India Conference eVisa for UK Delegates & Academics
Designed for British academics, NGO representatives and industry speakers attending officially sanctioned events in India, the Conference eVisa is event-specific and requires backing from a recognised Indian organising body.
For the UK’s academic & policy community
Each year hundreds of UK researchers travel to events convened by the Indian Council of Social Science Research, the Indian Institutes of Technology, AIIMS and the Confederation of Indian Industry. The Conference eVisa is the dedicated route for delegates of such sanctioned gatherings, distinct from the general Business eVisa.
Speakers & panellists
Use this visa to present papers, chair sessions or sit on panels at recognised conferences.
Academics & researchers
Designed for university faculty, doctoral students and policy researchers from across the UK.
NGO delegates
Appropriate for staff of British charities and NGOs attending sanctioned third-sector gatherings.
What the Conference eVisa offers
Six things UK delegates should know before applying.
Single entry
One entry only, tied to the specific event named on the supporting invitation.
30-day validity
Valid for 30 days from the date of arrival in India.
Event-specific
The visa is bound to the conference indicated in the invitation — you cannot substitute another event.
Invitation required
An invitation letter from the Indian organising body is mandatory at application stage.
Ministry clearance
Conferences must hold Political Clearance from the MEA and Event Clearance from the MHA in advance.
Combined sightseeing
UK delegates may also use the validity period to visit Delhi, Agra or other nearby destinations.
How British delegates apply
Four steps from your conference invitation to the venue door.
Confirm event clearances
Ask the Indian organiser to share evidence that MEA Political Clearance and MHA Event Clearance are in place.
Complete the form
Provide passport details and the name of the conference, organising body and venue address.
Upload & pay
Attach passport, photograph and the invitation letter; pay the service fee in GBP using a UK card.
Travel to the event
Print the approval and present it on arrival; carry a copy of the invitation to the venue check-in.
Types of conferences covered
British delegates use the Conference eVisa for the following categories of sanctioned events.
Academic symposia
Conferences convened by universities, IITs, IIMs and AIIMS in fields from physics to public health.
Public sector & ministry
Events organised by Indian ministries, the NITI Aayog, central and state agencies.
NGO & civil society
Convenings by registered NGOs, UN-affiliated bodies and global development networks.
Scientific congresses
The Indian Science Congress, medical society annual meetings and engineering conferences.
Trade body events
Conferences organised by CII, FICCI, ASSOCHAM and other recognised industry chambers.
International forums
UNESCO, World Bank and OECD events hosted in partnership with Indian institutions.
Conference eVisa questions from UK delegates
Yes. The Conference eVisa is tied to one specific sanctioned event and is single-entry. The Business eVisa permits broader commercial activity with multiple entries.
Only if the organising body is a recognised institution and the event has obtained MEA Political and MHA Event clearances. Otherwise, apply for a Business eVisa.
Yes. Within the 30-day validity, UK delegates may visit other cities, although the primary purpose must remain the conference.
We recommend applying at least four weeks before travel, as conference clearances can take longer than the standard tourist eVisa.
No. The Conference eVisa permits one entry only, tied to the specified event.
Current service fees in GBP are listed on our partner’s page. View fees →