UK entry requirements for travellers from India
Visa requirement summary
Indian passport holders need a visa to visit the UK. There is no visa-free or visa-on-arrival option for Indian nationals — you must apply and have your visa approved before you travel.
For a holiday or short trip, the right visa is the Standard Visitor visa. It covers tourism, visiting family or friends, short business trips, and medical treatment. This applies whether you’re heading to London, Edinburgh, Manchester, Birmingham, Bath, or anywhere else in the UK.
The Standard Visitor visa costs £135 and can be applied for online through the UK government’s visa service. It is issued as an eVisa — a digital record linked to your passport — rather than a physical sticker. The earliest you can apply is 3 months before your travel date.
How long you can stay
A Standard Visitor visa typically allows you to stay in the UK for up to 6 months per visit.
If you travel to the UK regularly, it may be worth applying for a long-term visitor visa, valid for 2, 5, or 10 years. These cost more upfront but allow multiple visits without reapplying each time. Each individual stay is still capped at 6 months, and you cannot use repeated or back-to-back visits to effectively live in the UK.
Extending your stay beyond what your visa permits is not generally allowed for standard visitors, and overstaying can affect future visa applications.
Passport validity requirements
Your passport must be valid for the entire duration of your stay in the UK. There is no requirement for additional validity beyond your departure date, but it should not expire while you are there.
That said, it is sensible to have several months of validity remaining beyond your travel dates — a passport that expires soon after your planned return may create problems with airlines or carriers at check-in.
Proof of funds and financial requirements
UK border officers and airline staff may ask you to demonstrate that you can support yourself financially during your visit. There is no set minimum amount published for visitor visas, but you must be able to show that you have enough money to cover your accommodation, living costs, and return travel — or that someone else will be funding these for you.
Bank statements are the most commonly used supporting document when applying for the visa, and you may be asked about finances at the UK border on arrival.
Onward or return travel
When applying for a Standard Visitor visa, you must show that you intend to leave the UK at the end of your permitted stay. A confirmed return or onward travel booking is the clearest way to demonstrate this.
You may also be asked about your plans at the border. Having your travel itinerary easy to show is a sensible precaution.
Applying for the visa
Applications for a Standard Visitor visa must be submitted online through the UK government’s visa application service before you travel. You will need to attend a visa application centre to provide your biometric information (fingerprints and a photo) as part of the process.
Once approved, your visa will be issued as an eVisa — a digital record. You will need to set up a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account to access it, and your eVisa must be linked to the passport you intend to travel with. Carry your current passport with you when you travel, as airlines and border officers will verify your immigration status electronically.
The UK no longer issues physical visa stickers (Biometric Residence Permits have been phased out for new applicants).
Health requirements
There are no vaccination requirements for routine travel from India to the UK. You do not need to show proof of any specific vaccination to enter.
Other entry requirements
The Standard Visitor visa is strictly for visiting — not for working, providing paid services, or living in the UK on an extended basis. If you plan to study for more than 6 months, work, or remain in the UK long-term, a different visa category applies.
If you are only transiting through the UK to another destination and will not be passing through border control, you will still need a visa — India is on the UK’s list of countries that require a visa for airside transit as well. A Visitor in Transit visa is available for £74.50 if transiting is your only purpose.
FAQs
Do Indian passport holders need a visa for a holiday in the UK?
Yes. Indian nationals must apply for a Standard Visitor visa before travelling to the UK. There is no visa-free or visa-on-arrival option for Indian passport holders.
How much does a UK visitor visa cost for Indian nationals?
A Standard Visitor visa for up to 6 months costs £135. Long-term visitor visas (valid for 2, 5, or 10 years, with each stay capped at 6 months) are also available at a higher fee.
How long can I stay in the UK on a visitor visa?
Up to 6 months per visit. You cannot extend this as a Standard Visitor, and you cannot use successive visits to live in the UK on a rolling basis.
Is there a physical visa sticker in my passport?
No. UK visas are now issued as eVisas — a digital record linked to your UKVI account and your passport. You will not receive a sticker or label. Make sure your eVisa is linked to the passport you’re travelling with before you fly.
Can I transit through the UK without a visa?
No. Indian passport holders require a visa even for airside transit through a UK airport. A Visitor in Transit visa (£74.50) is available if you are only stopping to change flights and will not be entering the UK.