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 find in the 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 citizens would want to make a trip to India every time.
But before you pack your bag just yet, there are a few things you may need to consider regarding your travel documents to India. First and foremost, to travel to India, your country must meet India’s eligibility requirements. Fortunately, the United Kingdom is among the countries on the eligible list and to travel to India, whether by air, land or sea, you need a Visa.
Decades ago, British citizens had to visit the Indian embassy to apply for a visa. This used to take a lot of time because everything was done manually, you had to make an appointment, pay manually, and wait for days before your application went through. Today, however, since the introduction of the Indian eVisa, the process of India visa application for British citizens it has become faster, more efficient, cheaper, and more convenient. But considering there are so many ways to get there, how do you go about getting a visa to travel from Britain to India? Here are some tips on how to get a visa to India for British citizens arriving by air, land or cruise.
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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 need to apply for a visa when touring other destinations. This is the same case with India. Depending on your reasons for traveling to India, British citizens have the option of applying for an Indian tourist visa, business visa, or medical visa.
Requirements
The first thing you need to do is specify your reasons for traveling to India. You will be asked to submit your personal information, profession, and educational background. Fortunately, as mentioned earlier, all this will be done online on the Indian government’s travel and tourism website. You will need to complete the eVisa application form and then submit the following details:
- A scanned color copy of your valid passport – both first and last pages in PDF format. The passport must be valid for a minimum of 6 months.
- Passport size photo with white background preferably between 350X350 pixels and 1000X1000 pixels.
Then you will need to pay online which means your credit cards will come in handy. This is usually a three-step process that takes no more than two working days. It is easy, convenient, and fast especially for British citizens traveling to India.
Visa to India for British Citizens Arriving by Cruise
There are several entry points for British citizens planning to visit India. In addition to air, visitors can choose to enter India by cruise via the Ganges River or the Brahmaputra. Either way, you will still be required to have your visa. The application procedure is still the same as mentioned above. However, it goes without saying that passengers visiting India on ocean liners must have a tourist visa.
What you need to know about your visa options for India
UK citizens wishing to visit India have three visa options; they include tourist visa, business visa, and medical visa. One thing to note is that the information on these visas can change so it is important to make inquiries before making any plans. When applying for the tourist visa, candidates can choose a visa valid for one month, one year, or five years. Remember, validity determines how many entries you can make before the visa expires.
Once approved, applicants will receive an electronically generated visa from the Indian government by email before they travel. It is important for travelers to print a copy of the eVisa and keep a hard copy in case.
Restrictions
Following the recent outbreak of the coronavirus, Indian authorities have restricted the transit and entry of visitors from China. This was a safety measure that was not only observed by India but among various continental and inland ports of the world.
And finally, whether you are visiting India for business or pleasure, you must observe the established laws of the land. It is also important to respect the Indian people and their culture as well as everything else that India has to offer.