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India - Employment Visa

Visa type: 
Employment visa
Country: 
India
IN
Embassy Holidays 2017: 
15 August Monday - Independence Day
12 September Monday - Id-ul-Zuha(Bakrid)
11 October Tuesday - Dussehra
14 November Monday - Guru Nanak’s Birthday
26 December Monday - Boxing Day
The application process: 

The Indian employment visa is required for most passport holders wishing to travel to India. Regardless of the length of your trip, it is likely you will require a visa. Fortunately all the information you need is here and we can help you to obtain your visa.

Other Indian visas:

India Tourist visa  |  India Visa on arrival  |  India Business visa  |  India Long term visa

Important Notice

With effect from August 19, 2016 - Introduction of Mandatory Biometric Enrolment for the following seven visa categories: Employment Visa, Journalist Visa, Research Visa, Student Visa, Visit Visa (applicable for Pakistani nationals only) Project Visa and Missionary Visa. The Biometric enrolment will involve capture of facial and finger print data. Biometric enrolment will be conducted during the process of submission of visa application. The personal presence of applicants for the above visa categories would be mandatory at the time of submission of visa application.

For more information, please click here

How to make an application

01

Download the visa form

Download the visa application form from this web page. The form can be downloaded by clicking here. You can then save it to your computer.

02

Fill out form by hand

Print out and begin filling in the form with a black pen. If you have any questions regarding the form, please call us for advice free of charge. We are more than happy to help you.

03

Send it to us

Send the application and your passport to us along with any additional documents mentioned on the form. It is best to post it using a secure service such as Royal Mail Special Delivery or another courier company.

What to include in an application

1. A completed Indian Visa Application Form

If you are unable to download the application form call us and we will send you a hard copy by post. The application may be filled out by hand. Please ensure the signature is identical to the one in your passport.

2. Two recent, quality, identical passport photographs

The photos should be recent, good quality, identical and (50mm x 50mm) taken against a white background (the background must be white!). If you cannot get a photo yourself then we can print them for you from a digital file. Simply email us a clear photo of the applicant and we can process them for a £5 fee.

3. Your valid original passport(s)

It must be valid for at least the next 6 months when you apply for the visa, with at least two blank pages remaining. The passport should be in acceptable condition. If not there is a chance your application would be rejected.

4. Supporting employment papers

Contract of employment, registration papers, educational qualifications, duly authorised letter…

5. Any additional documents

You may need to send some additional documentation under certain circumstances. See below the questions if you need to include anything else. After that you are ready to submit your application.


EMPLOYMENT VISA APPLICATION FORM

Download, print & fill out the form.

The form is in PDF format. When you have downloaded the form, please print it out and fill it in using a black pen. Kindly ensure all the fields of the visa application form are completely filled out before submitting. If a question does not apply, please write ‘N/A’. You must fill the form out using BLOCK CAPITALS.

Download the form

EMPLOYMENT DOCUMENTATION

To qualify for the employment visa, you must ensure that you supply the following three documents as completely as possible. The documents are:



01

Copy of employment contract

This should be signed by both parties. The contract should have a specific clause about the payment of income tax in India.

02

Copy of registration papers

You need to obtain copies of the registration papers of the Company or Companies wishing to employ you in India.

03

Copy of educational qualifications

Copies of your education qualifications. Please be as thorough as possible and never include an original document as their safe return cannot be guaranteed.


Additional documents you may need to include

Do you hold a non UK passport?
Non-UK nationals will also need to provide a copy of the following documents as proof of his/her stay in the UK for the past 2 years:
- Indefinite UK Visa stamp. OR
- Utility bills pertaining to current month, AND one utility bill for at least two years back (but not older than 30 months). Utility bills include only landline telephone, gas, electricity, water, and Council tax bills. Any other bills and tenancy agreements, bank statements/credit card statements will NOT be considered as proof of stay. Mix and match of the utility bills is not acceptable.
- If you cannot proof your 2 years’ residence in the UK, you are treated as non UK national and your application takes up to 15 working days. You must supplement your application with a Non-UK passport holders form (available on this website).
- Please note Non EU nationals need to hold a UK visa valid for more than 6 months from the date they are applying.
Under 16 years old?
If an applicant is under 16 years old and requires a visa, parents are requested to send in a copy of the child’s birth certificate (the page that includes parental details) and a letter signed from both parents (or legal guardians) indicating permission for the child to travel. Parents are also requested to send a copy of their passports. Please do not send the originals, just send us copies of these documents.
Are you self employed?
Self employed applicants will also need to submit a ‘Letter of Undertaking’ stating that they are self-employed, confirming that the purpose of their visit to India is purely for tourism and that they will not be engaging in professional activities during their stay. This letter must be addressed to the High Commission of India, India House, Aldwych, London and not to our company.
Are you born in India or previously held the Indian nationality?
For applicants that were born in India or that previously held Indian nationality the following is also required:
- a copy of a Surrender Certificate for the previous Indian passport, or
- if you do not have it please write a letter addressed to Indian High Commission, India House, Aldwich, London, WC2B 4NA4NA stating that you do not have this including the reasons, and
- a copy of your previous Indian visa, if previously held.
What industry do you work in?
For Media related professionals, Police or Armed Forces, Commercial Pilots, Charity Workers: You will also need to supply a letter from your employer stating your travel and visit to India is purely for tourism and that you will not be engaging in professional activities during your stay. Please note that there is an additional £64.05 Visa fee for Media related applications.

Prices

Visa type Normal (8 working days)/td> Express (5 working days) Urgent (3 working days)
Employment Visa 6 Months Multiple Entry £520 £530 £530
Employment Visa 12 Months Multiple Entry £570 £585 £585
NOTE: If it is important for you that the application begins processing at the embassy the day we receive it then we need to recieve the application between 9.00am and 9.30am on a working day. If we receive the application outside of this window then the application can not be submitted until the next working day.

Additional forms

Non-UK passport holders

If you are a non-UK passport holder and do not have proof of two years residence in the UK the case will be treated Non-UK passport holders as a referral, which can take up to 15 working days. In this case your application must be supported by this form.

Download the form

Restricted areas within India

Applicants travelling to restricted/protected areas (Port Blair/Andaman-Nicobar/Sikkim) must complete the additional form for a Restricted Area Permit.

Download the form

Photographs

You will need special photos

The embassy does not accept standard passport sized photographs, the type normally obtained in a photo booth. Instead, the embassy have set out a specific requirements. Two identical photos of 50x50mm (2"x2") in size. If you cannot obtain the photos yourself then we can convert 45x35mm physical copies or emailed images for a service charge of £5 for a set of six photos. If you like to save time you can also email us a clear photo of the applicant and we will print it as required. The requirements are as follows:

Dimensions

Your photograph needs to be exactly 50x50mm. This is the standard passport photograph size and can be obtaining from the majority of the photo booths in the country.

Position

The photo should capture your full face directly from the front with your eyes open. The head should be in the centre of the frame. There should be no distracting shadows on the face or background.

Print

The photo-print should be clear and with a continuous tone and printed on proper photographic paper.

Your passport

Is it acceptable?

The embassy has strict guidelines regarding what they consider to be an acceptable passport. If they deem it unacceptable the application will be aborted and you may lose your application fee. It should also meet the following conditions:

Valid from/to 6 months

The passport should be valid for at least another 6 months. If it is due to expire before then, you will need to get a new passport. Additionally, if the passport was issued less than 6 months ago, you will need to include your previous passport with the application.

Free pages

The passport needs to have two completely free pages facing each other in order for the visa to be stamped in. If you do not have two pages side by side, then you will need to get a new passport.

Country: UK passport

You must hold a valid UK passport in order to apply under the standard conditions. If you hold another type of passport, please see the additional documentation section on this page to find out what else you need to include.

Posting the application

Where to post it?


When you have gathered all of the required documents you can send the application to us by any method you wish. We recommend using Royal Mail’s special delivery services or if you prefer another courier service that’s fine too. If you live close by, you may consider bringing it in to our offices in person. Regardless of the method, if we receive the application before 9.30am on a week day, we can begin processing that day. You should send the full visa application package to:
 
India Visa 24
4 LOMBARD STREET,LONDON EC3V 9HD

Payment methods

3 ways to pay

There are three different ways you can pay for your visa application as listed below. Please note that we submit your application as soon as we receive it so whichever payment method you choose it will not have an impact on the application process. There may be a delay in emailing the invoice to you but this doesn't impact on the delivery time.

CASH

You can include cash with your application when you are sending the application forms to us. You would find the appropriate amount on the order form.

CHEQUE

You can include a Cheque or Postal Order with your application when you are sending it to us. If so, please make it payable to Visa24.

BANK TRANSFER

You can pay by BACS bank transfer while your application is being processed. If you choose this option, we shall invoice you once we have received your application and you make the payment while the embassy considers your request.

Getting your visa back

There are three different ways to receive your passport and visa when the process is complete. You can select the option on the order form that you download and print out from this web page. The options are:

1. Shipping
Shipping is the most common way for us to return passports and visas to our customers. Please note that shipping times are not included in visa turn-around times and that all passports despatched on Fridays will be delivered the following Monday unless a Saturday service is specified and paid for. Here is a list of the postal services you can choose from:

Shipping Service Additional cost
Royal Mail Special Delivery Next Day £10
Royal Mail Special Deliver Next Day with Consequential Loss £16
Royal Mail Special Delivery Next Day (9am delivery) £20

2. Collection
You can opt to either collect the passport and visa yourself from our offices, have a colleague collect it on your behalf or hire a courier company to do so. If you do select this option, then please mention the details on the order form when sending the application to us.

3. Return envelope
If you wish you can include a stamped, addressed envelope with your application. This way you select which postal service you would like. Please note that if it is this option that you select then our staff can provide little assistance in the tracking of your passport and visa back to you. If you use a normal postal service (like 1st class), you leave your documents open to theft.

FAQ

How do I pay?
Cheque: You can include a cheque or postal order with the application making it payable to VISA 24.
Cash: You can pay by cash upon submission or collection of your passport. You can also send us the cash payment with your application, we would then recommend sending this via recorded mail.
Bank Transfer: You or your company can pay by bank transfer by choosing “Bank Transfer” on the payment options on our order form. You will then receive an email from us with our bank details and an itemised invoice.

What is the deadline for submissions?
If we receive your application by 9.45 then it will be submitted the same day. This would then be the first processing day in the process. If you are sending your package with Royal Mail, you must use the 9am delivery option for the application to go in the same day.
 
How long is an Indian visa valid for?
This is dependent on your choice of visa. Single Entry Indian visas are valid for entry within 3 months from the date the visa issued. Double Entry Visas allow you to enter twice within 6 months whilst Multiple Entry Visas are valid for either 6 months or 12 -24 months starting from the date it was issued. Single Entry Visa means that you are allowed to enter the country once and Multiple Entry Visa means you can enter the country multiple times from the date your visa starts until the date your visa expires.
 
Do I need to send you my passport?
You will need to send us a valid passport. The Indian visa will be applied to your passport, so please make sure you have 2 free pages on your passport before you apply. You are advised to send your application by a secure method such as Special Delivery or courier.

How should I send my passport?
For urgent service, you must get your passport to us before 9:00 am using Royal Mail 9:00 am Special Delivery, courier of your choice, or you can drop off your application in person. We are unable to submit your application to the Embassy after 10:00 am.
 
How do you send my passport back?
You will find the delivery options on the order form. You can either collect it from our offices or have a courier/friend pick it up.
 
When can I expect my passport back?
This is a total of the processing time and the delivery time combined. If you use normal turnaround you should expect your passport back within a week and a half. If you travel in less than 14 days, please use the Express Service.
 
Is the price all inclusive?
Yes, it is all inclusive, there are no extra costs except those ones stated on our website and order form. Our Prices include the Embassy Fee, Service Fee and VAT. However you will need to pay for the delivery option of your choice. If you want your passport returned to you sent by post, please see our order form for more options.
 
What if I can’t download or print the India Visa Application Form?
Send us an email at info@visa24.co.uk. Include your postal address or fax number in your request and we will send you the form. Alternatively call us free of charge on 08000845037 Mon-Fri 9am – 5.30pm.
 
What if I decide to cancel my visa application after sending you my passport?
If you should cancel your application after it has been submitted, it can take up to 3-4 days for the embassy to release it. Please note that Visa24 will not charge a service fee for a cancelled application, however fees charged by the Embassy will still apply.
 
What if I have problems with the online visa application form?
If you have problems with the online visa application form you can download and fill the PDF visa application form provided.
 
When is the Indian visa valid from?
The Indian visa is valid from the day it is granted.
 
Can I get a long term visa if my parents are Indian?
If one or both of your parents are Indian nationals, then you can obtain the long term visa. This will require supplying a copy of your birth certificate and a copy of the Indian passport of your parent. This is the only way to obtain a long term visa if you have a parent who is an Indian national.

Note

Visa24 is not affiliated with the government of India. If you want to apply for a visa directly with the Indian Embassy, you can make an appointment to go in person. Click here for the Indian Embassy website in the United Kingdom.

Complementary information

Employment visa IndiaSince we receive a lot of questions about getting a work visa for India, we have created this informal guide about Indian work visa or Indian employment visa. Traditionally, you have had to visit the Indian High Commission in London to start the application process for your India work visa. This required making an appointment first, visiting the High Commission at least two times, filling out the visa form, and spending long hours traveling and waiting in line, resulting in lost income due to missing a couple of days from work.

As air travel prices came down, the popularity of this great country has grown and demand for employment visa India has increased a lot but there was still only one place to get the Indian visa UK wide. This meant longer and longer waiting time and has put the pressure on officials to come up with an alternative solution. A new, more convenient method for getting a visa for India was implemented.

Indian visa for British citizenThey have allowed Indian visa services like Visa 24 to file visa applications instead of the person who is traveling. Now all you need to do is to download and fill out an application for your work visa for India, send in the form along with your passport, photograph, and any additional documents – you can find the exact documents required higher on this page – pay a small service fee on top of the Consular Indian visa fees and you are all set. Instead of having just one place for Indian visa service UK wide, you can now save all the time used to be lost on travel and also save your lost revenue from work.
 
Stop reading all the confusing information online about how to get a work visa for India and let us do the work for you. We will review all the paperwork before submitting and ensure that your application process will be smooth and you won’t lose precious time due to missing paperwork. Once your Indian employment visa is ready, we will send it to you or notify you that it is ready to be picked up, depending on which method you have chosen for getting your passport back.
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