Birmingham (UK) Consulate changes

Dilliwala

We've been getting hit with similar charges by agents of some foreign missions as well - Britain, Singapore, Germany, to name a few; there are others. And it's nothing new. E.g. Germany's agent charges the equivalent of 5 Euro. I suppose that's purchasing power parity at work - 5 Euros in India buying more or less the same as 30 quid in Britain? Where there is no PPP is in visa fees. I know of no Western Embassy which charges less than Rs. 2000 for a visa from Indians. Which is like a third of a person's wages, in some cases. I doubt it's the same for u.

tonylittle

Sorry 5 Euros is not 30 pounds, come back when you have your facts right sorry that rude of me, the problem is last year i paid 30 pounds for a visa that ok ,this year its 30 pounds for visa plus 30 pounds for a travel agent fee which is 4800rps .in total. up 100 percent


Tony

Dilliwala

Hmmm, if you wud care to read my msg again, with a little more care this time, I had said "5 Euros in India", which works out to Rs. 300 approx. Now, based on the concept of PPP, which I'm presuming u understand, the issue is whether Rs. 300 buys the same in India as 30 quid in Britain. If u disagree with that, feel free to knock it down. Other than that, it's a no-brainer that 5 Euros on the continent buys a lot less than 30 quid in Britain.
As to your point on the extra charge, yes, it may seem harsh that your visa now costs double. But that money is not being charged by the Indian govt, it goes to the agents.
So? We've been having to pay extra to agents of foreign missions in India for a few years. As usual, the Indian govt is late in catching up with international practices, as I've pointed out elsewhere . I think I shud complain to someone!

Nick-H

You're Wrong!!!!!!!!!




Rs.3,000 is nearer to Forty Quid!

Apart from that I can't comment, as us Brits never got into that Euro thing!

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IndiaMike Mod Team (The Grumpy One)

tonylittle

The whole of life lies in the verb seeing,be happy

Sorry Tony

Dilliwala

Oh dear. Now we are talking figures that were not even in the discussion at all. So I can't even figure out how or why I'm wrong.
Please explain. Better still - don't. I'm sure I won't be able to bend my mind around it.

Nick-H

I make Rs.3000 (at 80) to be £37.50, but my mind is already too bent by the figuring so I'm happy to be called out

However much we are forced to pay an agent on top of the visa fee is too much .

That I feel sure of!

goangoangone

Stop arguing http://www.xe.com/ucc/

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GoanGoan......here

Nick-H

We finished that argument already!

None of us were that enthusiastic about it, so we only went for the five-minute argument

ribblerat

Well a mate of mine has just got back from the High Commission in Birmingham, after a very early start, after the pub closed he caught the last train to Birmingham, got to the High commission with a take out from the pub no doubt with him, he was in the first lot of people in line, after what had seemed a long night the doors opened they left the first lot of people in, my mate was a little worried that he was not with them, then they asked was anyone flying within the next few days and if they could prove it they would issue a Visa to them, my mate just happened to have his ticket on him, so lucky enough he got his visa and is Bangalore bound on Saturday as planned ( lucky git.. )

Boomer

A total mix-up has occurred, I flew to India in 1999, without a viza, I gathered that because of world terrorism, I would need one to fly this year. There I rang the high Consulate in Aldwych London, the lady there asked me some questions, and said that Idid not require a visa, I gave it no other thought. Today we tried to fly to Mumbai, and were refused flight because of no visa. I am a uk passport holder, I can not understand why i was told I did not need a drink permit nor a visa, I can only think that somewhere during our conversationin she thought i was an Indian National.

So here we are still in the UK, trying to get a Visa quick, Birmingham is nearer than london, so the best thing is to take our tickets i guess and hope for the best.

We had internal flight arranged , how easy will it be to swap some of these? I am ignorant, no doubt, but I have been planning this trip for about 3 months and the subject of Visa has not been mentioned, I should have read this Forum more closely.

tonylittle

You must be gutted i feel for you good luck at birmingham

tony

patti123

I dont think your internal flights can be swapped or you can get your cash back.I have booked internal flights and i remember reading it was non refundable .That was with Spice Jet

Just seen the Indian high commission is shut on the 9th + 24 of Nov so no visas being given out those days

Mickey S

A drink permit?

patti123

I just put this on another thread running here .Looks promising

http://www.hcilondon.net/visa/visa-issues.html