Where did you find that paxrax? I keep reading the damned press release, but can't see it.
I wonder if this means that a visa will cost more as the travel agents listed may have their own handling fee.
Can someone confirm how they know that Birmingham and Edinburgh will still accept postal applications.
Andy Taz,
this topic should get a few post's, looks like I will be in the line again next time the visa surgery comes to town. Thanks for the info Andy..... jxk8.
this topic should get a few post's, looks like I will be in the line again next time the visa surgery comes to town. Thanks for the info Andy..... jxk8.
As part of our ongoing review of Consular Services it has been felt necessary to discontinue the existing practice of receiving Indian Visas/ Passports/ Consular Services/ PlO/ OCI applications by post. In order to enable those desiring to apply for Indian Visas/ Passports/ Consular Services/ PlO/ OCI without appearing in person at the High Commission of India, we have enlisted the assistance of accredited Travel Agents across the consular jurisdiction of the High Commission of India, London to accept applications on behalf of the High Commission of India, London.
Postal applications for Indian visas can also be made to the Consulate General of India in Birmingham or the Consulate General of India in Edinburgh. Please contact these Consulates directly for their requirements and other relevant details. Addresses and telephone numbers of the two Consulates are given under the link "Where to obtain Indian visas in the UK".
The listed travel agents are only in the London area to cover for the London High Commision submissions I presume
We live in Leicester and use a charity who will get a visa for you for a donation, there are a number of places that will arrange to get a visa for you for £5.
Check locally as most cities have large Indian populations and they will probably have similar services.
Check locally as most cities have large Indian populations and they will probably have similar services.
If I live in the London area can I post my application to Birmingham?
Gooner fan I was wondering the same thing. Surely there will be some stipulation otherwise the Birmingham offices will be maxed out with applications 
Spoke to Birmingham (Consulate General of India) 09:00 this morning, they are accepting postal applications regardless of your address,
They do have a past history of being slower than London was so make sure you allow enough time,
If you want to fill out a form on your PC there is a PDF which you can download & fill in visa PDF but note it cannot be saved so you must print it off. (it does contain a bit of advertising so hope this is OK)
Mids
They do have a past history of being slower than London was so make sure you allow enough time,
If you want to fill out a form on your PC there is a PDF which you can download & fill in visa PDF but note it cannot be saved so you must print it off. (it does contain a bit of advertising so hope this is OK)
Mids
Thanks Mids, thats better news then.
Ill apply for mine August time, not going untill December so that should leave plenty of time to get them back.
Ill apply for mine August time, not going untill December so that should leave plenty of time to get them back.
Mids on Tour
do you have any info on how long Birmingham take to process postal applications?
Of course, who knows how much longer it will take if most of the people who normally post their applications to HCI London start to post them to Birmingham instead.
I've recently booked for Goa mid November and we don't come back from Bali until almost the end of September so we may end up deciding to get our visas in person.
Not very pro-tourist, is it?
Polly
do you have any info on how long Birmingham take to process postal applications?
Of course, who knows how much longer it will take if most of the people who normally post their applications to HCI London start to post them to Birmingham instead.
I've recently booked for Goa mid November and we don't come back from Bali until almost the end of September so we may end up deciding to get our visas in person.
Not very pro-tourist, is it?
Polly
I have just spoken to one of those on the list (Statesman Travel) who say they will process up to five visas for £25.
Mids on Tour
do you have any info on how long Birmingham take to process postal applications?
Of course, who knows how much longer it will take if most of the people who normally post their applications to HCI London start to post them to Birmingham instead.
No I can only go on there past performance (when they were not doing the extra!) they were about 14-21 days about two or three times the length that London was returning them in.
I have just spoken to one of those on the list (Statesman Travel) who say they will process up to five visas for £25.
Do you still have to pay for special delivery both ways or is that done in person, if so its not that much extra for 4 or 5 people by the time you take the post costs off,
I can see this becoming a nightmare, I had made my mind up to never to again in person to Birmingham, its such a waste of a day normally in freezing cold, que to get in, que to submit, que when you come back to collect PM
I contacted Statesman because they are very near where I work so they could pick up passports from my office and return them, possibly same day. They also indicated that they could return them to my home address by registered post so I guess they can do almost what you want. I always go to India House myself as it is just up the road from my office but can envisage it becoming a nightmare if even more people go there in person so using an agent could be the way to go, provided it was reasonably cost effective. I have never liked the idea of trusting my passport to Royal Mail!
Candybabe
Candybabe
According to the website of the Consulate General of India in Birmingham, postal applications can take up to 4 weeks.
I wonder if they are planning on putting on additional staff to handle the probable increase in applications they are likely to get....
I wonder if CGI Birmingham are even aware that they are likely to be inundated by many more applications than in the past....
I can see this coming as a shock to a lot of people who are used to applying by post.
I wonder if Travel Agents are clued-up to this change, too.
Polly
I wonder if they are planning on putting on additional staff to handle the probable increase in applications they are likely to get....
I wonder if CGI Birmingham are even aware that they are likely to be inundated by many more applications than in the past....
I can see this coming as a shock to a lot of people who are used to applying by post.
I wonder if Travel Agents are clued-up to this change, too.
Polly
I've just rung one of the travel agents in the Ilford area.He said...they DID do this messenger service...but they stopped it because..the man they used to take the passports up to the High Commission was 'very old'...and 'couldn't be trusted with the passports'
HOWEVER, they are starting up the service again from tomorrow. It will cost £20. I then asked about posting the passports. They would have to be send by Registered Post....and the fee would then be £25..as they would send them back by Registered Post.
We were told last year that Birmingham limit the number of Visas they issue each day. They get very busy around Divali.
but they stopped it because..the man they used to take the passports up to the High Commission was 'very old'...and 'couldn't be trusted with the passports'
sorry but
Last time we applied by post to Birmingham, 2 years ago, it took 6 weeks for our passports to come back. We have applied to London for the last 2 years who were much quicker. We go away at Christmas and usually go to Goa at Easter so will have to apply as soon as we get back in the new year, hopefully that will give them plenty of time. We have never had any problem with Royal Mail, we send/return by Special Delivery, have done so for 9 years.
Similar Topics
-
Begur: Request For Information
Posted by ikearns in Spain - Costa Brava Discussion Forum
-
INDIA VISA INFORMATION AND Q&As
Posted by Fiona in Goa Discussion Forum
-
Important information about Visa fee increase
Posted by luci HT Mod in Goa Discussion Forum
-
A request
Posted by Fiona in Goa Discussion Forum
-
HELP...Accommodation request !!!!
Posted by noggin in Goa Discussion Forum