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

Point to Q#9 of http://mha.nic.in/pdfs/ForeigD-work_visa_faq.pdf

Point to No:4 of http://mha.nic.in/pdfs/ForeigD-ClarifEmpVISA-Guid.pdf

and also mentioned in http://www.immigrationindia.nic.in/employment_visa2.htm

Thanks for the links. Easy enough to find, why on earth would VFS Birmingham insist that the Consulate General of India says the correct visa category is Entry visa? Grrr.

Another question, if I post the application in (to Hayes) does it then bypass all this nonsense with Birmingham and save me another potentially wasted trip there? Thanks for the help.

Unfortunatly they do get it wrong on occasions. It has been noted on this forum in the past about Birmingham IVAC making outrageous decisions.

The postal service to Hayes is OK, it just,adds a few days to the process. If you have the time available use the postal route use it. Normally only the time it takes to post the application and to receive it back.

Hey People... I have applied for a business visa but i am of pakistani origin...(parents and grandparents born in pak but UK citizens me born in UK) Can anyone give me a ball park on how long this is likely to take to be processed?

Also due to the confusing instructions and the website I have not included the checklist in my application (only reliased now) will this effect the handling time?

Finally did I need to send an additional form because of my pakistani origin? if so where is that form located?

Thanks in advance

Received my brothers 6 month, multiple entry tourist visa yesterday.

Total time including posting both directions 1 week (5 working days).

visa process time

dropped into Victoria 8.45 thurs with a 5 minute wait on an appt. Collected Monday pm. 3 days inclusive. This is getting too easy.....
One thing repeat users may want to consider is using google chrome for the applications - the browser remembers all the previous applciation info. Scary in other respects - i use Firefox usually - but useful in this instance.

Submitted for 2month visa but just read that the visa starts at the time of application and not the departure date. Flying on 1st August and was trying to get everything done in advance.

Have groaned my way through the website for 3 of us, I'm worried that I've just wasted £££.

Added to that I have forgotten to put the middle names of one of the boys and he has his middle names on his passport... does it matter?

I thought they only issued 3 or 6 month visas but it's true that the visa is valid from date of issue. The majority of visas issued in the UK tend to be of a 6 month duration though.

I am not sure if omitting the middle name will make a difference. My opinion, for what it's worth, is that as long as first and last names are correct it should be OK - but this is just my view.

Good luck.

Thanks for replying quickly... had gone off to lick my wounds but trying to be more positive now.

I'll ring them on Monday and find out, although I noticed the only number is 95p per minute which seems a bit of a rip off. Mind you I've paid them about £150 for 3 visa so far so I might as well spend a fiver or so on a phone call.

I'm usually so careful in these things but the website was such a pain I just went for it... what a mistake! Will be perusing more on IM now.

Thanks for your help.

Quick update: have completed the last form which was for my DH and think I've got this one right - 6months visa, middle names as on passport - so he has gone through it and signed it, and we're going to post that on Monday to see if that one is ok. Then, if it is, do each of the others one byone.

Apparently if wee don't send in the app then we can get a refund through the website of £30 so will do this if we have to.

Don't understand DH? You mention "one of the boys", if that refers to a child last year a lot of people were being asked for additional documentation for travelling with children, even if both parents were present.

Catpat, plenty of us get 12 month tourist visas with a suitable letter of explanation and have done for years.

sorry - didn't explain it very clearly... I completed 3 online registrations and paid for them as nearest visa office is 200 miles so doing a postal application. Then I realised I asked for 2minths validity without realising that it started from the date of issue.

So I completed my DH ('dear' husband) last night and did it correctly... I think? So going to send this off to see if it is accepted before sending the others which I will correct from 2 to 6 months by black pen and sign it. If his isn't accepted then I'll cancel the other 3 registrations and get the £30 back each. Sounds complicated but I've got enough time to play it safe.

One of our sons is under 16 so have found some advice on IM to send copy of birth certificate and a consent letter signed by both parents and copies of both parents passports and any visas they may already have. Please shout out if there is anything else they want... can't think of anything else we could send to prove parentage and agreement to travel. We are travelling together as a family so it isn't one parent taking him which I understand they need to consider may be without the other parent's consent.

Can't believe the complexity of this. Makes getting an American visa look like child's play.

You are likely to be issued with a 6 month visa as standard the cost is £32 for 6 month visa and £52 for 12 month visa as shown here.

We don't give visas to most EU passport holders including UK. Unless you have been denied ESTA or want a longer stay (i.e > 90 days)

If you lie on your ESTA, you are out. Then again, ESTA only lets you board a plane. The CBP guy at the border/POE decides if you are allowed in and for how long.

Just thought I would post this link for any Aussies on here who need or want a visa to India.

www.vfs-in-au.net/

Also if you are in Melbourne they have relocated from Docklands to Swanston Street.

Application Center in Melbourne is being Relocated.

New Address: Suite 4, Level 12, 55, Swanston Street, Melbourne – 3000

They closed Docklands in April last year 2011.