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

asmithee

Technically as long as you follow the steps I mentioned above, there should be no delays.

With a heavy emphasis on the should...as always.

Nick-H

Thanks, I'll pass on the info

vega

Hi

Having chosen initially to post my application, I changed my mind and decided to visit Birmingham
Thank you again to Louise and Asmithee for info.
I managed to make an appointment on-line and got a good one. I simply went back to on-line application and chose appointment.
Went on Mon 20th - had to wait about 40 mins but I was early due to train times. Once seen, was out again in about 5 mins. Helpful doorman explained procedure and gave me ticket regardless of being early. Passport received by post on Thurs 23rd. Details on Visa O.K

If anyone going to Birmingham New Street and not familiar with area, get directions to Colmore Row - near Cathedral- and get No.101 bus. Takes you to Warstone Clock, follow the direction of bus and Pemberton St is a couple of streets further on the right.

Have just heard from my granddaughter who lives in Worcester i.e.
West Midlands?? She took her application to Birmingham and was told her centre is London. Has had to post it and now awaits results.

I have enjoyed reading all the posts and will carry on. I am very grateful for all the information gleaned which really helped me with my application. Good luck everyone!

rootsrockreggae

I feel this has probably already been queried, but my application form for my tourist visa is asking for two indian referees? What should I put down? I'm completely stumped as I know of no one in India!


Please help...

Thankyou

MR DAVE

Leave it blank.

patti123

i think i just put NA on those 2 boxes .But if you look at the top of the visa form on line there is a help box that helps you .

Haylo

That is a strange decision for somewhere only 25 miles from the VFS Birmingham office, especially as the VFS website states that West Midlands (ie Worcestershire) is covered by the Birmingham office. They were certainly happy to accept my application from Worcestershire a few months back. On the plus side, the London office seem far more disposed to issuing one year visas.

Asmithee, are you aware of the areas being changed recently?

__________________
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Haylo

Leaving it blank is fine on a paper copy, but the website will not allow you to leave an empty field.

Rootsrockreggae, enter NA into the field and it will let you continue to the next page.

RoamingCrow

I'm adding my 2p to this:
I did the form online for my wife and I on Tuesday, had an appointment on Thursday morning. I was 5 minutes late, and the entire process from start to finish including wait time took 1 hour. It should take a few days until I find out whether I receive my visa and will update then. Overall, not a bad experience.

But, the woman at the station next to me has a father who is of Pakistani origin but no longer holds Pakistani citizenship. She was told it would take 20 days to process her application, so be aware that if you've got that background, you may have a bit of a longer process.

asmithee

Yes, same goes for the address in India, you can just put NA.

For tourist visas you are not providing any documentation so there is nothing to check. I have never known the HCI to have an issue with these being left blank...so far, anyway.

asmithee

I would have to agree...that does seem odd as she clearly falls under the Birmingham jurisdiction. Not aware of any changes either. Personally I would have queried that with a manager or supervisor at the centre at the time.

vega

Haylo
My granddaughter was told the cut-off area was Bromsgrove but it would have been useful if the website had said so. Would have saved unnecessary journey

asmithee

I have talked about this on here before. People of Pakistani origin (and that means where your parents were born as well) do have to provide much more documentation - 3 months bank statements, notarised letter of invitation, letter from employer. Plus it can take up to 20 working days to process.

In addition, the HCI can often ask for your old passports as well, and particularly want to know if you have ever held a Pakistani passport. If you do you must declare it, and you have to travrl on that passport and not the Btitish one. Even if you have an old Pakistani passport that is expired, you must declare it and ideally bring it with you.

Best to bring ALL of your old passports in these cases, they will always be returned to you.

In these cases it's best to be as honest as possible, bring as much documentation and old passports, and do not leave anything on the form blank.

Unfortunately a lot of people tend to assume that as they also have a British passport they do not have to declare or mention their Pakistani origin, and that's where the problems begin.

Bottom line is, if you have any Pakistani background or connection whatsoever, bring the above with you, it will help enormously.

And it's not a good idea to downplay your background either on the hope they will not find out.

Same also happens to people travelling on Sri Lankan, Bangladeshi, Afghani and Chinese passports, though not quite to the same extent to people of Pakistani background.

I know this is political, I know it seems very unfair but that's the way it is I'm afraid.

Haylo

Well it appears that whoever it was at VFS who refused her application got it wrong! Worcester City is definitely in the West Midlands, and as you know it is in exactly the same County as Bromsgrove!

I sincerely hope I do not meet the same person when I renew my visa...

Nick-H

That is one of the factors of immigration control, and, although it may seem very unfair on the individual, it is something we just have to live with.