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

'Ashraf'?? - Pakistani origin? - if so I am very sorry to tell you that your visa might take months - search the threads here and on britishexpats.com

AndyD 8-)#

Not pakistani origin just visited there but years ago. thanks for link though.

Myself and my girlfriend applied 4 weeks ago for a 6 month double entry tourist visa for India, via the VFS processing centre in Hayes. I am from a British Indian (Muslim) family and my girlfriend is white British, which to us is all but irrelevant. Seemingly to the Indian High Consulate though, this makes all the difference.

After a few annoying phone calls querying the need for dual entry and having to provide a detailed itinerary (despite being told NOT to book anything until the visa is received), my girlfriend received her visa. Hers took approx 10 working days to be returned. Mine however was not returned at the same time and I received a phone call later the same week requesting further info. I had to provide 3 months bank statements, a letter from my employer, a letter of invitation from my relatives in India as well as photo ID for the family member (my girlfriend had said we were planning to visit some relatives in Gujarat). They also wanted to know whether my grandparents had ever been nationals of Pakistan.

I replied by email with what info I could - my grandparents have never been Pakistani nationals; I can't provide a letter from my employer as I am not currently employed due to being on a year-long career break; we have decided not to visit the relatives in India due to not having time to make the necessary arrangements. I asked for a reply to my email to confirm what I should do next and whether any further info was needed, however no reply was received and I spent the next 2 weeks phoning both VFS and the High Consulate every day without being able to obtain any information whatsoever on the status of my application, or to talk to anyone in the department dealing with my visa.

I then sent a letter formally requesting an update on my application as by now our plans have been significantly set back and we wanted to know what was causing the hold up and if I could do anything to speed things up. The next day I received a text saying 'processed visa application couriered to you today'. We got excited and began packing. We almost booked flights but decided to wait until the visa was in my hands. Then the next day I received my passport and NO VISA! By way of an explanation they had enclosed a tiny slip of paper stating 'your case has been referred to competent authorities in India. The High Commission will contact you on receipt of instructions', with no signature or contact details.

We now have no idea what to think, expect or do. All we can imagine is that I am under suspicion, of who knows what, due to my Muslim heritage and the fact that I once visited Pakistan (this was for a wedding in 2005 - I have been to India on a tourist visa since then) as this was mentioned by VFS.

Has anyone experienced a similar situation and can maybe advise what to expect? I don't really fancy waiting around for another few weeks waiting for a response from India. I can't imagine the process will be quick. We are considering flying to Nepal (the reason for our dual entry) and applying again there, but this will of course mean paying the fee all over again, plus I might come across the same problem.

I hope someone can help. If not hopefully this info will be useful to someone else who might potentially find themself in the same sitiuation.

Thanks
Ash

Shameful conduct on the part of HCI. But, such are the breed called Visa Consuls

Unfortunately you have a profile very similar to that of the terrorist David Coleman Headley.

The Indian authorities will also have been deeply suspicious of your not visiting, or being unable to get a written invitation from, your claimed Indian relatives while you were in India.

To them you look like one of the bad guys.

So I'm afraid you've probably had it...

Any body please help as I am indian born but british citizen.Have to travel to india as it my sisters wedding on 21 may and have to do as quickly as i can please give me your suggestions also about surrendering indian passport .I live near birmingum.

I suggest you visit VFS in Biringham:

India Visa Application Center
20 - 21 Pemberton Street
Birmingham B18 6NY

If they refer you to the Consulate it's just round the corner.

AndyD 8-)₹

Try the indian consulate in birmingham
http://www.cgibirmingham.org/

thank you for your response..
Do you have any idea about how much time will it take as it is given on their website 2-3 working days.I got my british passport ,travelling first time with this passport.
What about surrendering the passport..?
Can you please give any suggestions

The NGO provided three letters - one saying that they are a registered Indian NGO, one saying I am a volunteer and a third saying I will have no tax liability.

To me they see to cover this part of the requirements from the VFS website.
-----------------
Q.33 I would like to go to India for doing voluntary work. Which visa should I apply for?
Ans You must apply for an employment visa along with the requisite documents listed below. Note that you have to undergo mandatory registration formalities at the nearest office of the FRRO/FRO within 14 days of your arrival in India if you are planning to stay in the country for more than 180 days.
Proof of his/her Employment letter/ Invitation Letter for Voluntary Work from Registered NGO indicating the duration of the voluntary work,
Name and Place of work in India and
Duration of the Voluntary Work
-------------------

Anyway, vfs have reiterated today that an Employment visa is not appropriate for me doing volunteer work and I need an Entry Visa. Unfortunately a 3 month visa is not long enough for my plans so I think I'm going to have to cancel the idea of volunteering and (try to) go as a tourist instead

I am astonished that anyone at VFS should be so out of date - and plain wrong. 'X' visas have not been issued for volunteering for over a year.
VFS are only agents, not the final arbiter; it is fully open to you to tell them that you insist they forward your application for an EV visa.

AndyD 8-)₹

Can any body suggest me.I have submitted my indian passport to passport service for my son's british passport process ,And its a big night mare as they are delaying it.Its my grandmother not well .n even have mdeical proof .So thought to go by person tommorrow to birmingum and submit.Is it possibleto submit without surrender certificate.And as well If i go early can i get india toursit visa at same day.

Well, it does sometimes help to go in person to VFS if you're in a hurry, but even then the answers to your questions will be "no" and "definately not"

thank you..

Thanks AndyD for that encouragement. Do you think I should go straight to the VFS office in Birmingham and "insist" they take my application (its not an action that I feel I'd be very good at, ie I'd feel scared and embarrassed, but I guess needs must)?
Oh and is there somewhere online with the information that entry visas have not been issued for over a year? Maybe I could email my contact at vfs with that information?