Introductory Information

Please do not finalise your travel arrangements to India before ascertaining the visa requirements.

Visa takes effect from the date of its issue. This should also be kept in view while making your travel plans.

All foreign nationals, including children, require a visa to enter India.

Visa fees are non-refundable and subject to change without notice.

The Consulate General of India, Birmingham reserves the right of granting visas and of deciding the type and duration of visa irrespective of the fees tendered at the time of making application. Granting of Visa does not confer the right of entry to India and is subject to the discretion of the Immigration Authorities.

With effect from Friday, the 6^th of June, 2008, collection of visa applications plus visa fees and delivery of visas in respect of the counties falling under the consular jurisdiction of the Consulate General of India, Birmingham, have been outsourced to VF Services (UK) Limited. The address of M/s. VF Services (UK) Ltd., in Birmingham is given below:

Address:         VF Services (UK) Ltd.
                       (India Visa Application Centre)

                       20-21, Pemberton Street,

                       Jewellery Quarter, Hockley,

                       Birmingham B18 6NY.

                       Website: http://in.vfsglobal.co.uk
                       E-mail:  info.inuk@vfshelpline.com
                       Tel:       090-5757-0045
                       Fax:      0121-236-6262

Persons of Indian origin applying for Indian visa for the first time after acquiring foreign nationality are required to first renounce / surrender their Indian passports.

FOR DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS ON SENDING APPLICATIONS BY POST, FEES, CATEGORIES, ELIGIBILITIES, ETC., AND ENQUIRIES ON STATUS OF VISAS PLEASE ACCESS THE WEB SITE OF M/s. VFS SERVICES (UK) LTD.: http://in.vfsglobal.co.uk

Tourist Visa Advisory

This is for information that there should be a gap of at least 2 months between two visits to India on a Tourist Visa.

In case of requirement to visit India within 2 months, permission should be sought from the High Commission of India, London or the Indian Consulates at Birmingham and Edinburgh directly without going through the outsourcing agency VFS Global (UK) Ltd. Where permission is accorded in such cases, registration with the local FRRO/FRO would be required within 14 days of arrival in India. Request form can be downloaded through the web-site http://in.vfsglobal.co.uk Processing time of the request will be 3-4 working days.

However, those holding Tourist Visas, who after initial entry into India plan to visit another country and re-enter India before finally exiting, could be permitted more than one entry, as the case may, be subject to their submission of a detailed itinerary and supporting documents i.e. confirmed Air tickets.

In view of the change in the Tourist Visa procedure, Government of India has fixed Pounds Seven (£7/-) as Miscellaneous Charge for according permission to re-enter India within Two months of last exit.

Travel Advisory

In view of the spread of the Swine Influenza A (H1N1) this is for information to all passengers travelling to India that they will be screened at the International Airports in India on their arrival. This will also involve quarantine and even hospitalization, if detected, with any symptoms connected with the flu.