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-   -   Advice for Visas & Interviews (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/shifting-gears/41520-advice-visas-interviews-45.html)

Been guilty of not updating the thread on this; so here I am.

Just as I was contemplating about the process, it was decided to club the minor's application with those of her maternal grandparents - all three having received formal invitations from the family member living in the UK.

This was mentioned in the Visa application itself, as also in the affidavits filed by me (on behalf of my daughter) and by the grandparents. Though I had enough financial resources to sponsor the minor's trip, her grandparents' case was sketchy in the sense that apart from their ancestral properties and a business enterprise, they couldn't provide adequate documentary proof of liquidity or wealth. The property papers being in Kannada posed an additional challenge.

However, the hosts sent us enough documentation in the form of employment details, bank passbooks from UK as well as fixed deposits in India to illustrate their ability to sponsor the elderly couple's trip.

Most importantly, we wrote two sets of clearly worded letter of intent & request delineating the relationship among the persons involved, purpose of visit and concrete reasons for the travelers to return to their base.

When we visited the VFS centre in Bengaluru (I accompanied my minor daughter), all three applications were bundled into a single token number and processed as a family case. Eight days after the visit, the visas were approved and we got back the passports a week later. Subsequently, tickets were booked, travel insurances purchased and the journey undertaken.

While the emigration process at KIAL was smooth, the immigration counter at Heathrow took a while, with the officer quizzing my daughter about a multitude of issues and asking her to prove the family connection. As she was the only among the travellers who could converse in English, she did really well and answered for all three, and may I gloat - aced it too!

Aside, she also had to deal with lost luggage and inept handling of the situation by British Airways! Kudos to her for handling everything with patience and fortitude. Truth be told, I myself would've certainly been flustered had I faced the circumstances in my maiden international (and plane) journey.

Anyone travelled recently to Indonesia and Malaysia under the new free visa/ VoA schemes?

Has anyone recently availed VFS services for Chinese Business Visa? I need to go to Mumbai to apply for the same. I hear from colleagues that there is no appointment system and we have to join the queue. Is there any estimated wait times or best time to appear in VFS?

And looking for some tips to choose accommodation which will have to suffice between catching flights and appearing for the Visa application. I have only been to Mumbai once on a leisure trip in a self driven car so not much idea about getting around.

I got Chinese visa from Mumbai last year and there was appointment system back then. Heard from a colleague recently that they allow walk in now. You just walk in around 9.00 AM and join a queue outside the Mafatlal building and a security guard will guide you in. Phones are allowed but you cannot use them inside the premises unless you pay for 'lounge' service.

My 1st application was rejected due to
1. Mismatch in travel dates mentioned in application form by me vs dates mentioned in invitation letter.
2. Invalid ID proof of Chinese inviter. They wanted a government ID like passport, national ID etc but my business partner shared his company ID card which was not accepted.

My 2nd application was smooth I had all the above points rectified. I had applied for 1 year multi entry visa got a single entry visa valid for 30 days (travel within 3 months) delivered to home within 4 business days. I had opted for premium processing and there is another option where they charge extra and provide visa on next business day itself. If you opt that, you can spend an extra day exploring Mumbai and collect the visa in hand.

Nearest hotel is Trident Oberoi. It was not in my company's approved hotel list so the first time I stayed in St.Regis and 2nd time I stayed in a Marriott near airport itself and traveled to the center by cab. I prefer the hotel near airport as my return flight was early next morning and I could literally start walking from hotel 1 hr before scheduled boarding time and catch the flight :)

Hi...

Malaysia is 'no visa' for Indians. You just walk upto the immigration desk with passport and a few other documents. Also, there are some minimal formalities to complete online (prior to travel).

Thanks

BHPians, need your help here. Please check the screenshot below regarding my kids B1/B2 visa appointment. I wont talk about the hassles that I underwent just to get an appointment. But I am fully confused with the location information given in the attached file.

Where do I need to go for which purpose? Please help.

Biometrics are at Chennai and the Visa Interview is at Hyderabad.

Hi /u/GNV18, Thanks a ton for your response. Your input has been very valuable to me. If you dont mind, how did you find out and whats the rationale?

I had gone through the entire US Visa process a few months back. Apart from that there are many groups in Telegram where you can find many useful information about the same :)

You must have received an appointment confirmation mail from usvisascheduling.com that contains all the details of the Biometrics Appointment and Interview Appointment mentioned clearly.

Please check your registered email.

I think this dashboard that you enclosed seems ambiguous !

If one selects Delhi for appointment (visa interview waiver and drop box applicable), do we have to go to Delhi for drop box or just go to Bangalore and use the drop box?

For interview waiver cases, documents can be submitted at any of the consulates (free) or drop box locations (paid) across India irrespective of where the appointment is taken. So, you or your representative can visit Bangalore drop box location at the same time slot as your appointment.

Also, there is option to chose home delivery of passport with an additional fee. This should be selected before submitting the application and taking appointment.

I have UK business visa interview in few days in Bangalore. Is that conducted in the VFS office at Gopalan Innovation Mall or somewhere else?

Yes, that's the place, ground floor. I went there for my UK visa interview in May. You should also have the address in the visa appointment letter.

Note: they charge 200 rupees for safekeeping of laptops and helmet.

Thanks, my interview is at 8am I think. I hope the mall parking will be open by then.