India eVisa requirements for UK citizens
Everything a British passport holder needs to organise before submitting an India eVisa application - from passport validity to the digital photo specification, supporting documents, and visa-type-specific extras.
Who can apply from the United Kingdom
British citizens holding a full UK passport are eligible to apply for India's electronic visa for tourism, business, medical treatment and conferences. The application is entirely online - there is no requirement to visit an Indian High Commission in London, Birmingham or Edinburgh, and no courier of your physical passport is needed. The eVisa is electronically linked to your passport number.
- Full British citizen passportStandard UK passport issued by HM Passport Office.
- Arrival via approved airport or seaportHeathrow, Gatwick, Manchester and other UK departures landing at designated Indian entry points.
- Travel for permitted purposeTourism, business meetings, medical treatment, or short conferences.
The 8 essentials every UK applicant needs
Gather these items before you start the form. Having everything to hand means the application takes around 15-20 minutes from start to payment.
1. Valid UK passport
Your British passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your arrival date in India and contain a minimum of two completely blank pages for entry and exit stamps.
2. Digital passport photo
A recent colour photograph on a plain white background, face fully visible, no glasses or head covering (unless for religious reasons). Square format, JPEG, under 1 MB.
3. Scanned passport bio page
A clear scan of the photograph and personal details page of your UK passport, in PDF or JPG format, file size between 10 KB and 300 KB.
4. UK home address & contact
Your current British residential address, postcode and a contactable phone number. PO Box addresses are not accepted as your permanent address.
5. Travel itinerary
Provisional return flight dates and the address of your first accommodation in India (hotel, resort, host's home or company office). Bookings need not be paid in full.
6. Valid payment method
A UK-issued debit or credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express) or a PayPal account. Payments are processed securely in pounds sterling at checkout.
7. Active email address
Your approved eVisa (ETA) is delivered to the email you provide on the form. Use an address you check daily and that accepts PDF attachments.
8. India e-Arrival Card
A separate digital arrival declaration completed within 72 hours of your flight to India. Apply for the e-Arrival Card here.
Additional documents by purpose of travel
Depending on your purpose of travel, India requires a small number of supporting documents in addition to the core checklist to demonstrate the genuine purpose of your visit.
Tourist eVisa
No additional documents beyond the core checklist - your UK passport scan and digital photograph are sufficient. Optional supporting items include a return flight booking and hotel reservation, which may be requested by Indian immigration on arrival.
Business eVisa
A signed business card or letter from your UK employer on company letterhead, plus an invitation letter from the Indian company you are meeting, stating purpose, duration and host details.
Medical eVisa
An invitation or appointment letter from the recognised Indian hospital or clinic where you will be treated, on official letterhead, including the treatment plan and dates.
Conference eVisa
An official invitation letter from the conference organiser in India, along with political clearance from the Ministry of External Affairs and event clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs.
From UK application to Indian arrival
1. Gather documents
Collect your UK passport, digital photo and supporting paperwork using the checklist above.
2. Complete the form
Fill in personal, passport and travel details on the secure online application in British English.
3. Pay in GBP
Settle the fees in pounds sterling using a UK card or PayPal, then submit for processing.
4. Receive & travel
Download the approved ETA PDF from your inbox, print a copy and travel to India.
Common questions about documents
No. India requires every traveller to hold a passport valid for a minimum of six months from the date of arrival. If your British passport falls short of this, renew it through HM Passport Office before applying for the eVisa, otherwise you risk being denied boarding by the airline at the UK departure gate.
At least two completely blank visa pages, side by side, are required so Indian immigration officers can affix the entry and exit stamps. Pages partially filled with endorsements or other countries' stamps do not count. If you are running low on pages, apply for a new UK passport before travelling.
You must apply using the same passport you will travel on. If you intend to enter India on your British passport, the eVisa application must be submitted with that passport's details. Mixing nationalities on the application and at the airport will cause your eVisa to be invalid at the Indian border.
Yes. Every name and date of birth entered on the eVisa form must match your UK passport's machine-readable zone exactly, including middle names and hyphens. Minor mismatches with airline bookings can usually be amended through your travel agent, but the eVisa itself must match the passport precisely.
We strongly recommend carrying a printed colour copy of the ETA approval PDF, even though many airline check-in agents will accept a digital copy. Indian immigration desks occasionally request a paper version, and printed back-ups are useful if your phone battery fails after a long-haul flight from the UK.
No. The eVisa is electronically linked to the specific passport number used in the application. If your UK passport is reissued, lost or replaced after approval, you must apply for a fresh eVisa with the new passport details before travelling. The original eVisa cannot be transferred.