About Us General Visa information

General information related to Visa

Please visit https://services.vfsglobal.com/gbr/en/ind/apply-visa for latest information on the visa application

Electronic Visa

Question - How do I apply for an E-visa to India?

Please note Electronic Visa is not handled by the Indian Missions in abroad, please refer to website https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html . For more information, please contact their helpdesk

Contact number 91-11-24300666

Email id [email protected]

Please note that HCI London has no role in the grant or refusal of E-Visa.

Regular Tourist Visa

Question - How to apply for a Regular Visa?

The Regular Visa service has been outsourced to VFS (UK) and the application will have to be deposited with one of its centres. For appointment and more information please check link https://www.vfsglobal.com/india/uk/visa_types.html

Phone Number: - 02037938629/02036959849

E-mail: - [email protected]

You may also contact the HCI London Public Response Unit at 020-78369147 or email at [email protected] or [email protected] for advice.

Question - When does the validity of the Visa begin?

The validity of the visa begins from the date it is issued and not from the date of your departure mentioned on the application form.

Question - What are the normal processing times?

Processing times vary from application to application and is at the sole discretion of the High Commission of India and its Consulates in the UK, and some applications may take longer than others to get processed. Hence, confirm your travel plans only after obtaining the appropriate visa. For more information refer to link

https://www.vfsglobal.com/india/uk/visa_types.html

Question - Can I send my application directly to the High Commission of India or its respective consulate in Birmingham or Edinburgh? Where does it go if I have done so?

No. The High Commission of India or its consulates doesn’t accept any application in post. All the Visa/Passport/Select Consular and Surrender of Indian services are outsourced to VFS. Currently, none of application is being entertained through post.

Question - Can I confirm all my travel bookings before getting the visa?

No bookings or travel arrangements should be confirmed until a visa decision has been made. Mission or VF Services will not be responsible for any loss of bookings made in anticipation of obtaining a Visa.

Question - How we will check the Visa status?

Please send an email to the Public Response

Team [email protected] if the application was submitted to HCI

London.

Question - If I send an email asking about the status of my application – what information do I need to first provide?

When sending an email to the Public Response Team – please ensure that you include details such as your full name, the centre you have applied through, your passport number, date of birth. This will help us to identify your case more quickly. Please note that further details may be asked from you through correspondence.

Question - If I am unable to provide the last 2 years utility bills as proof of being a UK resident – how do I continue with the process?

You can fill up a Non-UK Form through the website or at the visa centre. The minimum processing time for Non-UK Passport holders (resident in the UK for less than 2 years) is minimum 10-15 working days.

Question - If I have filled out a Form for a Minor – who has to sign the application?

Applications for Minors (under the age of 16) must be signed for by the Parent or Guardian otherwise they cannot be accepted. In case of postal applications – the documents will be returned to the applicant if the signatures are missing. The parents are required to provide a consent letter along with the copy of the passport for the Minor child’s application.

Question - Can I apply for a visa to India through the London High Commission if I am outside of the UK?

Applications through any of the missions within the United Kingdom should be done by applicants who are physically present in the country.

Question - Can the application form be edited once it is completed or printed?

The online form cannot be edited once it has been printed. Please ensure that you verify all the information you enter before you finally submit the application and take a print out. IN case of an error, you would have to redo a new application form

Question - How do I retrieve the form if I have not completed it?

At the start and on each subsequent page of the online form there is a unique temporary ID that is generated at the top of the page. This number must be correctly noted for you to be able to retrieve your application before it is printed.

Question - Can I make a payment online?

Payments can be made for your application online however you do also have the facility to make a payment at the visa centre itself when you come to submit your documents.

Question - What does a V.A.F stamp mean?

If you have received your passport back with a stamp marked V.A.F. it does not mean that your visa has been refused. Visa Applied For (V.A.F) is stamped on your passport when the High Commission or it’s Consulate Generals require further processing on your application.

Question - How we will book an appointment with the VFS?

Please refer to https://www.vfsglobal.com/india/uk/how_to_apply.html or you can contact VFS on 0203 793 8629, 203 788 4666.

Question - Where can I get information on the addresses of the Visa Centres in the United Kingdom?

Information on the location and timings of all our visa centres can be found on https://www.vfsglobal.com/india/uk/contact_us.html

Question - How do I withdraw my application and will I get a refund?

If you wish to withdraw your application you are required to visit the application centre and submit your withdrawal request. Furthermore, as per our refund policy all fees are not refundable / transferable even if you do not make or proceed with a visa application, and whether or not a visa is ultimately granted.

Please note that all applicants have to fill a Regular/ paper visa application form.

• The application in case of minors (below 16 years) needs to be submitted along with documents in original and self-attested copy of the following: Marriage certificate, Birth certificate (full version), Consent form duly signed by both the parents and self-attested copies of their current passport. The application form may be signed by either of the parents or both. A custody order from the Court is required in respect of children, whose parents are legally separated.

• Application for Emergency Visa (with supporting documents from India like Death Certificate/ Hospital/Doctor's certificate) has to be submitted in person at the High Commission of India, Aldwych, London, from 1000 hrs to 1730 hours on any working day and from 1000 hours to 1700 hrs during Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.

• All conditions applicable to Tourist visa will be applicable as detailed in service provider’s website https://www.vfsglobal.com/india/uk/Tourist.html

• The decision of the High Commission in this matter shall be final.