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iaintwoeyes
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18-07-2007 01:03 PM
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Joined: 11 Jan 2006
Posts: 2246
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| The High Commision of India has changed its policy regarding visa applications.
The HCI will no longer be accepting postal applications.
Please see the press release for further details
http://www.hcilondon.net
HW Iain
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My Latest Review: Jun 2008 Hardwick Hall Hotel, Sedgefield (7/10)
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PrettyPollycat
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18-07-2007 03:24 PM
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Joined: 01 Jun 2006
Posts: 35
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| I've already seen this, it's going to cause really big problems.
From what I've read, I understand that postal applications are still being accepted at Birmingham (but they seem to put a limit of how many they do per day) and Edinburgh (I've read that they only accept applications from people with Scottish addresses).
Again from what I've read, Birmingham were very much slower than HCI London in processing applications.
God knows how long it will take now.
Polly
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My Latest Review: Jan 2008 Ayre Hotel Caspe, Barcelona (9/10)
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GOANLUV
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02-08-2007 08:45 AM
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Joined: 02 Aug 2007
Posts: 1
| There are major problems and conflicting information being given by the Birmingham consulate for issuing visas.
My understanding of it is if you live within the Birmingham catchment area you are allowed to apply for visas by post the same with Scotland.
The huge problem arises if you live in the South - the area that was covered by the London HCI. As a tourist you are now expected to take a day of work travel to London and queue all day to get a visa personally from London HCI, if not you have the pleasure of paying their accredited travel agents (all based around the London area and many with Indian names) a fee of between £20 and £40 an application IF they will do this some have said no to those independant travellers not having booked through themselves.
Many of regular travellers who use other forums have complained via our MPs no one has had an explanation so far.
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SCUBA
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02-08-2007 09:17 AM
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Joined: 10 May 2007
Posts: 178
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| I had problems a few years ago i stayed over night in birmingham and queed the next morning only to get to the front and be told we are not doing any visas any more come back tomorow was really rude with me too.
So i used visa express a little more expensive sent it on a monday got it back on my doorstep on the wednesday they do have a site
www.visaexpress.co.uk which u can download and print off the forms u need
Hope this helps u all
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iaintwoeyes
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02-08-2007 07:52 PM
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Joined: 11 Jan 2006
Posts: 2246
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| Thats a really handy link SCUBA, thanks.
I have no idea why they have changed the arrangements this year. India is becoming a popular destination for tourists but if they put barriers like this up, then people will not visit.
Also the Indian Government are spending a fortune on advertising India this year....why???
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My Latest Review: Jun 2008 Hardwick Hall Hotel, Sedgefield (7/10)
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SCUBA
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03-08-2007 05:40 PM
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Joined: 10 May 2007
Posts: 178
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| You can use it for most places which need a visa
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My Latest Review: Jun 2007 Butlins Skegness (10/10)
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blueblue
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22-08-2007 09:57 PM
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Joined: 22 Aug 2007
Posts: 1
| Hi all,
I would like to visit Goa in November but have had so much trouble trying to apply for a tourist visa. I live in the Yorkshire dales and was informed by the Edinburgh hci that I could only apply to Birmingham for my postal visa, but they were taking much longe than usual to process. The surgeries were suggested, unfortunately the one closest to me is next weekend and I am working so cannot attend.
It would seem that my only other option is one of the registered visa agencies which charge fees, but how do I know which are trustworthy? I dont like sending my passport to an agency that I know nothing about.
Also would I need to apply for my tourist visa using the Birmingham hci application form, as this covers the area in which I live according to the Edinburgh hci. I was told that they have just changed the way that their applications are dealt with.
I am at the stage now where I am thinking is it worth the hassle.
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iaintwoeyes
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22-08-2007 10:05 PM
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Joined: 11 Jan 2006
Posts: 2246
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| Sadly I have no idea what the Indian govenment are up to with changing the application process.
However, I have heard that the average time to process a visa application at Birmingham is about 4 weeks. I am going to Goa in March next year and will be applying to Birmingham in December*.
I am reluctent to use a visa service cos of the extra costs.....it costs enough as it is!!
*The tourist visas are valid for six months
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My Latest Review: Jun 2008 Hardwick Hall Hotel, Sedgefield (7/10)
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PrettyPollycat
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29-08-2007 11:13 AM
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Joined: 01 Jun 2006
Posts: 35
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| I suggest that everyone who intended to apply for a visa to CGI, Birmingham take a look at their website.
Bad news for anyone who intended to apply by post to Birmingham after September 10th......
They really do NOT want visitors to Goa, do they!
Bizarrely, the reason they give for discontinuing acceptance of postal application is to 'minimise the crowd and queuing of visa seekers for long hours in adverse climatic conditions'.
Er, excuse me if I'm a bit thick but just exactly how is NOT accepting postal applications going to MINIMISE queuing?
We're due to pay our balance this weekend and are seriously considering cancelling our planned holiday.
There are lots of lovely places in the world with great beaches, food and culture that have a more tourist-friendly approach to allowing visitors to enter their country.
Polly
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My Latest Review: Jan 2008 Ayre Hotel Caspe, Barcelona (9/10)
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iaintwoeyes
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29-08-2007 01:19 PM
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Joined: 11 Jan 2006
Posts: 2246
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| Quote from The Consulate General of India's website
During the months from October to March, due to heavy rush of visa applications, it may not be possible for the Consulate to entertain all the applicants visiting the Consulate each day and the number of applications may, therefore, be restricted to 50 applicants or 200 applications for each day.
1. They are really trying to make it as difficult as possible to get a visa
2. It costs £30 for a tourist visa to India....but how you get one for that price is beyond me!
3. Too many people (officials) are making money out of us tourists
4. Bit of a difference between 50 visas and 200 visas a day
5. If they only process maximum of 200 a day.....then thats less than one plane load of tourists!!
6. I am now seriously considering changing my holiday to somewhere else where I wont encounter all this hassle prior to my holiday
The worst part of all this is that many many Indians in Goa make a good living from British tourists and they will be the ones to suffer in the long run.
Also the many great charities doing work out there like Children Walking Tall will suffer due to falling tourist numbers.
Just what is the Indian Government up to?
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My Latest Review: Jun 2008 Hardwick Hall Hotel, Sedgefield (7/10)
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carole2000
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29-08-2007 02:13 PM
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Joined: 23 Dec 2005
Posts: 179
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| Yes, the Indian Government do love their difficult form filling and beaurocracy learnt by the English in the Empire Days!
It's hard enough to get money changed - they make a note of every serial number on banknotes in duplicate! And most banks amazingly won't change money so it's easier at the hotels!
It's a pity about the visa situation as we love Goa but this will really put us off - it was bad enough going to Birmingham last time but if we went and they said "No more visas today" we'd be very unimpressed!
Anyone who goes to get a visa please let us know how you get on, thanks.
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My Latest Review: Jun 2008 Aloe Hotel, Marmaris (9/10)
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PrettyPollycat
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29-08-2007 02:14 PM
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Joined: 01 Jun 2006
Posts: 35
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| Iain
you need to read the 'IMPORTANT NOTICE' on the CGI, Birmingham website.
This is where they state that they will only issue 50 visas per day and that postal applications will not be accepted after 10/9/2007.
It's not exactly a 'smack you in the eye - you can't miss it' type of notification for something that will impact on a large number of prospective tourists.
I agree 100% with everything you've said.
Many other countries have much more tourist friendly immigration processes and unless things change we will be voting with our feet and spending our money in another country.
Polly
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My Latest Review: Jan 2008 Ayre Hotel Caspe, Barcelona (9/10)
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luckylisp1234
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06-09-2007 11:13 AM
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Joined: 06 Sep 2007
Posts: 82
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| me and my partner are going to calangute/goa in november.its our first ever trip to india and all this visa business is well confusing,but after running around all over and trawling the net.We have ended up payin double for our visa's by using www.visaexpress.co.uk.They do all the leg-work(litteraly).I hope you find this of use.
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dunc
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06-09-2007 08:44 PM
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Joined: 02 Jul 2007
Posts: 17
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| A group of us(4) went to the Indian Consulate in Edinburgh to get our visa`s (6 of ) and had no problems whatsoever,We had to have them in by 12-30 pm and couldn`t pick up our visa`s until after 4pm on the same day it was really easy no problems at all.
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luckylisp1234
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10-10-2007 03:04 PM
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Joined: 06 Sep 2007
Posts: 82
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| yippee we finaly got our visa's but it did cost us twice the usual amount plus a little extra for special delivery,im re-thinking about goa next year as its NOT very cheap obtaining visa's now unless oyu wanna risk going to the H.C.I and waiting all day and may not even be seen!
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My Latest Review: Nov 2007 Resorte De Tio Carmino Hotel, Calangute (8/10)
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macomaco
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02-02-2008 06:11 PM
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Joined: 02 Feb 2008
Posts: 4
| The Indian High Commission only issue something like 150 visas per day if you queue up or not they change the rules of issue as and when they like without notification and never update there website with the changes , so i wouldnt waste your time queuing go through 1 of the many visa agencies available i will this time saves time saves me from getting stressed and saves me money .
Peace out
Shane
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My Latest Review: Feb 2007 Valentines Retreat Hotel, Candolim Beach (7/10)
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iaintwoeyes
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02-02-2008 08:11 PM
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Joined: 11 Jan 2006
Posts: 2246
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| Or surely the easier and cheaper way to do it, is to apply directly yourself by post, as I have done!
Posted last Saturday along with my postal order for £60, I wonder how long they're going to be?
Ps...blinking £60 postal order cost me £65.25!!!
No wonder nobody uses postal orders anymore.......except the Indian visa people!!
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My Latest Review: Jun 2008 Hardwick Hall Hotel, Sedgefield (7/10)
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themis
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19-03-2008 07:22 PM
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Joined: 11 Mar 2008
Posts: 4
| i went to get a visa today for my self and my child. They said ii needed her child benefit letter, dont ask me y, bcus they dont give u a straight answer. And then told me i had to write down my spouse details, i told them i do not have a spouse put they said to write it down and sign the declaration. Wouldnt that mean its a false declaration???
im so stressed, first choice have been unhelful, they wont chage my holiday to a different country and said its not their problem!!! |Too right its not they took almost £900 OFF ME so its not there problem. So now i either try again with the visas or try and transfer the holiday to some one else (charges included).
Lesson learnt, ill never fly with first choice again!! or rely on the ineffecient, arrogant rude staff at the IHC!!!
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