Getting a Visa in Sydney, Australia.

Bex · Oct 2nd, 2007, 10:57

1. Get to the Consulate by 9am. I am not kidding. We arrived at 9.45am and were ticket numbers 69 + 70. (we got served at 12.10pm)

2. Allow 2 hours or more. The do not take applications past 12.30pm, so if its 12.25pm and there are 5 people still in front of you they will tell you to try again tomorro. (happened to the lady next to us).
Also be prepared for only one counter to be open. The other staff are on tea breaks

3. They now have a drop off box - the turn around is a week. You put your visa application, your passport and a money order for $75 in an envelope, and drop it in the box that says "Incredible India". Apparently you can call them to check its process as well (you cant get a receipt though).

4. The fastest turn around they do is 4 business days - even if they say they can do it faster. Most likely not true (2 other people were trying to get faster visas and told us about it).

5. If you need to get a fast visa and you are flying to Australia - try the Brisbane consulate. A lady sitting next to us said last time her visa there took 48 hours and there is hardly a queue. Unlike the 100 or so people at Sydney.

Shark · Oct 2nd, 2007, 12:48

I too have experienced the Consulate in Sydney and the very much India like queues. But I have now circumnavigated the whole problem by getting to know a senior administrator in the consulate who kindly fast tracks my visa applications without any hassle and no need to go to consulate.

If you have at least three weeks before departing then that is ample time to rely upon the post and for processing time and no need to personally attend consulate. Simple.

Prott · Oct 2nd, 2007, 14:52

Check the price before you post your MO - mine cost $90 through brisvegas.

Shark · Oct 2nd, 2007, 17:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prott

Check the price before you post your MO - mine cost $90 through brisvegas.

What is an MO?

Prott · Oct 2nd, 2007, 17:29

Money Order. They don't like personal cheques..

Aishah · Oct 2nd, 2007, 18:15

Sydney office has always been appalling and most unhelpful - long ago, I decided to do mine in a neighbouring country visiting rels. at the same time. After two experiences with them in the late 90's, gave up!

richie4india · Oct 2nd, 2007, 18:42

[quote=Bex;388640]1. Get to the Consulate by 9am. I am not kidding. We arrived at 9.45am and were ticket numbers 69 + 70. (we got served at 12.10pm)

2. Allow 2 hours or more. The do not take applications past 12.30pm, so if its 12.25pm and there are 5 people still in front of you they will tell you to try again tomorro. (happened to the lady next to us).
Also be prepared for only one counter to be open. The other staff are on tea breaks

.............................. .............................. ............................

WOW...145 minutes to serve you at only 69 & 70 that is slowwwww! Well if they are all on tea then that will be why.

In London they drink their tea on the counter and eat their biscuits.

In London I got to the embassy at 8.20am and was given my Queue card at 9.15am. I was 155, 156 & 157 and was served about 60 minutes later. They had 4 ladies on, I think!

julz · Oct 2nd, 2007, 19:13

wow! 3 years ago the Melbourne Embassy was exactly the same... it took forever and the staff weren't very helpful...
I went last week..... all prepared for the long haul........ got there at 9.30 and we were finished by 10am.. I couldn't believe it.....

...
I wonder why it's got better down here???? Bizarre

iwanttogoback · Oct 2nd, 2007, 20:59

i don't think there is a counter in perth. you leave your application with the receptionist and come back a week later and it's done.

Shark · Oct 3rd, 2007, 07:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prott

Check the price before you post your MO - mine cost $90 through brisvegas.

A money order at the post office here costs $2.50 and then $75.00 for the visa!

Oct 2nd, 2007, 10:57	#1
Bex knitta! Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 106	Getting a Visa in Sydney, Australia. 1. Get to the Consulate by 9am. I am not kidding. We arrived at 9.45am and were ticket numbers 69 + 70. (we got served at 12.10pm) 2. Allow 2 hours or more. The do not take applications past 12.30pm, so if its 12.25pm and there are 5 people still in front of you they will tell you to try again tomorro. (happened to the lady next to us). Also be prepared for only one counter to be open. The other staff are on tea breaks 3. They now have a drop off box - the turn around is a week. You put your visa application, your passport and a money order for $75 in an envelope, and drop it in the box that says "Incredible India". Apparently you can call them to check its process as well (you cant get a receipt though). 4. The fastest turn around they do is 4 business days - even if they say they can do it faster. Most likely not true (2 other people were trying to get faster visas and told us about it). 5. If you need to get a fast visa and you are flying to Australia - try the Brisbane consulate. A lady sitting next to us said last time her visa there took 48 hours and there is hardly a queue. Unlike the 100 or so people at Sydney.

Oct 2nd, 2007, 18:15	#6
Aishah She-who-must-be-obeyed! Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Jaisalmer Posts: 4,459	Sydney office has always been appalling and most unhelpful - long ago, I decided to do mine in a neighbouring country visiting rels. at the same time. After two experiences with them in the late 90's, gave up! __________________ "Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards."

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Oct 2nd, 2007, 12:48	#2
Shark Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Australia, New South Wales Posts: 158	I too have experienced the Consulate in Sydney and the very much India like queues. But I have now circumnavigated the whole problem by getting to know a senior administrator in the consulate who kindly fast tracks my visa applications without any hassle and no need to go to consulate. If you have at least three weeks before departing then that is ample time to rely upon the post and for processing time and no need to personally attend consulate. Simple.

Oct 2nd, 2007, 14:52	#3
Prott Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Australia Posts: 12	Check the price before you post your MO - mine cost $90 through brisvegas.

Oct 2nd, 2007, 17:29	#5
Prott Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Australia Posts: 12	Money Order. They don't like personal cheques..

Oct 2nd, 2007, 18:42	#7
richie4india Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: London Posts: 163	[quote=Bex;388640]1. Get to the Consulate by 9am. I am not kidding. We arrived at 9.45am and were ticket numbers 69 + 70. (we got served at 12.10pm) 2. Allow 2 hours or more. The do not take applications past 12.30pm, so if its 12.25pm and there are 5 people still in front of you they will tell you to try again tomorro. (happened to the lady next to us). Also be prepared for only one counter to be open. The other staff are on tea breaks .............................. .............................. ............................ WOW...145 minutes to serve you at only 69 & 70 that is slowwwww! Well if they are all on tea then that will be why. In London they drink their tea on the counter and eat their biscuits. In London I got to the embassy at 8.20am and was given my Queue card at 9.15am. I was 155, 156 & 157 and was served about 60 minutes later. They had 4 ladies on, I think!

Oct 2nd, 2007, 19:13	#8
julz Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: melbourne Posts: 99	wow! 3 years ago the Melbourne Embassy was exactly the same... it took forever and the staff weren't very helpful... I went last week..... all prepared for the long haul........ got there at 9.30 and we were finished by 10am.. I couldn't believe it..... ... I wonder why it's got better down here???? Bizarre

Oct 2nd, 2007, 20:59	#9
iwanttogoback is sorry Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: perth Posts: 1,542	i don't think there is a counter in perth. you leave your application with the receptionist and come back a week later and it's done.

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