Note this section from the new VFS link :-

Please submit a confirmed and detailed itinerary if applying for a double/triple entry visa. However, this does not guarantee the issuance of a visa and the decision would still remain subject to thediscretion of the High Commission of India (London) and the Consulate General (Birmingham and
Edinburgh).

Then later on :-

All visa seekers are recommended to confirm their travel plans only after obtaining the visa.

How soon is it going to be before they will issue single entry visas only, and if you request this for a stay of a few months up to the max 180 days, there will be even more scrutiny & possible rejection?

The BHC need to be aware of this & provide some concrete answers.

For interest I have just looked at the VFS Global information for visas to the UK. (For non Europeans).
There is also a non refund policy for a failed application. The application form for a 6 month general-visitor visa is, you might say comprehensive!!
7 section questions on marital status. If spouse not living with you, where are they? Housing status: how long at present address etc. Employment details. Income: evidence of monthly income. How much have you spent on this travel, who paid for it. Children details of where they live. All supported by documentation + much, much more.
1 interesting question your sex at time of application (guidence suggestion).
Long term visas need interviews.

Hi.
as far as I know none of this is new - the double/triple entry visa is a way to do side trip[s] without falling foul of the 2-month rule. You can still apply for multiple entry.
What is new is the Declaration which, read with the MHA FAQ, forces 'persons having property in India' to either make a false declaration or go without a visa. Also it is not very prominent on the web page which raises the possibility that postal applications could be returned because the declaration is not included.

AndyD 8-0#

Make no mistake about it Andy, you can be guaranteed to have your postal application returned....thats a dead cert!!!

Hi,

I have looked at copies of application forms from London going back for a few years. All have a declaration, in very small print, which requires signature. The first para. on those is identical to that on the new forms, but what I think we could be seeing here is the all too common situation of different Indian authorities/representatives giving differing advice.

However, the second para (VFS info.) has been amended and now requires among other things, that you sign up to VFS data protection policies. I think someone raised this issue elsewhere, but given the amount of info required on an application and therefore security issues, there should be assurance given that it will only be used for current visa application purposes. Someone very clearly hacked the payment part of that system recently. Its an issue that perhaps BHC ought to raise with the Indian authorities.

Veri

I haven't checked but I'll take your word for it - two points:
# why not still include it on the downloaded form

# previously you had the option to put e.g. 'to stay in my property in India' under Reason for Visit - now iirc it just defaults to 'Tourist visa' - you could also apply for an X visa - whether you got one or not that's what you applied for.

AndyD 8-)#

On quick research, VFS Global is an agency started up by USA , and (as my above post re visas for UK shows ) it is employed by many countries worldwide for their visas.
Could the wording of the new declaration be a protection for the agency itself, rather than anything to do with India? I don't know the legal risks for such an agency which is employed by an embassy (which has diplomatic immunity). Does anyone know?

AFD

Re declaration - you are quite right, it should be impossible to download the form without the declaration. At the moment it isnt possible for me to check, but if this is not a mandatory download, every application without it is bound to be rejected.

Perhaps someone about to complete the form can confirm?

Veri

My point also: why is the declaration separate? why do the second and third paragraphs relate to VFSGlobal matters only? and mention negligence and breach of contract? By putting these with the first paragraph (which must be mandatory) you are forced to sign the whole declaration.
I have just looked at the VFSGlobal info. for visas to Russia, similar wording is there (+ a lot more) and put as a 'disclaimer' and 'terms and conditons'. Perhaps there are more complaints re Indian visas.

I delivered my and my family's visa applications yesterday to Victoria, I included all the things that have been mentioned, 2"x 2" photos (for everyone except myself, mine were passport size but the lady said that was ok), signed declarations, birth certificates for the children, letter of permission from both parents to say they can go to India (even though they are all travelling together), completed forms and passports. Now I have all my fingers and toes crossed.
Incidentally, my son had printed their applications using duplex and they should have been printed single sided. The lady behind the counter kindly photocopied the second side for me.

Sounds like you got THE helpful VFS employee.

Just out of interest, did you remember the genetic finger-printing, retinal id, saliva samples, palm prints, fart foto-synthesis, etc, etc................just in case they need it before they let you into their civilised, progressive, 21st century country?


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No, but I am expecting to need them next year.

next year you'll have to submit a duplicate of yourself to be sent to Delhi for verification <g>.

AndyD 8-)#

Has anyone looked at the Visa application form (for non-EU people) to get into our civilised country. VAF1A General Visitor. Some of the questions are really an invasion of privacy. Full income details, family addresses, traffic offences etc. etc.

Could that possibly be because there is a history of people coming to Britain as "vistors" and deciding to stay, illegally?

And goodness knows why they would want to do that?

And of course, there are lots of British people trying to do exactly the same thing in India?

Which, incidentally, is what this thread is about, British citizens entering India, not whatever axe you are grinding today.........


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