The High Commission of India in London and the Embassy in Dublin form the political and diplomatic representations of India in the UK and Ireland. They play an important role in maintaining international relations and offer support to Indian people abroad. The High Commission and Embassy do not offer assistance with visa services. However, business and tourist visas can usually be applied for online.
Functions of the High Commission and Embassy
The High Commission in London and the Embassy in Dublin operate in largely similar fashions. They have various departments that can help with specific queries, such as providing useful resources for people interested in trading and investing in India. The offices also exist to strengthen bilateral ties between India and the UK, and India and Ireland.
The High Commission and Embassy also provide consular services. For this reason, acquiring passports and other official documents for people with Indian nationality is one of the main functions of both offices.
Visa applications: online or via the embassy
Formally, the embassies are also responsible for visa applications for Europeans travelling to India. However, these services have largely been outsourced to the immigration services and VFS Global. Tourists and business travellers can apply for their Indian visa online. The application is then assessed by the immigration service in India. If you do not meet the requirements of the electronic visa (e-visa), you can submit a physical/paper visa application at VFS Global. There are different variants of the physical visa, each with different permitted travel purposes and validity terms. However, the application procedure of physical visas is more complex and takes longer than that of the online e-visa.
Visa application via the Indian embassy
The Embassy and High Commission have authorized VFS Global to process physical visa applications, which are inserted in the passport. Physical visas tend to be valid longer than e-visas. Additionally, certain travel purposes require a visa that can only be acquired at the embassy. However, the physical visa is usually more expensive and has a longer and more complex application procedure. When applying for a physical visa, the required documents must be provided to VFS Global in person or by post. The final assessment of applications is performed by the embassy.
Submit visa application online
For several years now, the visa for India can also be applied for online. This so-called e-visa is available for holidays and business trips. Depending on the chosen visa type, you can stay up to 30 or 90 days in India with the e-visa. You can read more about this on the e-visa validity page. The application procedure consists of filling in a digital form and uploading several documents. Completing the application can easily be done at home, as you do not have to deliver the documents in person. The visa costs are € 59,95 for the double-entry type or € 84,95 for the multiple-entry type with a longer validity period. The visa is processed and delivered by the immigration service within 7 days (with urgent applications, often within 24 hours). Due to the ease of this application procedure, most travellers choose to apply for their Indian visa online.
Indian visa online application
Contact and address details of the embassies
The High Commission in London and the Embassy in Ireland offer limited information on e-visas, as the application procedures are managed by the immigration service, which is located in India. Do you have questions about the e-visa or the online application procedure? Read the frequently asked questions.
Do you have questions about the physical visa for India or other functions of the Indian embassies? Contact your country’s embassy. The officials are available during office hours through the following contact details:
| Indian High Commission, London | |
|---|---|
| Addres | India House, Aldwych, London, WC2B 4NA |
| Telephone | +442078369147 |
| inf.london@mea.gov.in | |
India High Commission in London
| Embassy of India, Ireland | |
|---|---|
| Address | 69 Merrion Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin-4, Co Dublin |
| Telephone | 00353-1 2604806 |
| cons.dublin@mea.gov.in | |
Embassy of India in Dublin
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