Indian citizens typically need a visa for United Kingdom

Yes, Indian citizens require a visa to visit the United Kingdom. The most common option for tourism, family visits, or business meetings is the Standard Visitor Visa, which costs £115 (approximately ₹12,000) and allows stays of up to 6 months.

Standard processing typically takes 3 to 6 weeks (15-30 working days) from your biometric appointment. During peak seasons (summer and December-January), processing may take longer. Priority processing (5 working days, £250 extra) and Super Priority processing (next working day, £956 extra) are available at select VFS centres in India.

The UK Standard Visitor Visa fee is £115 (approximately ₹12,000) for a 6-month visa. Longer validity options cost more: 2 years (£432 / ₹45,000), 5 years (£771 / ₹80,000), and 10 years (£963 / ₹100,000). These fees are paid online before your biometric appointment. INR equivalents are approximate and subject to exchange rate fluctuations.

While not explicitly listed as mandatory by the UK government, providing your Income Tax Returns (ITR acknowledgements) for the last 2-3 years is strongly recommended for Indian applicants. ITR documents serve as verified proof of income and are widely considered essential supporting evidence. Salaried employees should also include Form 16.

While there is no official minimum, UK visa officers typically expect to see funds covering approximately £150 per day of your stay, plus flight costs. For a 2-week trip, showing at least £3,000-£4,000 (approximately ₹3-4 lakh) is generally advisable. The funds should be legitimately sourced and consistently maintained over several months. Large last-minute deposits are viewed unfavourably.

VFS Global operates UK visa application centres in numerous Indian cities, including New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Pune, Ahmedabad, Chandigarh, Kochi, Jaipur, Lucknow, and Goa, among others. You can submit your application at any centre regardless of where you live. Appointment availability varies by location, so check early.

No, the Standard Visitor Visa does not permit employment in the UK. You can attend business meetings, conferences, and negotiations, but you cannot take up paid or unpaid work. Working illegally can result in deportation, a visa ban, and criminal prosecution.

Standard Visitor Visas cannot normally be extended beyond 6 months total stay. You must leave the UK before your permitted stay expires. Extensions are only granted in exceptional circumstances such as medical emergencies.

If refused, you will receive a letter explaining the reasons. You can submit a new application addressing the issues raised, or in some cases request an administrative review within 28 days. There is no formal appeal process for visitor visa refusals. A refusal does not automatically prevent future applications, but you should carefully address the reasons before reapplying.

Yes, Indian citizens can apply for long-term multiple-entry visit visas valid for 2 years (£432), 5 years (£771), or 10 years (£963). These are suitable for frequent travellers with family or business ties in the UK. Each individual stay is still limited to 6 months, but you can make multiple trips within the visa validity period without reapplying.