Calls for an explanation, fair charges and refunds of excess payments
Leicester (Asian independent) The Indian Workers Association (Great Britain) have called on India’s External Affairs Minister, Dr S. Jaishankar, to urgently investigate the substantial difference in five-year Indian e-Tourist Visa fees charged to British and American passport holders.
According to the Government of India’s published fee schedule, British passport holders are charged US$484, compared with US$160 for American passport holders — a difference of US$324 for the same visa.
The Association has highlighted that these fees are based on passport nationality, not the country from which an application is submitted. A British passport holder applying from the United States would therefore still be subject to the British fee.
The published fees for 30-day and one-year e-Tourist Visas are identical for British and American passport holders, raising further questions about the substantial difference for the five-year visa.
Sital Singh Gill, General Secretary of the Indian Workers Association (Great Britain) and its Leicestershire Branch, said:
“Why should British citizens pay more than three times the amount charged to American citizens for the same five-year Indian visa, regardless of where they apply? When shorter tourist visa fees are identical, this difference requires an urgent and convincing explanation.”
Mr Gill called on the Indian Government to establish whether the difference was an administrative error or an intentional policy decision.
“If this is a clerical or administrative mistake, it should be corrected immediately and excess payments refunded. If it is government policy, the reasons must be explained publicly. We are asking for transparency, fairness and accountability.”
Highlighting the economic contribution of British visitors, Mr Gill added:
“More than one million visitor arrivals from the United Kingdom were recorded in India in 2024. These visitors support India’s economy through spending on hotels, restaurants, transport, shopping and local businesses. British citizens of Indian origin also contribute through family visits, financial support and business investment.”
The Association expressed concern that disproportionately high visa charges could discourage travel and damage goodwill, particularly when India’s central and state governments encourage overseas Indian communities to maintain economic and cultural connections with the country.
Mr Gill emphasised that the campaign was not seeking special privileges for British citizens or former Indian nationals.
“Our demand is for fair treatment of people from every country. No nationality should face unjustified discrimination in visa charges. We want a reasonable, transparent and consistent system for everyone.”
The IWA is calling on the Indian Government to review the five-year e-Tourist Visa fees, explain when and why the higher British charge was introduced, and establish a retrospective refund scheme.
The Association is seeking a US$324 refund for affected British applicants who paid US$484, alongside fair consideration for applicants of other nationalities facing disproportionately high charges.
It is also requesting separate discussions concerning former Indian nationals who have acquired foreign citizenship but maintain close family, cultural and economic ties with India.
The IWA will send its representations to the UK Foreign Secretary, requesting that the British Government raise the matter directly with New Delhi. It is also urging UK Members of Parliament to take up the issue on behalf of affected constituents.
Concluding, Mr Gill said:
“India should encourage international visitors, not discourage them through unexplained visa charges. We urge the Indian and British Governments to work together to resolve this issue fairly and promptly” .
