Returning Resident visa: Indian citizen in United States → United Kingdom
Indian citizens living in the United States need a UK Returning Resident visa — apply online on gov.uk and give biometrics at a UK visa application centre in the United States.
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.
When to start
Start 30 days–2 months before your travel date.
Getting an appointment in United States
- 38 centre locations nationwide plus premium centres (VFS directory, captured 2026-06-11). Ten are full-service Mon–Fri: New York, Washington DC, Chicago, LA, San Francisco, Houston, Atlanta, Boston, Miami, Seattle; the rest (Phoenix, Denver, Dallas, Portland, Philadelphia and more) run limited schedules.
- With this density, comparing two or three cities usually finds a near-term slot.
- No recent public wait-time reports found for the US — the band below is general guidance.
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.
Collect your current passport, previous passports, a passport-sized colour photograph, and documents that prove your ties to the UK.
You must apply online for a Returning Resident visa. It costs £726 to apply.
You'll need to have your fingerprints and photo (biometric information) taken at a visa application centre.
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
Because you live in the USA, you apply at a UK Visa Application Centre in the US — not in your home country. There are UK visa application centres in 30+ US cities (including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Washington DC, Chicago, Houston, Dallas, Miami, Atlanta, Boston, Philadelphia and Seattle). Use the official VFS US centre directory (linked below) to find and book the one nearest you.
- UK Visa Application Centres — United States — serves 30+ locations across the US — find and book your nearest
Fees
| Returning Resident visa | GBP 726 |
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.