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

asmithee

To be honest, the issue of the site appearing to 'crash' at the point of confirmation is not a problem with the website, because if that was so it would happen to everyone...and it actually happens to very few people. It is more to do with your own PC set-up, connection, broadband speed etc.

If you try again and it says you have already applied then it means your details have indeed been saved. Don't get caught in a loop trying to retrieve it and do it all again.

Problem is...you do not know your reference number and therefore cannot retrieve the form to print it out.

I know it's a pain, but you can print one off the site and fill it by hand. If you are sending by post, just explain that you could not retrieve your reference number, the VFS staff will be able to do that for you and process your application.

If the same happens and you are going in person to the centre, the counter staff should be able to retrieve your original application form and print it off for you.

Here's a tip...go to the enquiries counter when you go in, and ask them to do it for you there - then you will have it ready when you get to the counter.

The add option can be used to link any applications together, whether you are family or not. And it's always worth doing. It puts everything under one reference number, one payment etc and when you are at the counter it makes things quicker.

nadyalm

I got my visa on Thursday. Didn't have any issues doing the online bit although I did cancel it once as I thought I'd filled it out wrong.. I printed out extra blank forms just so I had all the details on paper whilst doing the online bit..

Went to the office to hand in our applications as I didn't want to leave anything to chance. And if there were any issues with what I'd filled in they could just ask me while I was there.. One thing I would say is that if any areas do not apply make sure that you do write N/A as the guy behind the counter had to ask me for a couple of the questions, even though I thought I'd completed the whole form..

If you can go in person, then I think it's worth it just for piece of mind.. Much more efficient that the old Chaotic way of getting the visa at the IHC!
Go early, better still book your time online. For collection again, go early to get a ticket..

asmithee

ENQUIRIES COUNTERS

Very useful things these. I know that in London Goswell Road and Victoria have them, cannot be sure about the other branches though.

But if you are going into any of the centres and have an questions, queries, problems, complaints etc - just go to the enquiries counter.

Sometimes I have seen people queue up for ages to put their submission in, and it turns out they have some sort of problem that needs to be dealt with first.

But that problem could have been dealt with before they got to the counter, while they were waiting.

It may simply be a case of using the enquiries counter to have someone scan over your forms, passports, documentation etc to check everything is ok before you get to the counter. A very, very useful thing to do indeed. Saves getting to the counter after 2 hours wait to be told something like 'You have the wrong form, you need to fill in the correct one'.

Another great 'knock-on' advantage of this is that if problems and queries cn be solved before people get to the counter, people get served quicker and therefore it cuts the waiting time down for everybody.

I know also that Victoria and Goswell Road branches now have tannoy announcements that they do at regular intervals, informing people of the basic requirements, processing times, how to track their application online and other useful information. This often prompts people to come to the enquiries counter too, which is a good thing.

So - use those enquiries counters people, that's what they are there for.

Oh, and another useful tip. Don't ask too many questions of the security people on the front doors, the ones that hand out the queing tickets. They are only security staff and not actually employed by VFS. They may indeed have a basic knowledge of the visa system, but it's not really their job to answer such questions.

Far better to use the enquiry counter.

K_Shel

Thanks so much for the quick reply. (and to the other replies too).

It was weird it didn't crash it just went straight from the last page when he pressed submit to the "quick link" page.. odd!!

Anyway! We'll try again tomorrow and see what happens! Otherwise, we can do the handwritten one as we live nowhere near a centre....

Alternatively - since we aint off to India until 24 Jan we could just wait 15 days until his was wiped from the system? And the start agin using trhe add function?

asmithee

Why wait 15 days? Just post in a handwritten form.

The VFS staff can match it up with your online entry via a search on your passport number - and even if for some reason there is no online entry, they will enter the info on the system for you from your handwritten form.

What duration did you select for your visa by the way...hope it was 6 months multiple.

Remember...visas are valid from date of issue, not date of travel.

marianek

Hi Guys!

I am Polish living in UK for more than a year. I applied for Visa on 29th of Oct. I have had some concerns if everything has gone correctly with application (as I am not British and I applied here) but I have just checked online tracking and it says: 'Processed application is ready for collection at Application Center Birmingham.'
Has anyone of you had similar Visa status and Does that mean that i was awarded with visa? (Processed application is ready... = visa received)?

nadyalm

Sound like it is ready to collect! I had the same status (but to collect from London) and there was no problems.. You can just go and collect it. Take a photocopy of your receipt if you can though..

asmithee

It means your passport is ready for collection, but does not nescassarily mean you have been granted a visa.

They come back to VFS in sealed envelopes, so even they don't know if the visa is granted. It's ony when you pick up the passport and open it you will know if you have it or not.

Refusals are very rare though, and in my experience people who are refused visas usually have a fair idea as to why...

The 'photocopy of the receipt' thing is if you want to keep a copy of it for yourself. VFS need to keep a copy as well, but if you don't need to keep the receipt (most people don't) then you don't have to bring a photocopy.

K_Shel

I just thought that might be easier so we can pay online all at once etc.

K_Shel

Okay - we managed to do it all online & pay & get all the reference nos tonight! yay!

I noticed 1 thing when going to print off the VAF form though.

It says you need your passport photos to have a white background. Is this really the case? I got passport photos taken about 2 weeks ago for my actual passport & it was a light blue background. The passport office accepted them fine and thats now whats on my new passport. I got 4 2 for passport 2 for indian visa. Do I now need to go get 2 more?

Thanks guys!!!

asmithee

You only need 2 per form, and if it is a light blue background then you are ok. They do day white or off-white so you will probably be fine. I have seen blue backgrounds on photo's before and the HCI seem to be fine with them.

steven_ber

asmithee, if you come back online before the morning, can you take a look at the following thread?

Issuing a visa in London tomorrow

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How to get helpful replies to your transport/Itinerary questions.


Train information.


RAC & Waitlists explained.

asmithee

KathyW - I am really sorry, but this is just not going to happen.

Processing time is minimum 2 - 3 working days.

You will not get same day, or even the next day...Wednesday at the earliest.

I know some people have said go down and try but trust me it will be a wasted journey - VFS cannot influence the decisions of the High Comission. They cannot make the system move any faster.

I know it seems harsh considering this is a trip of a lifetime, but that is the cold harsh reality.

Getting there early makes no difference whatsoever...you may as well turn up in the afternoon because your passport will still go to the HCI the next day with the rest. No point VFS sending it earlier, HCI will not do anything with it. They have a set agreement and contract with VFS as to what happens when, and trust me that is set in stone.

If a travel agent has given you wrong info, that's nothing to do with VFS.

I am afraid you are going to have to bite the bullet on this one and change their travel plans.

Save yourself a frustrating day at the centre trying to get them to change the system, it just will not happen.

I know it's very inconvinient and will probably be costly...but you really have no choice.

But you really need to direct your frustration towards the travel agent who misinformed you.

patti123

K_Shel My photo came out as half light blue and half white from a photo booth but i sent it to London VFS and they accepted it.

rvsjimbo

Hello,

Need to go to Bangalore in January to attend a wedding.

I've been trying to fill in the online form, in order to apply by post.

Unfortunately it seems to be rather badly designed. I get stuck at a certain page, and there is no way to save your progress, and the help number costs 95p/minute!!

So, questions. First off, although I'm intending going to Bangalore, but obviously I have not booked a hotel yet, so what can I put for an address?

What do I put for "Restricted Area"?

What do I put for "Place permitted"?

What do I put for Sponsor and Sponsor's address?

Is Pin code the Indian version of Post Code?

Thanks!

A slightly exasperated Paul.

P.S. I can't help thinking that this is just one big money-making exercise. I don't have to pay a £70 visa fee to visit the US for a week.