The visa question ?

johnbmain

Last year i came across an article in the Indian press that claimed the visa section of the High Commission in London was being privatised and would be re-located to a dedicated premises in central London. It also said that in future,to avoid the confusion over 5 year residency visas and having to register with the police, they would be issuing 5 year tourist visas valid for 180 days for each visit, then you would have leave and re-enter.The cost was going to be around £90.The reason given was that over 400,000 visas were issued by the High Commission in London and that because of the queues and the demand it represented a security risk. I know they have done it in the USA already-off sited not the 5 year visas.Does any one have any information regarding this situation ? I have quite a few friends who are largely permanent residents in India and have put down roots there and are now coming to the end of their 5 year residency visas. Its a worrying situation.