Visa help.
 

After all the problems members have been receiving obtaining Visa's thought it may help to put all the telephone numbers, email contacts in one place.

If any of you have got any other numbers, please add to the thread.
This thread is for information only.



http://www.visaservices.co.in/IHC-U..._Passport.aspx[/url]
with this you can trace your passport and see at what stage your visa is
at would advise you to keep a watch on this, as they do not contact you
if there is a problem

Call center number 09057570045.
95p a min + 6p min BT

[email protected]


Types of Visas: http://in.vfsglobal.co.uk/visacategory.aspx

Documents required for your visa: http://in.vfsglobal.co.uk/documents.aspx

Visa Fees and Charges: http://in.vfsglobal.co.uk/visafees.aspx

Your Visa Processing Time: http://in.vfsglobal.co.uk/processingtime.aspx

How to make an application online: http://in.vfsglobal.co.uk/applyonline.aspx

How to modify/ retrieve your application: https://www.visaservices.co.in/IHC-UK

How to apply by Post: http://in.vfsglobal.co.uk/postalapplication.aspx

Visa application Forms: http://in.vfsglobal.co.uk/visaforms.aspx

Visa application Centres: http://in.vfsglobal.co.uk/contactus.aspx

Our Terms and Conditions: http://in.vfsglobal.co.uk/terms.aspx

Tracking the status of your visa application: https://www.visaservices.co.in/IHC-U..._Passport.aspx



Complaints number 02078113976, Monday to Friday between 0900hrs - 1300hrs & 1400hrs - 1700hrs

[email protected]

[email protected]

Re: Visa help.
 

Excellent Noni
this will be useful for anyone on the visa run:thumbup::thumbup:
well done Mod
GC;)

Re: Visa help.
 

Good post Noni, not to mention my screaming and shouting in the visa office, but it worked.:thumbsup:

Re: Visa help.
 

This has appeared on the Australian VFS site (nothing on UK VFS yet (?):

Re: Visa help.
 

I've been more than happy with the services of VFS Global - however, when I applied on-line for my visa in 2008, they didn't delete my details after my visa was granted & it took several e-mails (& weeks) to get them to delete my details so that I could apply for my visa on-line in 2009.

I would have applied for a longer visa than I did, BUT the cost difference of 'up to 1 year' & 'more than 1 year' of £55 :eek: per visa put me off, BECAUSE, had I applied for the longer visa & ended up being given a shorter visa, then I might as well 'pi**ed the difference of £110 (for 2 visas) up against the wall' - the experiences of Steve Benaulim (can't f**king wait to get on the beach at Zumbrai - Varca end, next Monday) do give me heart though & next season I might have the 'bollocks' (Hi Noni) to try for the longer visa!

H.

P.S. - My heartfelt sympathies go out to Steve Benaulim over the loss of his father & his mother's current illness - I'm in the fortunate position that both my parents are in rude health & I dread the day that anything happens to either of them because I'm used to living without much emotion & I really really don't know how I'll deal with it.

P.P.S. - currently sat on lounge floor, regretting the morning after the night before, heating on, fire on, eating 'Wotsits' (for some reason :blink:), one eye on Merseyside derby, one eye on pi**ing down rain outside - off to toast some muffins now & toss a coin to see whether I have a cup of tea or a glass of beer. . . . . .

Re: Visa help.
 

Interesting!

I had a similar problem this year when appying online this year. I completed my application online ok. At the end of the process you are asked if you wish to apply for another (for spouse etc). I answered 'yes' and entered my wife's passport number - at which point I got a message saying 'invalid entry'. No way back at that point of course so both applications were bug***ed.

Eventually I discovered the problem was that my wife's visa for 2008 was showing as 'awaiting collection' despite us having collected it and used it. It hadn't been cleared from the system.

Had to email VFS and wait whilst they cleared the error and my aborted application.

In future I will run a check on both passport numbers before making the applications (N.B You can search for visa application progress - if last years was still on the system it would show up)

Re: Visa help.
 

:thumbsup:

Re: Visa help.
 

Just as a matter of interest, I have received our visitor visas back today. Thats a turnaround of only 8 days. This was from Hayes.

Re: Visa help.
 

Well lucky you! You have not had the problems of some members on here.
Perhaps you are lucky enough not to own property over here :wub: If you are in Candolim give us a pm and we can meet up. :rolleyes:

Re: Visa help.
 

This is my first posting on BE so please be patient. Having being visiting Goa for a number of years still a tweeker. We usually visit in December and again March/April time getting 2 visits from one visa. We applied end of Nov for a 6 month multiple entry as we have previously. We were then asked to submit a letter from our employers to say that we were applying for an Indian Visa for a holiday which we both supplied. Visa's came back today - I have what we asked for and my husband has just got a 3 month single entry visa. This will prove for us to be very expensive holidays if this is all we can now expect to receive. My husband has a new passport not sure it if this was the reason. Do they need to see previous visa's for continuity?

Re: Visa help.
 

Welcome Wilky to BE and the wonderful world of Goa, but at least it is hot and sunny out here.
Visa problems - there are so many their right hand does not know what the left hand is doing.

Re: Visa help.
 

Wilky 7,

Welcome to BE! I have read recently that a person who is a new visitor (as someone with a NEW passport with no history could be judged) to India applying for a 6 month visa is viewed as a bigger 'risk/threat' than someone applying for a one year visa who can show repeated 'short stay' visit history.

I think you've been unlucky at the hands of an over zealous consulate visa officer.

Best Wishes

H.

Re: Visa help.
 

Please take note of this (as if there wasnt already enough to worry about!)

http://www.indiamike.com/india/india...ries-t96729/3/

If you cant be bothered to read it, it would appear that the visa operations in Australia and USA have decided that if you have a long-term visa - and that seems to be anything over 6 months! - then if you leave india during the period then you will be required to stay out for a minimum of 2 months, even though you have a valid multi-entry visa.
Sounds daft?
Thats what most people on the thread thought to start with until it began to develop. This is a current situation and is growing daily and although there have not been reports of UK citizens being affected, only time will tell.

But if the Yanks and Aussies have been hit then it woulkd be illogical for us not to be next. What this will mean, if you hadnt worked it out is;
If you are lucky enough to get a 12 month visa, you will have to leave after 180 as you do now, but............will then have to stay out for 2 months (of your remaining 6 months of visa) leaving just 4 months stay when you do get back!

Re: Visa help.
 

New rule - long term tourist visas(5 / 10 years )


It is on the US website now as well.

http://www.indianembassy.org/newsite/visa.asp


‘There should be a gap of at least 2 months between two visits to the country on a Tourist Visa. In case of requirement to visit the country within 2 months, permission should be sought from the Head of Mission concerned. In such cases, registration would be required within 14 days of arrival.’ It's not as if they are here illegally or without seeking the proper channels!

And there is, of course, overman's example. just after implementing visa on arrivals to encourage tourism, India does this? Shooting themselves in the foot, I'll say!

What the heck is a "head of Mission"? And I'll be you they're not advising people of this as they're leaving the country!

P.S. Privilege or not, it is ridiculous to change the rules with no notice whatsoever to visa holders, other than a tiny notice on the embassy website. Many people are here legitimately on tourist visa long term as there is no other option for people here who aren't getting paid & aren't students (e.g. research, language learning, volunteering, etc). I have friends who were TOLD to get a tourist visa by immigration as that is "for people who aren't making money."

Who the hell is Head of Mission - come in Dr. Spock:rolleyes::rolleyes:
At least these other countries have visa's up to 10 years saves the faffing about every year with Hayes.

Re: Visa help.
 

:rofl:You go girl!

Re: Visa help.
 

Thats what I said at the start of my post Noni!

We now just have to wait until it appears on the UK VFS site, which I feel is almost inevitable................

Re: Visa help.
 

Em is sitting with me now reading your comments :wub: Noni

Re: Visa help.
 

Just saw this because of the post in the m.queue. "Head of Mission" is the Chief Consular Officer (in the US lingo).

Re: Visa help.
 

who this meauxna ???? USA??

AndyD

Re: Visa help.
 

Just one of the other Mods - they all read our site. Actually a Super Mod
who will get a far bigger Christmas Bonus that me.:rolleyes:

Re: Visa help.
 

Christmas bonus?
I expect at least a big noffi <g>

AndyD 8-)#

Re: Visa help.
 

Yup, and she can write sentences in English!

Re: Visa help.VFS Global Birmingham
 

Anyone looking for a good car park near VFS Global Birmingham look for ;

Northampton St Council car park it about 200 metres away from Pemberton St (look for the clock on the mini roundabout) £2 for 3 hours just in case you have to wait and worry about Street parking as its 2 hour limit

( Leave M6 junction 6-Aston expressway A38 to jewellry quarter A4540 ):thumbsup:

K-C

Re: Visa help.
 

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009...-india-tourism




Britain and the US have lodged a diplomatic protest with India after the government in Delhi introduced rules barring tourists from returning to the country within two months of any visit.

The new visa rules, which also apply to other foreign nationals, are apparently a reaction to the arrest in the US of a Mumbai terror suspect, David Coleman Headley [http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/dec/07/mumbai-attacks-us-man-charged" title="David Coleman Headley], who had entered India on a multiple-entry visa.

The British high commission in Delhi has urged the Indian government to rethink the policy, which is expected to hit tourists planning to use India as a base for touring the region.

It will also be a blow to thousands of Britons living in India on long-term tourist visas. Many foreigners living in India prefer to use tourist visas rather than go through the complicated process of trying to secure a visa that would grant them the right to residency.

Some apply for six-month tourist visas and then travel to nearby countries, such as Nepal, to renew them. Those on longer-term tourist visas ? for five or 10 years ? are also required to leave the country every 180 days and tend to fly out for a couple of days before returning. Under the new rules, that would no longer be an option.

Posts on internet travel forums suggest that some British tourists have already fallen foul of the rules and have found themselves stranded and unable to return to India after visiting neighbouring countries.

On the IndiaMike [http://www.indiamike.com/" title="IndiaMike ]forum one poster, from London, described how he had been renting an apartment in Goa and had travelled to Nepal to apply for a new six-month tourist visa, only to be informed that he would not be allowed back in for two months.

"This is insane," he wrote. "How can you introduce a rule without any prior warning and let ppl [sic] make plans and pay for flights etc and mess everything up for them ? I now have no option but to get a transit visa and leg it back to Goa, get my stuff and leave ? all this achieves is me and 1000's of others having to cut their plans short and spend none of that cash into the system ? Well done!!"

A spokesman for the British high commission said the high commissioner had written to protest. "We have discussed this matter with the government of India. As yet there is no real clarity over the details of the proposals or of how they might be implemented. We understand that the Indian government is reconsidering its plans. We shall keep a close eye on this as it develops because it has the potential to impact on a large number of British nationals."

Details of the plans are yet to be published but reports in India suggested that people of Indian origin living in the UK will also be caught up in the rule change.

Many British passport holders with Indian origins use tourist visas to visit relatives in India rather than tackling the bureaucratic minefield involved in applying for a Person of Indian Origin card, which would allow them entry into the country. They will also be subject to the no return for two months rule.

The Indian government has apparently sought to defuse the row by giving consular officials the power to grant exemptions in exceptional cases, although there is as yet no clarity on how that might be applied.

British diplomatic sources also suggested the changes had alarmed some Indian companies with nationals working overseas, who feared that their business interests might be affected if other countries introduced reciprocal arrangements.

The decision, by India's home ministry, comes after officials reviewed the case of Headley, who is under arrest in the US accused of scouting targets for terrorist attacks, including the Mumbai attacks last year which left 166 people dead.

He was found to have used a multiple entry business visa to make nine trips to India, during which time he is alleged to have visited a number of potential targets.

India has already cracked down on business visas this year, informing thousands of holders that they must return to their home countries and prove that they meet much stricter criteria before new visas will be issued.

Ironically, the clampdown comes as the country attempts to boost its tourism industry. Last week the home minister, P Chidambaram, announced the trial introduction of a visa on arrival scheme for citizens of Singapore, Japan, New Zealand, Luxembourg and Finland and said a country the size of India should be attracting at least 50 million visitors a year. About five million tourists visit India every year, including an estimated three quarters of a million Britons.

A final draft of the visa regulations is expected to be issued next month but in the meantime a number of embassies in India have notified their citizens of the changes. The Indian embassy in Berlin has also posted the rule on its website, noting that "a minimum gap of two months is mandatory between visits as tourists to India".

The introduction of the new system coincides with a visit to India by the business secretary, Lord Mandelson, who has been trying to calm Indian concerns over changes to Britain's immigration rules.


What more can they do to us!!!!!

Re: Visa help.
 

Hi All,

According to this article they will require tourists to leave after 90 days for the 8 week ban.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/i...ow/5367548.cms

Re: Visa help.
 

What can you believe?

Re: Visa help.
 

All this media stories need to go to Vicki at the high commission what the hell are we going to do now. no doubt she knows about it but the bit where it says " we prefer tourists visas " is very very wrong we are not given the choice now and we are all well and truely stuffed, prehaps we should all remain here illegally and plead political asylum :eek::eek::eek:

Re: Visa help.
 

New rule came into force today. If you leave India or have already left India (to renew your visa or to comply with the 180 day rule) you will not be allowed back in for TWO MONTHS.
This is an anti terrorist measure apparently!

Re: Visa help.
 

Peter Mandelson has already had a meeting with India about it......it looks like to no avail!!!

Re: Visa help.
 

This information has been published by the Bureau of Immigration India and appears to indicate that the directive applies to persons already holding long term tourist visas (in excess of 5 years). What is unclear is the position regarding the 2 month gap in the cases where tourist visas have been issued for periods over 6 months and under 5 years and whether 6 month tourist visas will still have a multi entry entry option, particularly as many tourists visit twice during the duration of 6 month visa - commercial suicide if these repeat visitors who contribute so highly to Goa's tourism industry are not catered for.

"Requirements concerning stay of Foreigners in India

Foreigners are required to comply with the purpose for which a visa was initially applied, and also to abide by conditions, endorsed on the visa. If the visa is valid for more than 180 days, then every foreigner entering India or resident in India shall present in person or through an authorized representative to the satisfaction of the appropriate Registration Officer at the place of his stay within the specified period mentioned on visa except certain visa categories requiring registration within the specified time. Such registration shall be not necessary in the case of a foreigner entering India on a visa valid for a period of not more than one hundred and eighty days and who does not remain in India beyond the said period.

All those foreigners arriving on authority of Tourist Visa with maximum period of 6 months need not require to be registered and do not want their visa to be extended , need not require to be registered. Further ,generally speaking ,Tourist visa is not extendable.

Such Foreign nationals , who are already holding long term Tourist Visas for 10/5 years with stay stipulation of 180 days/90 days and with multiple entry facility, there should be gap of at least 2 months between tow visits to the country on Tourist Visa. In case requirement to visit the country within two months, permission should be sought from the Head of Mission concerned indicating the specific reasons for another visit within a short period. In all such cases registration would be required within 14 days of arrival."

Re: Visa help.
 

Friends went back to the UK because of a home emergency, they are on a tourist visa, they have spoken to someone at the Indian High Commission in London and been told that they can apply in writing with their documents and copies of their flight tickets and they MAY be allowed to return within the two months. We are unable to get x visas now so most of us are on tourist visas with 180 days max per visit so this will affect most of us.

Re: Visa help.
 

Has it been confirmed yet whether this applies to the 6 month tourist visa, or can we assume that they will apply it to every type of visa

Dread - whatever next !
x

Re: Visa help.
 

Friends who went home for christmas have been told they cannot return until end February!!!!!!

The different readings of the visa's is as ambiguous as FEMA:thumbdown:

So many local people are going to loose more business and this year is so quiet.

Does it mean although we have a six month tourist visa, we can stay for 6 months or do we have to leave in 90 days? We were going out of India this time as we have a multiple entry visa, but have been told if we do we cannot return for two months!!! Mad or what.

Will we get a six month visa next year and be able to stay for six months.

Re: Visa help.
 

In to-days Herald:-

The immigration authorities in all immigration check posts in India have also been authorised to allow tourists to make two or three entries, as the case may be, based on production of an itinerary and documentation (ticket bookings) substantiating the need for tourism related travel.

The move to relax the guidelines came after the US and the UK voiced cooncerns over the tighening of norms resulting in a lot of problems for travellers.

Re: Visa help.
 

As you know, i managed to grap another 5 year x visa, so these new stupid rules wont effect me as yet.
My Italian girlfriend, could only get a 90 day single entry tourist visa from Italy, last season, and shes told me its still the same.
Why cant India give a retirement visa as Thailand or Malaysia etc??.:thumbsup:

Re: Visa help.
 

A retirement visa would be good especially if it did away with the need to leave the country every 180 days and stay out for two months. Even if you needed to be able to prove that you can support yourself that should not be too difficult for most people as the British basic pension would enable you to live comfortably here.

Re: Visa help.
 

In Thailand you need to put about 14,000 pounds with a reputable bank, a very simple medical, you then get a one year resident visa.
During that year, you can spend any amount of the 14,000 pounds as long as you have the same amount for the next visa.
Why couldnt India have simular???.:thumbsup:

Re: Visa help.
 

BECAUSE THIS IS INDIA WHAT MORE CAN ANYONE SAY!!!!!

Re: Visa help.
 

Because in India you would have to put this sum of money in

A reputable bank
a disreputable bank
a legitimate government bond
an illegitimate government bond (they are all b*stards anyway)
an MP's pocket
Kamats pocket
Pacheco's pocket
the Marmalatdar's pocket
the sarpanch's pocket
the registrar's pockets.............

and still you couldnt guarantee being able to stay beyond next Tuesday!

Re: Visa help.
 

New Visa rules unchanged -fresh report


http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report...-rules_1328359