Visa Types & Fees
| Visa | Validity | Entries | Govt fee | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| e-Tourist Visa (30 days) | 30 days | Double | $25 USD* | Contact us for current processing times |
| e-Tourist Visa (1 year) | 1 year | Multiple | $40 USD | Contact us for current processing times |
| e-Tourist Visa (5 years) | 5 years | Multiple | $484 USD | Contact us for current processing times |
| e-Business Visa (1 year) | 1 year | Multiple | $242 USD | Contact us for current processing times |
| e-Medical Visa (60 days) | 60 days | Triple | $129 USD | Contact us for current processing times |
* Seasonal: US$10 if applying April–June, US$25 July–March. A ~3% bank charge applies to all government fees.
Tourist vs Business vs Medical e-Visa: Which One Do You Need?
India's e-visa categories are defined by the purpose of your trip, not your nationality — choosing the right one matters because each category permits different activities.
| Category | Best for | Not permitted |
|---|---|---|
| Tourist e-visa | Sightseeing, visiting friends or family, short yoga/wellness retreats, casual travel | Any paid work or business activity in India |
| Business e-visa | Attending meetings, conferences, trade fairs, or exploring business/industrial ventures | Taking up employment or long-term paid work |
| Medical e-visa | Receiving medical treatment at a recognized Indian hospital, with supporting documentation from the hospital | Treatment not arranged through a recognized medical institution |
If you're unsure which category fits your trip, a mismatched purpose is one of the more common reasons an application gets flagged for manual review — when in doubt, choose the category that matches the majority purpose of your visit.
Documents Checklist
Gather these before you start — having everything ready in the right format is the single biggest factor in avoiding delays.
- ✓ Passport bio page scan — Valid at least 6 months beyond arrival, with 2 blank pages.
- ✓ Recent passport-style photo — Plain white background, meeting government specs.
- ✓ Return or onward travel details — Where applicable for the visa type.
- ✓ Proof of onward or return travel — required for some visa types; check what applies to your chosen category.
- ✓ A working email address you check regularly — your e-visa and any follow-up requests arrive by email.
Step-by-Step: How British Citizens Apply
- Confirm your visa type. Most travelers choose a tourist e-visa for sightseeing or visiting family, a business e-visa for meetings and conferences, or a medical e-visa for treatment (see the comparison below). Applying under the wrong category is one of the most common causes of delay.
- Gather your documents. You'll need your passport bio page, a recent passport-style digital photo, and your travel dates. Some visa types also ask for a return or onward ticket and proof of funds.
- Complete the online application. Enter your passport and personal details exactly as they appear on your passport — even small mismatches (a missing middle name, a different date format) can trigger manual review or rejection.
- Upload your documents. Your photo and passport scan must meet the government's format and size specifications; blurry, cropped, or non-compliant uploads are a leading cause of rejection.
- Review everything before you submit. Most e-visa problems come from data-entry mistakes, not eligibility issues — a careful second pass catches most of them.
- Pay the government fee. This is paid directly on the official portal and is separate from any service fee charged by a filing assistant.
- Receive your e-visa by email. Check your spam folder if it doesn't arrive. Carry both a printed copy and a digital copy when you travel.
Common Rejection Reasons — And How to Avoid Them
Most Indian e-visa rejections are avoidable. The most frequent causes we see are:
- Photo doesn’t meet specifications. Wrong background color, incorrect size, low resolution, or a photo that’s more than a few months old.
- Details don’t exactly match your passport. Names, date of birth, and passport number must be entered exactly as printed — including spelling and formatting.
- Wrong nationality or citizenship option selected. Some application forms list multiple similarly-worded options for the same country — choosing the wrong one can cause an automatic mismatch.
- Passport renewed after the e-visa was linked. An e-visa is tied to the exact passport number used at the time of application. If you renew your passport afterward, the e-visa may no longer be valid for that new passport — check before you travel.
- Blurry, cropped, or non-compliant document scans. Scans must be clear, uncropped, and show the full page. Poor-quality uploads are a common, avoidable rejection reason.
- Applying outside the eligible window. e-Visas have both a minimum lead time and a maximum advance-application window. Applying too early or too close to travel can both cause problems.
A tip worth repeating: avoid booking non-refundable flights or hotels until your e-visa is actually approved — approval is never guaranteed in advance, and the application fee itself is non-refundable whether or not the visa is granted.
Travel Notes for British Travelers
Popular flight routes
- LHR (London) → BOM/DEL direct, ~9h
- MAN (Manchester) → DEL
- LGW → GOI (seasonal)
Currency & fees: Our service fee is charged in USD; your bank converts from GBP.
Payment: UK cards and PayPal accepted.
Indian mission: High Commission of India, London / VFS Global UK (London) — official site ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
Do British citizens need a visa to visit India?
Yes, British passport holders need a visa for any visit to India, including short tourist stays. The e-Visa is the standard route for UK travelers and avoids an in-person appointment at the High Commission or a VFS Global center.
Is a UK citizen's biometric passport required for the Indian e-Visa?
Yes — the passport must have at least 6 months' validity remaining from the date of arrival in India, and at least 2 blank pages. UK e-passports meet the format requirements, but travelers should double check expiry dates well before applying, since a near-expiry passport is a common cause of delay.
Can British citizens visiting India connect through a third country?
Yes, but transit arrangements depend on the connecting country's own rules — India's e-Visa itself doesn't cover a layover visa for elsewhere. British travelers routing via the Gulf or Southeast Asia should check that country's transit visa policy separately.
Do British Overseas Citizens or dual nationals apply the same way?
British Overseas Citizens (BOC) and dual nationals generally apply using whichever passport they intend to travel on. If a British citizen also holds Indian origin documentation (like an OCI card), a different, non-visa pathway may apply instead — that's handled separately from the standard tourist e-Visa.
I selected the wrong nationality option on the Indian e-visa form — what should I do?
Some versions of the application form list more than one similarly-worded option for British nationality, and choosing the wrong one can cause a mismatch with your passport details. If you've already submitted with an incorrect selection, don't submit a second application — contact the official portal's support channel or consult a filing assistance service before reapplying, since duplicate applications can complicate processing.
Does renewing my UK passport affect an approved Indian e-visa?
Yes — an Indian e-visa is linked to the exact passport number used when you applied. If you renew your UK passport after receiving your e-visa but before traveling, the e-visa may no longer match your travel document. Check this carefully before booking travel, and consider timing a passport renewal so it doesn’t fall between your e-visa approval and your trip.
Can I apply for the Indian e-visa using my British National (Overseas) passport?
Eligibility rules can differ by exact passport/nationality category, and BN(O) passport holders should confirm their specific eligibility directly on the official portal before applying, rather than assuming the same process as a standard British passport applies. If in doubt, our team can help you confirm eligibility before you pay any fee.
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