this may be important: Visa Outsourcing

burbujasdeamor · Nov 18th, 2007, 03:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by fajitanumerouno

Don't get Visa too soon, its good from the date they put it in your passport.
Val

They're very generously, it's 6 months automatically, not 3 months any more

pontesnm · Nov 18th, 2007, 04:05

I would like to remind everyone that the US govt first outsourced the processing of US visas to Indian citizens in India (in 2006 I believe). The US also requires a personal interview of all Indian citizens who wish to get a US tourist visa in India. In 2006 July, the wait for a personal interview in Mumbai for a tourist visa for Indian citizens was 6 MONTHS!! My mother applied for a US visa in July 2006.

In comparison, getting an Indian visa in the US for US citizens seems like a piece of cake - my siblings and I are all US citizens. No personal interview, everything done by mail, and a much faster turnaround,

the opoponax · Nov 18th, 2007, 04:14

There's a fascinating description of the India-to-USA visa process in Kiran Desai's novel The Inheritance of Loss.

I also recall it being just shy of impossible to secure visas for any of the Indian crew of the Bollywood film I worked on. Especially the ones with Muslim-sounding names that didn't happen to have the initials S.R.K. and rhyme with Ma Book Dawn. Several minor league "assistant to the 2nd 2nd assistant camera" type people had to be left behind, in fact.

Nick-H · Nov 18th, 2007, 09:23

Yes... I understand Darwish's personal frustrations, but I'm afraid "normal" in this context, could be very, very much worse than the average Brit or US experience of getting an Indian visa.

Sure, I wish they'd lighten up too. Visa-on-arrival for tourists has been discussed many times over the years, but they always find some reason not to do it, or else just let it slip away.

Indian government has a engrained control-freak attitude. And visa policies seem to be tightening up, rather than relaxing.

Sama · Nov 18th, 2007, 09:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by fajitanumerouno

However what I really want to say is the turnaround time from these people was fantastic. Less then 1 week total.

come to chicago. in and out. one day. go in morning, pick up in afternoon.

burbujasdeamor · Nov 19th, 2007, 04:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick-H

Indian government has a engrained control-freak attitude. And visa policies seem to be tightening up, rather than relaxing.

Not as control-freakish as the US govt. That's probably why some of the countries are "retaliating" by charging extra high fees for US citizens' applications. There is a US$20 difference for US and non-US citizens.

And YOGAGAL is right, it's usually a same day service here in the US, as long as your passport is received by 11:00am. Just don't go after a long weekend and the lines won't be too bad.

nanstallon · Dec 3rd, 2007, 02:28

Globally, the whole visa business had been gradually improving until the events of 11 September 2001. Since then, US paranoia with treating everyone as their enemy to be fingerprinted and data checked in case 20 years ago, they criticised Uncle Sam, has led to retaliation and innocent travellers/ tourists (OK, that word includes me!) get caught in the crossfire.

I found Indian immigration procedure desperately slow, but not oppressive. All part of the culture!

John

the opoponax · Dec 3rd, 2007, 02:40

Quote:

treating everyone as their enemy to be fingerprinted and data checked in case 20 years ago, they criticised Uncle Sam

It's not even much worse than that for US citizens, anymore...

KatieKay · Jan 22nd, 2008, 08:06

I just dealt with this today. I had planned to get our visas in New York the day before we leave for Delhi. I was informed, however, that residents of Florida can only get visas from Travisa's office in Houston!

As we leave for New York in less than a week, and we fly to Delhi in nine days, a trip to Houston is just about impossible! The Houston office said that if we overnight our documents to family in Houston, anyone can take our documents in and pick up our visas, then overnight them back to us. So on top of the $13 fee that Travisa charges, we have to pay over $100 to overnight the documents. Grrrr. Oh well, at least we'll be in India soon...

Nov 18th, 2007, 09:23	#49
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 24,468	Yes... I understand Darwish's personal frustrations, but I'm afraid "normal" in this context, could be very, very much worse than the average Brit or US experience of getting an Indian visa. Sure, I wish they'd lighten up too. Visa-on-arrival for tourists has been discussed many times over the years, but they always find some reason not to do it, or else just let it slip away. Indian government has a engrained control-freak attitude. And visa policies seem to be tightening up, rather than relaxing. __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

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Nov 18th, 2007, 04:05	#47
pontesnm Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Bardez/Mumbai/New Jersey (USA) Posts: 218	I would like to remind everyone that the US govt first outsourced the processing of US visas to Indian citizens in India (in 2006 I believe). The US also requires a personal interview of all Indian citizens who wish to get a US tourist visa in India. In 2006 July, the wait for a personal interview in Mumbai for a tourist visa for Indian citizens was 6 MONTHS!! My mother applied for a US visa in July 2006. In comparison, getting an Indian visa in the US for US citizens seems like a piece of cake - my siblings and I are all US citizens. No personal interview, everything done by mail, and a much faster turnaround,

Nov 18th, 2007, 04:14	#48
the opoponax Maha Guru Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Brooklyn, via New Orleans Posts: 1,054	There's a fascinating description of the India-to-USA visa process in Kiran Desai's novel The Inheritance of Loss. I also recall it being just shy of impossible to secure visas for any of the Indian crew of the Bollywood film I worked on. Especially the ones with Muslim-sounding names that didn't happen to have the initials S.R.K. and rhyme with Ma Book Dawn. Several minor league "assistant to the 2nd 2nd assistant camera" type people had to be left behind, in fact.

Dec 3rd, 2007, 02:28	#52
nanstallon Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Cornwall, UK Posts: 42	Globally, the whole visa business had been gradually improving until the events of 11 September 2001. Since then, US paranoia with treating everyone as their enemy to be fingerprinted and data checked in case 20 years ago, they criticised Uncle Sam, has led to retaliation and innocent travellers/ tourists (OK, that word includes me!) get caught in the crossfire. I found Indian immigration procedure desperately slow, but not oppressive. All part of the culture! John

Jan 22nd, 2008, 08:06	#54
KatieKay Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 5	I just dealt with this today. I had planned to get our visas in New York the day before we leave for Delhi. I was informed, however, that residents of Florida can only get visas from Travisa's office in Houston! As we leave for New York in less than a week, and we fly to Delhi in nine days, a trip to Houston is just about impossible! The Houston office said that if we overnight our documents to family in Houston, anyone can take our documents in and pick up our visas, then overnight them back to us. So on top of the $13 fee that Travisa charges, we have to pay over $100 to overnight the documents. Grrrr. Oh well, at least we'll be in India soon...

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