Applying for an Indian Visa in the UK: Your Questions and Experiences

spudseven · Mar 5th, 2009, 12:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Haylo

There must have been a misunderstanding here. VFS do not have a contract with the High Commission of India (HCI) to complete visa applications in three working days for the simple reason that VFS do not issue the visas.

Applications are passed to the HCI who can basically take as long as they like to process the application. They may have their own internal processing targets, but the three working days is merely the time that the vast majority of applications are turned round in, there is absolutely no guarantee or contract that says applications will be dealt with in that time.

I was just repeating what the supervisor said at the office - I imagine that VFS must have some sort of contract and obligations to fulfill with HCI - maybe it is something like VFS have 3 days to do their bit assuming it is not referred or something like that.

Though I wouldn't question Haylo's better knowledge of VFS HCI...

Michael

whoimi · Mar 5th, 2009, 20:45

Hi All

Created a Visa Application

24th Feb 09

Posted it off

25th Feb 09

Arrived via SD to Hockley
26th Feb 09

Today it is 05/03/09

and on the online tracking it still says

"application created 24th feb 09"

is this normal? how long should i wait a bit more?

spudseven · Mar 5th, 2009, 21:06

Hi whoimi, Postal applications take a minimum of 10 working days to be processed according to the website, so far you've only waited about 5.....

Are you sure it arrived though, it should say in the online tracking under status something like

"Your application is under process effective 04-Mar-2009.Please bear in mind the minimum processing times before calling the visa center."

If it doesn't or you haven't received it by Monday 16th then maybe its time to contact them.

Michael.

Mike Cork · Mar 5th, 2009, 21:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by whoimi

Hi All

Created a Visa Application

24th Feb 09

Posted it off

25th Feb 09

Arrived via SD to Hockley
26th Feb 09

Today it is 05/03/09

and on the online tracking it still says

"application created 24th feb 09"

is this normal? how long should i wait a bit more?

This does happen... The mail gets opened and processed in order. i.e. if mail from yesterday did not get dealt with it will be dealt with before todays mail is looked at.

This is normally the case at busy times or after a public holiday.

Don't worry too much for a fews days yet. Turnaround is said to be about 10 days, yours is only half of that at present.

whoimi · Mar 5th, 2009, 22:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by spudseven

Hi whoimi, Postal applications take a minimum of 10 working days to be processed according to the website, so far you've only waited about 5.....

Are you sure it arrived though, it should say in the online tracking under status something like

"Your application is under process effective 04-Mar-2009.Please bear in mind the minimum processing times before calling the visa center."

If it doesn't or you haven't received it by Monday 16th then maybe its time to contact them.

Michael.

Nah dotn say anything like that - well it definately arrived there according to Royal Mail Special Delivery got signed for the next day!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Cork

This does happen... The mail gets opened and processed in order. i.e. if mail from yesterday did not get dealt with it will be dealt with before todays mail is looked at.

This is normally the case at busy times or after a public holiday.

Don't worry too much for a fews days yet. Turnaround is said to be about 10 days, yours is only half of that at present.

Oh ic must be a huge backlog then im beginning to get a bit worried since i want to fly out on the 9th of April and every day fare prices are increasing!!!

I Rang them the women came out with "We are upgrading our systems to check back tomorrow"

then she counted and told me "Its been seven days" lol

Haylo · Mar 5th, 2009, 22:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by whoimi

is this normal? how long should i wait a bit more?

See my reply #1506 to the same question on the previous page of this thread.

whoimi · Mar 6th, 2009, 00:55

ok funny enough i got my passport sent back to me today just after i wrote this

On the REturn form it says

"07 - Incorrect Centre Submission, please submit as per your jurisdiction"

then in the notes it says

"Kindly Apply in London"

Now i dont understand this..im Based in Gloucester and birmingham is the nearest to me..

can anyone shed light on this?

or could it be due to the fact that i applied online and left a note saying that "I would like to pick it up from Birmingham centre" whihc is where i sent the form in the first place?

any ideas?

spudseven · Mar 6th, 2009, 01:30

Hi Whoimi, Its as they said Gloucester (and Worcester even more strangely) come under the London offices jurisdiction so you must apply to the London offices for your visa. However annoying it might be thats the rules.....and as we know they stick to the rules very closely. It wouldn't matter if you wrote a note saying you wanted to collect it in Birmingham. Its important to read all the rules for application carefully.

Yesterday there was a girl at Birmingham who had traveled to the wrong office, she should have been in London and they simply turned her away.

Don't worry you've still got plenty of time - but for peace of mind I suggest taking it to one of the London offices in person.

Michael

Mike Cork · Mar 6th, 2009, 01:42

It is as HAYLO and ASMITHEE Keep telling people on a regular basis.

Do read the sites instructions/information before you start to the form, either by the online method or downloading the form and filling it in by hand...

You will save yourself a lot of time, energy and hearache..

whoimi · Mar 6th, 2009, 02:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by spudseven

Hi Whoimi, Its as they said Gloucester (and Worcester even more strangely) come under the London offices jurisdiction so you must apply to the London offices for your visa. However annoying it might be thats the rules.....and as we know they stick to the rules very closely. It wouldn't matter if you wrote a note saying you wanted to collect it in Birmingham. Its important to read all the rules for application carefully.

Yesterday there was a girl at Birmingham who had traveled to the wrong office, she should have been in London and they simply turned her away.

Don't worry you've still got plenty of time - but for peace of mind I suggest taking it to one of the London offices in person.

Michael

Thanks for letting me know! I didn't know that! Gosh that insane London office is like near enough 3 hours from here so gonna be mission!

Very Bizzare this is!

Would it be better off If I just posted it to London and send them an SAE and get them to post it off

dont have much time sadly to make 2 trips to london!

spudseven · Mar 6th, 2009, 02:25

Its better to take it person and then have them check it through while your there and have them post it back to you....just one trip to London . It would be very annoying if they sent it back again for some small error on the form.

Do the application online and make an appointment at your chosen office......

As you said flight prices are going up for Easter all the time so you'll probably save yourself money as you'll have your visa back in 2-3 working days if you take it in person - it will be at least 10 working days by post.

Michael.

Mike Cork · Mar 6th, 2009, 02:25

Each SDE will cost £4.60 which is cheaper than the VFS charge. This is what I was charged for weight of 1 passport.

If you have dificulty going to London, the sooner you post the application off the quicker it will come back.

When I did my last one it took about 7 days, which was within the 10 days stated on the site. London has also been known to be quicker for postal applications than Birmingham.

whoimi · Mar 6th, 2009, 02:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by spudseven

Its better to take it person and then have them check it through while your there and have them post it back to you....just one trip to London . It would be very annoying if they sent it back again for some small error on the form.

Do the application online and make an appointment at your chosen office......

As you said flight prices are going up for Easter all the time so you'll probably save yourself money as you'll have your visa back in 2-3 working days if you take it in person - it will be at least 10 working days by post.

Michael.

Thanks for that!

Ok So basically you reckon its best to do this

- Do my application online etc (which i already have done)
- Go to Schedule Appointment and choose a time ( I hav done this but it defaults to birmingham) and i cant see where to change this should i change this to london?

So if i went to drop it off to london give them a prepaid envelope then the chances of me getting my Visa posted would be quicker right?

Mike Cork · Mar 6th, 2009, 02:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by whoimi

Thanks for that!

Ok So basically you reckon its best to do this

- Do my application online etc (which i already have done)
- Go to Schedule Appointment and choose a time ( I hav done this but it defaults to birmingham) and i cant see where to change this should i change this to london?

So if i went to drop it off to london give them a prepaid envelope then the chances of me getting my Visa posted would be quicker right?

Yes this would be the quickest way.

The reason it defaults to Birmingham is because on the first page of your online application you chose Birmingham.

whoimi · Mar 6th, 2009, 02:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Cork

Yes this would be the quickest way.

The reason it defaults to Birmingham is because on the first page of your online application you chose Birmingham.

Ok thanks i guess there is no way of changing this? how would i go making an appointment then to london?

Mar 5th, 2009, 21:06	#1533
spudseven Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Preston, UK. Posts: 116	To Whoimi Hi whoimi, Postal applications take a minimum of 10 working days to be processed according to the website, so far you've only waited about 5..... Are you sure it arrived though, it should say in the online tracking under status something like "Your application is under process effective 04-Mar-2009.Please bear in mind the minimum processing times before calling the visa center." If it doesn't or you haven't received it by Monday 16th then maybe its time to contact them. Michael.

Mar 6th, 2009, 01:30	#1538
spudseven Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Preston, UK. Posts: 116	Jurisdiction Hi Whoimi, Its as they said Gloucester (and Worcester even more strangely) come under the London offices jurisdiction so you must apply to the London offices for your visa. However annoying it might be thats the rules.....and as we know they stick to the rules very closely. It wouldn't matter if you wrote a note saying you wanted to collect it in Birmingham. Its important to read all the rules for application carefully. Yesterday there was a girl at Birmingham who had traveled to the wrong office, she should have been in London and they simply turned her away. Don't worry you've still got plenty of time - but for peace of mind I suggest taking it to one of the London offices in person. Michael

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Mar 5th, 2009, 20:45	#1532
whoimi Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: UK Posts: 18	Hi All Created a Visa Application 24th Feb 09 Posted it off 25th Feb 09 Arrived via SD to Hockley 26th Feb 09 Today it is 05/03/09 and on the online tracking it still says "application created 24th feb 09" is this normal? how long should i wait a bit more?

Mar 6th, 2009, 00:55	#1537
whoimi Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: UK Posts: 18	ok funny enough i got my passport sent back to me today just after i wrote this On the REturn form it says "07 - Incorrect Centre Submission, please submit as per your jurisdiction" then in the notes it says "Kindly Apply in London" Now i dont understand this..im Based in Gloucester and birmingham is the nearest to me.. can anyone shed light on this? or could it be due to the fact that i applied online and left a note saying that "I would like to pick it up from Birmingham centre" whihc is where i sent the form in the first place? any ideas?

Mar 6th, 2009, 01:42	#1539
Mike Cork Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Wales UK Posts: 405	It is as HAYLO and ASMITHEE Keep telling people on a regular basis. Do read the sites instructions/information before you start to the form, either by the online method or downloading the form and filling it in by hand... You will save yourself a lot of time, energy and hearache..

Mar 6th, 2009, 02:25	#1541
spudseven Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Preston, UK. Posts: 116	Its better to take it person and then have them check it through while your there and have them post it back to you....just one trip to London . It would be very annoying if they sent it back again for some small error on the form. Do the application online and make an appointment at your chosen office...... As you said flight prices are going up for Easter all the time so you'll probably save yourself money as you'll have your visa back in 2-3 working days if you take it in person - it will be at least 10 working days by post. Michael.

Mar 6th, 2009, 02:25	#1542
Mike Cork Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Wales UK Posts: 405	Each SDE will cost £4.60 which is cheaper than the VFS charge. This is what I was charged for weight of 1 passport. If you have dificulty going to London, the sooner you post the application off the quicker it will come back. When I did my last one it took about 7 days, which was within the 10 days stated on the site. London has also been known to be quicker for postal applications than Birmingham.