update of visa application

bobthebus

2007-10-17 19:03:47

i've just been onthe HCIlondon website, and to my mind its no wonder people are confused!! the press release is no longer on there for people to read and the website has not been updated to tell people that they no longer accept postal applications, if fact it tells you how to do it!!
i think this is a pretty poor state of affairs and its time the HCI bucked up their ideas.
anyone agree??
bob

gramps

2007-10-17 19:30:02

update of visa application

Mabey they have got the wind up with the shambles they have created and have decided to go back to allowing postal applications ?? Alan

Ginlizzy

2007-10-17 19:54:53

Bobthebus
It is still on there I havejust checked and its in the same place.
So they havent changed their minds Gramps. I thought it was to good to be true :cry:

bobthebus

2007-10-18 06:53:55

hi ginlzzy
the real point about this is that they are still giving instuctions on how to do the old postal system that they no longer use. even the application forms give instuctions on the back of how to apply by post.
not everyone going to india uses HT, or the other one. HOW WILL THEY KNOW ??
my point is that the relavent commisions should have updated their websites and relative paperwork to coincide with the change of system.
BOB

Miccie

2007-10-18 08:16:30

Bob, I took this up with them on the telephone, pointing out that they had not updated their website sufficiently and even the telephone number you can ring to listen to verbal instructions gave details of how to apply by post.

I didn't get anywhere, just told that they no longer accepted postal applications. Just have to be glad that we do use HT so we are aware. I do pity the people who are not aware, and wonder what the HCI are doing in terms of the postal applications they must still be receiving.

raving_pixie

2007-10-18 09:10:35

Reading all these visa threads makes me feel so lucky to live in London.

Lozza07

2007-10-18 11:30:30

Hi Raving Pixie... unfortunately we're not that lucky, have you seen the queues lately at London HCI???? My mum works quite near there and said to me on Tuesday "I passed the Indian Embassy this morning....." with an uneasy smirk on her face. I knew exactly what she was going to say, because I have gone passed myself in recent weeks!!!! It looks like a complete nightmare. I queued earlier this year (Feb) and it was bad enough then.

raving_pixie

2007-10-18 13:32:47

We got our visas last week. We started queuing (in the rain!!) at 8am, got to the front of the queue about 1030am and our timed ticket told us to come back at 2pm, which we did. Eventually got out at 4pm with the visas. So basically it did take all day, thankfully I have a understanding boss.

Miccie

2007-10-18 13:46:23

Pixie that almost sounds like they are sorting themselves out. It was my understanding that you queued and got a timed ticket which was for another day entirely. That was why I decided to use an agent rather than go myself.

raving_pixie

2007-10-18 13:59:57

I think we were just lucky, a friend of ours went the next day and started queuing earlier than us and she got a ticket to come back on another day.

I think the rain that we got soaked in put a lot of people off going that day.

I couldn't believe the queue when we arrived though. We've got pictures of it for the begining of the holiday snaps! :lol:

Lozza07

2007-10-18 14:31:27

My apologies I didn't realise you had been already. I'm dreading going in Feb next year... hopefully it's raining!! :lol:

My boyfriend said to just use an agent, but: 1. (I know it sounds tight) I begrudge paying even more than I already have on top of my holiday e.g Visa, Insurance, when I already live in London. 2. I'm scared to send my passport off and 3. I'm hoping it will calm down by March. (fingers crossed!!)

Betty Boop

2007-10-18 15:02:12

We'll I passed on the Yourtravelshop.com address (thanks Salford :wink:

) to a friend of mine who didn't even KNOW that they'd stopped doing postal applications...and he had the wrong forms downloaded! :shock:

Gemma33

2007-10-18 16:03:17

Raving Pixie it usually takes a full day to get your Visa. Need to drop it off at the Consulate and then go back and collect it. Fortunately we live in Glasgow and have a visa surgery here twice a month on a Saturday or the Edinburgh consulate (only 40 minutes away) is opened Monday-Friday.
We are going for ours next Friday and I am dreading it, but its got to be done.
Lozza if I was able to go to a consulate or visa surgery then I would NEVER send my passport by post. Royal Mail managed to lose my passport about two years ago and it was sent by SPECIAL DELIVERY so as far as I am concerned NEVER AGAIN. However, I do appreciate some people are in a situation were they have no option but to apply by post, but a very uneasy time when your passport is not in your possession.

bobthebus

2007-10-18 21:43:45

one of the reasons i posted this subject is because i have had great difficulty in convincing a collegue, not to apply to the HCI by post.
his view is,"they give instructions on the application form on how to apply by post" i have tried to assre him that they will NOT process his application, but he in turn says "they must". you and i know hes's going to be dissapointed with the result, but he is adamant!!
its going to cost him twice for his special delivery, i've tried to point this out to him, but he is still going to go ahead and apply. WHAT CAN I DO!!!
BOB

Betty Boop

2007-10-18 21:47:42

a) Direct him to this site / or print it off for him.

If he STILL insists .... pprrrf....

b) let him waste time and money! :lol:

You can't win 'em all! :wink:

bobthebus

2007-10-18 21:51:57

He doen't have a computer, and if my words not good enough!!! I GIVE UP!! pprrrf.....
BOB :shrug

Betty Boop

2007-10-18 22:22:12

In that case....print out the relevant threads...dump them in front of him and leave him to read through the lot! If he STILL insists he knows best :shrug

- you can have the pleasure of saying 'I TOLD you so!' :lol: