Hi All... please don't call me lazy.... I have looked through this thread but I'm a little confused.

I would normally queue at High Commission, London.... so how has that changed? From what I see I complete the online visa form, pay the fee, get a reference then collect from the high commission... is that correct?

Thanks
L

No, you don't collect from the HCI.
You really need to look through this (which is where you will find your application forms).

http://in.vfsglobal.co.uk/

It also gives a list of VFS centres - as you mention London these 2 may be the most convenient for you:

India Visa Application Center
60-62 Wilton Road,
Victoria, London, SW1V 1DE.
Submission of Application: 0830 - 1430 Hrs
Passport pickup: 1300 - 1630 Hrs Monday-Friday

India Visa Application Center
142-148 Goswell Road,
London EC1V 7DU.
Submission of Application: 0830 - 1430 Hrs
Passport pickup: 1300 - 1630 Hrs Monday-Friday

Even though you complete the form on-line, you'll have to print it off and hand it in - you can't submit electronically.

If you decide to apply by post, applications go to Hayes centre.

Thanks Prettypollycat, and sorry to make you repeat what's already on here.

Thanks for taking the time to reply, I'll read through it all properly.

Lozza
no problems - as you say, there's a lot of reading here!

There's an excellent thread on the Goa Tripadvisor forum about answering specific questions and 'do's and dont's' - such as don't put a / if you have to answer N/A - put NA etc.

Good luck - I needed to lay down in a darkened room for an hour after I'd completed ours.

Ha ha!! I seriously have a headache after reading their website!!

Now I have to decide whether to post or do it in person.... as I said before I would normally queue up and it's done in a morning, but now I have to go there to submit the forms and return 2-3 days later to collect the Visas!...... OR pay EXTRA to post it

Thanks again!

We would have to apply to Birmingham I think due to residing in Staffordshire. Tried to ring on the Birmingham tel but no answer. I am having no joy, we go in March what is the best route to take? Please help

Thanks Kazee x

Kazee
are you intending to apply by post?
If so, all postal applications go to the Hayes centre - regardless of wher in England you live.

You would have to make 2 trips to the Birmingham centre - 1 to hand docs in, 2 to collect. You can't get a visa in one visit anymore.

As you've got a fair bit of time until March, I'd personally be inclined to apply by post.
The downside is you'll have to pay to send your docs and return (we did Royal Mail special Delivery @ £4.95 each way for 2 passports).
Offset that cost against petrol and time to make personal visits.

I think all Postal applications are to Hayes,i posted ours from IOMon a saturday morning and had them back the following thursday

Glad we're singing from the same hymn sheet, manxcat.

So does that mean that we do not send to Birmingham but to the Middlesex address eg canalside, Hayes. It states copies only not originals, so still need to send special delivery for peace of mind . What do we or do we have to write anything on the back of the photos? Sorry for what may appear to be commonsense and I am questioning the obvious but so want to get it right the first time.

Thanks in advance peeps x

Kazee you need to fill the application in online then print it off, making sure that you take note of the referance number and your passport number. Decide if you want to supply a spec delivery envelope for them to return it in , ive chosen there courier service to return in case we get any more postal strikes chose how u are paying postal order or debit card online.

Then print off your completed application sign it attach 2 photos and your passport and pop it in a spec delivery envelope to the hayes address. Remember to include a spec delivery envelope for the return if you dont want them to courier it.

Then have sleepless nights till that visa and passport land back in your hand

Thanks Maz D, you only need to send photocopy of your passport dont you? Have I read that right lol. Their courier is that the DX firm
Crikey, dont go until March but feel the need to start it up now in case they have to return it .
Thanks

Kazee x

No babes u need to send ur passport thats why all the secure post. Im not going till march either but sent mine today

You need to send your original passport - they stick the visa into the passport.
Your passport needs to be valid for a minimum of 190 days with at least two blank pages.

I can't see where on the VFS website they mention 'copies' of passports.

Thanks peeps your soooo helpful x

I am now very worried about whether I will be able to return to India on Sunday after having read this on another forum!

I have now received a reply from VFS on the two month rule for re-entry to India.

"Please note that an applicant of any nationality who wishes to apply for a fresh tourist visa once his old tourist visa has expired has to wait for 2 months before re-applying for a new tourist visa OR any applicant who already has a valid tourist visa with multiple entries will have to re-apply for re-entry permit from HCI/CGI if travelling again within 2 months of their last exit from India.

Please note that this ruling applies to short term tourist visas i.e. 6 months and 1 year and does not apply to the long term entry for 5 years or any other visa category.

Applicants who require re-entry to India within 2 months owing to their itineraries e.g. travelling to a third country from India using India port as the hub and returning after a few days, will now have to support their applications with a detailed itinerary and the same will be considered by the HCI for the second entry.

For applicants who have to travel again for any other reason will have to make an application to the HCI London and it will be considered on case specific basis. Special request forms will be made available very soon on our website and will also provide hard copies of the same through Indian Visa Application Centres for anyone wishing to apply for the re-entry. These applicants will have to attend the HCI in person and submit this request form with a misc. fee of £7 and their case will be decided on an individual basis at High Commission of India's discretion. If they are given a re-entry, the HCI will stamp a re-entry stamp on their passports which will enable them to re-enter India within 2 months of their last entry"

It doesn't look promising, does it??

Hi Squigs
I saw that post too.

Very confusing especially when read alongside the reply that Fiona got last week, which says that as long as your visa is valid, you're OK. It's only an issue when you apply for a new visa with less than a 2 month gap.

For those of you who like to visit Goa more than once in a season, make sure your visa covers both or all visits. From the Visa office today(29th December) in answer to my query

Quote:
Thank you for your query,

An applicant of any nationality needs to have a gap of minimum 2 months before he or she applies for the new tourist visa to India once the old tourist visa expires. Please note that this rule is applicable only for tourist visas & not for any other type of visas. With regards to the cases where the applicant has to travel to India within 2 months for unavoidable reasons on a tourist visa, then in such case he or she will have to obtain special permission from the HCI or otherwise the applicant will be deported by the Indian immigrations. This is a new directive which has been intimated by HCI.

It sounds like nobody knows how to interpret this ruling, which is very disturbing for people like you who are planning to return within the 2 month.
Is there anybody anywhere who knows what is going on?

This is just appalling. I specifically asked about those with a visa who were returning within 2 months. You can see the reply I got. If the very people who are dealing with the visas can't give the same answer twice then its just a disgrace.
Squigs- are you able to get to the HCI? It might be better to do that rather than risk actually getting to India and being refused. Hopefully with proof of itinery they will allow you re-entry.
I've removed the advice I got but still have the email which I think I will copy and send back to them, asking for an explanation.

This is disgusting. When you pay for a multiple entry visa, valid for 6 months, and get one, it should be as it says on the box. They should not be allowed to take your money for one, then change the rules. This is outrageous.
They really expect people to be able to visit the HCI in person to plead their case, pay more money, just to be able to go on a second holiday to India. What about people that can't get to a HCI easily? That is what we are paying the external services fee for (VFS).

If this is so, why 2 months? why not for any second visit? Have they plucked two months from the air for no good reason?

If you have paid for a multiple entry visa, that's what you should get. Why don't they just do a shorter, CHEAPER visa, say one month if they are so concerned?

This is yet another nail in the coffin for tourism in India.