Returning Resident visa: Indian citizen in India → United Kingdom

🇮🇳 nationality: India🇮🇳 lives in: India🇬🇧 going to: United Kingdomupdated 2026-06-19

An Indian citizen who previously settled in the UK but has been away for more than 2 years can apply online for a Returning Resident visa, providing evidence of strong ties to the UK, to re-enter and get indefinite leave to remain.

What this visa is for

Lets someone who previously had indefinite leave to remain but has been outside the UK for more than 2 years re-enter the UK and get indefinite leave to remain, by proving strong ties to the UK.

Validity: You may be able to re-enter the UK and get indefinite leave to remain by applying for a Returning Resident visa.
Entries: Grants indefinite leave to remain on re-entry to the UK.
Max stay per visit: You may be able to re-enter the UK and get indefinite leave to remain by applying for a Returning Resident visa.

official source →

When to start

Start 30 days–2 months before your travel date.

The low end assumes your paperwork is ready, you get an appointment within ~7 days and the decision arrives in the standard time. The high end leaves margin for gathering documents and waiting for a slot. You can apply at most 90 days ahead. In peak season (April–August), appointment waits alone can reach ~28 days — start at the high end.

Getting an appointment in India

From applicant reports and public guides · checked 2026-06-11 · slot waits typically 7–14 days, up to ~28 in busy periods

Delhi & Mumbai: usually 1–2 weeks for a slot; peak season can stretch towards 4 weeks.
Tier-2 centres (Pune, Chandigarh, Ahmedabad) often have earlier slots — a train ticket can beat the wait.
The New Delhi centre relocated in early 2026 — confirm the current address on the official VFS site before you go.
Applicants report slots opening 7–21 days out in normal months — book the moment you pay your fee.

Reported by:

Pick your travel date — every deadline below updates instantly:

When do you want to travel?

You're on track — start by 20 Jul 2026 to be ready in time.

Confirm your strong ties to the UKstart by 20 Jul 2026

You must provide enough evidence to show your strong ties to the UK — for example you or your family have lived here most of your life.

takes ~1 day

Source: gov.uk · updated 2026-06-19

Gather your documentsstart by 9 Aug 2026

Collect your current passport, previous passports, a passport-sized colour photograph, and documents that prove your ties to the UK.

takes ~7 days

Source: gov.uk · updated 2026-06-19

Apply and pay onlinestart by 19 Aug 2026

You must apply online for a Returning Resident visa. It costs £726 to apply.

GBP 726takes ~1 day

Source: gov.uk · updated 2026-06-19

Give your fingerprints and photostart by 8 Sept 2026

You'll need to have your fingerprints and photo (biometric information) taken at a visa application centre.

depends on where you livetakes ~1 day

Source: gov.uk · updated 2026-06-19

What you'll need

Passport / travel document — A current passport or other valid travel identification. ✓ verified
Previous passports — Your previous passports. ✓ verified
Passport-sized colour photograph — A passport-sized colour photograph. ✓ verified
Documents proving ties to the UK — Documents that prove you have ties to the UK, for example proof you've earned income, or rented or owned property, in the UK. ✓ verified

Where you'll apply

You must apply online and then have your fingerprints and photo (biometric information) taken at a visa application centre.

Apply on the official site (gov.uk) →

Fees

Returning Resident visa

It costs £726 to apply.

GBP 726

Government fee from the official gov.uk page. Confirm the current amount on gov.uk.

Gotchas to watch

You may be able to re-enter the UK and get indefinite leave to remain by applying for a Returning Resident visa.
You must provide enough evidence to show your strong ties to the UK - for example you or your family have lived here most of your life.