Leicester in July

Visa needed before you fly for up to 180 days, about ₹17,010

1. Apply online on GOV.UK for a Standard Visitor visa (gov.uk/standard-visitor) at least 4-6 weeks before you fly, and no earlier than 3 months before. The fee is £135 (about ₹17,010) for a visa of up to 6 months, and it is not refunded if the visa is refused.
2. Book and attend a VFS Global visa application centre in India to give your fingerprints and photo and hand in your documents. The standard decision takes about 3 weeks from that appointment; Priority (about 5 working days, £500 extra) and Super Priority (next working day, £1,000 extra) are sold at some centres.
3. With the visa you need no ETA. It covers England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, but not the Schengen countries: France or Italy need a separate Schengen visa, and the UK visa does not count towards one.
4. At the airport use the Border Force desks (not the eGates) and have your return ticket, hotel bookings and proof of funds ready.

Carry: Passport valid for the whole of your stay, with a blank page for the visa; Bank statements for the last 6 months, income-tax returns and a leave letter from your employer (or business or college papers); Return flight booking and a day-by-day plan; Hotel bookings, or an invitation letter and address from family or friends in the UK; Travel insurance with medical cover (advised: visitors pay for NHS hospital care).

Fees rose on 8 April 2026 (£135 for 6 months, up from £127); check GOV.UK's fee page and your VFS centre before you pay. Two-, five- and ten-year visit visas cost more and still allow 6 months per visit.

Checked 2026-10; confirm with the embassy before you fly.