To plan a trip to the UK, the first step for Indian passport holders is acquiring a UK visa. The United Kingdom is a wonderful country to visit, a place filled with magic, charm and beauty like no other. You get to visit the iconic and popular landmarks and also immerse yourself in the rich history and culture of this incredible country and everything it stands for. However, Indians travelling to the UK require a visa, whether it is for tourism, education, leisure, business or visiting friends and family. Additionally, there is no visa on arrival for Indians travelling to the country, so ensure that you have obtained a visa prior to your trip.
Visa Type | Visa description | Cost |
Short-term Standard Visitor Visa | This is a short-term standard UK visitor visa that is given out for the purpose of tourism, business or visiting friends and family. | Rs. 12,000-13,000 |
Long-Term Standard Visitor Visa | This is a long-term standard visitor visa for Indians travelling for the purpose of tourism, leisure business or visiting friends and family. | Rs. 40,000-50,000 Rs. 80,000-85,000 Rs. 90,000-1,20,000 |
Visitor in Transit Visa | The transit visa is for travellers passing through the UK border control but not staying in the country. | Rs. 7,000-7,500 |
All Indian passport holders travelling to the United Kingdom require a UK visa. This needs to be acquired prior to one’s trip. Please note that there is no option of visa on arrival for Indians, so plan ahead and get your visa secured ahead of your trip.
Before you go ahead with your UK visa application, there are certain things to keep in mind and prepare for. So, all Indians travelling to the UK who need to get a visa, make sure to follow these guidelines:
The process of applying for a UK tourist visa may often be a daunting process. Here is a step-by-step guide to help all Indian travellers with the application process for a UK visa for Indian citizens.
Step 1: Visit the official UK government website for Indians and fill out your online application form.
Step 2: After filling out the application form, make sure to pay the processing fee.
Step 3: Once you have received the confirmation, schedule an appointment at the VFS Global Application Centre for submitting your biometric data.
Step 4: While going for the appointment, make sure you take all required documents, including the printed application form, passport, photographs, and supporting documents.
Step 5: After the biometric data is given, the application processing time usually takes about 3 weeks.
Step 6: Once your application is processed, collect your passport and the visa via courier or from the application centre.
The processing time for a short-term standard visitor visa, long-term visitor visa and transit visa is 3 weeks and it costs between Rs. 12,000-13,000 and Rs. 40,000-1,00,000, depending on the number of years. The validity for a short-term visa is 6 months and for a long-term visa, it varies from 2 years to 5 years to 10 years.
From 2025, the United Kingdom is introducing an e-visa for travellers from visa-exempt countries for this destination. But this does not apply for Indian citizens, as they require a visa to travel to the country.
The UK visa has a high rejection rate. It is crucial that one follows all the steps meticulously to avoid rejections. Here are a few tips from our side to help ensure a successful visa process:
Generally, the rejection rate for getting a UK visa is pretty high, with 15% of the visas being rejected. Here are some of the common reasons for visa rejection for the United Kingdom that Indian passport holders make and can be avoided:
This is all that one needs to know about acquiring a UK visa for Indian citizens. We at Pickyourtrail are here to make this as hassle-free and easy as possible, where we take care of all visa and visa-related processes. All you need to do is provide us with the necessary documents and the rest is taken care of by us. Book a UK tour package from Pickyourtrail and enjoy convenience at its best form!
Other United Kingdom Packages to Explore:
The UK visa fee varies based on the visa type. For Indian citizens, a Standard Visitor Visa for up to 6 months costs ₹12,933, while longer-term visas range from ₹48,584 (2 years) to ₹1,08,302 (10 years).
There is no fixed amount, but applicants must show sufficient funds to cover travel, accommodation, and living expenses. Typically, having a balance that covers Rs. 9,000-14,000 per day of stay is recommended.
UK visa fees cover administrative costs, security checks, and processing services. The fees also help maintain the efficiency of the UK immigration system and ensure timely processing of applications.
A UK visa is relatively straightforward to obtain if applicants meet all requirements, provide accurate documents, and demonstrate strong ties to their home country. Thorough preparation improves the chances of approval.