Applying for a Visa in London

Sickening, isn't it? I read ALL my Sunday Times (which I usually don't manage to do even in a week), AND I went for a coffe nearby while waiting for the visas to be processed. Oh well, I also talked with someone who turned out to live very near to where I am in London, so it wasn't too bad...

Hi all, just joined the forum

Just wanted to add my HCI London experience.

I got there at about 07:30. I was in the queue at around number 25 and was out of the place by 09:30 (only one visa).

In case anyone else hasn't covered this, the window you queue at (outside the building) is the second one, it has a door nearby that has a sign above it that says Visa's. The opening times on the sign are misleading, it says 09:30, when infact they let you in at 08:30 and they start processing the visas.

That first window is purely for a queue number once you get inside. Once inside you will be called by a little display in the center of the room.

The thing to be aware of is that they then give the passports out via a tiny counter at the far end of the room (counter 7). Unless you are nearby to the counter roughly when your number is called, it is very hard to hear what number is up next.

I guess overall if you get up there earlier and have all your stuff ready, you should be ok. Also, you can get more than one persons visa at a time (something i certainly didn't know about).

Hi Dee and welcome to IM.

I did 3 visas (I had so many docs. I was terrified I had got the wrong ones...). The HC does open at 8.30 and shuts at 12.30.
Once you're inside and they call your number it's a bit difficult to know where to go, as all the counters are always busy and you don't quite know where to queue. When they take your passport and form, then it is wise to wait around (I thought it was counter number 1, not 7, but after all the waiting maybe I did not see right ). The numbers come out at random so you never know when yours is going to be called.
Next time I'm going to India I think I'll try to go there about 2 months before (the Visa lasts 6 months anyway) and see if it's less busy (particularly if it's around Christmas time)

Today: arrived 07:50, window opened at 08:30 and I got ticket 42.

By the time the window opened the length of the queue had probably tripled!

Whole process finished by 09:40! Visa in hand

Went to Brum to get one for a friend. Arrived at 11:00am and queue was already serving ticket number 350 odd. Got served at nearly 12:30 and was told to come back at 4:00pm to collect the visa. Went a bit early and had to wait in the queue about 1 hour until around 4:20 to just get served.

The people there did a remarkable job considering how big the queues were. The Benefits Agency could learn a thing or two from there about efficiency.

Anyone get Indian visa in London in the last couple of weeks who could update on how busy the queue seems to be at the moment.

I know November/December is usually very busy but surely noone wants to be waiting at 8am in the snow.

It's still quite busy; I pass there most days and would say you are best to get there before 07:45.

Do you ride a motorbike? ( strange question.)

I notice there are always free parking spaces for motorbikes nearby (before 07:50).

If you look at the this map , look on the Strand where the road splits, just above it is 'St. Mary', under the 'St.' there is a red arrow, just below the arrow is where the motorbike bay is located.

If you have to wait in queues, you can always tell everyone about Indiamike.

...getting a visa to visit india, take a look at what we inflict on Indians wanting to visit (not settle in, just visit) UK.

This is just the application form...
http://www.fco.gov.uk/Files/kfile/VA...t%202004,0.pdf

Here's my experience in case it's helpful.

It's best to avoid the working days either side of holidays taken by HCI. Click here for HICI holidays in 2005.

I went the day after Dussehra (Vijaya Dashami). Experienced visa applicants commented on how long the queue was. I joined queue at 07:45 and left with visa at 10:00 -- both times exact!

There are two halls where visa applications are processed. I was in the upper hall (yellow tickets -- I think downstairs was white tickets). Passports with visas were issued from position 1. Apparently this is usual. They were issued in ticket number order. Apparently this is unusual.

Tickets ran from A1 to A99 then B1 etc. This caused some confusion on collection because only the number was announced but there were both A and B ticket holders waiting with the same numbers

Nearest tube station: Embankment

For postal applications to London, At the moment Its around 7-8 working days from sending to receiving.

& to add to Puck's message.....

I got mine last week. I got to the Embassy for 8.15am - there was a bit of a queue (i.e. I was ticket number 70) - I was downstairs with the white ticket (though not sure of the difference or even if there is a difference??). The do provide you with a form to fill in, but I would recommend printing it off the web before you arrive. Also - don't forget to bring your photos along as there were loads of panicking people who didn't bring one (there is a cheap photo place not far from there that is open early though).

I literally waited 20 minutes to get served - ticket number came up on a screen. They checked over the details & then I waited in another queue to collect the ticket (which they called out in very random numbers). On the whole, I was out the door by 10am - Very impressed as I was expecting it to be more of a hassle!

I did it on a Monday.....a guy from work did it on the Wednesday and had to wait longer. We rationalised that people were less likely to get out of bed earlier on a Monday!

Cheers,
Kimbo

There's a photo machine at the HCI adjacent to the upper hall. Understandably some of the clerks got a bit miffed at applications with the photos from the machine in an uncut block of 4. If you're planning (huh?) on doing it this way take a pair of scissors!

The consulate in Vancouver keeps a pair of scissors ready for use in the reception.

we got ours a week ago last monday , we got there at 8,45 took our tickets [3] by the time we filled the forms out our number [126] was about due .
the lady was very helpful ,processed the applications and told us 45 mins .
when we left the total time spent was 1hour,10 mins .
if only all visas where this easy else where , but be warned , have all the correct bits and pieces or face disapointment .
there was more than one person who left with the hump .
also check exactly what you need and how long the visas take to issue , i think only british citizens with british parents are done same day .
colin

If you are not a British Citizen (my Husband is Danish) and you are applying for a visa in London you just need to bring along proof of address (in the UK) for it to be processed in the same manner as a British passport holder. So it will cost the same if you do this & you will get your visa the same day (45 mins later like the rest of us).