India Change Visa Rules for UK Nationals, Requires In-Person Visa Application Submission

The Indian High Commission in London, United Kingdom recently changes the visa rules for UK nationals applying for a Tourist visa to India. According to the updated rules, India is now requiring travellers to present themselves in person at the visa application centres in the UK to apply for tourist visas.

However, there is no change in the application process for individual visas, and all other requirements and procedures for applicants will remain the same.

The decision forces thousands of British tourists to postpone their vacations as there are no visa appointments available before their flights depart.

Until now, the majority of visitors from the United Kingdom paid visa brokers to secure their tourist visas for India.

However, on Monday evening the visa agents received notice that they were no longer permitted to apply for tourist visas on behalf of applicants and that they now had to appear in person at the VFS global application centres.

It’s important to note that the change occurred after the Indian High Commission learned that unlicensed agents and individuals were fraudulently collecting India visa applications for submission at VFS centres, charging fees, and providing services that they were not authorised to offer.

Press Release: @HCI_London on reports on visa issues. ⁦@MEAIndia⁩ pic.twitter.com/JSqpFInlOt

— India in the UK (@HCI_London) October 7, 2022

The Indian High Commission in London also issued a statement regarding this change, stating:

“It has come to our notice that unauthorised agents and individuals are illegally charging fees and collecting India visa applications for submission at VFS centres, misleading applicants and misrepresenting the services that they can legally provide. This matter is currently being investigated.

High Commission of India emphasises that VFS Global Services is the only authorised outsourcing provider for India-related passport/visa/and consular services in the UK. As per established procedure, individual visa applicants are, and always have been, required to submit visa applications at the VFS centres in person.

Applicants can book online appointments to submit visa applications at Online Appointment (hcilondon.gov.in). For information on visa procedures please visit General Visa information (hcilondon.gov.in).

It is reiterated that there is no change in the visa application process for individual visa applications.

High Commission of India assures our friends in the UK that it remains our constant endeavour to improve the visa services by streamlining processes and to address delays and shortfalls in services.”

This latest setback for British tourists comes on top of the e-visa for UK citizens not being reinstated following the pandemic, despite nationals from 135 other countries, including the US, being able to obtain them.