High Commission London - postal applications

Just wanted to say that I posted off my passport, form, photos & fees by special delivery last Thursday, and received the fully visa-ed up passports back this morning...truly impressive.

Good. They are pretty efficient in London, and if they have no reason to query anything it is just a rubber-stamp job.

Enjoy your trip!

Hmm, I'm wondering if I should risk a postal application. I'm leaving on the 3rd March. Does anyone know what happens if my application isn't processed promptly, can I intervene in person?

Wow, that is amazing. We're off again 18th March and had planned on taking a day off work again to spend the day queuing/waiting/queueing. We did think about postal but were not sure (ie what happends if they get lost/stolen in the post?).

Has anybody used this method? Can anyone else comment?

We used the postal method and although we posted it over the xmas holiday,we still got it back promptly.
nicci

I would definitely recommend using this method. As all post has to be sent (and returned) Special Delivery, it's just about as safe as the Royal Mail gets (mmmmm, recent reports on 'lost post' notwithstanding ).

I've used this method twice, and both times our passports and visas were returned well within two weeks.

I wouldn't risk it - you're in London, so I would make the application in person.

My last visa took over 3 weeks to be returned. There was no problem with the application so it was simply a rubber stamp job - but delays can happen!

Cheers for the response. With a bit more time before my departure I might consider it, but as it's my first trip I've enough stress without watching for the postman. Anyway part of me feels I should attend in person at least once as I've been told that visiting the High Commission is the beginning of my introduction to India

This is true, your India experience begins with the High Commission.

The usual reminder: whatever the office hours, you must be there before 12.00 midday or they will not give you a queue ticket and you won't get in.

Recommended you get there around 8.00am!

For those tempted to go to the CGI in Birmingham be warned that people have started to queue extra early so they can get one of the 200 or so tickets available each day.

Of cause as with most such things you always get some nobs who turn up late because their uncle or someone is a councillour and they manage to get special treatment.

Last June, I was there (London) at 7.45 and was number 46. Once the doors open,things happen fairly quickly.

I'm dreading it as I'm definitely not a morning person and London is freezing at the moment. Slap me if I complain I'm too hot in a couple of weeks

For those fortunate souls who do not live in the Big Wen, the HCI holds "Visa Surgeries" around the UK.

As with the HCI London, you should arrive early and take a book, sandwiches and a sense of humour!

The calendar for 2006 is as follows:

1.
Blackburn
16.12.2006
Banger Street Community Centre,
Norwich Street, Blackburn, Lancashire
Tel.No.01254-691551

2.
Bradford
25.03.2006
05.08.2006
07.10.2006
Hindu Cultural Centre
321 Leeds Road, Bradford –BD3
Tel.01274543145/01274725923

3.
Batley
26.08.2006
Al-Hikmah Cebtre, Hyrstlands
28-Track Road, Batley,
West-Yorkkshire WF1 77AA
Tel.01924500555

4.
Coventry
18.02.2006
13.05.2006
12.08.2006
24.06.2006
28.10.2006
Nanksar Gurdwara
Guru Sikh Temple, 224-226 Folehill
Road, Coventry VC1 4HW
Tel. No.02476220434/02476220805
Venue of the surgeries will be communicated later
Indian Community Centre Association,
Cross road, Foleshill, Coventry
CV6 5GP
Tel.02476680899

5.
Huddersfield
18.11.2006
Sikh Leisure Centre, Prospect Street
Spingwood, Huddershled, HD1 2NX
Tel.No.01484450650

6.
Leeds
21.01.2006
29.07.2006
30.9.2006
02.12.2006
Sikh Community & Sports Centre,
62-B, Tong Road, Armley, Leeds
LS12 ILZ
Tel. 01132636525
Sikh Community Centre
128, Chapel town Road, Leeds
LS7 (Tel.01132625645)

7.
Leicester
04.02.2006
11.03.2006
14.10.2006
11.11.2006
09.12.2006
Shri Lohana Mahajan Community Centre, Hildyard Road (Off-Roff Walk)
Leicester LE4 5 GG
Tel. 01162661367

8.
Luton
01.04.2006
02.09.2006
Sanathan Sewa Samaj, Hereford Road, Luton LU4 OPS
Tel. 01582663414

9.
Liverpool
09.09.2006
The Hindu Cultural Organisation
253, Edge Lane, Liverpool L7 2PH
Tel. 01512637975

10.
Manchester
04.11.2006
Gandhi Hall, Brunswick Road,
Withington, Manchester, M20 9QB
Tel.01614451134

11.
Preston
14.01.2006
29.04.2006
Unity Community Centre
5-6 Shepherd Street
Avenham
Preston
PR1 3YD
Tel: 01772 825 665

12.
Nottingham
28.01.2006
23.09.2006
25.11.2006
Indian community Centre Association,
Rawson Street, New Basford,
Nottingham NG7 7FR
Tel.01159785985

13.
Wolverhampton
07.01.2006
Guru Nanak Sikh Temple,
205-206 Lea Road, Pennfield,
Wolverhampton
Tel 019027710289

If you're near an area with a high concentration of Indians, I'd recommend calling one of the local travel agents to see if they will get your visa for you. Many make regular visits to the nearest consulate, with maybe 10-50 applications. As such, they can charge a low fee to do all the legwork for you.

The chap I use charges a tenner. Anymore than that is a bit steep, and is indicative of an operation that doesn't make regular runs. You should avoid these, as they may not have arrangements in place with the embassy to do bulk applications (the good ones do).

Of course, it's only useful if you're near an Indian-run travel agent, otherwise you will be better off with a postal or personal application.

sanj