Hi everyone, getting my photos done today for my visa. Does anyone know if the background has to be grey or white?? Just wondering in case this is another foible of the High Commision and if the wrong colour will result in the application being refused.

Gill

Gill

I think on the vis form it says on a "light background"!!

Regards Tracey

Thanks Tracey

Looked everywhere on the form but could not see it!!!

Obviously need new glasses.

Gill

Tracey,
I have a number of passport photos which were taken in the Kodak shop in Candolim which do not have a light background.
I cannot use them as UK passport photos but was intending to use them for our India visa.
Where on the form or HCI website does it mention Photo background.?
Thanks
Dave

Dave, I have just rechecked and it is right at the base of the first page. Knew I had seen it somewhere!!

Gill

Hi Dave

I'm just filling in my Visa from today. On the form downloaded it says on the top right hand side - WHITE background.

Saying that the form downloaded from Birmingham office doesn't state anything!!

Regards Tracey

Thanks for the info, we are applying to Birmingham and as you say, I cant find any mention on their forms but wont take a chance with my salmon pink backgound photos !!.
Thought I had a bargain when I bought them in Candolim, now off to Tesco for more passport photos.
Dave

We must be one of the lucky ones - sent our applications to Edinburgh and they came back on Wednesday after only 10 days and during that time they also phoned me asking to send another £2 for postal applications which I did by recorded delivery.

We went to Bimingham last year and we had downloaded the forms filled them in but when we got there one of the Staff handed us the Birmingham form. They wouldn't accept the forms (London) so everybody scribbling furiously, whether it has changed since last year or not I don't know. Some poor people had to requeue they hadn't noticed the guys - too busy trying to get a seat. So have a look as you go in. Good idea to get there early. We got an x visa for one year without any problem at Edinburgh

We got our visas today at the Coventry surgery.

When we were given our queue number they checked which form we had completed - Birmingham ones were not accepted - it had to be a London one which luckily we had. Several people had to re-do their forms.

There was someone checking the form, etc before going in front of the officials and I would recommend you take advantage of this extra check.

There weren't many people there - we arrived early and left at about 10:30. Apparently it can get very busy later in the year so it's best to do it well before your departure. We're going in November and have a 6 month visa.

Everyone was very helpful and it was well worth the £10 admin fee.

It would be worthwhile telephoning before you go to check the location (Coventry had two listed on the schedule) car parking, which form to use, etc.

All the best

Mick

That's really useful Micksan, we intend to go to the Coventry visa surgery at the end of October, what time did you get there?

Is there a visa surgery anywhere in Wales? does somebody know
of one,
Thanks Ann

Ann, I think your in the same situation as me in Hampshire, no

Oh well!!! its a trip to London or Birmingham then,makes you mad
ThanksTony
ANN

Looks that way or use a visa service, either way it's going to be expensive, unless of course they reverse their decision and reinstate postal applications to London, not holding my breath on that one

We have used Edinburgh for the past eight years with only one problem, the lost the forms once, phoned our house to tell us and everthing was sorted.
Mike

Hi Polly,

We arrived at about 09:00 which placed us 10th in the queue.

The officials didn't arrive until about 09:45 but it didn't take them long once they started processing us - a team of six!

They don't take cash but a chap in front of me forgot to add the £10 admin? fee and they let hin pay that in cash. Better not to risk it and use postal orders.

They have a large car park too.

Mick

can anyone tell me if birmingham visa is open on satadays

The Birmingham consulate is open Monday - Friday 9.30 -5.30.
Closed weekends and holidays.