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

puskarce · Nov 3rd, 2009, 15:03

does anyone know, what is better, for say that you know someone in india, or you are just traveling alone in india.
in case of apply for tourist visa

Nick-H · Nov 3rd, 2009, 17:15

It doesn't matter: there is no "better". However, people who do know persons in India can put their names in the reference fields, instead of putting hotel.

deej · Nov 4th, 2009, 20:39

A little bit of information on the online visa application and courier charges.

I paid my visa fees online and also paid a £6 something pence charge to have the passport sent back to me by private courier (given the ongoing postal delays here in the UK), then when I printed the form to post off, I saw information on the website about a charge of £7.40 for courier.

I rang the helpline, and was told by the staff member that as I had not paid the £7.40, he could not be sure the passport would be couriered back to me (even though I had paid the amount instructed by the online payment process

), so he suggested I also enclose a postal order for £7.40 to be on the safe side which I duly did.

Anyway - I have just recieved my passport back with the visa inside by courier (took exactly a week from posting it off

), along with the uncashed postal order for £7.40, so this was obviously not necessary. Unfortunately I can't do anyhting with the postal order as it's made out to VFS, but as it's less then a tenner - cest la vie!

Just thought I would post this in case anyone else was confused by the different amounts mentioned online.

a_f_d · Nov 4th, 2009, 22:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by deej

A little bit of information on the online visa application and courier charges.

I paid my visa fees online and also paid a £6 something pence charge to have the passport sent back to me by private courier (given the ongoing postal delays here in the UK), then when I printed the form to post off, I saw information on the website about a charge of £7.40 for courier.

I rang the helpline, and was told by the staff member that as I had not paid the £7.40, he could not be sure the passport would be couriered back to me (even though I had paid the amount instructed by the online payment process

), so he suggested I also enclose a postal order for £7.40 to be on the safe side which I duly did.

Anyway - I have just recieved my passport back with the visa inside by courier (took exactly a week from posting it off

), along with the uncashed postal order for £7.40, so this was obviously not necessary. Unfortunately I can't do anyhting with the postal order as it's made out to VFS, but as it's less then a tenner - cest la vie!

Just thought I would post this in case anyone else was confused by the different amounts mentioned online.

... from ancient memories - don't you keep the counterfoil to the PO - if you have both you can cash it.

AndyD 8-)#

deej · Nov 5th, 2009, 00:04

If I ever had it I've now lost it! Never mind.

magicfairy · Nov 5th, 2009, 03:46

We hand filled in the forms, sent applications off last wednesday and got them all back inpassports today!! YIPPEE!!

Thats one week in total, thats including a 3 day post strike!

Well with visas, flights and trains all sorted I almost feel organised!LOL!

Al01 · Nov 5th, 2009, 08:07

Does anyone have an indication of the processing time for visa applications lodged at the Cardiff Visa Application Centre. Would they normally be processed in the same time as applications lodged in London, plus a couple of days to allow for the post/courier, or are they more like postal applications.

I am not visiting India until January, but I need to have my passport available to go to Europe in about 4 weeks time. I see that some people have been getting their postal applications back fairly quickly, but the website says allow 15 working days for postal applications so if it was that kind of turn around time it would be too close for comfort. At the same time, I would like to avoid the cost and time of making one or possibly two trips up to London. If anyone has any relevant information it would be greatly appreciated.

Mike Cork · Nov 5th, 2009, 15:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Al01

Does anyone have an indication of the processing time for visa applications lodged at the Cardiff Visa Application Centre. Would they normally be processed in the same time as applications lodged in London, plus a couple of days to allow for the post/courier, or are they more like postal applications.

I am not visiting India until January, but I need to have my passport available to go to Europe in about 4 weeks time. I see that some people have been getting their postal applications back fairly quickly, but the website says allow 15 working days for postal applications so if it was that kind of turn around time it would be too close for comfort. At the same time, I would like to avoid the cost and time of making one or possibly two trips up to London. If anyone has any relevant information it would be greatly appreciated.

You should be OK if you apply sooner rather than later. Have not used Cardiff yet but if your forms are filled in correctly you have enough time to apply.

a_f_d · Nov 5th, 2009, 16:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by deej

If I ever had it I've now lost it! Never mind.

take them to the Post Office where you bought them - bet they don't sell many and may be able to authorise repayment.

AndyD 8-)#

Al01 · Nov 6th, 2009, 06:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Cork

You should be OK if you apply sooner rather than later. Have not used Cardiff yet but if your forms are filled in correctly you have enough time to apply.

Thanks Mike, I'll take it in to Cardiff and ask them for their advice at the same time.

Ali-Monbeam · Nov 7th, 2009, 15:28

they took a week.well 5 days to be exact.

First I posted them with no photos in so they got returned to me and then I sent them back. five days turn around ....which I think is good with the postal disruptions and the time of year when every one wants a visa.

a_f_d · Nov 7th, 2009, 17:26

<paranoia switch=on> but what do they do with all those photo's? <G> </paranoia>

AndyD 8-)#

Nick-H · Nov 7th, 2009, 23:51

Quote:

what do they do with all those photo's?

They have lots of tables with one short leg!

nemunoki · Nov 9th, 2009, 04:06

Hello,

I hope this isn't a question that's been asked a million times...

I have an appointment for submitting my application at the Victoria office tomorrow at 10:15. But I also have a sick toddler and a 6 month old baby. I really don't want to drag my 2 year old all theway to London and back in the state he's in, and the only baby sitter I can get is from 10:30, which means I won't get to Victoria till about 1. I don'tmind waiting around if I have to, but is there any chance I won't be able to submit at all?

Also, is there a photo booth and printer at the centre? And does anyone know if you need passport photos for visas for babies?

Many thanks!!
- desperate mother of 2 under 2

!

Finzi · Nov 9th, 2009, 04:24

There is a photo booth at the visa centre in Victoria, although it wasn't working properly when I was there (a fornight ago). A kind lady was manually processing photos by jiggling away at the innards of the machine (almost felt as if I were in India already!)

Can't help with the other questions I'm afraid.

Nov 7th, 2009, 15:28	#2741
Ali-Monbeam Less of the 'Senior' member! Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Bradford Posts: 881	Passports are back they took a week.well 5 days to be exact. First I posted them with no photos in so they got returned to me and then I sent them back. five days turn around ....which I think is good with the postal disruptions and the time of year when every one wants a visa. __________________ (~) <.....Place holder for a small animated cow.

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Nov 3rd, 2009, 15:03	#2731
puskarce Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Gurgaon, India Posts: 1	does anyone know, what is better, for say that you know someone in india, or you are just traveling alone in india. in case of apply for tourist visa

Nov 3rd, 2009, 17:15	#2732
Nick-H This is just a cameo appearance Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 36,189	It doesn't matter: there is no "better". However, people who do know persons in India can put their names in the reference fields, instead of putting hotel.

Nov 4th, 2009, 20:39	#2733
deej Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: UK Posts: 31	A little bit of information on the online visa application and courier charges. I paid my visa fees online and also paid a £6 something pence charge to have the passport sent back to me by private courier (given the ongoing postal delays here in the UK), then when I printed the form to post off, I saw information on the website about a charge of £7.40 for courier. I rang the helpline, and was told by the staff member that as I had not paid the £7.40, he could not be sure the passport would be couriered back to me (even though I had paid the amount instructed by the online payment process ), so he suggested I also enclose a postal order for £7.40 to be on the safe side which I duly did. Anyway - I have just recieved my passport back with the visa inside by courier (took exactly a week from posting it off ), along with the uncashed postal order for £7.40, so this was obviously not necessary. Unfortunately I can't do anyhting with the postal order as it's made out to VFS, but as it's less then a tenner - cest la vie! Just thought I would post this in case anyone else was confused by the different amounts mentioned online.

Nov 5th, 2009, 00:04	#2735
deej Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: UK Posts: 31	If I ever had it I've now lost it! Never mind.

Nov 5th, 2009, 03:46	#2736
magicfairy Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: UK Posts: 22	We hand filled in the forms, sent applications off last wednesday and got them all back inpassports today!! YIPPEE!! Thats one week in total, thats including a 3 day post strike! Well with visas, flights and trains all sorted I almost feel organised!LOL!

Nov 5th, 2009, 08:07	#2737
Al01 Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: South Wales Posts: 2	Does anyone have an indication of the processing time for visa applications lodged at the Cardiff Visa Application Centre. Would they normally be processed in the same time as applications lodged in London, plus a couple of days to allow for the post/courier, or are they more like postal applications. I am not visiting India until January, but I need to have my passport available to go to Europe in about 4 weeks time. I see that some people have been getting their postal applications back fairly quickly, but the website says allow 15 working days for postal applications so if it was that kind of turn around time it would be too close for comfort. At the same time, I would like to avoid the cost and time of making one or possibly two trips up to London. If anyone has any relevant information it would be greatly appreciated.

Nov 7th, 2009, 17:26	#2742
a_f_d geek Join Date: May 2007 Location: UK etc. Posts: 236	<paranoia switch=on> but what do they do with all those photo's? <G> </paranoia> AndyD 8-)#

Nov 9th, 2009, 04:06	#2744
nemunoki Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Oxford Posts: 7	Hello, I hope this isn't a question that's been asked a million times... I have an appointment for submitting my application at the Victoria office tomorrow at 10:15. But I also have a sick toddler and a 6 month old baby. I really don't want to drag my 2 year old all theway to London and back in the state he's in, and the only baby sitter I can get is from 10:30, which means I won't get to Victoria till about 1. I don'tmind waiting around if I have to, but is there any chance I won't be able to submit at all? Also, is there a photo booth and printer at the centre? And does anyone know if you need passport photos for visas for babies? Many thanks!! - desperate mother of 2 under 2 !

Nov 9th, 2009, 04:24	#2745
Finzi Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: UK Posts: 26	There is a photo booth at the visa centre in Victoria, although it wasn't working properly when I was there (a fornight ago). A kind lady was manually processing photos by jiggling away at the innards of the machine (almost felt as if I were in India already!) Can't help with the other questions I'm afraid.