Address: India House, Aldwych, London WC2B 4NA
Telephone: +44 20 7836 8484
Consular Wing: +44 20 7632 3149
Nearest Tube: Temple (District & Circle Lines) or Holborn (Central & Piccadilly Lines)
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:30 AM - 5:30 PM (consular: 9:30 AM - 1:00 PM)
Visa/Passport Services: Handled by BLS International (separate location)
The High Commission of India in London is the primary diplomatic mission of the Republic of India in the United Kingdom. Located in the historic India House on Aldwych, near the Royal Courts of Justice in central London, the High Commission serves the large Indian diaspora community in the UK and British nationals seeking to travel to India. With an estimated 1.6 million people of Indian origin living in the UK, the High Commission handles a very high volume of consular and visa applications throughout the year.
The High Commission oversees bilateral relations between India and the UK, but for most visitors, the key services are visa applications, Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card processing, passport services for Indian citizens, and document attestation. Most of these services are processed through BLS International, the official service partner, rather than at India House directly.
British citizens and other foreign nationals planning to visit India need to obtain a visa before travel. India offers several visa categories depending on the purpose of your visit:
The most common visa for UK travellers. India offers an e-Visa facility for British passport holders, which can be applied for entirely online at indianvisaonline.gov.in. The e-Tourist Visa is available for 30 days, 1 year, or 5 years, with multiple entries. Processing typically takes 3-5 working days. For longer stays or specific purposes, a regular tourist visa can be applied for through BLS International.
For individuals visiting India for business meetings, trade fairs, setting up industrial or business ventures, or conducting business-related activities. Business visas can be issued for up to 5 years with multiple entries. You will need a letter of invitation from the Indian company and a letter from your UK employer.
Required for foreign nationals taking up employment in India. The employer must be registered in India and the position must meet minimum salary thresholds. Processing can take 2-4 weeks.
For those enrolled in a recognised educational institution in India. Requires a confirmed admission letter. Valid for the duration of the course or 5 years, whichever is less.
For individuals seeking medical treatment in India. Requires a letter from a recognised Indian hospital confirming the treatment plan. Can be accompanied by up to two attendants on Medical Attendant Visas.
The OCI card is a lifelong visa for people of Indian origin, former Indian citizens, and their spouses. It provides multiple-entry, multi-purpose travel to India without the need to apply for a visa each time. OCI cardholders enjoy most rights of Indian citizens except voting, holding government office, and purchasing agricultural land.
Who is eligible:
Application process: OCI applications are submitted online at ociservices.gov.in and then the documents are submitted through BLS International. You will need your current foreign passport, evidence of Indian origin (such as your old Indian passport, parents' Indian passport, or birth certificate), passport-sized photographs, and the applicable fee. Processing typically takes 4-8 weeks.
Important: OCI cards issued before 2018 may need to be re-issued if you renewed your passport after obtaining the OCI. From 2024, OCI cards must be re-issued each time you get a new passport if you are under 20 years old or over 50. Check the current rules before travelling.
Indian citizens living in the UK can access passport services through the Indian High Commission, with applications processed by BLS International. Services include:
All passport applications must be submitted through BLS International's online portal and then in person at their London office. You will need your current passport, proof of UK residence, passport-sized photographs, and the applicable fee. BLS International has offices in London, Birmingham, and Edinburgh.
The Indian High Commission provides attestation services for documents that need to be used in India. This includes educational certificates, marriage certificates, powers of attorney, and commercial documents. Documents must first be notarised by a UK solicitor or notary public, then apostilled by the FCDO Legalisation Office, before being submitted to the High Commission for attestation.
Former Indian citizens who have acquired foreign citizenship must obtain a Surrender Certificate, which formally records the renunciation of Indian citizenship. This is required before you can apply for an OCI card. The process involves submitting your old Indian passport along with your new foreign passport and supporting documents through BLS International.
Most services are handled through BLS International rather than directly at India House. The process is:
For consular matters that cannot be handled by BLS International (such as attestation queries, consular registration, or emergency travel documents), contact the consular wing of the High Commission directly on +44 20 7632 3149.