Business Travel Requirements for an India Visa for UK Citizens

1. Appointment System

   The India Visa Application Centre requires all applicants to appear in person as part of the visa application process. Applications are accepted by strict appointment only. After we have received all the materials required in support of your visa application, CIBTvisas will schedule an appointment at the India Visa Application Centre. The processing time is the time taken for the visa to be received after the scheduled appointment.

2. Processing Fees

   The India Visa Application Centre provides a mandatory SMS notification service to all visa applications. This is charged at £1.67 + VAT per application and is in addition to the consular and VFS fees quoted.

3. Passport

   The applicant's actual passport. The passport must:
   • Have at least two blank visa pages
   • Be machine readable
   • Be valid for at least 180 days beyond exit date

4. Copy of Passport Identification Page

   Provide a clear colour copy of your passport identification page and the signature page. In case you hold another valid passport, you must provide a clear colour copy of the identification page and the signature page of that passport as well.

5. Photograph

   You must provide a photograph. Upload your photo and we will print it to the exact specifications required for this visa. Follow https://cibtvisas.co.uk/photo-service to upload your photo.

   
   Alternatively, you may provide two colour, passport type photographs that meets the following strict criteria: be taken within the last three months against a white background and printed on high quality photo paper; be 5cm by 5cm in size; provide the full frontal view of your head with your face centered in the middle and displaying a neutral (non-smiling) expression. You may wear neither spectacles nor headwear except for religious purposes. Your photograph should not be affixed to your application and may not display evidence of adhesive or staples.

6. Business Introduction Letter

   You must provide an original Business Introduction Letter from the applicant's UK employer. Be certain your letter meets the specific requirements of the consulate by using our Digital Business Introduction Letter. Visit https://cibtvisas.co.uk/bcl-order to get started.

   Alternatively, please use the sample Business Introduction Letter provided at http://cibtvisas.co.uk/forms?formname=Business%20Introduction%20Letter%20Sample.pdf using the exact language and format provided in order to prevent a rejection and possible delays with your visa request. 

   Note that most consulates require the Business Cover Letter to be dated within one month of application submission.

   In addition to the language provided in the sample, your Business Introduction Letter must:
   • Be addressed to:"The Indian High Commission, India House, Aldwych, London, WC2B 4NA"
   • Contain a wet signature

7. Letter of Invitation

   A letter of invitation from the company to be visited in India. A copy is acceptable. This letter must:
   • Be addressed to:"The Indian High Commission, India House, Aldwych, London, WC2B 4NA"
   • Be on company letterhead paper with the name and address matching exactly to that which is stated on the visa form
   • Include the applicant's full name as stated in their passport
   • Include the passport number of the applicant
   • Include the date of issue of the passport
   • Include the date of expiry of the passport
   • Specify the purpose of journey
   • Specify the exact nature of the business being conducted
   • Specify requested number of entries and the length of visa required
   • Be signed and dated by the inviting party

8. Company Registration Document

   This must be provided as a copy of the registration document/certificate of the inviting company

9. Declaration Form

   One fully completed Declaration Form which can be found in the pack and must be signed in the original

10. Letter of Authorisation

    An original Letter of Authorisation permitting CIBTvisas to submit and collect the application on your behalf. Complete and sign the Letter of Authorisation provided. This letter must be signed in the original.

11. Visa Application Form

    One fully completed and signed application form.
    

    CIBTvisas can assist the traveller in completing the online application form as a Premium Service for an additional fee. In order to facilitate this, please complete the CIBTvisas India Document Preparation Service which can be found within the CIBTvisas Application Pack.

    
    Online application document preparation service requests must be received at CIBTvisas before 14.00 hours in order to have it returned to you that day.Once CIBTvisas have completed your online application we will send it to you for your signature. An original signature is required so it is mandatory to return the form to us by post or courier once signed.
    
    Alternatively, the visa application form can be filled in by the applicant. The form must:
     

    • Be completed online at: https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/index.html
    • Be completed with the selection "London" as the place of submission
    • Be printed single-sided 
    • Have section G completed in full
    • Have section "Previous Nationality" for Family members completed even if their nationality has never been changed
    • Only contain alphanumeric characters
    • Have no handwritten corrections/modifications
    • Bear a signature that matches the applicant's passport
    • Be submitted to the Embassy within 45 calendar days of completion

    
    Once printed, the visa application form must be signed twice by the applicant.  Once on the first page and once on the second page.  Both sections are marked "signature"

    
    Applicants are not required to complete the online visa payment procedure, CIBTvisas will manage all Consulate charges for issuing the visa on the applicant's behalf.

12. Visa Validity

    Visas are ordinarily issued for "up to one year". Applicants who would like a visa valid for longer than one year must supply a copy of their last Indian visa and ensure the visa application form, the business introduction letter and the invitation letter all request the longer validity. Applicants are advised that the issuance of a visa valid for longer than one year is not guaranteed and is issued solely at the visa officers discretion.

    
    Applicants who would like a visa valid for longer than two years must ensure the business introduction letter clearly states the need for a long term visa.  

    
    The High Commission may issue a visa that is of a shorter validity than requested but at the cost of the requested validity. The High Commission's decision will be final and cannot be contested by CIBTvisas

13. CIBTvisas Order Confirmation

    Provide the CIBTvisas Order Form included in this kit.

14. Charity and Media Professionals

    Visa approvals for applicants working in charity or media related professions will be referred to officials in India. As a result, processing time may extend for up to 8 working days and additional consular fees may be charged. Applicants with charity or media related professions are usually only issued a three month single entry "J" visa by the High Commission.

15. Applicants of Pakistani Origin

    There are different visa requirements for Applicants of Pakistani origin. For a complete set of requirements return to our Visa Search box and next to the statement "I will be travelling for" select the appropriate visa type with the annotation "(Applicants of Pakistani Origin)"

16. Former Indian Nationals

    Under the Indian law, people of Indian origin, who have acquired foreign nationality, are required to surrender their Indian passport to the High Commission of India before submitting their visa applications. Once this process is complete, a Surrender Certificate will be issued. A copy of the certificate will need to be submitted with the application or, if travelled to India before, a previous passport with India visa(s). In case the applicant does not have the Indian passports in their possession for any reason, they are required to furnish duly notarised affidavit in this regard. A police report is also required if the passport has been declared lost or stolen.

17. Additional Administrative Processing

    Visa approval for applicants of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, China, Iraq, Iran, Nigeria, Somalia or Sri Lanka origin will be sought from officials in India. Passports will be retained by the Indian High Commission until approval is received. Processing time will be considerably longer and additional consular fees may be charged. The current processing time is the minimum of eight weeks and an additional declaration visa form will be required. 

    Applicants of Bangladesh, China and Sri Lanka origin are advised to access visa information according to their country of origin as an additional supplementary visa form will be required.

    During this process CIBTvisas will not be provided any updates on the status of the application.

18. Holders of a Valid Visa

    Applicants are only permitted to hold one valid Indian visa at any one time. Applicants holding a valid visa in an expired passport must present this for cancellation upon submission of a new visa application.

19. Proof of Previous Visa(s)

    Travellers must provide a clear photocopy of every previous Indian visa they they have previously obtained

20. Advised Traveller Service (Highly Recommended)

    Stay informed and safe by having CIBTvisas subscribe you to the Government Foreign Travel Advice Email Alerts. Registration enables you to receive the most up-to-date travel advice regarding safety, security, entry requirements, travel warnings and health. CIBTvisas will register the email address provided in the order. To enroll in this optional service, add this option to your order within the order flow