India Visa for UK Citizens: 2026 Fees, Requirements, and How to Apply
UK citizens need a visa to visit India, and for tourism the simplest is the India 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.
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.
We take nothing for the visa. It is the government's form, and it is yours to file.
UK citizens, at a glance
2026- Visa needed
- Yes, for all ordinary UK passport holders
- 30-day cost
- US$25 (US$10 in April–June), plus about 2.5–3% bank charge
- 1-year / 5-year
- US$40 flat; 5-year US$484 for UK passport holders (highest reciprocal rate)
- Visa on arrival
- Not available for UK citizens
- Processing
- Usually about 3 to 4 working days
- Apply window
- 4 to 120 days before travel; pay at least 4 days before arrival
- Official site
- indianvisaonline.gov.in (the only one)
- 30-day, July–March
- US$2530-day, July–March
- 1-year, multiple entry
- US$401-year, multiple entry
- 5-year — highest of any nationality
- US$4845-year — highest of any nationality
- Visa on arrival for UK passports
- NoneVisa on arrival for UK passports
Approved by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India · how we check these figures
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.
Ordinary UK passport
e-Visa online
Fully online at the official portal. No consulate visit, no interview.
Diplomatic or official UK passport
Regular visa
Not e-Visa eligible. Apply for a sticker visa at an Indian mission.
India visa fees for UK citizens
| e-Tourist Visa | Validity | Entries | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30-day | 30 days from arrival | Double | US$25 (US$10 in April–June) |
| 1-year | 365 days from grant | Multiple | US$40 |
| 5-year | 5 years from grant | Multiple | US$484 (reciprocal, highest of any nationality) |
Scroll the table sideways →
The 5-year fee is the one that catches Britons out
The 5-year fee is where UK citizens differ most: British passport holders pay US$484, the highest reciprocal rate of any nationality, so for most trips the 30-day (US$25) or 1-year (US$40) is far better value. Confirm the current figure on the official portal before you pay.
Confirm the current figure on the portalRules that apply to all three
- All e-Tourist Visas are non-extendable and non-convertible.
- The 1-year and 5-year allow up to 180 days of stay per year.
- A 2.5–3% card charge applies and is non-refundable even if you are refused.
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.
- 30-day
- US$25
- 1-year
- US$40
- 5-year
- US$484
12×
more than twelve times the 1-year fee
19×
nearly twenty times the 30-day fee
What we tell British travellers
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.
No e-Visa, no boarding passApply online before you fly.
How to apply, in short
- 1
Go to indianvisaonline.gov.in, choose the e-Tourist Visa and your duration.
- 2
Enter your passport and travel details; upload your passport photo page (PDF) and a white-background photo (JPEG).
- 3
Pay at least four days before arrival; the ETA arrives by email in about three to four working days.
- 4
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.
Requirements
A UK passport valid at least six months from arrival with two blank pages, a digital passport photo page, a recent white-background photo, and a card for payment.
UK passport
Valid at least six months from arrival, with two blank pages.
Passport photo page
A digital scan, as a PDF.
Recent photograph
Front-facing, plain white background, as a JPEG.
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.
Full requirements and documentsPlanning a trip to India 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.
Direct flights
- London Heathrow
- London Gatwick
- Manchester
- Birmingham
- Delhi
- Mumbai
- and beyond
- Peak season
- October – March
- The common shape
- A family visit combined with touring
50,000+ guests hosted from 35+ countries. Start with our India travel guide.
Agra, Uttar PradeshIndia visa: frequently asked questions
The short answers, for the questions British travellers send us before every first trip.
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.
Where these figures come from
Official portal: indianvisaonline.gov.in. Fees verified against 2026 Government of India listings; always confirm your exact fee on the portal.
Fees last checked . We re-check monthly.
indianvisaonline.gov.inNew to planning India? Start here
Plan my India trip
Send us your dates and we will tell you which visa your itinerary actually needs, when to apply for it, and what else the entry side will ask of you — before you book anything.
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