Not much help when you live in Hampshire Gemma

As this is an important thread for everyone I'm going to request that posts here stick to questions, and giving info. Feel free to use Goa gossip for the lighthearted banter

Thought this link would be useful to everyone who is applying in person, no point in making a wasted journey

The following holidays will be observed in the High Commission of India, London, Consulates General of India, Birmingham and Edinburgh during the Year

http://www.hcilondon.net/holiday-calendar-2007.html

Oh no..i'm getting really worried now

I have just had an e-mail from the Birmingham consulate.

They have said "we regret we are unable to accept your postal application for a visa".

I don't have the time to go to London/Birminghm in person and will have to use a visa service.

Do you think it is worth taking a gamble and posting it anyway?

i've just had the same reply, so Devon can't use the postal sevice.

BOB

Just posted mine this morning to Edinburgh so fingers crossed

And yet oap and myself both live in Cumbria and both Edinburgh and Birmingham saying they will accept postal applications.

I've just been told Newcastle will accept mine but for £65.00!!
Nearly the price of a passport!

Just been told by Birmingham tehy will not accept my postal application. I live in South Wales

Jan 08 will be my last visit to Goa as I am not prepared to take time off from work and travel to Birmingham to get a visa

I have written to Birmingham in my official role as Goa mod to ask if they can clear this up for us. I pointed them to this thread. We'll see what they say. I've asked for info I can print on the website. I emailed on Friday.

Many thanks Fiona...let's just hope that they see sense and accept postal applications at Birmingham etc...or even better...that they will back track and London WILL start to accept postal applications again.

As of today...I STILL haven't had heard anything from Birmingham

I think it will probably mean a whole day to travel into London ....I really DON'T fancy sending off passports to any of their travel agents that they have listed - to be honest they don't seem to know what they're doing anyway!

don, t know if i am allowed to post this link so fiona if you remove it i will understand.
i have just spoken to the guy how runs the shop. and he dose visa applications for £10.00
per visa. i know this will not be of help to every one on H.T. but anyone living in the boton area
may find it helpful andy
http://www.astrotravel.co.uk/index.html

Brilliant Andy!

I've just spoken to him..and feel VERY satisfied with their service.

He has said you have to print off the visa application from the Birmingham web site...which can be found on.. http://www.cgi.birmingham.org

You then send the £30 for each visa PLUS £10 for each visa PLUS £5 for them to send it back to you Recorded/special delivery..and of course you must send the passports to them via this postal service. (Therefore...for TWO persons you must send a cheque for £85)

Their phone number to get their address is
01204 599701 / 01204 599702

He said that he thinks that eventually all the HCI will be doing away with postal applications..and if not arriving in person then you would have to go through one of their accredited travel agents.

PMSL....just clicked on my link to download a form...and..Page Cannot Be Displayed He DID say though that he could email me a form!

So...at least we can GET the visas now...albeit £10 pp now added to the cost of visa
OOPS PS!!! I forgot to say...he said to allow FOUR WEEKS when wanting a visa.

Astro Travel
CompanyType : Travel Agents & Holiday Companies
282 Chorley Old Road, Bolton, Lancashire, BL1 4JE
Telephone: 01204 599701,
its good for me as it is only about a mile from were i live
if any one knows their way around bolton it is stright facing morrisons super market

I have had an answer from Birmingham

For consular and visa work, this Consulate covers the Midlands region comprising the counties of Cheshire, Cleveland, Cumbria, Derbyshire, Durham, Humberside, Isle of Man, Isle of Sicilly, Lancashire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Manchester, Merseyside, Midlands (West), Northumberland, Nottinghamshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Tyne & Wear, Warwickshire, Yorkshire (North), Yorkshire (South) and Yorkshire (West).

I am getting really frustrated here! You would think that they would make the nearer areas to the office non postal, and the areas further away postal ! As I live in S Wales I might just take a chance and post it to Birminham anyway or even Edinburgh. What are they tryig to do to their tourist industry? It just beggars belief Think I should start applying now, we go in November so hopefully will get it sorted in time.

....Awww Fiona what about Northren Ireland ...thay tell us we are british too what are we going to do ....colleen

I take it that Belfast don't issue visas then?