Now, gone are the days when visa application took the fun out of traveling and India was no exception. This considering the long queues you’d find at immigration offices and the long procedures it took to get a certified travel document. India is among the most sought after tourist destinations in the world. For starters, India is culturally rich, has great architecture, rich cuisines, and great outdoor environments to explore. This is perhaps one of the main reasons why British nationals would want to make a trip to India every once in a while.
But before you pack your bag just yet, there are a few things that you may need to consider concerning your travel documents to India. First and foremost, to travel to India, your home country must meet India’s eligibility requirements. Fortunately, the UK is among the eligible list countries and to travel to India, whether by air, by land or by sea, you need to have a Visa.
Decades ago, British citizens had to visit the Indian embassy to apply for the visa. This was time-consuming because everything was done manually, you had to make an appointment, pay manually, and wait for days before your application went through. Today, however, ever since the introduction of the Indian eVisa, the process of applying for india visa for British citizens has become faster, efficient, cheaper, and more convenient. But considering there are many ways to get there, how do you go about getting a visa to travel from Britain to India? Here are some tips on getting a visa to India for British citizens arriving by air, land or cruise.
Why British Citizens Need A Visa To Go To India
British citizens who hold a valid passport can visit various countries without necessarily needing a visa. However, they may require to apply for a visa when touring other destinations. This is the same case with India. Depending on your reasons to travel to India, British citizens have the option of applying for an Indian tourist visa, business visa, or a medical visa.
Requirements
The first thing you’ll need to do is specify your reasons for traveling to India. You’ll be asked to submit your personal information, profession, and educational background. Fortunately, as earlier mentioned, all this will be done over the internet on the Indian government travel and tourism website. You’ll need to complete the eVisa application form and afterward submit the following details:
- A colored scanned copy of your valid passport-both the first and the last pages in PDF format. The passport should be valid for a minimum of 6 months.
- Passport-sized photo with a white background preferably between 350X350 pixels and 1000X1000 pixels.
You’ll then be needed to pay online meaning that your credit cards will come in handy. This is usually a three-step process that takes not more than two working days. It’s easy, convenient, and fast e especially for British citizens traveling to India.
Visa to India for British Citizens Arriving By Cruise
There are various entry points for British citizens planning to visit India. Apart from air, visitors may opt to enter India by cruise via the Ganges River or the Brahmaputra. Either way, you’ll still be required to have your visa. The application procedure is still the same as mentioned above. However, needless to mention is the fact that passengers visiting India on ocean-going ships must have a tourist visa.
What You Need To Know About Your Visa Options to India
UK citizens wishing to visit India have three options for visas; they include a tourist visa, business visa, and medical visa. One thing to note is that the information about these visas may change and it’s therefore important to make inquiries before making any plans. When applying for the tourist visa, candidates may opt for a 1 month, 1 year, or five-year valid visa. Remember, the validity will determine how many entries you can make before the visa expires.
Once approved, applicants will receive an electronically generated visa from the government of India by email before traveling. It’s important for travelers to print a copy of the eVisa and keep a soft copy just in case.
Restrictions
Following the recent outbreak of coronavirus, Indian authorities restricted transit and entry of visitors from China. This was a safety measure that was not only observed by India but among various mainland and inland ports of the world.
And finally, whether you’re visiting India for business or pleasure, you must observe the laid down laws of the land. It’s also important that you respect the Indian people and their culture as well as whatever else that India has to offer.
