Got our photos from Max Spielman. Got visa back last week.

The form I filled in definitely asked for 2 x 35x45mm photos.

I will be looking for an explanation when I go through to Edinburgh tomorrow.

These changes started on the 23rd of Novemenber and were mentioned several times in the dedicated Visa topic, there is also information and links on how to print the correct size of picture yourself if this helps you http://www.holidaytruths.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=60&t=109916&start=1820

Certainly worth asking about when you are in Edinburgh!

It's the 'newbies' I feel more sorry for that don't access sites like HT and pick up the info. To have a form that still states the original size photo is just plain dumb - even dumber that they have to come up with such a stupid idea of 50x50 size !! Why do they do it ? I have not even started on our applications yet (what joy - can't wait..) What's in store for 2012, life size cut outs ?

The most likely way to forecast what fresh hurdles that India may put in the way of visa seekers from the UK, is to see what hurdles are placed in front of Indian nationals visiting the UK. Make no mistake all those restrictions and nonsense, such as photo size, are a game of tit for tat against the UK goverment. If anyone doubts that just check the visa conditions for other countries, and I'm sure you will find that thei conditions are much less strict than those applied to UK applicants
Alan

I've been going to Goa on-and-off since 1994 and twice a year for the last 5 or 6 years.

I applied for my visa sometime in October and got it without any problems.
In fact I've never had any problems in the past at all - if you disregard the fiasco when HCI suddenly and with very little notice (at the start of the Goa/Kerala season) that they wouldn't accept postal applications a few years ago.

But I'M getting twitchy about applying for my next visa!

They seem to change things with little or no notice, they find fault with the slightest thing (e.g. your passport signature is not identical to that on your application, they want supporting letters from employers for people in occupations NOT mentioned on the VFS website).

If you make a mistake on your application I guess there's not much of a surprise that it gets sent back, but from what I'm reading on here and TA, lots of people are having problems and they're not doing much wrong.

In Maxthebiker's case, as Kiltman says, the website DOES state that photos should be 2 x 2 - but then again Spike says the form DOESN'T so I can understand MTB's frustration.

A lot of things on the VFS website don't seem to be 'joined up', IYSWIM.

Max13biker

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

The above is the link for the new photo specs. Also, if you have difficulty re-sizing your photos, you can find a VERY useful site which does it quite well.

http://idphoto4you.com/ This was recommended by another member in a previous visa thread. If you have a read, it should throw up all the problems our members are facing.

Hope that helps

We applied with the NEW application form with STANDARD passport size photos and received Visa's back with no probs -Not sure it there was a "period of grace" however, as we sent off the new forms only 2 days after they changed and made reference to the new 50mm x 50mm

There was a 'transitional period' during which the cut-off point of 23 Nov was extended to 16 Dec - presumably to cater for the "teething problems" of the system. One of our members submitted a 'hand written application, with the 'old' type photo spec', took it into one of the London visa centres, and got it back a week or so later - all OK. This happened in the so-called 'transitional period'.

Spike wrote,

'What's in store for 2012, life size cut outs ?'

hope not for your sake mate ! imagine the postage for your cut out

Nice one Alan ! Well I'm gonna get in shape for next March - todays shape is a bag of spuds !

I went through to Edinburgh today and got the standard response - a shake of the head.

Where I went wrong was printing out the forms in advance and having everything ready to go - just waiting for a nice day to pop through to Edinburgh.
When the snow arrived, I decided to post the forms.

Had to laugh when we got to VFS - their photo booth only produces 35x45mm prints.
Lots of people who came in were sent away to find a local camera shop for 2"x2" prints.

I know I should have known better but I naively thought a normal passport photo would be alright. No so!

Like Max, my application came back yesterday requesting 2"x2" photographs. It's just utterly stupid - I really enjoy my Goa holidays but the drip drip of annoying and expensive obstacles is starting to really annoy me.

We went to Thailand last month and no visas, no hassle and a proper airport with helpful people. Mmmm......

Before you all send off your new photos, here is the latest info off the VFS website as to what they should be like.

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

Have you got all the measurements right???

Are you sure they are'nt all undercover moles for the Thailand Tourist Board ?
Alan

They look like Taxi drivers (except the kids that is)

Had to laugh when we got to VFS - their photo booth only produces 35x45mm prints

Brilliant! You couldn't make it up, could you?

Does anybody know why the photos have to be 2"x2"?

Is it just the Tourist Prevention Department dreaming up new ways to annoy and frustrate people who want to spend money in their country? Only an Indian Bureaucrat can fill a full page of A4 in tiny print explaining how to have a head shot taken.

A quote from it: "Headcoverings are not permitted except for religious reasons". I never thought I'd say it but I wish I were an archbishop - I could then send a picture of myself with huge mitre perched on my bonce!

Oh boy! I guess it's a measure of how much we enjoy Goa that we put up with all this cr*p every year just to get there! At least I hope we get there - no visas yet!

Well for the first time every on New Years Eve after waiting an hour I was "rejected" at the visa desk in Victoria as we had missed the signature under the photo - you know the one with the small arrow - saying - specimen signature - I was not amused and stomped orrff muttering about no wonder their tourist trade was down etc etc.

Anyway went back at lunchtime on Tuesday 4th with duly signed forms and was told not to que again but go to the same desk/chap I had seen on Friday - which I did - he gave me a look as if to say hum shall I / shan't I - and then fear took over as he remembered my scowling face from Friday and then did my applications there and then. I was out in 10 mins and back at my desk within the hour - weehee! Lucky as the palace was heaving with confused people - trying ever so hard to get it right!!!

So now for the good news my visas were ready by 11.00am today Thursday 6th Jan - yes folks - less than 48 hrs in and out - that has got to be a record!!!! Unless one of you knows different!

Oh by the way somebody said they thought the extra complications were because we are make it so hard for Indian National to get in to the UK - well I think it is a misguided attempt (why am I not surprised at the misguided bit) to stop terrorists - as I took a look at the requirements for US Nationals and it is even worse than for UK nationals!!

Visas resent on Tuesday (with 2"x2" photos!) - received Saturday. Nightmare over for another year!