The plane doors open. Warm air rushes in. Around you, people are already standing up, even though the seatbelt sign is still on. This is the moment many first-time UK travellers remember most clearly: the first few minutes after landing, when everything feels new and a little fast.
This guide walks you through what happens next, step by step, in plain and simple words.
Before Landing: Complete Your e-Arrival Card
Before you arrive in India, there is one important online form to complete: the e-Arrival Card.
You can complete the e-Arrival Card online within 72 hours before arriving in India. It is separate from your visa or other immigration documents. Foreign nationals arriving in India need to complete the form, and OCI cardholders are also covered by the current requirement.
Make sure you complete it using the official Indian government process before you arrive. Keep a copy of your submitted details on your phone so they are easy to access if needed.
Step One: Immigration
Once you leave the aircraft, follow the signs for immigration.
Your visa or OCI status will be checked as part of the border-control process. The exact process can vary depending on the airport and how busy it is, so allow plenty of time rather than expecting to be through immediately.
Your British passport should be valid for at least six months from the date you arrive in India and have at least two blank pages.
For British passport holders, you will generally need a valid Indian e-Visa or regular visa unless you already hold an OCI card. If you are also researching UK visa requirements for Indian citizens for a different part of your journey, make sure you check the requirements for the correct nationality and destination, as UK and Indian entry rules are separate.
Step Two: Collect Your Bags
After immigration, follow the signs to baggage reclaim.
Check the airport screens for your flight number and carousel. Bags can take some time to arrive, particularly after a long international flight, so don’t worry if you have to wait.
Once you have your luggage, check that you have everything before leaving the baggage area.
Step Three: Customs
After collecting your luggage, follow the appropriate customs channel.
Use the Green Channel if you have nothing to declare. Use the Red Channel if you are carrying goods that must be declared or are over the applicable allowances.
If you’re carrying significant amounts of cash, gold, gifts or other restricted goods, check the latest Indian customs rules before departure. These rules and allowances can change, so it is better to check the current guidance rather than rely on information from an older trip.
Step Four: Getting Your Phone Working
Your UK mobile phone may work in India through roaming, but the cost and included allowances depend on your mobile provider and plan.
Check your UK provider’s roaming options before you travel. Depending on your plan, roaming may be convenient but can be expensive.
Another option is an Indian SIM or eSIM, where available. Requirements and activation times vary by provider and purchase method, so check what documents you will need before buying one.
If you have an eSIM that you can set up before travelling, you may be able to get connected soon after landing rather than having to find a shop immediately.
Step Five: Changing Your Money
Airport exchange services are convenient, but they may not always offer the most competitive rates.
Before exchanging a large amount, compare the exchange rate and any fees. For your first few hours, change or withdraw enough for your immediate needs, such as transport, food or small purchases.
You can then compare your options for the rest of your money once you have settled into your destination.
Step Six: Getting From the Airport
Once you are ready to leave the airport, use the airport’s official taxi service or a reputable app-based ride service.
Follow the airport signs for the designated pickup area. App-based rides and airport taxi services may use different pickup points, so check the instructions carefully.
Before getting into a car, check the vehicle and driver details against the information shown in the app or provided by the official taxi service.
Avoid accepting unsolicited offers from people inside or immediately outside the terminal who approach you with transport offers.
Your First 60 Minutes in India
queues and baggage delays can all change how long each stage takes.
Think of it as an order of events rather than a fixed schedule:
| Stage | What to expect |
| First | Immigration and border checks |
| Next | Collect your luggage |
| After that | Customs and exit from the terminal |
| Then | Connect your phone, use an ATM or arrange money |
| Finally | Find your designated transport |
Knowing this order can make those first few moments much easier, especially if this is your first time travelling to India from the UK.
What You Will See, Hear, and Feel
Your first impression of India may be very different from what you are used to in the UK.
Depending on the city and time of day, you may notice heavier traffic, more activity around the roads and a very different pace of airport-to-city travel.
You may also notice differences in food, weather, language and everyday routines.
Give yourself time to adjust rather than trying to do everything immediately after landing. If you are tired after a long flight, a simple meal, some water and a quiet first evening can make the transition much easier.
Stage | What to expect | Simple tip |
Immigration | Border checks and document verification | Keep your passport and travel documents accessible |
Customs | Green or Red Channel | Check current rules if carrying gifts, cash or restricted goods |
Phone | Roaming, SIM or eSIM options | Check your UK provider before travelling |
Money | Exchange or ATM options | Compare rates and fees before changing a large amount |
Transport | Airport taxi or app-based ride | Follow the airport’s designated pickup instructions |
For Those Visiting Family: Feeling Both at Home and Like a Stranger
If you’re visiting relatives, you may find that family routines, language, food and social expectations feel different from everyday life in the UK.
This can be particularly noticeable for British-Indian travellers visiting India for the first time or returning after many years.
You may understand some of the culture but still find that everyday life feels unfamiliar. That is perfectly normal. Give yourself time to settle in and ask relatives for help when something is unclear.
Health and Safety, in Simple Terms
Check the latest health and vaccination advice for India before you travel. GOV.UK recommends doing this at least eight weeks before your trip, as the vaccinations or precautions you need can depend on your circumstances and itinerary.
Food and water precautions are also worth considering when you arrive. If you are unsure about the local water supply, choose sealed bottled water and take sensible precautions with food and drinks while your body adjusts.
If you develop a significant illness or have concerns about your health during the trip, seek appropriate medical advice.
If you’re travelling to northern India during periods when air pollution is elevated, check local air-quality readings and follow appropriate precautions, particularly if you have a respiratory or cardiovascular condition.
Why So Many People Make This Journey
The 2021 Census recorded 1.86 million people identifying as Indian ethnicity in England and Wales, representing 3.1% of the population. Indian was the third-largest of the 19 individual ethnic groups recorded.
London also has direct services to several Indian cities, although routes and frequencies vary by airline and season.
For many people, travelling from the UK to India is therefore not simply a holiday. It can mean visiting parents, grandparents, extended family or a place connected to their family history.
A Simpler Way to Start This Trip
Reading about visas, forms, customs limits and travel arrangements can feel like a lot, especially if this is your first trip to India.
Mann Travel can help with the travel-planning side of your journey, including flight options, dates and documentation you may need to consider.
For the latest visa and entry requirements, always check the official Indian government and UK government guidance.
Mann Travel can then help you put the practical travel arrangements together around your dates and plans.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the India visa requirements for UK citizens visiting family?
British passport holders generally need a valid Indian e-Visa or regular visa unless they already hold an OCI card. Visiting family does not automatically remove the need for the appropriate Indian entry permission.
Check the latest Indian government and UK government guidance before you travel, as entry requirements can change.
What should UK citizens travelling to India know about the e-Arrival Card?
The e-Arrival Card is an online form that can be completed within 72 hours before arriving in India. It is separate from your visa, and OCI cardholders are also covered by the current requirement.
Is this trip harder for someone travelling to India from the UK for the first time?
Not necessarily. The airport process becomes much easier to understand when you know the general order: e-Arrival Card before arrival, immigration, baggage collection, customs, phone and money arrangements, and then transport.
The first trip may feel unfamiliar simply because you have not experienced the process before.
Do I need vaccines before I go?
Health and vaccination advice depends on your circumstances and itinerary. Check the latest destination-specific advice before travelling, ideally at least eight weeks before your trip.
Is it normal to feel like an outsider even with Indian family?
It can happen. If you have grown up in the UK and are visiting family in India for the first time, you may find that language, food, routines and social expectations feel different from everyday life in Britain.
Give yourself time to adjust. You do not have to understand everything immediately.
Final Thoughts
Landing in India for the first time can feel like a lot at once. But the process becomes much easier when you know what comes next.
Complete your e-Arrival Card before arrival, keep your travel documents accessible, follow the immigration and customs process, sort out your phone and money, and use the airport’s designated transport arrangements.
Once those first few steps are behind you, you can concentrate on the reason you came: enjoying your time in India, seeing family, exploring somewhere new and settling into the trip at your own pace.
