After the HC having my partner's passport for 25 days (for an application thats supposed to take 7-10) one feels rather helpless. cant help thinking VFS charge such high rates to call them to keep us at bay. The free complaints phone number has been little use, they just pass the buck.

In this case would anyone recommend making a huge big fuss as a way to move things along? it seem waiting patiently doesnt work. I find it impossible to belive that VFS say they can do nothing when the passport is in the hands of the HC. Imagine that, handing your passport over, and then being told there is no way on earth the middle man you handed it to can tell you anything! barmy or what? for all we know they might have lost it.

is it time to cause an almighty fuss i wonder. how, i dont quite know. but staying quiet doesnt seem to cut any mustard at all>

Unfortunately Anula that seems to be the situ, We went to the VFS and they abruptly told me it was a working visa I needed as opposed to a biz visa. Told them that was not the case as for previous 3 years I had a biz visa as my own company (bona-fide) and not working for anyone else. I demanded to have an appointment with the HC to speak with an official there. Was granted one the next day and we went through the usual bo*locks with a very arrogant man who said we should extend our biz visa in Panjim. Easier said than done!
Listen girl, if you go through one 'government' thing a day you will be shouting 'hurray'
Actually I went into shock and had to have a gin and tonic!!

I wanted another 5 year x visa.
Yes i caused a fuss with VFS Birmingham,
they even threatened the police.
I made them submit my visa application, and yes
i got what i wanted.
Very yobbish from me, but i didnt give a shit,
if they didnt submit my application for a new 5 year x,
i was going to change countries anyway.
Give them shit, they are only the gatekeepers.

WOW, I'm impressed.

I've only ever managed to get one 1-year X visa and that was back in 2003.

I didn't think they were giving X-visas anymore. Where does it appear on the types of visas available on the VFS online application format?

Cheers & well done!

I was talking to a friend about this and he told me he made an additional box on the form himself for a 5 year visa and then he ticked his own box and they accepted it! everyone has a different story but it can be amusing sometimes.

They werent giving x visas when i got mine, but i made the VFS submit all my paperwork, bank statements, rental contract etc to the Indian Embassy, and Bobs your uncle i got what i wanted.
It took much fuss to get them to submit my paperwork.
Im not sure why more people, who want a 5 year x, dont try the same, just scream and shout, refuse to budge, tell them how your money has helped in India etc.
It was my second 5 year x.