I picked up a 6 month visa last week (Wednesday after Buddah's birthday when the embassy was closed). I arrived just before 9am. The queue was moving quickly, and was given a queue card to return at 11.30, with my queue number. I returned at 11.20, and was called at 11.31. I was told to wait 30-45 mins for the visa to be processed (so I went for an early lunch) and was all done with my passport by 12.05. This works well if you have something to occupy you around Aldwych, or work near enough to get a few productive hours in, but don't want to stand in line; not sure if this will work in the peak season (i.e. you have to be mad to travel to India in June/July/August so it's quieter)

In sum this was a much less painful experience than queuing for a Chinese visa in the rain for four hours a fortnight before.

The problem with the Visa queues, in my opinion, is that the Visa office will process the commerical visa application services at the same time as those who turn up in person. So a courier with 50 passports holds up the process for 20 mins for everyone.

I finally worked out the reason I wasn't getting the long-life visa I wanted was because it didn't exactly coincide with the fee-based interests of the "express" agency my company insists we deal with.

I did it myself last time, no great hassle, and got exactly what I wanted.

Interesting. I've had exactly the same experience as Teece - always requesting a 2-year visa and having both my letters (from the UK co. and the India co.) stating 2 years, but getting a 6 month visa.

Maybe I'll try direct next time.

Having gone through a couple of 6 month visas, the last request was for a 12mth one which was issued via our usual agency with one day's notice - flew in from OZ, dropped passport off....phone call following lunchtime to say it was ready, picked it up and off to T4 for the flight to Delhi!

As for anyone suggesting it can be renewed in India...my advice is forget it unless you've got a few days to kill waiting in numerous lines, in at least 2 different buildings (this is Delhi) and making lots of new friends doing the same thing...painful, mind numbingly awful experience.

You need a Fixer - it takes about 1.5 hours at the FRRO in Mumbai to get our employment visas renewed annually. Presumably he greases all the right palms first...

True! it's easy to forget that a fixer can solve most things in India - my problem was deciding to stay longer than I planned to help with some problems we were having then going beyond the visa expiration date...ended up in limbo.

I do think though that most normal people should not rely on extending in situ but should go home and do it.

As promised, here is a report on my experience of the new Indian visa process in London. Hopefully it will prove helpful to those used to the old system or those applying for the first time.

From previous posts above, FTers will be aware that the Indian High Commission (HCI) outsourced the application process to VF Services UK Ltd at the end of May 2008; there is a clear statement to this effect on the HCI's homepage and a link to the dedicated VFS website.

This site is reasonably well-designed and guides the user through the process of supplying information and making an appointment to submit it. There are a few rough edges where it's obviously only been tested by the developers, and some gotchas to be aware of:

• The functionality to pay online hadn't been implemented as of a couple of weeks ago. It leads to a dead end.
• Remember to make a note of your website application reference number. They don't send a confirmation email and you can't go back in to amend your application without it.
• Remember to explicitly put "NA" rather than leaving any field blank.

The end result is the completed application in PDF form, which you print out, date and sign. Also take a printout of your appointment, to make entry to the building easier. I applied online on a Wednesday and was offered an appointment for the Friday at 9am.

The application centre is at 60-62 Wilton Road, Victoria, London SW1V 1DE. The building itself is an unprepossessing suite of recently renovated 1st and 2nd floor offices on the left hand side of the road, about 5 mins walk from Victoria station (where there is a photo booth (4 quid)).

There was something of a scrum at the door when I arrived, as a number of people had obviously missed the change announcement and been sent there by the High Commission. I flashed my printout and waltzed straight in.

Applications are dropped off on the 1st floor, and a receptionist gave me a numbered ticket (a la deli counter). A system of screens and announcements directs you to the appropriate desk and I suppose I waited about 10-15 mins. There a some seats but I can imagine it would be standing room only at busy times. A very helpful young lady checked my paperwork and took payment (via chip/pin reader. Visa, MC & debit cards only ... no Amex). She also added a few "NA's" to my form where I had forgotten to. Total fee was around 40 quid - 30 for the visa itself, plus VFS' handling charge and VAT. I was asked to check online about the progress of my application on the following Tues (2-3 working days).

Total time for the diversion from Victoria (which is on the way to the office) was less than an hour.

I wasn't in a rush for my visa, so by the time I checked on the following Wednesday it was ready for collection. A similar trip down Wilton Road, but this time to the 2nd floor with another numbered ticket. It was a warm day and the airconditioning in the offices was most welcome. After another 15 minute wait, I was served by a very pleasant gentleman and was on my way back to the office. btw, I'm a British passport holder and had asked for and received a 3 month single-entry visa, as this was all I needed.

In summary, if you are properly prepared and have your paperwork in order, it should be a swift and painless process. The turnaround time (2-3 working days, realistically a week in total) is not as quick as the previous system, but the reduction in waiting/queuing time was welcome to someone who bills his time by the hour. Given the newness of the system, I was pleasantly surprised how well it worked, and the people I met were, without exception, professional, helpful and friendly.

I imagine you could turn up without an appointment (as some people obviously had) but you would be hanging around longer. I also needed a new passport, so maybe you could go straight from the passport office just round the corner, but the web application process encourages you to stop in an internet cafe on the way.

I don't know how you would get a visa issued more quickly, but I guess consular services companies may be able to help here.

Any questions ?

Not sure if I overlooked it however it appears the Indian consulate has forgotten all about Wales and where their application will be dealt.

I did actually go to Birmingham a few years ago when I needed one - it took all day and was a very boring day out - however in fairness it was issued within the day.

Thanks dunk for coming back and posting a report. Very helpful.

seems i got lucky. got the oci visa, no never have to apply for an indian visa again.

I've managed to get 1 year visas, but normally only after having an expired 6 month visa in that passport, or by attaching a copy of an old visa. 2 years - don't know anyone who has ever got one!

I have - see post #2

Most useful, thanks dunk. Will be handy for explaining to my folks what to do next time they come out to visit.

On the visa duration front, my employment one is a year (as are those of my Accompanying Dependents), but the tourist ones seem to be 6 months as standard and I assume the Business ones are also 6 month max?

theworld,

have to agree, got my oci as well, its the best thing since sliced bread, never have to see the Indian High Commission again in my entire life! what a relief!

d3vski!

Tourist ones are typically 6 months. Business ones are what you request, providing you have the correct paperwork to accompany it. My business visa is for 2 years.