Visa Application process (from Australia)

AusE · Sep 3rd, 2009, 15:38

wow, happy days!! even in Aus it's Incredible India!!!

Khrystene · Sep 3rd, 2009, 17:17

Good lord! What a nightmare that site and the processes for getting an Indian visa are!!
I was hoping it'd be marginally easier than getting my Polish citizenship (I hold 2, Australian and Polish) and I see it's actually worse. *laughs*

Anyway, at least the fee for Polish nationals is cheaper than the one for Australians!

Aishah · Sep 3rd, 2009, 17:31

I have made this thread a sticky, so it's easy for our "downunder" members
to find latest information.

Re Jaisalmer permit - not necessary unless you anticipate travelling outside the 45km radius within which anyone who is not an Indian citizen must stay inside. Getting a permit is a matter of going to the Collector's office, in the buildings opposite the government hospital. I imagine a long drawn out process taking several hours if it is anything like the one I got in Barmer to visit some temples. Took us about 4 hours, leaving little time for the visit!

kettricken · Sep 9th, 2009, 18:59

There's a VFS office in Adelaide now, making the whole process much easier for us South Aussies. It's just off Grote Street near the central market. I've been in there a few times now and the queue has only been a couple of people long each time.

I actually had a valid tourist visa (expires Oct 09) but I am heading back soon and will be there beyond the expiry date. I was pleased to find they were happy to cancel the visa and issue a brand new one for me, without any problems.

My previous visa was issued in Kathmandu - compared to that experience, getting a visa at home is a breeze!

javaire · Sep 10th, 2009, 13:21

Thank you all so much for the information, after having spent some time myself dancing acoss the VFS Webpage I am so happy that I found this sticky.

Another question for the collective brains trust if I may

The Checklist and Form A I can understand, but the photo's dimensions being 2'x 2'? Does anyone have a suggestion as to where I can get a photo in this format taken / printed in Canberra?

My thanks in advance, Jav

Aishah · Sep 10th, 2009, 13:49

isn't that the standard passport photo? If it's slightly bigger you cut it to size. I'm taking it that you mean 2inches x 2 inches?

alouise · Sep 10th, 2009, 14:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by javaire

Thank you all so much for the information, after having spent some time myself dancing acoss the VFS Webpage I am so happy that I found this sticky.

Another question for the collective brains trust if I may

The Checklist and Form A I can understand, but the photo's dimensions being 2'x 2'? Does anyone have a suggestion as to where I can get a photo in this format taken / printed in Canberra?

My thanks in advance, Jav

Jav, you just get an ordinary passport photo and glue it onto the much smaller square in the top right hand corner of the form. I didn't bother measuring the photo to check if it was "regulation size" - it did look a bit larger than the form was designed for - but I still got my visa, no worries.

vireya · Sep 10th, 2009, 15:51

Yes, the photo doesn't have to be 2 foot by 2 foot! It's 2 inches, which is about 5cm.

Just get a standard passport photo from a chemist or a railway station photo booth. In the Melbourne VFS office there is a photo booth you can use, don't know about other offices. But the staff don't give change to use the machine, you have to have what it takes (which I'm sorry, I can't remember now what it was).

obione980 · Sep 11th, 2009, 13:55

Got mine from Brisbane VFS office - just on a year ago.

The submission was completed in about 20 minutes - and the (Indian) clerks helpful.

After submission from Brisbane you have to wait 7 days for the return of your passport with its visa sticker. The visa itself can only be issued by a High Commission or Consulate-General apparently.

The VFS web site for Brisbane was not very helpful. It indicated incorrect requirements - had broken links to download pages - and stated categorically that cash was needed (not so - they had an eftpos terminal).

Shivani Skydancer · Sep 28th, 2009, 07:30

Has anyone been refused a tourist visa? There's no reason why I should be refused, but I am a worrier by nature when something so important as going to India is involved ...

Partly it started me off thinking negatively after reading that thread about the retired English couple who were refused a tourist visa for apparently no reason. Some replies stated that there is no guarantee to be granted a visa, and they can refuse arbitrarily. Also some IM'ers are saying that India is making it tougher and tougher to get visas. Why would they be doing that? Aren't we bringing in our hard earned dollars, which boosts their valuable tourism economy?

Also, I'm wondering why is it now no longer required to submit a copy of your return ticket with the visa application? Now they are saying :" Don't book your tickets until you get your visa."

That is not practical! How can one leave the flight bookings till the last week? Your travel dates may be booked out, especially in the peak seasons. What's more, the cheap seats go on sale months before. People make plans for travel several months in advance. Isn't that normal? It makes me worry..

Aishah · Sep 28th, 2009, 10:34

People who have many back to back Tourist Visas are the ones who would be more worried than you I think Shivani - there seems in recent years to be a 'crackdown' on this. I have never come across personally anyone who has been refused a tourist visa. My Oz friend recently had quite a time getting her entry visa, and it took longer than she expected but she did get it in the end.

Re the plane tickets - this one is tricky, particularly since your visa starts from the date of approval, not from when you want to fly out. If this is the rule from Oz IHC, not much you can do really.

Shivani Skydancer · Sep 28th, 2009, 10:50

Thank you Aishah

I only had one back to back visa. In January, I applied for a 3 month new visa in Kathmandu. I left India in early April, on the last day of visa validity. So it will be 7 months in Australia till my intended return to India beginning of November.

This will be my 4th Indian visa since my first trip in Aug 2006. Would they regard that as too much?

nycank · Sep 28th, 2009, 11:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shivani Skydancer

Thank you Aishah

I only had one back to back visa. In January, I applied for a 3 month new visa in Kathmandu. I left India in early April, on the last day of visa validity. So it will be 7 months in Australia till my intended return to India beginning of November.

This will be my 4th Indian visa since my first trip in Aug 2006. Would they regard that as too much?

You should not have much trouble. Unless they suspect other than tourist motives.

staremperor73 · Sep 28th, 2009, 13:06

I did not think getting an Indian visa from Oz would be so difficult

Has anyone tried to get one from Perth?

I am feeling a little stressed now

Aishah · Sep 28th, 2009, 15:03

Shivani - I don't think your case is a problem either. It's many years of back to back tourist visas they are more concerned about.

Sep 3rd, 2009, 17:17	#17
Khrystene Traveller Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Australia Posts: 7	Good lord! What a nightmare that site and the processes for getting an Indian visa are!! I was hoping it'd be marginally easier than getting my Polish citizenship (I hold 2, Australian and Polish) and I see it's actually worse. laughs Anyway, at least the fee for Polish nationals is cheaper than the one for Australians! __________________ "Courage ! Despite all bodily weaknesses my spirit shall rule." ~ Ludwig Van Beethoven "Ja jednak będę mówił stojąc, bo już swoje odsiedziałem i męczy mnie to siedzenie." ~ Władysław Bartoszewski

Sep 3rd, 2009, 17:31	#18
Aishah She-who-must-be-obeyed! Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Jaisalmer Posts: 7,624	I have made this thread a sticky, so it's easy for our "downunder" members to find latest information. Re Jaisalmer permit - not necessary unless you anticipate travelling outside the 45km radius within which anyone who is not an Indian citizen must stay inside. Getting a permit is a matter of going to the Collector's office, in the buildings opposite the government hospital. I imagine a long drawn out process taking several hours if it is anything like the one I got in Barmer to visit some temples. Took us about 4 hours, leaving little time for the visit! __________________ "Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards."

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Sep 3rd, 2009, 15:38	#16
AusE Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Delhi Posts: 227	wow, happy days!! even in Aus it's Incredible India!!!

Sep 9th, 2009, 18:59	#19
kettricken Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Australia Posts: 2	There's a VFS office in Adelaide now, making the whole process much easier for us South Aussies. It's just off Grote Street near the central market. I've been in there a few times now and the queue has only been a couple of people long each time. I actually had a valid tourist visa (expires Oct 09) but I am heading back soon and will be there beyond the expiry date. I was pleased to find they were happy to cancel the visa and issue a brand new one for me, without any problems. My previous visa was issued in Kathmandu - compared to that experience, getting a visa at home is a breeze!

Sep 10th, 2009, 13:21	#20
javaire Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Canberra, Australia Posts: 2	Thank you all so much for the information, after having spent some time myself dancing acoss the VFS Webpage I am so happy that I found this sticky. Another question for the collective brains trust if I may The Checklist and Form A I can understand, but the photo's dimensions being 2'x 2'? Does anyone have a suggestion as to where I can get a photo in this format taken / printed in Canberra? My thanks in advance, Jav

Sep 10th, 2009, 13:49	#21
Aishah She-who-must-be-obeyed! Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Jaisalmer Posts: 7,624	isn't that the standard passport photo? If it's slightly bigger you cut it to size. I'm taking it that you mean 2inches x 2 inches?

Sep 10th, 2009, 15:51	#23
vireya Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 425	Yes, the photo doesn't have to be 2 foot by 2 foot! It's 2 inches, which is about 5cm. Just get a standard passport photo from a chemist or a railway station photo booth. In the Melbourne VFS office there is a photo booth you can use, don't know about other offices. But the staff don't give change to use the machine, you have to have what it takes (which I'm sorry, I can't remember now what it was).

Sep 11th, 2009, 13:55	#24
obione980 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Brisbane Posts: 381	Got mine from Brisbane VFS office - just on a year ago. The submission was completed in about 20 minutes - and the (Indian) clerks helpful. After submission from Brisbane you have to wait 7 days for the return of your passport with its visa sticker. The visa itself can only be issued by a High Commission or Consulate-General apparently. The VFS web site for Brisbane was not very helpful. It indicated incorrect requirements - had broken links to download pages - and stated categorically that cash was needed (not so - they had an eftpos terminal).

Sep 28th, 2009, 07:30	#25
Shivani Skydancer ॐ Ψ ॐ Ψ ॐ Join Date: May 2008 Location: Australia Posts: 240	Has anyone been refused a tourist visa? There's no reason why I should be refused, but I am a worrier by nature when something so important as going to India is involved ... Partly it started me off thinking negatively after reading that thread about the retired English couple who were refused a tourist visa for apparently no reason. Some replies stated that there is no guarantee to be granted a visa, and they can refuse arbitrarily. Also some IM'ers are saying that India is making it tougher and tougher to get visas. Why would they be doing that? Aren't we bringing in our hard earned dollars, which boosts their valuable tourism economy? Also, I'm wondering why is it now no longer required to submit a copy of your return ticket with the visa application? Now they are saying :" Don't book your tickets until you get your visa." That is not practical! How can one leave the flight bookings till the last week? Your travel dates may be booked out, especially in the peak seasons. What's more, the cheap seats go on sale months before. People make plans for travel several months in advance. Isn't that normal? It makes me worry..

Sep 28th, 2009, 10:34	#26
Aishah She-who-must-be-obeyed! Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Jaisalmer Posts: 7,624	People who have many back to back Tourist Visas are the ones who would be more worried than you I think Shivani - there seems in recent years to be a 'crackdown' on this. I have never come across personally anyone who has been refused a tourist visa. My Oz friend recently had quite a time getting her entry visa, and it took longer than she expected but she did get it in the end. Re the plane tickets - this one is tricky, particularly since your visa starts from the date of approval, not from when you want to fly out. If this is the rule from Oz IHC, not much you can do really.

Sep 28th, 2009, 10:50	#27
Shivani Skydancer ॐ Ψ ॐ Ψ ॐ Join Date: May 2008 Location: Australia Posts: 240	Thank you Aishah I only had one back to back visa. In January, I applied for a 3 month new visa in Kathmandu. I left India in early April, on the last day of visa validity. So it will be 7 months in Australia till my intended return to India beginning of November. This will be my 4th Indian visa since my first trip in Aug 2006. Would they regard that as too much?

Sep 28th, 2009, 13:06	#29
staremperor73 Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Australia Posts: 64	I did not think getting an Indian visa from Oz would be so difficult Has anyone tried to get one from Perth? I am feeling a little stressed now

Sep 28th, 2009, 15:03	#30
Aishah She-who-must-be-obeyed! Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Jaisalmer Posts: 7,624	Shivani - I don't think your case is a problem either. It's many years of back to back tourist visas they are more concerned about.