hi
posted my passport 2 feb.
it arived today. over the moon
goa here i come. and thanks for
all the info
boromick

Hi All.... I have never done an online application before, I have tracked our passports which were sent on 5th Feb (application made on 4th Feb) is it normal that our status has not changed from "An Application was made on 4th February" even though they have had our passports since Saturday (according to Royal Mail)?
Thanks
L

Posted ours to hayes on feb 2nd right up until today it has said "an application was made on 31st January" when i track passport. (i completed online application on 31st jan)
This afternoon it has changed to "Received at Application Centre at Application Center London-Hayes on 10-Feb-2010."

Now I know that the passports were received at hayes on the 3rd feb according to royal mail so this status info seems a little confusing.
I guess it will all work itself out.

Confused Rog

I think the system doesn't get changed at VFS until they physically input your passport details in the computer when processing. Even though your passport may arrive in the post - it may be sitting there for a couple of days in a queue.

Sorry, but who exactly are we likely to bump into on holiday ( we go tomorrow), that will treat us like doggy do's?
I know the score with the minister and new rules etc, but when we went in November we had a great time as usual and no-one treated us any differently. In fact made lots of new aquaintances.
Yes, Goa is not like it used to be years ago when we started going there, I know. But that is down to us, the tourists.Goa has changed to meet demand. Our demands (not mine personally, but the majority of holiday makers). As with many resorts, they have changed over the years. But you know what? it is still a joy to walk along and see happy, smiling, friendly,faces, whatever their ulterior motives.
At present Goa still has what I want from my long haul holiday and all that will prevent me from going is cost and hassle over visa's etc.
I have sometimes returned rather sad and freshly annoyed from the airport fiasco's, thinking I might not want to go again, but I still do.

I agree with you Moles, I feel for the long termers who have mega property problems and the visa situation is a bit of pain but once you get there it somehow makes all the hassle worth while. Sure there will be other places in this big wide world that either compare or are better but if you love something as much as a lot of people on here love Goa then a few obstacles are not going to stop you going. I leave the house to get to work by public transport at 7am in the morning I pass through the suburbs then a busy city centre see the same people most days and usually dont speak to anyone until I get to work an hour later....in Goa I leave the apartment walk 5 mins to the beach and on an average morning have either exchanged good mornings or a few words with at least half a dozen people quite often strangers and that is going the back way!!! India and Goa may have its faults but those three weeks each year I spend there are the best weeks in the year.

If you think about it, RM have delivered your package and it's been signed for - you can check that info on the RM website.

However, the person signing for it may well be on a Reception desk and as Louisedav says, it may take a while to get to somebody who is actually going to do something with the application.

okitsme (Rog)... Sounds as though we have the same query.

It is all very confusing (or maybe it's just me), as both louisedav and prettypollycat have said, I did think that maybe it's sitting in some kind of queue. I suppose logically the status won't change until someone actually does something with the passports. I just hoped that the passports would be processed by now seeing as they've been there almost a week, especially after hearing that other people had received them so efficiently.... I think maybe I'm just being impatient......

Where do I start? is there a page that tells you what to do from the begining ?? Does it cost much more to get them from Longsight Manchester ?? You wouldn't think we went every year

okitsme (Rog)... Sounds as though we have the same query.

It is all very confusing (or maybe it's just me), as both louisedav and prettypollycat have said, I did think that maybe it's sitting in some kind of queue. I suppose logically the status won't change until someone actually does something with the passports. I just hoped that the passports would be processed by now seeing as they've been there almost a week, especially after hearing that other people had received them so efficiently.... I think maybe I'm just being impatient...

My status has changed today as " Your application is under process effective 11-Feb-2010.Please bear in mind the minimum processing times before calling the visa center. "
Yep i guess we're just impatient it was just that i'd seen some people had had theirs back by now having posted a day before posted mine.

Rog
I used to be impatient but now I just cant wait !

Bluemoon: If I were you I would just go along to longsight Manchester with form printed out and filled in by hand and with the photos. You can pay there by visa - and it costs the same except you can't collect the passports they are couriered back to you for the standard charge. Was the most hassle free visa I have ever got - arrived at 9am Monday morning - seen at 5 past - out by quarter past - passports back by the end of the week. So simple!

the only thing that i can say i will miss now is the friends i have met over the years English and Goan's/Indians.

I am quite suprised to you admitting having Goan and Indian friends Spaldy, it seems every time anyone posts on a thread about the friends they have made in Goa you are there shooting them down in flames telling us that these people aren't our true friends and are just there asking for handouts and ripping us off.

I totally agree with Moles and nejulie, its still a great place for a wonderful holiday, visa rules or not.

its still a great place for a wonderful holiday, visa rules or not.

Only if the price is right, if you get a cheap package. It is no longer worth the hassle doing a DIY. The prices no longer add up.,,, may as well spend a LITTLE extra and discover pastures new... Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand.

Rog, we now have the same message!!!!!!!!!!



Lets hope the forms are to their satisfaction!!

L

4 weeks at the Marinha Dourada next winter for £2000 sounds reasonable to me. Not sure where the hassle is in DIY, two web sites and it's done.( OK 4 including the VISA and airport parking).The only reason we haven't booked it is a)you have to pay up front for DIY and we are out of funds currently b) We want to consider a change of scene provided it can compete with Goa on price.
If you can come up with a suggestion for Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand at a similar price I would be very interested as we haven't been and it's on our hit list.
We are off to Kerala soon, if you think Goa has upped it's prices, try there. Fabulous state though and very different to the scenery in Goa.

I did 3 weeks DIY in Thailand in Jan.

2 nights in 4 Star in BK 2 Nights in 4 Star KS the rest in very nice bungalows/ apartments far superior to Goa all for £1600 p/p including flights / transfers from Scotland. Plus 10 Days car hire and petrol. 4 Major tourist excursions also.

However, only the first 2 nights in BK were booked. You usually pay 10-20% more booking accom' on websites than in person. Book when you are in the country, this saved a lot of money.

You would not get the level of flexibility doing a package and probably with all excursions prebooked and car hire would have cost 2,500 if a travel company had organised all this.

I thought this was the Goa forum..... is there a forum for Thailand?

Yes Loza found here http://www.holidaytruths.co.uk/viewforum.php?f=72

I was replying to DW reply

Yes there is a forum for T. If you read my message it was to do with price comparisons.

Someone is a little touchy perhaps.

Nothing wrong with a price comparison I.M.O.
Especially as price is a major draw to Goa, along with sunshine, international high quality dining, decent accomodation and a warm swimming pool !
Although it has nothing to do with the new 2 month VISA rule

Chill .....I was just being cheeky

It's just that every post I read of yours has the word Thailand in it....