Applying for a tourist visa for an Irish passport holder in the UK

Sarah123 · Jan 23rd, 2008, 18:54

Hi All,

I am visiting India again in Feburary and I have been told by the Indian Embassy in London that I need a letter from the person I am visiting in India. I have never done this before and I have been there for past 5 years. Is this a new rule? or has anyone else been asked for this before?
I am looking for a tourist visa

Thanks

Sarah

machadinha · Jan 23rd, 2008, 19:05

Were they very firm about this, or is it just a line on some form? That's standard I think, you can just leave it blank or fill in a random hotel of your choice I believe.

ps You say you've been visiting for the past 5 years. Was that all those years? There are sporadic reports to indicate they're toughening up or about to do so on people hopping up and down all the time. So this might have to do with it... Other talk is of not allowing you back in for an X period, apparently. I've seen nothing very conclusive on it so far.

Sarah123 · Jan 23rd, 2008, 19:08

I gave them a call as I dont have a UK passport I need to send copies of my travel documents but now the lady on the phone said that I need this extra letter. Im off to Goa and pick up a place to stay when im there so I dont have any confirmed booking. Its not a line on the form.
Thanks

Nick-H · Jan 23rd, 2008, 19:43

Very odd.

Most tourists don't visit anyone, and I've never heard of such a request.

Anders · Jan 23rd, 2008, 23:57

I got a visa in London in December with a Swedish passport and did not need any letter but I did need proof of residence in England. They seem to go crazier by the month at the embassy.

nycank · Jan 24th, 2008, 08:56

Why not just file the application form and your passport ? If you have been before to India, it should be performa...

machadinha · Jan 24th, 2008, 12:27

I don't know, but I believe any visa is granted you as a favor so to speak, not as a right as such. So it might not work out so easy.

Other than that, it's impossible to say just like that I guess. It could be one official giving you a hard time; it could be some new policy, either enforced at this embassy or more universally; it could have to do with your specific nationality, or with your applying abroad; who's to say really. Do you have the time and the ability to have someone at e.g. a hotel you know there send (or email?) you a letter of invitation, preferably in their personal name (not some company letter)? Might be handy just to make sure.

Jan 23rd, 2008, 18:54	#1
Sarah123 Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: london Posts: 20	Applying for a tourist visa for an Irish passport holder in the UK Hi All, I am visiting India again in Feburary and I have been told by the Indian Embassy in London that I need a letter from the person I am visiting in India. I have never done this before and I have been there for past 5 years. Is this a new rule? or has anyone else been asked for this before? I am looking for a tourist visa Thanks Sarah

Jan 23rd, 2008, 19:05	#2
machadinha Not Your Guru Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: yörp Posts: 9,428	Were they very firm about this, or is it just a line on some form? That's standard I think, you can just leave it blank or fill in a random hotel of your choice I believe. ps You say you've been visiting for the past 5 years. Was that all those years? There are sporadic reports to indicate they're toughening up or about to do so on people hopping up and down all the time. So this might have to do with it... Other talk is of not allowing you back in for an X period, apparently. I've seen nothing very conclusive on it so far. __________________ Reading tips, all picked up at IndiaMike : INDAX's A Comprehensive Guide To India / Dinoj Surendran's Desi Humor / ITHVC on Culture Shock & Travel Health / JetLag Travel Guides For the Undiscerning Traveller / India Travel Links

Jan 23rd, 2008, 19:43	#4
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 24,610	Very odd. Most tourists don't visit anyone, and I've never heard of such a request. __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

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Jan 23rd, 2008, 19:08	#3
Sarah123 Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: london Posts: 20	I gave them a call as I dont have a UK passport I need to send copies of my travel documents but now the lady on the phone said that I need this extra letter. Im off to Goa and pick up a place to stay when im there so I dont have any confirmed booking. Its not a line on the form. Thanks

Jan 23rd, 2008, 23:57	#5
Anders Maha Guru Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: England Posts: 630	I got a visa in London in December with a Swedish passport and did not need any letter but I did need proof of residence in England. They seem to go crazier by the month at the embassy.

Jan 24th, 2008, 08:56	#6
nycank Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: NYC Posts: 264	Why not just file the application form and your passport ? If you have been before to India, it should be performa...

Jan 24th, 2008, 12:27	#7
machadinha Not Your Guru Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: yörp Posts: 9,428	I don't know, but I believe any visa is granted you as a favor so to speak, not as a right as such. So it might not work out so easy. Other than that, it's impossible to say just like that I guess. It could be one official giving you a hard time; it could be some new policy, either enforced at this embassy or more universally; it could have to do with your specific nationality, or with your applying abroad; who's to say really. Do you have the time and the ability to have someone at e.g. a hotel you know there send (or email?) you a letter of invitation, preferably in their personal name (not some company letter)? Might be handy just to make sure.

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