UK Tourist Visa from India: Fees, Documents & Timeline
Indian passport holders need a Standard Visitor visa to enter the UK. The government fee is £135 for a 6-month visa, processing typically takes 3 weeks, and applications are submitted online via UKVI.
Key facts
- Government fee (6 months): £135
- Government fee (2-year long-term): £506
- Government fee (5-year long-term): £903
- Government fee (10-year long-term): £1,128
- Standard processing time: 3 weeks from biometrics
- Maximum stay per entry: 6 months
- Application method: Online via UKVI portal, then in-person biometrics at VAC
- Vistolane service fee: Approx. USD 18.40
Overview
The UK Standard Visitor visa costs £135 for a single entry valid for up to 6 months. Multi-year options cost £506 (2-year), £903 (5-year) or £1,128 (10-year). Processing typically takes 3 weeks from biometric enrolment. Indian passport holders must apply online before travelling — there is no visa on arrival for the UK.
For a full step-by-step breakdown, see the UK Standard Visitor visa for Indians: the step-by-step guide (2026).
What is the UK Standard Visitor visa and who needs it?
The Standard Visitor visa is the correct category for tourism, visiting family or friends, attending a conference, or a short business trip to the UK. Indian passport holders are not visa-exempt and must obtain this visa before departure.
The visa allows a stay of up to 6 months per visit. It does not permit you to work, study for extended periods, or receive public funds. If your purpose is employment or long-term study, you need a different category entirely — see the UK Skilled Worker visa for Indians or the UK Student visa for Indian students.
How much does a UK tourist visa cost from India?
The UK government's visa fee regulations set the following fees as of the verified date of 19 September 2026:
| Visa Type | Government Fee |
|---|---|
| Standard Visitor — up to 6 months | £135 |
| Long-term Visitor — 2 years | £506 |
| Long-term Visitor — 5 years | £903 |
| Long-term Visitor — 10 years | £1,128 |
Fees are paid in GBP at the time of online application. The fee is non-refundable regardless of the outcome. You will also pay an Immigration Health Surcharge if required — check the UKVI IHS calculator to confirm whether it applies to your visit.
Vistolane's service fee for application assistance is approximately USD 18.40. You can view the current UK visa from India: application help page for up-to-date pricing.
What documents do you need for a UK visitor visa application?
The Home Office does not publish a rigid checklist, but caseworkers look for evidence across four areas: identity, financial means, ties to India, and the purpose and itinerary of travel. Prepare the following:
Identity and travel documents - Valid passport with at least 6 months remaining and two blank pages - All previous passports showing travel history - Two recent passport-sized photographs
Financial evidence - Last 6 months of personal bank statements showing consistent balance - Salary slips or business income proof for the last 3 months - Income Tax Returns (ITR) for the last 2 financial years - If self-employed: GST registration, company financials, or CA certificate
Ties to India - Leave letter from employer on company letterhead, or business ownership documents - Property ownership documents or rental agreement - Family ties — marriage certificate, birth certificates of children
Purpose and itinerary - Flight booking confirmation (not necessarily paid tickets at submission stage) - Hotel booking or letter of invitation from a UK host - Travel itinerary covering your planned activities - Proof of any previous travel to the UK or other countries
For guidance on how financial evidence is assessed, see Student Visa Proof of Funds: UK, Canada, Australia & Germany — the principles of demonstrating sufficient funds overlap significantly with visitor applications.
How do you apply step by step?
- Create an account on the UK Visas and Immigration online portal.
- Select "Standard Visitor" as the visa type and complete the online application form.
- Pay the £135 government fee by card during the application.
- Book a biometric appointment at your nearest UKVI Visa Application Centre in India (available in Mumbai, New Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Jalandhar, Pune and Chandigarh).
- Attend the appointment, submit your passport and supporting documents, and provide fingerprints and a photograph.
- Wait for a decision — typically 3 weeks from biometric enrolment.
- Collect your passport with the vignette sticker from the VAC or via courier.
Apply well in advance of your intended travel date, particularly during peak seasons (April to June, October to November). Processing can occasionally exceed the 3-week standard timeline.
How does the Home Office decide on a visitor visa?
The caseworker assesses whether you are a genuine visitor who will leave the UK at the end of your permitted stay. The key questions they apply are:
- Do you have sufficient funds to support yourself without recourse to public funds?
- Do you have strong enough ties to India — employment, property, family — to make it credible you will return?
- Is your stated purpose consistent with a visitor rather than a migrant?
- Does your travel history demonstrate that you comply with visa conditions?
Refusals are most commonly issued where bank statements show low or irregular balances, where the stated purpose appears inconsistent with evidence, or where the applicant cannot demonstrate meaningful ties to India. If your application is refused, read Visa Refusals: Read the Letter and Rebuild Your File before reapplying.
Should you apply for a 6-month or long-term visitor visa?
If you travel to the UK regularly — for business, family visits, or tourism — the 2-year (£506), 5-year (£903) or 10-year (£1,128) long-term visitor visas offer substantially better value per trip. Each entry still allows a maximum stay of 6 months.
To be granted a multi-year visa, your financial profile and travel history need to support the longer-term trust implied. First-time applicants with limited travel history are more likely to be approved for the standard 6-month entry.
How does the UK compare to other popular destinations for Indian travellers?
The UK visitor visa process is more document-intensive than destinations that offer visa on arrival or e-visas. For reference:
- The Schengen Area visa follows a broadly similar process but is applied for through individual consulates and requires slightly different financial evidence.
- Australia Visitor visa (subclass 600) is applied for entirely online and processed faster in many cases.
- Canada visitor visa for Indians also requires biometrics but can be applied for online without attending an in-person centre in all cases.
Use the visa eligibility check to confirm requirements before starting any application.
What are the most common mistakes Indian applicants make?
- Submitting bank statements that show a large recent deposit rather than a consistent balance over 6 months
- Providing a vague itinerary with no hotel bookings or contact information for a UK host
- Not including previous passports, which removes evidence of an established travel history
- Applying too close to the travel date, leaving no buffer if the processing time is exceeded
- Failing to explain gaps in employment or irregular income patterns
If you want support preparing your file, visit Visa application assistance to see how Vistolane can help.
Questions, answered
How much does a UK tourist visa cost for Indian passport holders?
The government fee for a Standard Visitor visa valid for up to 6 months is £135. Long-term visitor visas cost £506 for 2 years, £903 for 5 years, and £1,128 for 10 years. The fee is paid online at the time of application and is non-refundable.
How long does it take to get a UK visitor visa from India?
The standard processing time is 3 weeks from the date you submit your biometrics at a Visa Application Centre. Processing can take longer during peak travel periods. Apply at least 6 to 8 weeks before your intended travel date to allow a safe buffer.
Can I apply for a UK visitor visa without a confirmed flight ticket?
You can submit flight booking confirmations rather than fully paid tickets when applying. However, you must provide a clear itinerary showing your intended travel dates. A definitive itinerary and hotel bookings strengthen your application considerably.
How many bank statements do I need for a UK visitor visa?
The Home Office expects to see 6 months of personal bank statements. They assess the average balance, the consistency of funds, and the source of income. Large recent deposits without a clear source are treated with caution. Salary slips supporting the statements are strongly recommended.
Can I work in the UK on a Standard Visitor visa?
No. The Standard Visitor visa does not permit employment in the UK. It allows tourism, visiting family, short business activities such as attending meetings or conferences, and certain permitted paid engagements. Any form of paid work requires a separate visa category.
Is a UK visitor visa valid for multiple entries?
Yes. A Standard Visitor visa is typically issued as a multiple-entry visa, allowing you to enter the UK more than once within the validity period. Each visit may not exceed 6 months. Long-term visas of 2, 5 or 10 years also operate on a multiple-entry basis.
What happens if my UK visitor visa application is refused?
There is no formal appeal right for visitor visa refusals in most cases. You can apply again with a stronger file that addresses the reasons for refusal stated in the decision letter. Review the refusal notice carefully before reapplying and ensure every concern raised is evidenced.