I know the answers will be here somewhere, but have had a look and I'm still not sure, are there no longer any visa surgeries (we live in Teesside and usually go to Bradford), if not can I do postal applications and will they have to go to Birmingham, lastly can we still get six month visas and how much are they
Sorry if this has already been said but it does worry me

I tried to email last year not to one embassy but them "all" and did not get one reply so it don't surprise me you haven't had a reply.

Don't waste your time...

Getting or renewing an Indian visa has become much more difficult since the UK government reversed its visa policy towards highly skilled migrants from India two years ago. New Delhi, is playing tit for tat.

By reading of this fiasco - how on earth at the oap's going to manage when they want to stay for six months. Your visa starts from the day it is issued, so they will get less time to spend there. If they wait until the last moment their visa will probably not come through in time.

Big Neil
I will have to sort a visa out as my flights are already booked and paid for (five weeks over xmas & new year) can anyone help with my questions
Thanks

Big Neil
I will have to sort a visa out as my flights are already booked and paid for (five weeks over xmas & new year) can anyone help with my questions
Thanks

I wouldn't panic yet. Since it sounds as though you are coming back early Jan 2009 maybe apply for a visa beginning of Sept'.

The situation is not meltdown at present. Just a little frustrating.

Just tracked my application online. It's been approved and passport ready for pick up.

So what are my impressions of the new system?

Well... I can't really complain as everything has been processed in allocated time (2 days) as described on the application details. I can only comment on the system in place for pick-up in person. Postal applications may be a different bag. Also if the system crashes online you should be able to retrieve a reference to work with.

I would also like to add that the receptionist/doorman at Edinburgh is very helpful and polite and will also provide accurate details of what to do. Was a bit taken aback by his pleasant manner in this day and age.

So it's not all doom and gloom with the visa system, a bit of patience is required though.

thanks Neil for taking the time and trouble to assist us all!!
chilly

Neil
Roma produced a guide last season which was well used. Would you be able to start a new one for us if you've time? We can do what we did with Romas- let others add to it before it became final. I do think a locked step by step is handy but we won't do ours till later on so I can't produce the guide myself I'm afraid.

TOTALLY CONFUSED!!! which dosent take alot of doing in my case!!!!
My daughter is travelling back from Goa begining of sept to get visas,
1) should she apply online now and when she gets to the UK send money and passports then
2) apply on line and go in person when she arrives but dont you need an appointment, with 3 kids in tow not very pleasent to hung around!!!
what would anyone suggest, she has around 3 weeks in the UK
please help

I have always gone in person to London, apart from queuing from 5am last year have never had a problem. Looks like it will not be so easy this year. Have I got this right
1. Complete then print the online application

2. Take note of the ref no.

3. take it on day 1 to IHC London, pay for it, then collect it 2-3 days later?

Its all very confusing, but on reflection thats what India and Goa is all about.

jan

Big Neil,
congradulations on obtaining your visa and for the info you have posted, but and it is a big "BUT" the RUSH has not yet started, just lets see what happens when the rush starts, will the receptionist/doorman be as nice when he or she is getting hammered with questions "do you know how long I am going to wait", "why is my visa not ready", "they have spelt my name wrong", these are just a few of the many questions that is to come, lets see what she/he is like then....jxk8

"do you know how long I am going to wait", "why is my visa not ready"

You will get a progress report online as you can track all this. You can book an appointment time also that's the whole purpose of the changeover.

All I can do is report my own experiences as accurately as possible.

What I will say.. the Indian visa situation at it's worse isn't as bad as applying for a Chinese visa or a US work permit... attend in person 450 miles (US Consulate) away on a date you can't change sometimes actually AFTER your planned travel date with zero flexibility on interviews and NO phone help. Chinese visa application 4 visits!!! And if you think that Indian consulate staff can be rude and impatient you have not seen anything..... chaos.

Who knows what the Indian Visa situation will be like in November. You have to think positive about it. There's enough info' given here to guide you through.... don't panic!

As for the 'rush' ... maybe that won't happen. Apply early in that case if you are worried.

hi, was wandering what the total cost for a visa is now!i know its £30 for the visa,then i read something about 7.40returned and an extra 17% tax?im a little confused.i would be expecting to fill the forms in online as required,then send my passports/picture of in a registerd post envelope.

When you send off for visa by post,do you send a printout of the application/s or just the reference number from the online application? If i did'nt love Goa quite so much I would say " *** it " and go elsewhere,but tried that and still keep returning to Goa!!!! Paula

Paula, I don't exactly know the answer, but why not send both?, seems the most logical safe way, that way they will have everything to hand

Send both.

If anyone has any immediate questions and can post in the next 1 hour let me know as I am going into town to pick up my visa.

You can still get your Visa through a Travel agency. However, this will cost considerably more than going via VSF Global.

As i had stated previously on this thread that i can get my Visa via a surgery, I was mistaken on this because all surgeries have been ''suspended''

The place i can get my visa is a charity trust , i have been using this charity trust for the last 4 years to apply for my Visa and when i called last week they said there is no change except for the price which has increased by £10.

There are at least a dozen Indian community and welfare/charity sites here in leicester that you can apply through and i would imagine in any other city or major towns in the UK.
This is much safer than postal and you will get all the advice you need to know regarding your application.

Picked up my visa on Thursday which was processed in the 2 day spec' (also monitored progress on line).

Did witness an older couple (late 60's early 70's) being told by the 'doorman' that they needed to apply online as they wont accept hand written applications.

The waiting room/office was very quiet and had 3 people + doorman working. And 4 applicants in waiting or getting attended to.

They seemed to be processing postal applications also if you don't want to come back and collect, decide there and then.

They do not understand how to make things simple and easy