Last updated: September 2026. British passport holders can apply for an eVisa India from UK online at indianvisaonline.gov.in. Fees from $25 (~£20), processing 3-5 business days, apply 4-120 days before travel. UK citizens cannot get Visa on Arrival.
The India eVisa is an Electronic Travel Authorization issued by the Bureau of Immigration, Ministry of Home Affairs. British passport holders need a valid passport with 6 months validity from arrival and 2 blank pages. Prepare a digital photograph and a colour passport bio-page scan before starting. After approval, the eVisa arrives as a printable PDF. Travellers must also complete a separate e-Arrival Card within 72 hours of arriving.
What Is the India eVisa and Can UK Citizens Get One?
The India eVisa for UK citizens is an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) available to British passport holders among 170+ eligible nationalities. UK citizens are confirmed eligible via indianvisaonline.gov.in but are NOT eligible for Visa on Arrival, which is restricted to nationals of Japan, South Korea, and UAE only. UK citizens of Indian origin may qualify for an OCI Card, which could exempt them from needing an eVisa entirely. The eVisa system has been available to UK citizens since its launch.
eVisa Types & Eligibility for UK Citizens
The India eVisa for UK citizens includes five categories: e-Tourist (30-day, 1-year, 5-year), e-Business (1/5 years), e-Medical (60 days, triple entry), e-Medical Attendant, and e-Conference (30 days, single entry). Fees range from $25 to $80; all categories require 6-month passport validity.
| Visa Type | Purpose | Duration | Entries | Fee (USD) | Fee (GBP approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| e-Tourist (30-day) | Tourism | 30 days | Single / Double | $25 | £20 |
| e-Tourist (1-year) | Tourism | 365 days | Multiple | $40 | £32 |
| e-Tourist (5-year) | Tourism | 5 years | Multiple | $80 | £64 |
| e-Business | Business | 1 or 5 years | Multiple | $80 | £64 |
| e-Medical | Medical treatment | 60 days | Triple | $25 | £20 |
| e-Medical Attendant | Accompanying patient | Linked to e-Medical | Triple | $25 | £20 |
| e-Conference | Conferences | 30 days | Single | $25 | £20 |
The India eVisa for UK citizens requires a British citizen passport with minimum 6 months validity from the date of arrival and at least 2 blank pages. Applicants whose parents or grandparents were born in Pakistan, Afghanistan, or Bangladesh are generally ineligible and must apply for a regular paper visa via the Indian High Commission in London (hcilondon.gov.in). Bank surcharges of $1.50-$2.50 apply to all categories.
Required Documents & Photo Specifications
Before applying for an India eVisa, prepare a digital photo and a passport bio-page scan.
- Digital photograph: JPEG format, file size 10 KB to 1 MB, square aspect ratio, plain white background, face covering 50-60% of the frame, no glasses, no shadows.
- Passport bio-page scan: colour PDF, file size 10 KB to 300 KB, all four corners visible.
- Supporting documents: return or onward flight itinerary, hotel booking or host invitation letter.
- Common upload mistakes: wrong crop, selfie-style photos, blurry scans, incorrect file format, expired passport data page.
Travel insurance is not mandatory but recommended. Prepare files before starting.
eVisa Fees for UK Citizens in 2026
Official eVisa India from UK fees range from $25 (~£20) for a 30-day e-Tourist Visa to $80 (~£64) for a 5-year or e-Business Visa.
| Visa Type | Fee (USD) | Approx. Fee (GBP) |
|---|---|---|
| e-Tourist Visa (30-day) | $25 | ~£20 |
| e-Tourist Visa (1-year) | $40 | ~£32 |
| e-Tourist Visa (5-year) | $80 | ~£64 |
| e-Business Visa | $80 | ~£64 |
| e-Medical / e-Conference Visa | $25 | ~£20 |
Bank surcharge $1.50-$2.50 applies. The Indian government does not authorise agents; apply directly at indianvisaonline.gov.in. VFS Global services are optional and separate. All fees non-refundable.
How to Apply for an India eVisa from the UK
Complete the multi-step process on indianvisaonline.gov.in:
Register with a UK email address
to generate your Application ID.
Select the visa category and sub-category
such as e-Tourist 1-year.
Enter passport details
ensuring the passport number matches your scan exactly.
Fill in personal details, profession, and travel history
for the last 10 years.
Upload your photograph and passport bio-page scan
(PDF, 10 KB-300 KB).
Review all entries
the portal uses the DD/MM/YYYY format.
Pay the fee
using Visa or Mastercard.
Track your status online
using the saved Application ID.
Avoid common UK pitfalls: selecting the wrong Port of Arrival that does not match your flight itinerary, and mismatched passport numbers between the form and the uploaded scan. The eVisa India from UK demands precise data entry to prevent rejection.
Processing Times & Application Deadlines
Processing takes 3-5 business days; apply 4-120 days before travel. No fast-track.
UK applicants should apply at least 2-3 weeks before departure to allow time for corrections. Processing may take longer during peak India travel season (October-March); Indian government business days may differ from UK working days.
Track status online using your Application ID at indianvisaonline.gov.in. Once approved, the India eVisa for UK citizens is sent to registered email as a printable PDF with a QR code – no physical stamp or sticker is issued. Print a hard copy as backup for airline check-in.
Validity, Maximum Stay & the 180-Day Rule
Long-term e-Tourist and e-Business India eVisa categories allow multiple entries but cap each visit at 180 days; short-term visas have correspondingly shorter caps.
| eVisa Type | Validity Window | Entries | Max Continuous Stay |
|---|---|---|---|
| e-Tourist 30-day | 30 days from issue | Single / Double | 30 days |
| e-Tourist 1-year | 365 days from issue | Multiple | 180 days per visit |
| e-Tourist 5-year | 5 years from issue | Multiple | 180 days per visit |
| e-Business (1-year) | 365 days from issue | Multiple | 180 days per visit |
| e-Business (5-year) | 5 years from issue | Multiple | 180 days per visit |
| e-Medical | 60 days from issue | Triple | 60 days |
| e-Conference | 30 days from issue | Single | 30 days |
Worked example: Enter India on 15 October 2026 on a 1-year e-Tourist Visa – you must leave by 13 April 2027 (180 days), even though the visa itself remains valid until October 2027.
The India eVisa for UK citizens does not allow resetting the 180-day cap by briefly leaving to Nepal or Sri Lanka; authorities track cumulative stay. Overstaying triggers FRRO registration, financial penalties, and potential future entry bans.
Entry Points & Regional Travel Restrictions
Entry permitted through 28 airports and 5 seaports; not at land borders.
- Top UK-direct-flight airports accepting eVisa: Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Goa (Dabolim/Manohar), Kochi, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Amritsar.
- Designated seaports: Cochin, Goa/Mormugao, Mumbai, Chennai, Mangalore.
- Land borders: eVisa is not valid at land border checkpoints.
- Protected Area Permit (PAP) / Restricted Area Permit (RAP) zones: The eVisa India from UK does not grant access to Sikkim beyond Gangtok, inner Ladakh (Nubra Valley, Pangong Lake), most of Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, and Nagaland, or restricted Andaman & Nicobar tribal reserves. Separate permits are required and can be obtained online, at District Magistrate offices, or at designated checkpoints, typically within 1-3 days.
Verify that the Port of Arrival matches the entry in your application.
Post-Arrival Requirements & Rejection Rules
The India eVisa for UK citizens requires holders to submit an e-Arrival Card within 72 hours before arrival in India.
Travellers must complete the e-Arrival Card via boi.gov.in or indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival/. All passengers must also submit a Self-Declaration Form via the Air Suvidha platform at airsuvidha.civilaviation.gov.in before reaching Arrival Immigration Counters.
If an eVisa India from UK application is rejected, the visa fee is non-refundable. Common rejection reasons include incorrect passport numbers, non-compliant photographs, and undisclosed Pakistani or Afghan heritage. Rejected applicants can reapply with a new Application ID or switch to a regular paper visa via the Indian High Commission in London.
The regular visa alternative requires 7-15 business days for processing and costs approximately £120-£170. If the rejection stems from heritage or lineage restrictions, proceed directly to the regular visa route rather than reapplying online.
eVisa for UK Citizens Compared to Other Nationalities
Unlike Japanese, South Korean, and UAE nationals, UK citizens are not eligible for India’s Visa on Arrival and must secure an eVisa or regular visa before departure. UK citizens are among 170+ eligible nationalities for the eVisa, with the same fees and processing times as US, Canadian, Australian, and EU applicants. No special UK-India bilateral eVisa deal exists. Post-Brexit, UK passport holders follow the same eVisa rules as before. UK citizens with dual nationality must use their British passport for the eVisa; Indian-origin UK citizens should check OCI Card eligibility, which may exempt them from needing an eVisa.
India eVisa from UK: FAQ
How long does an India eVisa take to process from the UK?
Standard processing is 3-5 business days. Apply at least 2 weeks before travel; the application window opens 120 days before departure. No fast-track option exists.
How much does an India eVisa cost for UK citizens in 2026?
The 30-day e-Tourist costs $25 (~£20), 1-year $40 (~£32), 5-year $80 (~£64). All fees non-refundable; bank surcharge $1.50-$2.50 applies.
Can UK citizens get a Visa on Arrival for India?
No. UK citizens must apply for an eVisa in advance or obtain a regular visa through the Indian High Commission. Visa on Arrival is restricted to Japan, South Korea, and UAE nationals only.
What happens if my eVisa application is rejected?
The fee is non-refundable. Reapply with a new Application ID or switch to a regular visa via the Indian High Commission in London (7-15 business days, ~£120-£170).
Do I need an e-Arrival Card if I already have an eVisa?
Yes. Submit the e-Arrival Card within 72 hours before arrival via boi.gov.in. A Self-Declaration Form via Air Suvidha is also required.
Can I use my eVisa to visit Sikkim or Ladakh?
Sikkim beyond Gangtok and certain Ladakh areas (Nubra Valley, Pangong Lake) require additional Protected Area Permits (PAP). Apply online or at checkpoints; processing takes 1-3 days.
What if I have Pakistani heritage? Can I still apply for an eVisa?
If you or your parents/grandparents were born in Pakistan, Afghanistan, or certain restricted countries, you are generally ineligible. Apply for a regular visa via the Indian High Commission at hcilondon.gov.in.
How long can I stay in India on a 1-year e-Tourist Visa?
Each continuous stay is capped at 180 days per visit. Briefly leaving to neighbouring countries does not reset this cumulative stay cap.
Do I need travel insurance for the India eVisa?
Travel insurance is not mandatory but recommended by the UK Government for coverage.
Can I apply for an India eVisa if I hold a British National (Overseas) passport?
BN(O) passport holders should verify current eligibility on indianvisaonline.gov.in, as rules may differ from standard British citizen passports.
Sources & References (accessed September 2026): indianvisaonline.gov.in (Bureau of Immigration, Ministry of Home Affairs); hcilondon.gov.in (Indian High Commission London); boi.gov.in (Bureau of Immigration); airsuvidha.civilaviation.gov.in (Air Suvidha); gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/india (UK Government travel advice).
This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Always verify requirements on the official Indian government portal before applying.
