Visa Guide: India & US | A Step-by-Step Application

Visa India:

Online Application Form

Completing the India Visa Online Application Form
Regardless of the type of visa, the main component of every application is the online application form, which must always be completed. UK residents who have not lived in the UK for at least 12 months may also need to fill in an additional form manually or digitally. Since November 2011, Indian visa application forms can only be submitted online through the official Indian government portal.

Features of the online application form

By completing the application form online, the Indian government ensures that every applicant is centrally registered and that the information can be accessed by authorities in India if necessary. The form cannot be printed until fully completed. After printing, it must be affixed with a passport photo and signed twice – once on the first page in the top right under the photo, and once on the second page below the main text.

Official Indian Government Visa Portal: https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/

The online visa forms are exclusively in English. Before starting, you should have your passport and the addresses and phone numbers of your accommodation, friends, or business contacts in India ready. You should also know which Visa Application Centre in the UK you will submit your documents to (London, Birmingham, or Edinburgh). Entering the wrong location can prevent editing. Incomplete applications will not print, and handwritten changes invalidate the form.

India Visa Forms in German (optional)

Applicants struggling with English or online registration can use some agencies in the UK that offer forms in German. The agency completes the form for you and sends a PDF for printing and signing. Service fees are approximately £13–18.

India Visa Passport Photo

The passport photo is attached at the top right of the application. A second identical photo must be clipped separately. India requires **square passport photos** (5 x 5 cm), in colour, with a light background, showing both shoulders. Photos must be biometric, facing forward, and only a slight smile is allowed.

India Visa Passport Photo Requirements

5 × 5 cm square format
Colour, light background
Frontal with both shoulders visible
Minimal or no smile

Each application requires **two identical photos**: one attached to the form, the other clipped separately.

Visa for US (from UK):

Each applicant, including children, requires a separate DS-160 form. Form DS-160 must be completed online **before attending the interview** at a US Embassy or Consulate in the UK (London, Belfast, or Edinburgh). The barcode on the confirmation page is needed to book your appointment. Handwritten or typed forms are **not accepted**. Without the DS-160 confirmation, entry to the interview is denied.

By electronically signing the DS-160 form, you confirm that all information is accurate. Misrepresentation may result in visa refusal. Ensure all questions are answered correctly and completely.

Guidelines for completing the form:

Complete and submit the DS-160 online before arranging your embassy or consulate appointment.
The chosen embassy/consulate must match the location for your interview.
All questions must be answered in English using standard English letters, except when entering names in your native script.
A photo taken in the last six months must be uploaded. For detailed photo guidance, visit the US Department of State website.
If inactive for 20 minutes, the session expires. Save your application or note the application code displayed on the top right.

Required Documents for US Visa (UK applicants):

Document	Details
Consent to processing of personal data	Form available on your Visa Application Centre website.
Passport	Valid at least 3 months after departure; include a copy of the data page.
DS-160 Form	Completed and signed online.
Biometric Passport Photos	Two recent photos meeting official requirements.
Invitation Letter	If visiting an organisation, original letter with signature and stamp required.
Health Insurance	Cover for the Schengen area or worldwide, minimum £26,000 or unlimited.
Minor Applicants	Birth certificate and notarised consent from guardian if travelling alone.
Power of Attorney	Required if someone else is submitting or collecting your visa; two copies.