Birmingham (UK) Consulate changes

ColinT

Sad to hear Tony. Hope things improve for you.

Standing in that queue at 4 in the morning in the freezing English midlands seems a world away now. If anyone hasn't been to India before then don't let those visa problems deter you. It's just that it acts as a deterrent for someone like me (if indeed there is anyone like me) who has been to India about 20 times and every time says this is the final visit. Factor in those visa difficulties and it seems more trouble than its worth, especially as there are so many other places in the world that I have never been to.

patti123

ColinT Hey what you doing on here when you on holiday ! Are you glad you went now ? Your not missing anything in Uk .

ColinT

Yes, its sad Patti. I spend far too much time on the Net. The only thing I tend to miss is my family (well, certain members) and when I feel really down, the tranquility of the English countryside. Apart from that, I never miss anything.

Let's put it this way: I'm glad I came, even if only to find out it was a mistake. See how things go. Only time will tell. I have plans for Jan/Feb here in India, but that is a long way off.

______________________________ ______________________
Rare, rare, rare... two copies spotted on Amazon UK... overpriced though and not the "low price" advertised. But nevertheless well worth buying! (Also saw some on the Canadian and German and French sites. Chasing Rainbows in Chennai

patti123

ColinT Ok i let you off using the internet while you are there.
I am in Goa in Feb, i keep thinking its not that long to go .
Have a curry for me , i am gaging for a vegetable curry i used to get in Krishna restaurant <oh i use the word restaurant loosely there>

pundabee

Update on Birmingham consulate

You can expect a visa on the same day if

1. You are among the first 150 people in the queue.

2. Your flight is within the next 24 hours and you can prove this.

3. You are over 65 years old.

4. You are disabled.

5. You are applying for a business visa.

People in the groups 2-5 should, in case they don't get a ticket (which is given to people queueing), still enter the consulate to get a same-day visa.

We went to Birmingham Consulate yesterday, arrived at 7.30 and were given number 110 of the 150 tickets (incidentally, we didn't need a ticket since we were applying for a business visa, but, of course, we didn't know at this point). The cut-off point seemed to be around 8.00 o'clock. Anyone arriving later would have failed to get a ticket.

The queueing was like this:

7.30 - 9.00: Outside in 5 degrees.
9.00 - 12.00: Inside in a packed and badly designed room.
14.30 - 15.00 (to pick up visa): Outside, still cold.
15.00 - 16.00: Inside.

In short, being two thirds into the queues will present you with approximately 6 hours of queueing.

Our impression of Birmingham consulate is:

1. It is chaotic with very little information, and hour long queues to every desk, including the information desk.

2. Stressed staff. The staff look harassed, and close to breaking point. They don't have time to look at supporting documents (in business visa cases).

3. Incompetence out of the ordinary. For instance, we needed an attestation of documents for setting up an Indian company; a straight forward verification of two photos and our UK address. This is a standard service which they were incapable of providing.

4. Due to the panicky nature of Birmingham consulate it is very difficult to get through on the phone.

Conclusion: If you have the time, use postal application. If you need a business visa (unless it is a straight forward one) or document attestation you should go to London. Edinburgh is now closed for English residents (shouting obscenities if you live in the north of England is justified just testing smilies).

patti123

Thanks pundabee for telling us .

I am going to post mine as there is no way i can get there before 8am .
At least we now have the option of posting .

patti123

My friend posted her visa application 2 weeks ago to Birmingham and got it back today . So its what they say it is.10 working days ........ 2 weeks .

OutandAbout

Got my visa at the Liverpool visa surgery today.
The team brought 500 visas with them and issued them all. This time last year only 200 were required.
Word of warning though: Due to one team being 'relieved of the days takings' at Manchester it is strictly postal orders only at surgeries

patti123

OutandAbout. Thats good for you that you got a visa surgery near to you. There are none down the south east.

htid

I'm quite annoyed now. I read that you shouldn't get a visa too early, so I waited until now, since we'll be going in about a month and a half.

I thought I could simply post the application, which should take about 15 days (well 15 working days min, according to the HCI website). I didn't realise you have to send them your passport though! I'm going to Germany in 12 working days and need my passport for then obviously. I then thought I could send it from Germany and have it sent back. Rang up to ask and she said no (I guess because the address woulkdn't match the application address?) but that I coudld have it sent to my parents, at my home address and they could forward it on. But then she said it can take 3-4 weeks to come! we are going 4 weeks after I arrive in Germany, what if it doesn't get back in time?

So my last option (I think) is to go and get the visa in person, but I can only go this Tuesday. Reading this thread it sounds like I'll be lucky to even get it done at B'ham! Do you think it will be THAT busy even at this time of the year? Will I still need to arrive at 4am to have a chance?

I tried to ring the numbers on the website to ask, but the visa numbers are constantly engaged and the B'ham number, well, I get through but then it rings and nobody ever answers 8-)

Any other advice as to what I can do (I am right that you have to send your passport, yes?)

Cheers for any help!

Boomer

I had all sorts of problems, with visas, mostly my own fault but
we recently applied for visas, sent uncrossed postal orders, and it took just six days for the visas to come.We did try in October to get visas at Birmingham and gave up after waiting two hours in a queue that never seemed to move,

ColinT

That sounds good. So it was a normal six month tourist visa and you applied by post directly to the consulate?

Also, does anyone know if you can apply and receive a new visa while your old visa is still valid?

The Madras Diaries

OutandAbout

Check the HCI website for mobile visa surgeries around the country for a same day visa. ....... Dont forget though its £40 and they only take postal orders.

ColinT

Yes, just checked OutandAbout. There's one in my city coming up in April!

Anyone been to one of these visa surgeries before? If so, what was the experience like? Also, as I asked in my previous post, will they give me a new visa even though I'll still have a few weeks left on my old one?

(OutandAbout, just read about your experience at Liverpool, where I intend to go - much queuing?)

The Madras Diaries

LizaLou

Am going to Goa on Friday 28th March. Going to Birmingham on Tuesday 25th for a visa. Going by posts I have read , am aiming to get there for about 7am. Has anybody been recently and were there any problems?

Many thanks

LL