I printed off the online form and sent it off, and signed them at the bottom, had passports returned 2 days later saying I had to fill in the usual visa form and send that NOT the online form. I also sent a copy of my online payment. It was cheaper to send own SDE envelope rather than pay online for it. Total for everything 39.40 - just missed out on the vat reduction!!

Can anyone shed any light on this as ilovegoa seems to have been taken around the track more than anyone else.
The instructions on the site are to fill in the online form and submit it, then you print this form off (which is completed with your info) and then sign it, and send it with your passport/photos etc..
There are going to be people who haven't gone through this procedure yet, and I wouldn't like them to get any confusing issues as to what to do.
Spike.

yes spike thanks, i agree as i am totally confused, as i thought (long time ago now!!) i sent the printed form off (signed) for my friend when i helped her to do it? . and thanks Polly, yummymummy
chilly

Spike, your correct. You fill in the form online submitt it, print it off and sign then send it with the passports photos SAEs etc. Making sure you keep a copy yourself and a note of both the tracking numbers from the special delivery envelopes.

Even if you go through an outside visa service you still have to make your online submission first.

I filled in the online applications for myself and hubby on Monday 19th January and posted them special delivery on Tuesday 20th , checked royal mail tracking and its says it was delivered on Wednesday 21st, I have been tracking the online application and it still only says that an application was created on 19th January, does it usually take this long for the tracking system to be updated?

Howardmaria - sent online form in on the Sunday and posted visas on the Monday (which they wouldn't have recieved until the Tuesday) it wasn't until Thursday that the info about being forwarded to Birmingham showed. I wouldn't worry as this was a really quick turn around and a lot less than they state - so don't panic just yet, sit tight and keep logging in at the end of the day to see if there is any progress.
I think others have had them sent back complete and the site still says ''created on blah blah blah''
Spike
ilovegoa - still can't see why they asked you to do that, unless there was an error on your original forms ? - you did get all sorted in the end and have them back now ?

Thanks Spike you have put my mind at rest a little.

Not worried just yet don't fly until 13th April.

Maria

we filled in the applications on line sumitted those then printed copies off to sign and sent them with the passports we also tracked the progress on line it did say an application has been created the first few days we checked so dont worry anita woody

Hubbys just agreed to go back early march, so wish me luck going to try and apply for visas on-line tonight i'm not very good with computers

It's the truth what I had to do, sent to Birmingham, they sent passports back 2 days later. They said the online form print off was not valid and to fill in the proper application form. Sent back next day and still got visas back within 7 days with Xmas and New Year included which was really good - except for the extra SDE payments!!
Going out tomorrow eve on Thomson flight from Manchester - can't wait - has been slightly more complicated in past but much quicker. Last time had to go to Manchester surgery for visa - 5.30am start!! Next time will send EVERYTHING to be on safe side

Hope you have a great time, when you get there, get on line and tell me what the sun looks like and describe the heat (had enough of this cold weather !!) - cheers for the input.
Spike.

Will do Spike, spoke to a friend yesterday temp 30 deg - can't wait. There was delay on this flight 2 weeks ago so keeping everything crossed for tomorrow

Posted my app on Monday, just go them returned today requesting further info, as I am a serving Police Officer they want confirmation that my visit is tourism. WHAT !

This is my 9th visit in as many years, have to now apply to my commnader for him to grant a letter. I would have thought they wanted more people like me with all that going on in the country.

Only in India.

sorry but i am still confused about something despite reading the HCI website!!
A) what address do i send my sons passports and printed form to if we have done it online.... the Gosswell road or the -3 Canalside, Uxbridge Road, Hayes UB4 0JN.address??
also
B) can you access the online form after half completing and
C) can I pay online with MY card for my son and family's visa??? wont cause a prob will it? the reason I am so anxious to get everything right 1st time is because I am going to go ahead and book their flights for 3rd week in feb but my sons partner has to get a new passport as hers was stolen, that will take a week from tomorrow (when she has her appointment) according to passport agent newport so i will have very limited time to get her visa... about 15 days just seen on HCI website that it takes 10 working days not including transit time in post which is longer than i thought but dont want to lose the flights so hobbs choice...am i being stupid doing this (booking now)..'what to dooo' is it poss to still go to HCI in person in London and do it? i think the website is extreemly unclear about everything!!
chilly

Is it not possible for them to arrange an appointment instead of sending through the post?

Hi Chilly,

Application must be sent to office according to home address of applicant, see this page for counties Clicky

Anyone can pay,
Not sure about accessing a part completed application.
The turn around has been quite quick,

Mids

hi chilly we sent our application to the address at the top of the form which in our case was birminghamm cos its nearest to us

my o/h paid for both of ours with his card so yes you should be able to pay for your sons

friends of ours who didnt have time to apply by post just took everything to the birmingham office and applied in person ( in nov 2008 ) then had to return the next day to pick up their visas

anita

Please help I have just completed the form on-line, paid 77.72 and did not print off the on-line form so now I have no application to sign or send off, any ideas how i can trace it

Probably something really silly but I cannot find the answer reading through previous posts. Trying to fill in visa form but when I try to submit 1st page saying where I want to submit and collect from and after entering funny security letters and nos I press continue and get a page saying that "There is a problem with this websites security certificate" and I cannot get any further. I have turned popups off and downloaded the correct abode acrobat. What am I doing wrong? - very frustrated.