Quick answer
Indians need a Standard Visitor visa for the UK. From 8 April 2026 it costs £135 (about ₹15,800) for stays of up to six months, with 2, 5 and 10-year options from £506. Apply online up to three months before travel, give biometrics at a VFS Global centre, and expect a decision in about three weeks. Indians cannot use the UK ETA.
At a glance
- Visa type
- Standard Visitor visa
- Stay allowed
- Up to 6 months per visit
- Fee
- £135 (about ₹15,800) for up to 6 months; long-term visas £506 (2 years), £903 (5 years) and £1,128 (10 years); priority services extra
- Processing
- Most decisions within about 3 weeks of biometrics; priority and super-priority available at extra cost
- Validity
- 6 months, or 2, 5 or 10 years on a long-term visa (still up to 6 months per visit)
- Apply at
- Official portal
Documents checklist
- Passport valid for the whole stay, plus old passports showing travel history
- Completed GOV.UK online application and VFS appointment confirmation
- Bank statements for the last 6 months showing salary credits and normal spending
- ITR acknowledgements for the last 2–3 years
- Employer letter confirming designation, salary, joining date and approved leave, plus 3–6 months' salary slips
- Self-employed: GST or business registration, company bank statements and audited accounts
- Fixed deposits, property papers or investments showing assets and ties in India
- Planned itinerary and accommodation details (bookings are not required)
- Family visits: invitation letter from the UK host with proof of their status and address
- Sponsored trips: sponsor's bank statements, ITRs and proof of relationship
- Previous UK, US, Schengen, Canada or Australia visas, and any refusal letters
Common mistakes that get Indians refused
- Bank credits that don't match the declared salary, or a large deposit just before applying with no explanation.
- Not declaring a previous refusal from any country. Deception can lead to a ban of up to 10 years.
- A trip that costs several months' income with no savings or sponsor to explain it.
- Inconsistent details between the online form, employer letter and bank statements (dates, salary, designation).
- Paying for non-refundable flights before the decision; the UK advises against it.
What does the UK visitor visa cost in 2026?
From 8 April 2026, the Standard Visitor visa costs £135 (about ₹15,800) for stays of up to six months. Frequent visitors can buy long-term visas, which still allow up to six months per visit:
| Visa | Fee | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 6 months | £135 | ₹15,800 |
| 2-year | £506 | ₹59,200 |
| 5-year | £903 | ₹1.06 lakh |
| 10-year | £1,128 | ₹1.32 lakh |
Indians are not eligible for the UK's Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). You need a visa.
How does the process work?
- Apply online on GOV.UK, up to three months before travel.
- Book a biometrics appointment at a VFS Global UK visa application centre in India and submit your documents, scanned or at the centre.
- Wait for the decision. Most applicants hear within about three weeks. Priority and super-priority services cost extra at most centres; they buy speed, not approval.
What do UK officers look for?
The test is whether you are a genuine visitor who will leave at the end of the trip and can pay for it. Indian applicants are refused most often for finances that don't add up: a salary that doesn't match the bank credits, large deposits shortly before applying, or a trip costing more than a few months' income with no explanation. Unlike Schengen, the UK does not require hotel bookings or flight reservations, and advises against paying for travel before the visa is granted.
Ireland on the same trip
Indians living in India can get a UK visa endorsed BIVS (British-Irish Visa Scheme), which also covers Ireland, as long as you enter the UK first. Separately, an ordinary UK visitor visa lets you visit Ireland after you have entered the UK, under Ireland's short-stay visa waiver. Details are on our Ireland visa guide.
Refusals and honesty
There is no right of appeal against a visitor visa refusal; you reapply with a stronger file. Never leave out a previous refusal from any country. Deception can lead to a ban on UK applications for up to 10 years.
Demand peaks from April to July as families plan summer trips. Apply six to eight weeks ahead even though the decision usually takes three.
Our visa assistance team prepares UK files and cover letters, and we arrange travel insurance, which the UK does not require but we strongly recommend, since visitors are charged for NHS hospital treatment. For costs and timing, see the UK trip cost and best time to visit the UK guides.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the UK visitor visa fee for Indians in 2026?
Can Indians use the UK ETA instead of a visa?
How long does a UK visa take from India?
Should I apply for a 2-year or 10-year UK visa?
Can I visit Ireland on a UK visa?
How we checked this page
Last reviewed
Written and fact-checked by the Elitech Travels editorial desk in New Delhi, drawing on our consultants' day-to-day booking work and the official sources below. Rules, fares and fees change — always confirm anything critical with the issuing authority before you travel. Our editorial policy.
