Ok, some questions that I'd like to double check please.

Section B
Passport - Place of issue: Do I put "UKPA", as this is listed as the authority, as no place of issue is listed.

Section C
Permanent address on the print out doesn't show my postcode... Do I need to write this on? As it shows in the box above in present address.

Section E
Port of Arrival - Is this Dabolim, as that is where we are flying to.
Port of Exit - This is blank on the print out, do I need to put Manchester? As we're flying from Manchester Airport.
Places to visit - Am I ok just stating "Goa"?

Section F
Previous visa number - Where is this? I've assumed that it is the number in the top right corner, which is two characters, followed by 6 numbers. Is this correct?
Have you ever been deported from India - Do I need to state "No" or "NA", or just leave it blank?

Section G
Present Occupation - I've selected "Others", as mine doesn't fit into any. Will I therefore need a letter, as I haven't previously? Designation/Rank appears blank on the print out, do I need to handwrite my job title?

Section H
Address of hotel is blank, I'm assuming that I just hand write the details in? Even though it is stated in Section I, my reference in India.

Section I
UK reference, do I put down where I booked the holiday from? If not, then who do you use?

Am I best off sending it off to Birmingham, or going down to the office in Manchester and queueing?

If anyone has been to the Manchester office, any expereiences as to what time you need to get there? How long does it take? Do you need to take anything with you? Can you pay card, or does it have to be cash or something else?

Cheers, and sorry for all the questions.

B. UKPA

C. Write it in using BLACK pen

E. Arrival-Dabolim
Exit-Dabolim
Places to visit-Goa

F. Previous Visa- As you say, top right hand corner.
Deported-NO

G. Occupation- I put the nearest thing to mine, never had a problem.
Des/Rank-NA

H. Hotel-Write it in using BLACK pen.

I. UK Reference-A family member or close friend, it's a contact incase anything ever happens to you in Goa.

I thank you GoanMad Tony
So, any one got any tips or experiences of the Manchester application center?

Am I best off sending it off to Birmingham, or going down to the office in Manchester and queueing?

No! Not to Birmingham.

ALL postal applications go to the Hayes address.

If you send it to Birmingham, at best it will delay it whilst they send it on but more likely they'll return the whole thing to you in the RMSDE you provided (or courier service you paid for) and you'll have to re-send at your own cost.

Good call Prettypollycat, thanks.

salford

Having read your posts I would strongly reccommend you take your application to Manchester so they can check it and advise if its all ok, otherwise you run the risk of having a 7-10 day delay if they return it for some reason or other

Oh, meant to ask - on the Declaration Form that you need to sign, at the bottom it says "Place & Date" - What does this mean?

And thanks Silentman, I will no doubt do that between Christmas and New Year, as they are only closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Then I take it, I just have to pay the fee, plus the pre-paid Special Delivery Envelope.

Any idea if I can take mine and my wifes down with me? Or will she have to be present in person to hand over the application?

And my wife hasn't as yet changed her name on her passport, so I'd gather it's best to not claim a change of name, but still acknowledge that we are married, using her maiden name as her current name.

Can anyone recommend having eye test, and buying reading glasses in Candolim/Calangute, or would i be better to have eye test done in UK, then take prescription with me, also what price could i expect to pay,

Thanks
The Preacher

Yet another question, and hopefully my last.

The online application form, against "Indian Mission", do I select London or Birmingham, as Manchester isn't available on the pull down list.

Salford, the Manchester office might well be closed on Tuesday 27th as well as it is also a Bank Holiday.
For Place & Date it's: Your home town/city and the date you complete the form.
Your wife doesn't have to be with you when you go to the Manchester office.
Indian Mission is London.
You can pay for the delivery and return delivery at the Manchester Office, it will be delivered back to you by courier service, or you can pre pay for one Special Delivery Envelope and take it with you with all your forms and passport and just pay for delivery down to London at the office.

Preacher, you're best having the eye test here and take the prescription with you.

bindoobaba wrote:

Preacher, you're best having the eye test here and take the prescription with you

Cheers bindoobaba

bindoobaba the site says that it's business as usual from the 27th December.

Preacher - have PM'd you as this is the visa section.

Sorry about being senior moment, thought i was on the Goa gossip and general chat thread

Salford, if it says business as usual then no probs. If you're going to the Manchester office then unless you make an appointment I would get there early. Good luck.

Appointment made for 09:15 on the 27th December, so fingers crossed.

Last time I filled in my application in 2009, I offered to create an "idiots guide" to help others out on this forum. So if anyone has a decent resolution logo of the site, transparent gif would be ideal. Then I'll create one, as hopefully it'll help people out who attempt to fill out the forms for themselves.

You need glasses preacher !

salford
There is a very good guide to completing the application on another site

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTopic-g297604-i6045-k4809131-Visa_Guide_2011-Goa.html#35867123%2335867123

It has been posted on this thread before but gets lost in the 140 pages maybe the mods could consider having a sticky which would make it more accessible, only problem would be the constant changing to the application details by the Indian Embassy

hi, I'm a first time poster on this site.I Took my husbands visa application to Birmingham on the 14 Dec,but we still haven't had it back. getting a little concerned as we fly on the 7th Jan. I checked the tracking details and it says the following: your application is processed and sent to the respective office the high commission/ consulate general of India in the UK for further assessment. pls check our website. is says applicant date 21st Dec. but we went in and handed it in person on the 14th Dec. do you think we will get it back in time.