Visa For Indian Visting the UK??

richie4india · Sep 30th, 2007, 02:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by mridula

I would be applying for a visa to UK most probably next week. Any idea how much time they take to issue one? I always get butterflies when I apply for a visa, though till date I have never been refused one. I mean all those documents requirements sound quite complicated. And the form runs in 10 pages! I would of course share my experience once I am through.

And would it be thoroughly off topic to ask what should one do in Oxford area that would not cost me too much money, I mean they want so many rupees before they give me a pound

I think it is a lot harder for an Indian to get a visa for the UK than it is a British person to get a visa for India.

You guys need loads of documents to be able apply and receive a visa. It is not like that for us. Unless, the visa is for Employment or study purposes and even then it isn't the same sort of documents.

It also costs more for you to get a visa 5400INR. That is about double what we pay!

I have not had any really bad experiences to date with the Indian Visa Officials. However, I have heard of people who have. So it isn't easy for everyone with India's or the UK's visa officials.

One of my colleagues who moved to the UK from India, Punjab to be with her British/Indian husband said when she went to the embassy in Delhi that she saw many people leave in tears as they were unable to get their visas. I find it remarkable that people want to come here that much. I'm not saying it is bad here - far from it. It is just amazing really!

Anyway I hope it all goes well for you and please let us know what happens!

mridula · Sep 30th, 2007, 02:14

Richie4india, thanks a lot for your reply. Mine is a short term visit to attend an academic conference and every other country I have applied to have looked at the category kindly. I hope UK will be no different.

richie4india · Sep 30th, 2007, 02:43

For a visa to the UK you must apply at one of the VFS offices. They are in New Delhi, Jalandhar, Chandigarh, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Pune, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Cochin and Kolkata. You can apply at the High Commission in an emergency. You can also apply online but you will then need to send documents to one of the VFS offices.

A toursit visa to the UK will generally be valid for 6 months with single, double or multiple entry. It will cost you 5400INR. It should take 2 working days for the High Commission to return your application to the VFS office you applied through. That is provided they do not call you for an interview.

You should submit your application with a passport sized photograph. This must be glued not stapled to it. It must be also be against a white background. In addition to support your application you should submit papers to show you will leave the UK. For example legal proof of property or employment letters from India. Also confirmation of UK hotel booking and proof of funds.

I haven't heard of a visa for this category and I would say call the VFS office for details. If not apply for a tourist visa as a TOURIST. I would say check first though.

Hope this helps.

mridula · Sep 30th, 2007, 02:49

Riche4india thanks again, yes that two day stuff should be good. I do not like things to hang in balance to say for 15 days

richie4india · Sep 30th, 2007, 02:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by mridula

Riche4india thanks again, yes that two day stuff should be good. I do not like things to hang in balance to say for 15 days

Where in India do you live?

Nick-H · Sep 30th, 2007, 10:25

If there is no problem with your visa you should get it the next day after making your application.

You will, and almost certainly already have already, found all the basic information and requirements on the British govt web site, including the form to download.

If you are going for a holiday, you just apply for a non-settlement visa. If you have some educational/conference stuff, I don't know... but the website is pretty comprehensive, or you could just go to VFS and enquire.

If you are attending a conference (I'm making huge assumptions based on just a little knowledge about you; forgive me if I'm way off target!) then you should probably have a letter of invitation or confirmation.

They want to know two things, mainly: that you will come back, and that you are able to support yourself while you are there.

So, they are interested in your bank account, your family commitments and life here, and they want to know where or with whom you will be staying in UK.

Your ordinary non-settlement visa will not permit you to work in UK, or to get married there. You can get married on a visit to UK, but have to apply for a specific visa permitting you to do so, and there are only certain places where the marriage can take place (I think there was some human rights objection to this, it may have changed, but I doubt it).

When I took Mrs-N-to-be to UK, we were dubious that I had enough money in the bank, and the VFS staff said I was providing all the wrong documents to prove I had a house there. I insisted they take them anyway --- and the visa was issued without question.

Second time we were confident enough to buy the ticket for some months ahead before getting the visa!

They say that it is only in a very small number of cases that hey refuse visitors' visas. I strongly suggest that you do not refer to a recent internal British government report on the workings of the system and the utterly ridiculous reasons for refusal given to some people

You'll be fine. Allow a week or two, though, just in case they do want to interview you.

Nick-H · Sep 30th, 2007, 10:27

You can apply for visas for different periods up to, I think, two years.

But it gets more and more expensive, and I would imagine they get more fussy.

mridula · Sep 30th, 2007, 14:12

Nick, thanks for the reply. Yes, I have already downloaded the form and as my university is associated with a British University, they are funding my trip and letter of invitation is there in place. Even for educational/conference stuff you apply for a tourist visa.

And marriage is the last thing on my mind! But I can understand why you mentioned it

I would be applying anytime the coming week and as many people from my place go to UK I have to catch hold of a resident expert o UK visa but then you get so used to planning trips on IM that it is almost a reflex action to post a query here.

praks · Oct 1st, 2007, 15:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick-H

You can apply for visas for different periods up to, I think, two years.

But it gets more and more expensive, and I would imagine they get more fussy.

When I applied to the UK High Commission in Mumbai last year, I asked for and was given a multiple entry visa valid for ten years, upto June 2016, which is two years beyond the validity of my passport. So there does not appear to be any definite period that they issue visas for.

Nick-H · Oct 1st, 2007, 16:46

There is a fee scale, according to the length of the visa, so there is a choice of fixed periods!

I thought the max for tourists (ie non-settlement) was two years, but I probably mis-remembered it.

mridula · Oct 14th, 2007, 07:52

I got the UK visa without any hassles, in fact my institute took care of it, so I didn't had to go in person. Attached a lot of documents and now it is done!

Nick-H · Oct 16th, 2007, 04:35

Good.

Have a nice trip

Sep 30th, 2007, 02:14	#17
mridula Sair Kar Duniya Ki Galib , Jindagani Fir Kahan ... Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: India Posts: 1,468	Richie4india, thanks a lot for your reply. Mine is a short term visit to attend an academic conference and every other country I have applied to have looked at the category kindly. I hope UK will be no different. __________________ mridula http://www.gonomad.com/traveltalesfromindia/

Sep 30th, 2007, 10:25	#21
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 27,763	If there is no problem with your visa you should get it the next day after making your application. You will, and almost certainly already have already, found all the basic information and requirements on the British govt web site, including the form to download. If you are going for a holiday, you just apply for a non-settlement visa. If you have some educational/conference stuff, I don't know... but the website is pretty comprehensive, or you could just go to VFS and enquire. If you are attending a conference (I'm making huge assumptions based on just a little knowledge about you; forgive me if I'm way off target!) then you should probably have a letter of invitation or confirmation. They want to know two things, mainly: that you will come back, and that you are able to support yourself while you are there. So, they are interested in your bank account, your family commitments and life here, and they want to know where or with whom you will be staying in UK. Your ordinary non-settlement visa will not permit you to work in UK, or to get married there. You can get married on a visit to UK, but have to apply for a specific visa permitting you to do so, and there are only certain places where the marriage can take place (I think there was some human rights objection to this, it may have changed, but I doubt it). When I took Mrs-N-to-be to UK, we were dubious that I had enough money in the bank, and the VFS staff said I was providing all the wrong documents to prove I had a house there. I insisted they take them anyway --- and the visa was issued without question. Second time we were confident enough to buy the ticket for some months ahead before getting the visa! They say that it is only in a very small number of cases that hey refuse visitors' visas. I strongly suggest that you do not refer to a recent internal British government report on the workings of the system and the utterly ridiculous reasons for refusal given to some people You'll be fine. Allow a week or two, though, just in case they do want to interview you. __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

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Sep 30th, 2007, 02:43	#18
richie4india Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: London Posts: 165	For a visa to the UK you must apply at one of the VFS offices. They are in New Delhi, Jalandhar, Chandigarh, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Pune, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Cochin and Kolkata. You can apply at the High Commission in an emergency. You can also apply online but you will then need to send documents to one of the VFS offices. A toursit visa to the UK will generally be valid for 6 months with single, double or multiple entry. It will cost you 5400INR. It should take 2 working days for the High Commission to return your application to the VFS office you applied through. That is provided they do not call you for an interview. You should submit your application with a passport sized photograph. This must be glued not stapled to it. It must be also be against a white background. In addition to support your application you should submit papers to show you will leave the UK. For example legal proof of property or employment letters from India. Also confirmation of UK hotel booking and proof of funds. I haven't heard of a visa for this category and I would say call the VFS office for details. If not apply for a tourist visa as a TOURIST. I would say check first though. Hope this helps.

Sep 30th, 2007, 02:49	#19
mridula Sair Kar Duniya Ki Galib , Jindagani Fir Kahan ... Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: India Posts: 1,468	Riche4india thanks again, yes that two day stuff should be good. I do not like things to hang in balance to say for 15 days

Sep 30th, 2007, 10:27	#22
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 27,763	You can apply for visas for different periods up to, I think, two years. But it gets more and more expensive, and I would imagine they get more fussy.

Sep 30th, 2007, 14:12	#23
mridula Sair Kar Duniya Ki Galib , Jindagani Fir Kahan ... Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: India Posts: 1,468	Nick, thanks for the reply. Yes, I have already downloaded the form and as my university is associated with a British University, they are funding my trip and letter of invitation is there in place. Even for educational/conference stuff you apply for a tourist visa. And marriage is the last thing on my mind! But I can understand why you mentioned it I would be applying anytime the coming week and as many people from my place go to UK I have to catch hold of a resident expert o UK visa but then you get so used to planning trips on IM that it is almost a reflex action to post a query here.

Oct 1st, 2007, 16:46	#25
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 27,763	There is a fee scale, according to the length of the visa, so there is a choice of fixed periods! I thought the max for tourists (ie non-settlement) was two years, but I probably mis-remembered it.

Oct 14th, 2007, 07:52	#26
mridula Sair Kar Duniya Ki Galib , Jindagani Fir Kahan ... Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: India Posts: 1,468	I got the UK visa without any hassles, in fact my institute took care of it, so I didn't had to go in person. Attached a lot of documents and now it is done!

Oct 16th, 2007, 04:35	#27
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 27,763	Good. Have a nice trip

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