visa from birmingham or london, uk

minoo · Mar 18th, 2007, 20:48

Hi all

this is my first independent trip and ive already fallen at the first hurdle!
Im trying to get the visa cleared, am hoping to go to london or birmingham, do i need to make an appointment to just turn up with the paperwork

My background is Pakistani but i was born in the uk and have a british passport, will it take me longer to get my visa application cleared?

Also, im probably being naive but i thought the visa would be issued to me there and then, but looking at other posts, it seems that i may be told to go away and come back in a few weeks to collect it.

Im flying around the 15 april so i need to get this sorted asap

please help ,thanks in advance

kullukid · Mar 18th, 2007, 21:33

If you want to speed things up without going to London or Birmingham then you could contact the High Commission by phone & ask them when & where the next visa surgery is held that is closest to your town or even in your town they are held in mosques & temples usually at weekends. You have to pay £5 extra for the visa but you usually get it sorted within 2-3hours. KK

abfab · Mar 18th, 2007, 21:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by minoo

Hi all

My background is Pakistani but i was born in the uk and have a british passport, will it take me longer to get my visa application cleared?

Im flying around the 15 april so i need to get this sorted asap

please help ,thanks in advance

The impression I get is that if your background is Pakistani, then you are unlikely to get the visa the same day. I don't think they make you wait weeks though.

I am sure that it would still be much quicker to apply in person then to post your application though. You may just have to make a second trip to pick your passport up again.

minoo · Mar 18th, 2007, 22:00

thanks there are no visa surgeries at the moment in my area, i was planning on going in person, do i just queue up or do i need to make an appointment first

ive never applied for a visa in my life!

cyberhippie · Mar 18th, 2007, 22:06

From Indian High Comission London

Quote:

Special Procedure For Processing Visa Applications Of British Passport Holders Of Pakistani Origin

Definition: British Passport holders of Pakistani origin means that either the applicant has himself held a Pakistani passport earlier/holds a Pakistani passport or either of his parents have held Pakistani nationality at any time.

Procedure:

(i) All such applicants will have to furnish proof of current status in the UK. Documents could include letter from employer, pension papers/child benefit, etc;

(ii) In case of dual nationality, visa has to be issued on the Pakistani passport;

(a) Visa processing will take up to five working days; and

(b) Attempt to conceal information or misrepresent facts will result in denial of visa service.

Nick-H · Mar 18th, 2007, 22:31

Spot on! Good find....

I'm going to quote that on the FAQ

minoo · Mar 19th, 2007, 04:11

thank you all,

cyberhippie i missed that info on their website too, thank you,

minoo · Apr 3rd, 2007, 01:55

sorry feeling pretty miserable so i thought i'd bump this thread.

Well when i got to the embassy to submit my documents i was told that the process will take 8 weeks (!) because of my pakistani background, even though i have a british passport, was born in the UK and have never had dual citizenship.
I told them i was due to fly in three weeks and the lady at the counter said they will try to process it before my flight but couldnt guarantee it. I took a letter to confirm my employment etc and they said it would take a minimum 4 weeks. Still too long. I was then told to come back in a couple of hours just to get one direct telephone number of one of the visa processors. They just wouldnt let me have it even though it was right next to them and the receptionist knew i was advised to take the number.

Ive tried ringing the direct number but nobody picks up. Ever.

So the moral is although the website says it will take 5 days etc it takes a hell of a lot longer. Especially if you get your visa from birmingham. i feel theyre messing me about. You need to know someone high up to pull a few strings for you.

oh and you can only get a max of 3 months if youre originally from pak, wish i'd gone to london. Discrimination or just bad management

Mar 18th, 2007, 20:48	#1
minoo Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: england Posts: 35	visa from birmingham or london, uk Hi all this is my first independent trip and ive already fallen at the first hurdle! Im trying to get the visa cleared, am hoping to go to london or birmingham, do i need to make an appointment to just turn up with the paperwork My background is Pakistani but i was born in the uk and have a british passport, will it take me longer to get my visa application cleared? Also, im probably being naive but i thought the visa would be issued to me there and then, but looking at other posts, it seems that i may be told to go away and come back in a few weeks to collect it. Im flying around the 15 april so i need to get this sorted asap please help ,thanks in advance

Mar 18th, 2007, 22:31	#6
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 26,854	Spot on! Good find.... I'm going to quote that on the FAQ __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

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Mar 18th, 2007, 21:33	#2
kullukid Maha Guru Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: u.k. Posts: 980	If you want to speed things up without going to London or Birmingham then you could contact the High Commission by phone & ask them when & where the next visa surgery is held that is closest to your town or even in your town they are held in mosques & temples usually at weekends. You have to pay £5 extra for the visa but you usually get it sorted within 2-3hours. KK

Mar 18th, 2007, 22:00	#4
minoo Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: england Posts: 35	thanks there are no visa surgeries at the moment in my area, i was planning on going in person, do i just queue up or do i need to make an appointment first ive never applied for a visa in my life!

Mar 19th, 2007, 04:11	#7
minoo Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: england Posts: 35	thank you all, cyberhippie i missed that info on their website too, thank you,

Apr 3rd, 2007, 01:55	#8
minoo Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: england Posts: 35	sorry feeling pretty miserable so i thought i'd bump this thread. Well when i got to the embassy to submit my documents i was told that the process will take 8 weeks (!) because of my pakistani background, even though i have a british passport, was born in the UK and have never had dual citizenship. I told them i was due to fly in three weeks and the lady at the counter said they will try to process it before my flight but couldnt guarantee it. I took a letter to confirm my employment etc and they said it would take a minimum 4 weeks. Still too long. I was then told to come back in a couple of hours just to get one direct telephone number of one of the visa processors. They just wouldnt let me have it even though it was right next to them and the receptionist knew i was advised to take the number. Ive tried ringing the direct number but nobody picks up. Ever. So the moral is although the website says it will take 5 days etc it takes a hell of a lot longer. Especially if you get your visa from birmingham. i feel theyre messing me about. You need to know someone high up to pull a few strings for you. oh and you can only get a max of 3 months if youre originally from pak, wish i'd gone to london. Discrimination or just bad management

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