Visa Guide

UK Tourist Visa from India: Standard Visitor Guide

6 min readUpdated 16 October 2026NextQuest visa desk

Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament in London

Whether it's family in London or a Lake District road trip, the UK Standard Visitor visa is your route in. There's no interview for most applicants, but the Home Office reads bank statements closely — here's how to file it right.

Embassy fee

≈ ₹14,000 (6-month visitor)

NextQuest service fee

₹2,500

Processing time

~15 working days

Indicative figures — embassy fees change without notice. We confirm the exact all-in total before filing.

What the Standard Visitor visa allows

Tourism, visiting family and friends, short business trips and short courses. The standard grant is 6 months; frequent travellers can opt for 2, 5 or 10-year visas at higher fees. Work is not permitted.

Documents required

  • Passport (current and old passports with travel history)
  • Bank statements for 6 months — the Home Office studies these closely
  • Employment proof or business documents
  • Accommodation and host details in the UK
  • A cover letter tying your trip, funds and return plans together

Fees and processing time

The 6-month visitor visa costs ≈ ₹14,000 in embassy fees plus our ₹2,500 service fee, with decisions in about 15 working days after biometrics. Priority services can cut this to around 5 working days at extra cost. All figures are indicative and confirmed before filing.

The #1 refusal reason

Funds that don't make sense: large recent deposits with no explanation, or balances inconsistent with stated income. If a relative is sponsoring you, their documents must tell the story instead. Our consultants review your financials against Home Office expectations before submission — this single step prevents most refusals we see.

Frequently asked questions

Around 15 working days after your biometrics appointment. Priority processing (about 5 working days) is usually available at extra embassy cost.

The UK is closer than it looks

Document review, cover letter drafting and biometrics guidance from our Hyderabad visa desk.

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