Last reviewed: May 2026
TL;DR- The Indian Consulate sits at 20 Augusta Street, Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham B18 6JL
- Visa work for the Midlands routes through BLS International at blsindia-uk.com
- Categories include tourist, business, student, employment and OCI Card
- The consulate also handles consular liaison for Indian nationals living in the region
- Confirm current fees and counter timings before paying or travelling
Address and Contact Details
The Consulate General of India in Birmingham serves Indian nationals and visa applicants based across the Midlands. The office sits in the Jewellery Quarter, a short walk from Birmingham city centre and the Snow Hill area.
- Address: 20 Augusta Street, Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham, B18 6JL
- Phone: +44 (0)121 212 2782
- Website: https://www.cgibirmingham.gov.in
The Jewellery Quarter tram and rail stops are the closest public transport options. Counter hours can shift during Indian and UK public holidays, so confirm timings on the official website before you travel.
Visa Services Available
Routine visa work for India is outsourced to BLS International. The Consulate itself handles select consular services. The main visa categories are:
- Tourist Visa: for tourism and short personal visits
- Business Visa: for meetings, conferences and trade activity
- Student Visa: for enrolled students at recognised Indian institutions
- Employment Visa: for those taking up paid work in India
- OCI Card: lifetime visa style document for persons of Indian origin
The Consulate also processes passport renewals, attestations and certain other consular services for Indian citizens resident in the catchment area.
How to Book an Appointment
Most applications go through BLS International, with consular matters going to the Consulate itself. The general process is:
- Visit https://www.blsindia-uk.com to start a fresh application
- Complete the online form with passport and travel details
- Upload supporting documents in the required format and file size
- Pay the consular fee plus the BLS service fee through the official payment route
- Book an appointment at the Birmingham BLS centre or the Consulate as directed
- Attend with your printed application, original passport and supporting documents
For consular services such as passport renewals or attestations, the Consulate may take direct bookings through cgibirmingham.gov.in. Always start from the official websites rather than search engine results, as paid lookalike sites are common.
Documents and Requirements
Document lists differ by visa category, but most applications need:
- A valid UK passport with at least six months of validity remaining and two blank pages
- Recent passport sized photographs meeting the specified Indian visa photo rules
- Proof of UK address such as a utility bill, bank statement or council tax letter
- Completed application form, printed and signed
- Confirmed flight booking or travel itinerary
- For business: UK company letter plus a host letter from the Indian counterpart
- For employment: contract or letter from the Indian employer
- For student: confirmed admission letter from the Indian institution
- For OCI: prior Indian passport copies and proof of Indian origin through parents or grandparents
Applicants who have ever held Pakistani citizenship or origin should expect additional questions during processing.
Processing Times and Fees
Visa processing through BLS Birmingham generally takes a few working days for straightforward tourist applications. Business, employment and student categories that require additional checks can take longer. OCI applications often take several weeks because they involve verification with Indian authorities.
Fees vary by category, applicant nationality and visa duration. BLS adds a service fee on top of the consular fee. Current schedules are published on cgibirmingham.gov.in and blsindia-uk.com and can change without notice. Pay only through the official portal and keep all receipts as part of your record.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Birmingham office cover all of the Midlands?
Yes, the Birmingham Consulate generally serves Indian nationals and applicants based across the West Midlands and wider Midlands region. Catchment can change, so check the official website if you live near another consulate area.
Do I have to attend in person?
For most visa categories, biometrics or document submission requires an in person visit to the BLS centre or Consulate. e-Visa applicants for short tourism, business and medical trips can usually complete the process online without attending.
Can I attend a London centre instead?
Yes, BLS centres do not restrict bookings strictly by postcode. You can book at a different city if it suits your travel schedule. Service fees and slot availability may differ between cities, so compare before booking.
How do I renew my Indian passport in Birmingham?
Indian passport renewal in the UK is processed through VFS Global or BLS depending on the current arrangement. Start at cgibirmingham.gov.in to confirm the correct portal for passport services, and follow that route rather than third party agents.
Do children need separate OCI cards?
Yes, children of OCI holders need their own OCI cards if they qualify. The application requires the child's birth certificate, parents' passports and OCI cards, plus the standard photographs and identification. Processing usually mirrors adult timelines.
How We Verified This
Details were drawn from the official Consulate General of India Birmingham website at cgibirmingham.gov.in, the BLS International UK portal at blsindia-uk.com and the UK government's published list of foreign embassies and consulates in the UK on gov.uk. Confirm current information directly with the Consulate or BLS before acting on it.
