sorry a correction needs to be made.
the phone number i originally rang is :- 08705143301, and the e-mail was from co-op travel shops.
BOB

Hi all

With a one year tourist visa, you still need to leave India before 180 days.
We were advised by the visa official to go to Columbo or somewhere for the weekend and then come back!!
hope this helps
Michelle

Yes I know that 180 rule. That is not my problem. At the end of the day I would rather visit Sri Lanka for a week and tour than stand aroud waiting for a visa.....

Hi Richierich

Don't forget if you go to a visa surgery or any HCI in person take proof of why you need a longer visa. I suggest you print of an itinery of the dates and places you will be visiting, include Sri Lanka half way through and make it as plausable as possible why a one year is better for you. As I said, I think we were offered ours as consolation because they wouldnt do an x visa.
They said they had no authority anymore for these, but obviously had the authority to issue lengthier tourist visas.
good luck
Michelle

Ok, thanks for that.We are back in the Uk in October to renew our Visas so might give it a try.

john

Hello Towpal

I am going to Bradford surgery next Saturday. What time did you get there and did you have to wait around for a long time?

Also, I know you have to pay for the Visa in postal orders/banker's draft. So what did you do when you got the 1 year visa and paid the extra £20.00? Did you just pay in cash?

Must admit I don't fancy getting up so early on a Saturday morning and having to wait around but it will be worth it. I'll be back in Goa on 6th Sept.

Thanks

Tracey

Hi Bob,
Thanks for the info, much appreciated. Me & hubby are really looking forward to going.:thanks
beckey

Hi Gardener

We got there at about 8.15am and thought we were one of the first there...wrong, when I went in for our ticket number and was given no.s 46 and 47! This was strange as there were very few people about!
They officially opened at 9.30 although they actually started seeing people at 9.00. When we went in I found all the people had been sat in a room at the back all along!!
We were all done and dusted for 10.30 but it was especially quiet. Spoke to a lady who said she normally goes to Bradford which she said is a lot busier and not as well organized. So I suggest you get there as early as pos (nearly killed me getting up at 6am on a Saturday!).
Get your ticket first and then you can relax somewhat.
With regard to payment, we wanted a x visa which cost an extra £20, so I took extra PO's just in case we didnt get one. I presumed they would not give us change!! Fortunately the one year tourist was the same price as the one year x so we were ok.
Many people had to dash off to the PO during the morning.
I did notice that it seemed to be accepted to pay cash for the £10 visa surgery fee but if I were you I would take PO's for all just in case.
hope this helps
Michelle

Me and hubby are off to Goa for the first time beginning of Jan and having read all this we're planning to get our visas from the Leicester surgery. With payment is it ok to pay for both with the one postal order? And I'm guessing the visa surgery fee is per visa so we'd need a postal order for £80 in total - am I on the right track here?

many thanks
Janette

I don't know if they have changed the rules( yet again)but a couple of years ago I was advised not to apply for a twelve month visa because if it was refused it went on your record, so when you reapplied for a six month visa it could be refused because it is on record that you have been refused a visa( unwanted visitor) so be carefull

Hi Janette

One postal order is fine and you are correct with the £80

regards
Michelle

Hi Lynndan
May I ask who advised you of this or if you have any proof that it has actually happened.
I only ask as in the past few years we know of dozens of people who have not got the original visa they wanted. I cannot see any possible reason why they would mark you as an unwanted visitor just because you get refused the visa you first ask for.

Our friends recently went for a 2year x at Birmingham, it was refused outright and they were offered a 6 month tourist and they left without any
visa in disgust. They went back the following week and got a 1 year x.

Indian rules never make sense and they can surely give you the runaround but I find it hard to believe they will 'blacklist' you just for asking!!
regards
Michelle

Towpal

Thanks for all that information. My plan was to go to Bradford surgery next weekend but now I have to go to Scotland early on 18 August. Can't believe it.

The only other option is to send it to Birmingham. Not sure if I'm covered by them??? I live in Keighley, West Yorkshire. Do I email them to find out. I only have 4 weeks tomorrow until I go to Goa so I better get my finger out. I'm totally confused by all of this.

Thanks

Tracey

Tracey, you are covered by Birmingham so should be able to do it by post.

Hi Tracey

I agree, you are in one of the areas confirmed as being covered by Birmingham. This is on Fiona's reply from the consulate. It is on page 38 of this thread. Get it posted quick
regards
Michelle

Brenliz, Towpal

Thanks, that's great. I better get down the post office sharpish.

If I want to try and get a 1 year visa, do you think I should enclose £20.00 extra in postal orders with a covering letter?

Thanks Tracey

Hi Tracey
If you don't really need a one year and your time is limited regarding getting your visa, it may be better just applying for a six month. You never know, if the officer who deals with your application has to put it on his 'question for later pile' it might hold it up.
Its a bit easier when you are there in person or you have sufficient time to wait by post.
regards
Michelle

Hi Michelle

I will be going back to Goa that's for sure but I get your point. Don't want to delay anything on the strength of "maybe" getting a 1 year.
Next time maybe I'll try the surgery and see if I get lucky.

Thanks Tracey

I am lucky enough to live in one of the areas covered by birmingham for the postal applications, does anyone know if the postal applications are to be withdrawn too?? I only ask because I am not travelling until March so too early to apply yet and I am hoping I will still be able to apply later in the year, thanks.