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  United Kingdom

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.FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Do I need Visa?

Indian citizens require visas for the United Kingdom unless:

• they are legally settled in the UK and are seeking to return within 2 years of departure;

• they have the right of abode in the United Kingdom; or

• they have previously been granted leave to enter or remain in the United Kingdom for a period of more than six months and are returning to the UK for the same purpose before that leave has expired, or

• they are exempt from immigration control.

How do I apply for Visa?

The Visa Section is open for personal applications 0800 - 1200 Monday - Friday, excluding public holidays. Between April and September the section is very busy. You will receive a much speedier service outside these months. You will always need a valid passport with space for a visa (additional pages are not acceptable), a fee and an application form . Children too must hold individual passports. Supporting documents are necessary for some applications (see Joint Entry Clearance Unit). In general terms you will need to show that you have the money to support yourself in the UK and a job/studies to return to. We also have offices in Mumbai, Chennai and Calcutta.

Visa Timings

How much does it cost?

* Afghanistan, China, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iraq, Iran, Libya, Nigeria, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Turkey, Uganda, Zaire, Slovak Republic, Yugoslavia, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

How do I pay?

• Fees are payable on application, for each applicant, including children, and are non-refundable.
• Due to the number of forgeries there may be some delay in processing visa applications if the fee is paid in 500 rupees notes. We are happy to accept notes of smaller denominations.
• The visa fee can also be paid by a bank draft but it must be made in favour of "British High Commission" and should be payable at New Delhi, if you are applying in New Delhi.
• If the application is sent by post, the bank draft should include an additional Rs 40 to cover the postal charges.
• The mode of payment at the "Non-Present" counter is bank draft only.

Do I have to apply in person?

If you are a first time traveller to the United Kingdom, you must submit your visa application in person.

If you are not a first time traveller to UK, it is possible to simply submit your passport, visa application and fee along with supporting documents through a third party. However, there are strict criteria which must always be met. These are:

• a fully completed visa application form, plus two passport photographs, must be submitted with every application;

• evidence of legitimate travel to the United Kingdom within the last three years;

• there must be evidence of funds for the proposed trip;

• each application must be supported by credible documents. These may take the form of business letters from reputable companies explaining the reason for the visit, its duration, and who is funding it. Invitation letters from business organisations in the UK are also acceptable. For private visits the applicant should produce a letter of invitation from the sponsor: a leave letter from their employers in India and a letter stating their intentions whilst in the UK, their proposed length of stay, and their plans on leaving the UK;

• student applicants who apply for visit visas should submit a letter from their school or college in India detailing their current course, how long the school/college vacation will last, and the expected date of resumption of studies;

• all applicants must submit a full, United Kingdom contact address.

Guidance on how to use the non-present counter at the British High Commission, New Delhi: (Please note that hours of opening may vary with seasonal demand)

1. The Visa Section of the British High Commission, New Delhi, has reviewed its policy on acceptance of applications at the non-present facility.

2. With immediate effect applications will be accepted if:

• You have travelled to the United Kingdom within the last three years in the same category as you are now applying

• You have a history of extensive travel

• You are the spouse or child (under 16) of one of the above categories who is accompanying them

• You are a Diplomat in the Indian Foreign Service (applications should be accompanied by an MEA note) or an officer of the Indian Administrative Services

• You are a seaman with a previous visa for the same purpose (must be accompanied by a letter from a recognised shipping company plus your seaman's book)

• You are applying for a student visa and have previously studied in the United Kingdom on a student visa (full supporting documents must be included)

• You are a member of an airline crew on a route which either lands in or transits the United Kingdom

• You are a returning resident with evidence of your current immigration status in the United Kingdom (copies of your old passport or letters from the United Kingdom Home Office showing Indefinite l Leave to Remain has been granted)

What do I need to apply?

• A valid passport with at least six months validity remaining

• A fully completed and signed application form (the form must give a contact name and address in the United Kingdom)

• 2 recent passport-sized colour photographs

• An application must be accompanied by the relevant fee in the form of a bank draft made payable to the "British High Commission" and should be payable at Delhi.

• Each application must be supported by credible documents. These may take the form of business letters from reputable Indian companies explaining the reasons for the visit, it's duration and who is funding the trip. Invitations from companies in the UK should also be provided.

• For private visits the applicants should produce a letter of invitation from the sponsor in the UK which should state who is paying for the trip, a leave letter and salary slips from the employer in India and evidence of funds in India (bankbooks, financial deposits, pensions etc). It is also useful to provide any evidence of your sponsors status in UK if they are not a British Citizen.

• Students applying for visit visas should submit a letter from their school, college or university detailing their current course, how long the school/ college/university vacation will last and the expected date of resumption of studies.

NOTE: THE ABOVE LIST DOES NOT AUTOMATICALLY GUARANTEE THE ISSUE OF A VISA AS THERE MAY BE MATERIAL FACTS IN EITHER AN APPLICANT'S PASSPORT OR DOCUMENTATION THAT WILL REQUIRE HIM/HER TO ATTEND AN INTERVIEW AT THE HIGH COMMISSION

When will my visa be issued?

We aim to issue non-settlement visas within 24 hours of application. If you are applying for settlement you may have to wait between 21/2 - 9 months for an interview appointment. Any person intending to stay in the UK for more than 6 months will require medical clearance before travelling. This will normally take up to ten working days.

Please note: Waiting periods are subject to change at short notice

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