London
England
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United Kingdom Visa for Indians
UK Visa for Indians – Tourism & Business
Planning to visit the United Kingdom for a holiday, family visit, business meeting, conference or other permitted business activity? Get professional assistance with your UK Standard Visitor Visa application, documentation and application process.
- Tourist & Business Visa Assistance
- Document Verification
- Application Assistance
- eVisa Guidance
The route most travellers use
UK Standard Visitor Visa
Indian passport holders generally need to obtain a UK visa before travelling to the United Kingdom.
The Standard Visitor Visa is commonly used for tourism, visiting family and friends and permitted business activities.
A Standard Visitor can usually stay in the UK for up to 6 months, subject to the permission granted.
Applicants who travel regularly may also be able to apply for long-term Standard Visitor visas valid for:
- 2 Years
- 5 Years
- 10 Years
Important to know
A long-term Standard Visitor Visa does not normally permit a continuous stay for the entire validity period. Each visit is generally limited to a maximum of 6 months.
Official GOV.UK Standard Visitor guidanceChoose your purpose
UK Tourist Visa or UK Business Visa
TouristUK Tourist Visa
Under the Standard Visitor route
Suitable for Indian travellers visiting the UK for:
- Holidays and tourism
- Sightseeing
- Visiting family
- Visiting friends
- Short recreational visits
- Other activities permitted under the Standard Visitor route
BusinessUK Business Visa
Permitted business travel as a Standard Visitor
Permitted business travel can also take place under the Standard Visitor route. Suitable for eligible activities such as:
- Business meetings
- Conferences
- Seminars
- Interviews
- Negotiating and signing contracts
- Trade fairs for promoting an overseas business
- Certain work-related training
- Other activities specifically permitted under UK visitor rules
Important information. A Standard Visitor Visa is not a general UK work visa. Applicants cannot use it to take ordinary paid or unpaid employment with a UK company or work as a self-employed person in the UK, except where specifically permitted under the visitor rules.
Apply for UK Business VisaChecklists
UK Tourist Visa – document checklist
Basic documents
- Current valid passport or travel document
- Previous passports, where relevant
- Details of intended UK travel dates
- Details of accommodation in the UK
- Proposed travel itinerary
- Details showing the estimated cost of the trip
Financial documents
Depending on the applicant's circumstances.
- Recent personal bank statements
- Evidence of income
- Salary slips, where applicable
- Income Tax Returns, where relevant
- Evidence explaining the source of available funds where necessary
- Sponsorship or funding evidence if another person is paying for the trip
Employment documents
For salaried applicants, where applicable.
- Employment letter
- Leave approval / NOC
- Salary slips
- Employer details
Business / self-employed applicants
Where applicable.
- Business registration documents
- Company details
- Evidence of business activity
- Business financial documents
- Tax-related supporting documents
Additional supporting documents
Depending on circumstances.
- Previous travel history
- Family details
- Sponsor documents
- UK host details
- Invitation letter where applicable
- Evidence of relationship with host or sponsor
- Evidence of circumstances in India and intention to return after the visit
No fixed bank balance
There is no single fixed bank-balance amount applicable to every Standard Visitor applicant. Financial evidence should reasonably demonstrate that you can afford the proposed trip considering your circumstances, income, trip duration and expected expenses.
Documents not in English or Welsh must be accompanied by an appropriate certified translation meeting UKVI requirements.
UK Business Visa – document checklist
Applicant documents
- Valid passport
- Previous passports / travel history, where relevant
- Financial evidence
- Employment or business evidence
- Proposed travel dates
- UK accommodation details
- Trip expense and funding details
Business purpose documents
Depending on the purpose of travel.
- Invitation letter from the UK company or organisation
- Details of the UK company
- Purpose of visit
- Meeting schedule
- Conference or event registration
- Business correspondence
- Proposed business itinerary
- Details of the business relationship between the Indian and UK organisations
- Contract or deal-related supporting documents where relevant
If employed by an Indian company
Where applicable.
- Employer letter
- Designation and employment details
- Purpose of the UK business trip
- Leave or travel authorisation
- Details of who will pay for the trip
If business owner or director
Where applicable.
- Company registration / incorporation evidence
- Evidence of ownership or directorship
- Business activity evidence
- Relevant company financial documents
- Tax documents
- UK invitation and business relationship evidence
Relevant, not excessive
Supporting documents vary according to the applicant's circumstances and purpose of travel. Applicants should submit relevant evidence rather than unnecessary documents.
Step by step
UK visa application process
01
Determine your visit purpose
Identify whether your visit is for tourism, visiting family and friends, business or another activity permitted under the Standard Visitor route.
02
Prepare supporting documents
Prepare documents supporting:
- Purpose of visit
- Financial circumstances
- Travel plans
- Accommodation
- Employment or business circumstances
- Sponsorship, where applicable
- Intention to leave the UK after the visit
03
Complete the online UK visa application
Complete the official UK visa application online with accurate:
- Personal information
- Passport details
- Travel history
- Employment or business information
- Financial information
- UK travel details
- Accommodation details
- Sponsor information where applicable
04
Pay the visa application fee
Pay the applicable UK Government visa application fee online. Government fees can change, so always confirm the current fee on the official UK Government website before paying.
05
Book your Visa Application Centre appointment
Book the required appointment at the applicable Visa Application Centre.
06
Submit biometrics
Attend the appointment as instructed. Applicants may be required to provide:
- Passport / identity verification
- Fingerprints
- Digital photograph
- Supporting documents
07
UKVI processing
UK Visas and Immigration reviews the application and supporting evidence. Standard Visitor applications made outside the UK are usually decided within approximately 3 weeks after the relevant identity and document submission stage, but actual processing times can vary.
08
Decision & eVisa
Once a decision has been made, you will receive instructions from UKVI regarding the outcome and how to access your immigration status.
UK eVisa
Your UK immigration status is now digital
What is a UK eVisa?
A UK eVisa is a digital record of a person's identity, UK immigration status and the conditions attached to that status. Successful visa applicants can access their immigration status digitally through their UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account.
UKVI account
Applicants need a UKVI account to access their eVisa. Through the account, eligible users can:
- View their immigration status
- Access their eVisa
- Check their personal details
- Maintain passport / travel document details
- Generate a share code where applicable
Before travelling to the UK
Before travel, check that:
- Their eVisa details are correct
- Their UKVI account contains their current passport or travel document
- Their personal details are accurate
- Their airline booking information matches their travel document details
Travel with the valid passport or travel document linked to your UKVI account. Incorrect or outdated details may result in travel delays.
eVisa vs ETA – not the same thing
- An eVisa is the digital record of an individual's UK immigration permission or status.
- An Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is a separate travel authorisation used by eligible non-visa nationals.
- Indian passport holders who require a Standard Visitor Visa should not present an ETA as a substitute for the required visitor visa.
Eligibility
Who can apply for a UK Standard Visitor Visa?
Applicants generally need to demonstrate that:
They are genuine visitors
They intend to leave the UK at the end of their visit
Their proposed activities are permitted
They have sufficient financial means for the trip, or valid third-party support
They can meet the cost of their return or onward journey
They do not intend to make the UK their main home through frequent or successive visits
Travel inspiration
Discover the best of the United Kingdom
From iconic cities to breathtaking landscapes, discover unforgettable destinations across the UK.
Edinburgh
Scotland
Discover historic streets, magnificent architecture, Scottish heritage and one of Europe's most distinctive capital cities.
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Scottish Highlands
Scotland
Explore dramatic mountains, tranquil lochs and some of the UK's most unforgettable natural landscapes.
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Lake District
England
Escape into beautiful lakes, mountains, walking trails and quintessential English countryside.
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Bath
England
Step into centuries of history through Roman heritage, Georgian architecture and elegant streets.
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Giant's Causeway
Northern Ireland
Discover one of Northern Ireland's most remarkable natural landmarks along the spectacular Causeway Coast.
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The UK is calling
Explore. Experience. Discover.
Get your UK Standard Visitor Visa application assistance with Visadesk Global.
Why us
Why choose Visadesk Global?
UK Visa Application Assistance
Guidance through every stage of your Standard Visitor application.
Document Checklist & Verification
A profile-based checklist and a careful review of your paperwork.
Tourist Visa Assistance
Support for holidays, sightseeing and family or friend visits.
Business Visa Assistance
Support for meetings, conferences, seminars and permitted business activity.
Application Form Guidance
Help entering accurate, consistent details in the online form.
Appointment & Biometrics Guidance
Clear instructions for your Visa Application Centre visit.
eVisa & UKVI Account Guidance
Help understanding your digital status and UKVI account.
Travel Itinerary Assistance
Support preparing itineraries, accommodation details and cover letters.
FAQs
Frequently asked questions
Ready to apply for your UK visa?
Get professional assistance with your UK Tourist or Business Visa application, documentation and application process.
Important disclaimer
Visa rules, government fees, processing times and immigration procedures can change. Requirements, documentation, validity, permitted activities and duration of stay are determined by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) and UK border authorities. The final visa decision is made solely by UK Visas and Immigration, and submitting an application does not guarantee approval. A UK visa does not guarantee admission to the United Kingdom; entry is determined by UK border authorities at the point of entry. Visadesk Global LLP provides visa documentation and application assistance only and does not influence or guarantee visa decisions. Always confirm current requirements and fees on the official GOV.UK website.