I have just received my visa's back from London today - good job as we are flying tomorrow

that was cutting it a bit fine wasnt it lockieman?
glad you got your visa's back in time. Go and enjoy your holiday

Nicola

Woo Hoo! They arrived as promised this AM, 22 days from receipt in Birmingham so that seems pretty consistent at the moment. It's not so bad if you know that's the expected time but it's always nice to get them back. Roll on 8th March Wouldn't like to cut it as fine as lockieman. Well done!

Must admit I was getting an itchy bum alls well that ends well

Glad you got them back bluemoon - that means mine should arrive on Valentines day - I hope!
Thanks

Goanne - was going to ask about your visas? You got the photo thing sorted then?!

Hi lovemyhols, yes thanks, my MILtob had some more photos took and visas arrived back on Thursday, posted to London on 24th Jan and arrived back on 8th Feb - fantastic only 16 days! on count down to 21st now, only 13 more sleeps!
Goanne

Hope you have a lovely holiday Goanne. Still another 40 days for us! Enjoy!

After some advice please.

Have 9 weeks until we go to Goa. I have been been unable to sort visa any earlier as first had to get a new passport and only just returned from a 3 week holiday. There are 23 of us travelling and as the organiser I have 'foolishly' agreed to sort everyones visa for them.

Now I know I have to have the form completed and signed for each person, their passport, 2 photo's, and £30 fee. I want to send all the documents off in one special delivery envelope with a bankers draft for the total amount. I have checked the FAQ on the visa website for a similar situation and have found that where say 2 people are going they say it's fine to do the above. However, I want to do it for 23!!

I emailed them on 7th Jan asking for advice and have yet to receive a reply (have sent another email today).

Has anyone had to deal with anything similar or do you have any advice to offer me? Need to get this sorted quickly as time is a ticking and now worried about how long they may take to arrive by looking at recent posts. Many thanks

Hi Jannerlilly, - I completed 5 applications for me and family, and that was hard work!! dont envy you here.
I sent all 5 applications, passports, postal order, plus Special del. envelope within the envelope and all came back OK within 16 days which I thought was great.
If I was you I would probably split them up into 4 separate envelopes for ease, you could still request that they all come back to you on the application form. They say 15 working days so you should be ok for time.
I think the application form is in word format so you can complete it and then cut and paste a lot of the details. Hope this helps.
Goanne

Thanks for your quick reply.

I see the sense in what you are saying about splitting them into different envelopes, less confusing so will probably do that. The down side is I will need 4 bankers drafts/postal orders, 4 special delivery envelopes to send and 4 to return.

Will obviously send them by special delivery. It may sound stupid but how do I know what special delivery envelope I will need for their return? Is it priced by weight, size etc??

Also, am I right in thinking that the £1 postal admin fee no longer applies?

Thanks

Hi Jannerlilly - the envelopes are done by weight, paid up to 500 grams. Agree with Goanne about dividing them up. That way you shouldn't be over the weight limit and will make it easier. The £1 fee doesn't apply - we've never paid it. Make a note of the special delivery envelope numbers so you can track them on the Royal Mail website and know when they've arrived and are coming back. I would recommend downloading the forms from the High Commission in PDF format. The form is much clearer in PDF. If you have a look at PDF and Word you'll see what I mean! Have to admit - I think you're very brave doing it for everyone. Best of luck.

Hi, see lovemyhols beat me to it, but sound advice. I did download my form by PDF and completed the 5 by hand, but I did read on here somewhere that someone did theirs in word and just updated it each year! but 23 ! make sure you have a large glass of wine or 3 afterwards.
Goanne

Found word to be a nightmare, kept running out of space so resorted to PDF and went long hand much faster IMO, not to hot on word

Alan

Yipeeeeeee card through the door today special delivery to be picked up at the Post office used the tracker and it was delivered today 14 days round trip local PO closed on Wednesday afternoon.

Alan

AL38

You will have to pick up from your local Delivery Office, not the Post Office, check the address on the card where you have to go.

Sorry card says my local PO Just like last year, got it then and its sitting there now will report progress tomorrow.

Alan

Visa's all present and correct, that was the last worry it was the one thing that you couldn't seem able to predict or control and down to a man with a little rubber stamp who you cant contact and might be having a bad week :shrug. but now the is shining count down is on .

Alan

More advice, sorry!

Started to complete the 23!!!

Am I right in thinking that you only need to complete the 'business address' if you are applying for a Business Visa and can the 2 referees in the UK be anyone you know???