United Kingdom visa for Indian passport holders
The UK decides visitor visas on a written case, not a checklist. The financial story and the reason you will return to India carry more weight than any single document.
- Package from
- βΉ19,900
- Processing
- 3 weeks standard
- Permitted stay
- Up to 6 months
- Visa type
- Standard Visitor visa, biometrics required
How the United Kingdom visa works
A UK Standard Visitor visa allows stays of up to six months for tourism, family visits and business meetings. UKVI does not publish a mandatory document list in the way Schengen consulates do; instead, an entry clearance officer assesses whether you are a genuine visitor who will leave at the end of the trip. That makes the covering letter and the coherence of the financial evidence unusually important. Refusals under the genuine visitor test are common and are written in reusable language, which is why an unaddressed previous refusal poisons later applications.
Issuing authority: UK Visas and Immigration, via VFS Global
Where United Kingdom applications go wrong
Unexplained credits in the bank statement
UKVI reads six months of statements line by line. Large transfers from friends or relatives without an explanation and a documented source are the most common single reason for refusal of otherwise strong applications.
A previous refusal that is never addressed
Any earlier refusal, from any country, must be declared and dealt with head-on in the covering letter. Reapplying with the same file and hoping for a different officer almost never works.
Sponsorship without the sponsor's own evidence
If a relative in the UK is funding or hosting the trip, their letter alone is not enough. Their bank statements, immigration status and proof of accommodation all belong in the file.
Visa types
Standard Visitor visa
Six months for tourism, family visits, business meetings and short study. The most common category for Indian applicants.
Long-term visitor visa
Two, five or ten year multiple entry visas for frequent travellers, each visit capped at six months.
Business visitor
Same visa class, filed with company letters and an invitation. Permitted activities are limited and paid work is not among them.
Visitor in transit
For passengers passing through the UK to a third country who need to pass immigration control.
Documents required
Core documents
- βPassport with a blank page, valid for the whole visit
- βOnline application and appointment confirmation
- βTravel itinerary with flight and accommodation details
- βCovering letter setting out purpose, funding and ties to India
Financial evidence
- βBank statements for the last 6 months, with every significant credit explained
- βIncome Tax Returns and Form 16 for the last 2 to 3 years
- βSalary slips for the last 3 to 6 months
- βProperty, investment or business ownership documents
If visiting family
- βSponsor's invitation letter and passport or BRP copy
- βSponsor's bank statements and proof of accommodation
- βProof of relationship, such as a birth or marriage certificate
The process, step by step
- 1
Case assessment
We read your financial and travel history the way an entry clearance officer will, and identify what needs explaining before anything is filed.
- 2
Application and covering letter
The online application is completed and a detailed covering letter drafted, addressing funding, itinerary, ties to India and any previous refusal.
- 3
Biometrics appointment
We book the VFS slot, upload the evidence bundle in UKVI's expected structure and brief you on the appointment.
- 4
Decision
Standard processing is around three weeks; priority and super priority services are available at additional government cost where the centre offers them.
United Kingdom visa cost
| Package | Processing | Stay | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Visitor visa, 6 months | About 3 weeks | Up to 6 months | βΉ19,900 |
| Priority processingGovernment priority fee included | About 5 working days | Up to 6 months | βΉ27,900 |
| Long-term visitor, 2 years | About 3 weeks | 6 months per visit | βΉ32,900 |
Included: UKVI application fee, VFS service charge, appointment booking, covering letter, evidence bundle preparation and tracking.
Prices are starting packages for a single standard applicant and change with visa type, stay length, express processing and group size. Government fees are set by the issuing authority and can change without notice. You receive a fixed written quote before any payment.
United Kingdom visa questions
How much bank balance is needed for a UK visitor visa?οΌ
There is no fixed figure. UKVI assesses whether your funds credibly cover the trip alongside your normal commitments, and whether the money has a documented source.
Can I work or study on a visitor visa?οΌ
No paid or unpaid work for a UK business. Short recreational courses of up to 30 days are permitted; anything longer needs a study visa.
I was refused before. Can I reapply?οΌ
Yes, there is no waiting period. But the new application must directly address the refusal reasons with new evidence, otherwise the same outcome is very likely.
Does a UK visa let me visit Europe?οΌ
No. The UK is outside the Schengen area, and a separate Schengen visa is needed for continental Europe.
Official source
Rules, fees and processing times change. Always confirm the current requirements with the issuing authority before you travel.
GOV.UK β Standard Visitor visa βRelated guides
Schengen visa from India: the document checklist that actually gets approved
A consulate-ready checklist for Indian applicants β which bank statements matter, what the insurance must cover, and the four mistakes that cause most refusals.
DocumentsWhat your bank statement tells a visa officer
Balance is the least interesting thing on a statement. Here is how consulates actually read six months of transactions from an Indian applicant.
Other Europe destinations
Start your United Kingdom application
Send us your passport scan and travel dates. You get an honest assessment, a fixed price and a realistic timeline before you commit to anything.