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India Visa for UK Citizens: 2026 Fees, Requirements, and How to Apply
Founder, Experience My India · IIT Jodhpur
UK citizens need a visa to visit India, and for tourism the simplest is the e-Tourist Visa, applied for online at indianvisaonline.gov.in. The 30-day costs US$25 and the 1-year US$40, but British passport holders pay the highest 5-year reciprocal rate, so it pays to pick the right duration.
Do UK citizens need a visa for India
Yes. All ordinary UK passport holders need a visa to enter India, and for tourism the e-Tourist Visa is the simplest route: fully online, no consulate visit. Diplomatic and official UK passports are not e-Visa eligible and must apply for a regular visa.
| Criteria | 30-day | 1-year | 5-year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Validity | 30 days from arrival | 365 days from grant | 5 years from grant |
| Entries | Double | Multiple | Multiple |
| Fee | US$25 (US$10 in April–June) | US$40 | US$484 — the highest reciprocal rate of any nationality |
Why is the India 5-year visa so expensive for UK citizens
It is set reciprocally, based on what the UK charges Indian visitors. India's 2026 pricing mirrors the cost a British passport imposes on an Indian one, and UK visa fees for Indian nationals are among the world's highest, so the reciprocal figure lands at US$484, the steepest of any nationality on the e-Visa list. That is more than twelve times the 1-year fee and nearly twenty times the 30-day fee.
Nothing about that is a reason to abandon the trip. It is a reason to buy the right duration: unless you genuinely expect to return several times over five years, the 1-year visa does everything a tourist needs for US$40.
Can UK citizens get a visa on arrival in India
No. There is no visa-on-arrival or visa-free entry to India for ordinary UK passport holders. Apply for the e-Visa online before you fly.
How to apply
Start on the official portal
Go to indianvisaonline.gov.in, choose the e-Tourist Visa and your duration.
Enter your details
Enter your passport and travel details; upload your passport photo page (PDF) and a white-background photo (JPEG).
Pay and wait
Pay at least four days before arrival; the ETA arrives by email in about three to four working days.
Print and carry it
Print the ETA and carry it. For the full step-by-step, documents, status checks, and rejection help, see our complete India e-Visa guide.
What you need
- A UK passport valid at least six months from arrival with two blank pages.
- A digital scan of your passport photo page.
- A recent front-facing photo on a plain white background.
- A payment card for the fee plus the 2.5–3% bank charge.
- Apply on the passport you will travel with; renewing it later means applying again.
Flying from the UK
The UK sends more visitors to India than almost any Western country, many combining a family visit with touring. Direct flights run from London (Heathrow and Gatwick), Manchester, and Birmingham to Delhi, Mumbai, and beyond. Peak season is October to March. When you plan with us we confirm the right visa and timing.
The only official site
indianvisaonline.gov.in is the only official India e-Visa site. Lookalike sites file the same application and charge two to five times the government fee. If a site is not indianvisaonline.gov.in, do not pay it.
Sources
- Official portal: https://indianvisaonline.gov.in
- Fees verified against 2026 Government of India listings; always confirm your exact fee on the portal.
Frequently asked questions
Do UK citizens need a visa for India?
Yes, all ordinary UK passport holders do; most use the online e-Tourist Visa.
How much is the India visa for UK citizens?
US$25 for 30 days (US$10 in April–June) and US$40 for one year; the 5-year is US$484, the highest reciprocal rate, so confirm on the portal.
Can UK citizens get a visa on arrival in India?
No; apply for the e-Visa online before travelling.
Why is the India 5-year visa so expensive for UK citizens?
It is set reciprocally, based on what the UK charges Indian visitors; for most trips the 30-day or 1-year is far cheaper.
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