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General Visitor (Application form VAF1A)

•  The Applicant should have a passport valid for the entire duration of stay in the United Kingdom .

•  One visa form (photocopy allowed) to be completed in black ink and block letters.

•  Two passport-size photographs, not more than 6 months old. It should be un-mounted, 45 mm x 35 mm in size, against a white background, and should be glued (not stapled) to the application form.

•  A covering letter from the Applicant, giving reasons of travel.

•  Indication of financial standing and funds in the form of evidence of Employment and Savings (in India ) and, where necessary, Income Tax Return for last three years should also be provided. Itemised Bank statements for the last six months, salary slips etc, could also be added to support the application.

•  A Letter from the Employer stating the Applicant's designation in the Company, the duration of his service and granting Leave of Absence is required.

•  If the Applicant is self-employed, evidence of business activity and financial standing is needed.

•  If your sponsor, employer or anyone else is supporting you, you could show evidence of his or her immigration status in the UK . This includes six months' itemised bank statements, payslips and evidence that they are willing to pay for your stay in the UK .

•  The Applicant should show evidence that he has a place somewhere to stay, for example, a hotel reservation or a letter from your sponsor confirming that you are staying with them.

•  Evidence of any firm travel plans like an Air Ticket or a letter from the Travel Agent confirming the Ticket Cost Deposit etc are required as support documents.

•  Visa validity varies from 6 months to 10 years and allows a maximum stay of up to 6 months starting from the date of entry into the UK .

•  Extension of the stay permitted is not possible in principle.

The consular rate of exchange is £1=Rs.80 Please note the visa fees are subject to change. These fees are effective for all visa applications made from 26th August, 2011.  
Note: Visa Fee is payable for each Applicant, by a Bank Draft (available at VFS) and are non refundable, even for children.  
The Drafts should be made in favor of:  

•  "The British High Commission" payable in New Delhi (if applying in Northern India ).

•  "The British High Commission" payable in Mumbai (if applying in Western India ).

•  "The British High Commission" payable in Chennai (if applying in Southern India ).

•  "The British High Commission" payable in New Delhi (if applying in Eastern India ).

You can also pay the visa fee at the time you lodge your application at the Visa Application Centres. Standard Chartered Bank facilities are located in all Visa Application Centres for this purpose. Please note that Standard Chartered Bank will apply a service charge of Rs. 200 (inclusive of taxes) for this facility.

The UK Border Agency introduced a new Fast Track Visa Service in India . From January 2011, customers who are applying for a UK visitor visa can request a new Fast Track service. For an additional fee of Rs 4320, the UK Border Agency will process the application and return the documents within guaranteed timescales.  

Customers may request this service if they are applying for a visitor visa (excluding student visas) and have travelled without difficulty in the last five years to one of the following countries: UK , US, Australia , New Zealand , Canada or a Schengen country.  

Please note: If you have been refused a visa for any one of these countries or overstayed your visa to the UK or been removed or otherwise been required to leave the UK , the processing of your application is likely to take longer than the processing times set out below, and is unsuitable for the Fast Track process.