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

Nick-H · Feb 20th, 2009, 21:12

Paul... November '07 problems were, apparently, largely caused by the Post Office. HCI London has given a good, simple and prompt tourist visa service for many years. People liked to queue up at 8.00am, but it wasn't really necessary.

What gets me is that I'm sure that every management meeting at HCI includes self-congratulations on the success of the new system.

I'm sure their primary business aims were to offload a considerable percentage of the processing work, and to transfer a considerable percentage of the processing cost to the 'customer'. Well.... aims accomplished, and in the way of modern management, nobody wants to hear that they are wrong --- complaints such as yours will never be read or heard within the walls of HCI. In their ivory towers, all is well.

Frustrating, eh?

It does seem that VFS process postal applications faster than the 'old' system, to give some credit --- assuming the correct crossing of every t and dotting of every i, of course.

OwlyIan · Feb 20th, 2009, 23:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Haylo

The delay has been due to times when VFS receive more post than they can handle in one day, so applications are opened and dealt with strictly in order of receipt. This means there is sometimes a delay in VFS checking your application and passing it to the HCI, hence the ten working days quoted for postal applications as apposed to two to three working days for applications made in person. Personal applications are always dealt with on the same day by a different team of VFS staff, who are not affected by "gluts" of postal applications. Erm... That was not what you wanted to know!

The good news is that processing time for applications received by the HCI is the same for all applications, postal or in person. This means that as your application will probably be with the HCI by tomorrow (Wednesday 18th) it could be back at the VFS centre by Friday!

I think passports are returned to VFS in the late afternoon, so are posted out the next working day. In any case, the good news is that unless there are any issues that need resolving you will have your visa in your hands by early next week.

Just to say thanks, i was worrying slightly too early i see that now, as i had an email and phone call from VFS after i left work that night saying it would be 2-3 more days before they sent it out and a knock at the door this morning brought our passport and visas (not to the requested delivery address but hey we aren't complaining!!)

Kerala here we come

thanks for your help and good luck to others!

a_f_d · Feb 21st, 2009, 00:27

Spoke to someone senior at VFS Birmingham yesterday about long term visas, they said even PIO's are having trouble getting 2 - 5 year visas but it might be better in London. OH said but we can't apply there and the reply was 'that is a misconception - London is the HCI and anyone can apply [via VFS presumably] to them - if you're from e.g. Manchester you can't apply in Edinburgh. if you're from e.g. Essex you can't apply in Birmingham, but if you're from e.g. Birmingham you CAN apply in London'.
Anyone know more about this?

AndyD 8-)#

asmithee · Feb 21st, 2009, 02:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by a_f_d

Spoke to someone senior at VFS Birmingham yesterday about long term visas, they said even PIO's are having trouble getting 2 - 5 year visas but it might be better in London. OH said but we can't apply there and the reply was 'that is a misconception - London is the HCI and anyone can apply [via VFS presumably] to them - if you're from e.g. Manchester you can't apply in Edinburgh. if you're from e.g. Essex you can't apply in Birmingham, but if you're from e.g. Birmingham you CAN apply in London'.
Anyone know more about this?

AndyD 8-)#

That is true - London HCI will accept applications from anywhere in UK, but the others are more region specific.

And to clarify the sitiation on referees...yes EVERYONE should put down 2 UK referees, and they should NOT be relatives. Can't be difficult to come up with 2 names of people you know, surely?

But as far as London HCI goes, for tourist visas you can put NA for the Indian referees. I have never seen an application refused or sent back from the London HCI for having no Indian referees...you can trust me on that.

But...that is only for tourist visas. For any other type of visa you should have Indian referees, even if it is only hotel addresses.

pteron · Feb 21st, 2009, 17:45

Re the Indian references, I was told by visaswift to put in my hotel and the Delhi High Commission.

My visa was granted without problems.

asmithee · Feb 22nd, 2009, 02:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by pteron

Re the Indian references, I was told by visaswift to put in my hotel and the Delhi High Commission.

My visa was granted without problems.

I guess that will work.

But from personal experience I have never seen a tourist visa refused from the London HCI if you just put NA in that field.

But you really have to remember how arbitrary this whole process is...

The 1 year tourist visa is the best example of this.

At present, it seems that few 1 year visas are being granted. But some clearly are...I have seen evidence of that on this very site. It's all a bit hit and miss - literally.

You really are subject to the vagaries and whims of certain people making decisions at HCI. If someone goes on holiday, the person who looks after their job while they are away may take a completely different view and decide to say yes/no at a whim.

I have often had conversations with people bringing what I would consider to be insufficient documentation for their visa...and I could take the attitude of 'we will take it and process it and give it to the HCI, but the final decision is up to them'.

In one sense, it's a win/win situation for VFS/HCI, because they get their money regardless...no refunds, remember?

But...if you are dealing with someone who is flying in less than a week, that's obviously going to cause a big problem if it is refused or returned to VFS asking for more documentation.

Plus...from HCI's perspective, VFS have submitted an application without what they consider to be sufficient documentation, and they are never happy about that. It goes against VFS, they see it as an error.

But the lines are often blurred...it is often not clear what is acceptable and what is not. Sometimes you can clarify things over the phone with the HCI, but not always.

People often think it's a simple question of making a call and asking if they will accept your documents/grant a visa.

It's not.

In a lot of cases, you will not know what decision HCI are going to make until your application literally lands on their desk.

Their rules can change from one day to the next...and I know from personal experience that answers to questions can often be, shall we say...cryptic. You can invariably be none the wiser for asking the question than you were before.

It is by no means any easier for VFS to decipher the workings of the HCI than it is for you guys.

I keep saying it...but embassies are not like companies. You cannot 'complain to the manager', you cannot 'demand to speak to the managing director' or follow the normal escalation procedure...and take a trip down to the HCI itself, and you will likely have the door slammed in your face.

These are the cold, harsh realities. It's a different world, a world of tradition, politics and diplomacy. You may pay your money, but you have no automatic right to a visa...it is granted, at the behest and the good grace of the HCI...or not.

Dare I say it yet again? And at the risk of sounding boring...

For the above named reasons...please, please...DO NOT BOOK FLIGHTS BEFORE YOU GET YOUR VISA!

jazzo · Feb 23rd, 2009, 22:08

Hi,i was wondering what the address i should send my application too,i chose the first address in the drop box on the online application form (victoria-high commission of india,london,but do all applications send to londed need to be sent to this address?:

For High Commision of India, London County Jurisdiction:

India Visa Application Center
1-3, Canalside,
Uxbridge road
Hayes, Middlesex, UB4 0JN.

Which address do i write?

Haylo · Feb 23rd, 2009, 23:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by jazzo

Hi,i was wondering what the address i should send my application too

If you go to the VFS Home Page and click on the Send your application by post link (left side of the homepage two lines down from the title "Submitting your application") you will find this information right at the top of the page:

Quote:

You can complete your visa application form online and send your completed application directly as per your county jurisdiction to the London or Birmingham application centers in the following addresses:

For High Commision of India, London County Jurisdiction:

India Visa Application Center
1-3, Canalside,
Uxbridge road
Hayes, Middlesex, UB4 0JN

The VFS website has been accused many times of being unclear, but this seems remarkably straightforward. I'm sure this will sound rude, but you have obviously seen this page, you even quote part of it in your question, so what part of it don't you understand?

jazzo · Feb 23rd, 2009, 23:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Haylo

If you go to the VFS Home Page and click on the Send your application by post link (left side of the homepage two lines down from the title "Submitting your application") you will find this information right at the top of the page:

The VFS website has been accused many times of being unclear, but this seems remarkably straightforward. I'm sure this will sound rude, but you have obviously seen this page, you even quote part of it in your question, so what part of it don't you understand?

It's just that there are 3-4 different london centers u can send it too?

On the first page of the online application you can choose the place you wish to send it too and there is more than 1 london address...?

Haylo · Feb 23rd, 2009, 23:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by jazzo

It's just that there are 3-4 different london centers u can send it too?

No, there is only one.

There are three London Visa Application Centres that you can TAKE your application to. However, as well as accepting applications in person, VFS also accept postal applications. Only one address is given for postal applications under the London jurisdiction, and you must use it.

Even if VFS pass your application on to the correct office, rather than returning it to you, the post office won't be tracking your passports any more and your application will definitely be delayed, possibly by many weeks if there is a postal backlog at both offices.

jazzo · Feb 23rd, 2009, 23:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Haylo

No, there is only one.

There are three London Visa Application Centres that you can TAKE your application to. However, as well as accepting applications in person, VFS also accept postal applications. Only one address is given for postal applications under the London jurisdiction.

Ok thanks for clearing that up...i dont mean to be dumb on purpose haha

jackjones · Feb 24th, 2009, 01:47

[in reference to asmithee's post #1476 above]

A very good point / post.

Sahulla · Feb 24th, 2009, 02:19

I applied for my Indian Visa today at the office in Victoria, London. I have few tips for people applying in London using non-uk pasports (in my case a NZ passport).

I filled out the application on line and printed it out, paid on line and requested an appointment.

When my number was called (you must take a ticket when you arrive at the office) I handed over the application. They also required my previous passport (with the ancestry visa in it) and a utility bill or bank statement from at least a year ago.

It was all very quick.

Now I just have to wait and see how long it takes to issue the visa.

karuna · Feb 24th, 2009, 02:40

asmithee, can I ask you to take a peek here please:

visa help for non citizens

Many thanks!

cloudchaser · Feb 25th, 2009, 05:04

Hi all

Some great info here and thanks to all contributors so far.

A couple of quick questions

* UK referees - are relatives not allowed? I have read a different responses here and need to confirm.

* If applying for others - does filling form online and printing it require signatures too? In my case the people I am applying for live in Manchester and I am applying to London Victoria office.

Thanks in advance for all help.

Feb 24th, 2009, 01:47	#1482
jackjones Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: London Posts: 17	[in reference to asmithee's post #1476 above] A very good point / post. Last edited by karuna : Feb 24th, 2009 at 02:40. Reason: removing enormo-quote

Feb 24th, 2009, 02:19	#1483
Sahulla Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: London Posts: 10	Applying for an Indian Visa in London on a non-uk passport. I applied for my Indian Visa today at the office in Victoria, London. I have few tips for people applying in London using non-uk pasports (in my case a NZ passport). I filled out the application on line and printed it out, paid on line and requested an appointment. When my number was called (you must take a ticket when you arrive at the office) I handed over the application. They also required my previous passport (with the ancestry visa in it) and a utility bill or bank statement from at least a year ago. It was all very quick. Now I just have to wait and see how long it takes to issue the visa.

Feb 24th, 2009, 02:40	#1484
karuna Just a big girl with a small dream Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: A little town you've probably never heard of Posts: 2,976	asmithee, can I ask you to take a peek here please: visa help for non citizens Many thanks! __________________ Mosquitos suck.

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Feb 20th, 2009, 21:12	#1471
Nick-H This is just a cameo appearance Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 36,213	Paul... November '07 problems were, apparently, largely caused by the Post Office. HCI London has given a good, simple and prompt tourist visa service for many years. People liked to queue up at 8.00am, but it wasn't really necessary. What gets me is that I'm sure that every management meeting at HCI includes self-congratulations on the success of the new system. I'm sure their primary business aims were to offload a considerable percentage of the processing work, and to transfer a considerable percentage of the processing cost to the 'customer'. Well.... aims accomplished, and in the way of modern management, nobody wants to hear that they are wrong --- complaints such as yours will never be read or heard within the walls of HCI. In their ivory towers, all is well. Frustrating, eh? It does seem that VFS process postal applications faster than the 'old' system, to give some credit --- assuming the correct crossing of every t and dotting of every i, of course.

Feb 21st, 2009, 00:27	#1473
a_f_d geek Join Date: May 2007 Location: UK etc. Posts: 237	Spoke to someone senior at VFS Birmingham yesterday about long term visas, they said even PIO's are having trouble getting 2 - 5 year visas but it might be better in London. OH said but we can't apply there and the reply was 'that is a misconception - London is the HCI and anyone can apply [via VFS presumably] to them - if you're from e.g. Manchester you can't apply in Edinburgh. if you're from e.g. Essex you can't apply in Birmingham, but if you're from e.g. Birmingham you CAN apply in London'. Anyone know more about this? AndyD 8-)#

Feb 21st, 2009, 17:45	#1475
pteron Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: UK Posts: 10	Re the Indian references, I was told by visaswift to put in my hotel and the Delhi High Commission. My visa was granted without problems.

Feb 23rd, 2009, 22:08	#1477
jazzo Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: england Posts: 22	Hi,i was wondering what the address i should send my application too,i chose the first address in the drop box on the online application form (victoria-high commission of india,london,but do all applications send to londed need to be sent to this address?: For High Commision of India, London County Jurisdiction: India Visa Application Center 1-3, Canalside, Uxbridge road Hayes, Middlesex, UB4 0JN. Which address do i write?

Feb 25th, 2009, 05:04	#1485
cloudchaser As uncomfortable as a bum on a porcupine. Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: London, UK Posts: 161	Hi all Some great info here and thanks to all contributors so far. A couple of quick questions * UK referees - are relatives not allowed? I have read a different responses here and need to confirm. * If applying for others - does filling form online and printing it require signatures too? In my case the people I am applying for live in Manchester and I am applying to London Victoria office. Thanks in advance for all help.