employer's letter OR chartered accountant's certificate (if self-employed) OR unemployment allowance letter / disability allowance letter / benefit letter, AND past three months' bank statement

3. Individuals holding a Bangladeshi passport:

i. Specific application form for Bangladeshi nationals, two photographs as per specification (please specify the route, port of entry)
ii. A copy of employers letter OR chartered accountant's certificate OR unemployment allowance letter / disability allowance letter / benefit letter, AND a copy of the past three months' bank statement.

4. Individuals holding Sri Lankan or Chinese passport: Additional information form along with the general visa application form.

5. A non-UK national who has been a resident of the UK for one year or more: Needs to provide a copy of any one of the following documents as proof of his stay in the UK:

i. Utility bills/bank statement of at least one year OR
ii. Resident permit and entry stamp OR
iii. Stamp of indefinite stay.

6. A non-UK national who has been a resident of the UK for less than one year: Additional information form along with the general visa application form and a valid UK visa.

Please note: Your application may require a minimum of five working days to get processed.

7. Individual with a Slovakian passport: Can only apply for three months single-entry visa.

8. Liquor permit: Applicants should submit the prescribed form (available on this website) along with the visa application, if traveling to the State of Gujarat.

Please note that this list is not exhaustive and does not guarantee a visa. The High Commission of India or its Consulates reserve the right to ask for additional documents if required.