Ritchierich

Well I think postal applications are gone for good. As I said they are looking for an agent to outsource all this.

I have no objection to outsourcing visa applications but they should have at least got the bloody alternative processes in place BEFORE stopping postal applications.

Considering the slickness that other countries adopt for granting visas (we've recently returned from Bali and it was just a case of paying US$25 and them sticking a visa into your passport), the Indian immigration authorities are still in the dark ages.

Polly

prettypolly, I have been put in my place on a number of occassions re the visa situation, whenever I have suggested we are being treated unfairly it has been thrown back at me that it is tit 4 tat ie the Indian Nationals have to go through as bad or worse to get a visa for the UK . so careful what you say LOL

We were going to go to the visa surgery in Bradford on Saturday but have changed our minds after speaking to the Doncaster agent who's listed on the Birmingham consulate website. Going to give them a try - they sound very professional and have been running tours to India for years (and obtaining visas on behalf of clients). They take visas by hand into the consulate on a Wed and collect them the following Wed (providing the consulate has processed all of them). They charge £10 extra per visa which is what the surgery charge so we've decided to let them do the waiting. Sending them off as soon as the postal strike finishes. I'll let you know how we get on.

We have also decided to use the agent in Doncaster, spoke to him a few weeks ago and he seemed OK. We don't go till the beginning of March so don't need to send for them till January. Look forward to hearing how you get on Sim1.

Debs

Lyn

I have been put in my place on a number of occassions re the visa situation, whenever I have suggested we are being treated unfairly it has been thrown back at me that it is tit 4 tat ie the Indian Nationals have to go through as bad or worse to get a visa for the UK

I think for people to say this is comparing apples and bananas.
The UK does not heavily rely on Indian tourism as several states within India do, e.g. Goa & Kerala.

Additionally, UK Immigration have not just changed their visa application processes with mimimal notice and sod-all consideration to the potential impact on the people in these places who may have come to rely on the income from tourists.

Organisation, brewery & p**s up springs to mind.

Polly

I'm afraid this is the Indian way, it's not just us they are being bloody minded with, try speaking to some locals about applying for anything in India ,be it a bike licence, telephone instalation and so on, its a lengthy process. A friend of ours who used to be Johneys Place shack head boy now has the full time job of getting those things for people, he waits for them, tells them where to go, who to bribe, etc. The visa service is staffed by Indians and thats the way it is. I dont like it either, I'm setting off from home at 6.30 a.m. tomorrow heading for the Edinburgh Consulate, and expect to get back home about 7.00 p.m. considerabley poorer, but all the letters to M.P.s etc wont alter things, it's just the way they operate both here and in India Alan

Hi all
Recieved our visas back this morning, they took just over 2 weeks,we can relax now and look forward to our holiday.
To be honest it was just as easy to send them to an agent as it is to the HCI.And you can pay by cheque which is easier, We are very satisfied with the service
Pat and Andy

Done something really stupid
Sent my visas off to birmingham and then realised they are not accepting postal applications!!!!!!
Don't know what to do..going on the 5th November

All is not lost. From the feedback here the recommended agents used so far seem to get the visas processed quickly.

And on top of everything! A postal Strike!!
Where is the Doncaster Agent? I cannot see it advertised.

They were on the Birmingham list. Website is http://www.darjeelingtours.co.uk. All the info is on there. Very helpful people.

Hi guys,

Just to ley you know I passed London HCI......

The queue was absolutely massive! The biggest I've ever seen outside there... it's made me kind of nervous seeing as I was planning to attend there in person to get my visa.

Loz

Where is the Doncaster Agent? I cannot see it advertised.

I contacted Darjeeling tours last week, they seemed very helpful, gave me the projected time it would take for them to obtain a visa from them recieving my application.

They have an office at a place called Mattersey between Doncaster and Bawtry, they reccomend that you ring to make an appointment to bring visa in to them although they are happy to deal via post (oops)

As i am not travelling until end of Feb i will not be applying for another six weeks, if anyone has any other information about them i would be interested to hear

GM 06

Sending mine to them next week. I'll let you know how I get on.

Thanks for the info. Have got 3 in mind to use now. Will send after postal strike.

Got ours at Edinburgh yesterday, worst ever organisation in all the years I've been.Met at door by someone whose sole job was to take your form and photos and staple them together ( he stapeled my photos to my wifes form and vice versa ) and then wrote your number on a scrap of paper, the opportunity to check your forms did'nt occur to him, There was one Indian lady checking your form, taking money and typing in your passport dtails and issuing receipts, unfortunatley she was a slow reader and could only type with one finger ! About 3 1/2 hrs. later it was my turn. I was trying to get a certain train home so I arrived an hour early for the pick up at 4.00p.m, so I was first in the queue, by 4 the queue was up the stair and out in the street. The door was'nt opened until 4.10 and when I presented my receipt it was'nt in the first bundle he had so I was waved away and he attempted to deal with this bundle first by shouting out the receipt numbers, unfortunatlet most people were by now waiting up the basement stairs and out in the street. Confusion ensued, eventually my passport was handed over about 5.00 p.m. , about half the crowd still had'nt been dealt with and the most common remark was thet although they had been going for years this would be their last trip to Goa. Right now thats about our feelings too, we reckon we.ve had the best years of Goa, but now the minus points are outweighing the plus. Alan

Think I'll defo stick with the Doncaster agent after reading this. Don't fancy that much.

yummymummy - you can't get postal visa's from any of the HCI offices, only through their Agents, at an extra charge, or by going to these places personally

Friends went on Thursday to HCI London and have been given "a ticket" to go back on Wednesday, when they will be allowed to apply!!!
Another guy in the queue was told the same and he was flying on the Tuesday, but they still would not accommodate him.

What is happening. One thing for certain is that they will not get the Tourists next year.

Another thing I forgot to mention re the HCI in Edinburgh, they have got large notices posted all round the room stating that only residents in Scotland will be issued with visas, and proof of residence may be asked for. They obviously dont want any extra work from south of the border!. There was several "Geordies I spoke to doing a very good imitation of a Scottish accent. Alan