Documents Required

Visa category requirements/supporting documents:
(Please see bottom of page for additional information about nationality-specific requirements)

• All fields on the visa application form are mandatory and must be filled in black ink.
• The visa application form must be duly signed and dated by the applicant. In case of minor either of the parents can sign on the applicant's behalf.
• Please write NA, (Not Applicable) for any fields on the visa application form that is not applicable to your application.
• Please do not use any special characters (eg. ' " /) during your online application form.
• Please print the visa application form after completing your online application form.

Please send us photocopies (not the originals) of the additional documents if relevant to your application.

The documentation may vary from consulate to consulate and additional documentation may be required by CGI/HCI.

A copy of the child’s birth certificate.   

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. 

Media related professionals, Journalists and Police or Armed forces personnel travelling 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 .
3. Applicants working with Police or Armed forces, travelling to India for tourism purposes are required to provide a signed declaration from their employer, confirming that the purpose of their visit to India is purely for tourism and that they will not be engaging in their professional activities during their stay in India .

Please note that Visa fee for such cases(Media related only) is £55 plus our service charges.

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 on their official company letter head clearly stating the purpose and duration for which visa is requested.

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:

Please note that the Employment Visa shall be issued only from the country of Origin.However, renewal of the employment visa can only be done by the FRRO in India in the city where employed. High Commission of India and it’s consulates in the U.K. will not accept any applications for renewal of the Employment visa.

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 find a copy of this form on this website.

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.
e. A copy of the signed letter of invitation from the conference organiser in India .
f. A copy of the letter from the institution represented in the United Kingdom
g. A copy of clearance 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.

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.
e. Existing Indian visa should be valid for at least 180 days/ 6 months on the day you apply for Transfer of visa.

Note: Indian visas issued for a year or more can be transferred only by the High Commission/Consulate where the original visa was earlier issued, however, please apply for the transfer of visa with VF Services UK Ltd through any of our India Visa application centers in the United Kingdom.

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 provide 10 copies of all documentation when applying for a research visa since it is a requirement of the High Commission of India, London and Consulate general of India, Birmingham & Edinburgh .

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. Applicant's proof of Indian origin OR
    Parents'/ Spouse Indian passport OR

Invitation/admission letter for short-term courses like yoga, mountaineering, volunteer work, spiritual courses etc OR
Invitation letter for voluntary workers from an organisation/agency based in India.

For voluntary visas, please provide a letter from the organisation in UK (organisers) and also bank statements to prove that you can support them whilst in India . (Only for Edinburgh CGI).

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.


Long Term (5 Year)

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.
e. Applicant's proof of Indian origin OR
    Parents'/ Spouse Indian passport OR
    Naturalization certificate issued by the British home office
f. Marriage certificate (If claiming Indian origin by virtue of spouse's (Wife/Husband) Indian origin) OR
g. Birth Certificate (If claiming Indian origin by virtue of a family member's Indian origin.

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 Indiawith a photo ID.
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 latest one month bank statement
Only three airports of entry to India - Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai AND one land route of entry-Attari

Note: Please note that the processing time will be longer in these cases and the visa issuance is subject to clearance from the competent authority.

2. British passport holders of Pakistani origin:

i. General application form.
ii. A notarised invitation from relative(s) in India with a photo ID.
iii. A copy of employer's letter OR A chartered accountant's certificate (if self-employed) OR An unemployment allowance letter / disability allowance letter / benefit letter (if unemployed) AND latest one month bank statement.

3. Individuals holding a Bangladeshi passport:

i. Specific application form for Bangladeshi nationals in triplicate ( 3 copies), One photograph on EACH form as per specification (please specify the route, port of entry)
ii. A copy of employer's letter OR A chartered accountant's certificate (if self-employed) OR An unemployment allowance letter / disability allowance letter / benefit letter (if unemployed) AND latest one month bank statement.

4. British Passport Holders of Bangladeshi Origin:

i. General application form.
ii. A copy of employer's letter OR A chartered accountant's certificate (if self-employed) OR An unemployment allowance letter / disability allowance letter / benefit letter (if unemployed) AND latest one month bank statement.

5. Individuals holding Afghanistan passport:

A copy of employer's letter OR A chartered accountant's certificate (if self-employed) OR An unemployment allowance letter / disability allowance letter / benefit letter (if unemployed) AND latest one month bank statement.

6. British passport holder of Afghanistan Origin:

A copy of employer's letter OR A chartered accountant's certificate (if self-employed) OR An unemployment allowance letter / disability allowance letter / benefit letter (if unemployed) AND latest one month bank statement.

7.  Individuals holding Sri Lankan:

Additional information form (Colombo Form)along with the general visa application form. (An additional fee of £10 is applicable for referral).

8.  Individuals holding Chinese passport:

Additional information form (Beijing Form) along with the general visa application form. (An additional fee of £10 is applicable for referral).

9. A non-UK national who has been a resident of the UK for less than one year:

Need to fill in an Additional information form along with the general visa application form and must posses a valid UK visa or relevant permission from UKBA to re-enter the UK . Please note that there will be an additional charge of £10 per passport towards the High commission of India referral fee.

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

9a. A non-UK national who has been a resident of the UK for more than one year:

Needs to provide a copy of any one of the following documents as proof of his/her stay in the UK for more than 1 year:

Utility bills/bank statements pertaining to (i) current month and (ii) one for at least one year old (but not older than 18 months).

Stamp of indefinite stay granted at least one year ago.

10. Liquor permit:

Applicants should submit the prescribed form (available on this website) directly to the High Commission of India / Consulate General of India once a valid Indian Visa is granted, if travelling 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.