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It will be.

Go a bit earlier so that you can park in the basement and walk back to the entrance. People are let inside the mall a few minutes prior to 8. Once you walk in, turn left and queue up in front of the first counter designated for UK.

If you have opted for Premium service, just inform the security there and he will fast track you inside, without having to stand in line.

I submitted documents for US business visa renewal at Bangalore dropbox today. Does anyone know if we can track the application status somewhere? On ustraveldocs site it only shows my appointment details. Do we get to know status after documents are submitted to approval to dispatch etc?

A report in NDTVProfit highlights how Indian applicants, who it says constitute nearly 10% of the annual numbers, have lost a substantial amount of money due to rejection of visa requests because of

Of the 966,687 visa applications filed in 2023, 151,752 were rejected.

Update on my application and need some advice.

Submitted documents at drop box at Bangalore on 11th July Thursday. Status on Ustraveldocs changed to "in transit to post" on Friday and then to "Delivered to Post" on Monday. Status on CEAC website (visa status check) changed to "Approved" on Monday and "Issued" on Tuesday 16th July.

Things move fast and I was feeling good :) However, status stayed unchanged for next 3 days. I was expecting for it to say something about dispatch status but it didn't. Then, on Friday, it again changed back to "Approved" on CEAC site. Status on Ustraveldocs is still stuck at "Delivered to post " since 15th July Monday.

Wanted to check from fellow members, is this normal ? Does my status change mean anything unique? Usually when can we expect the passport back ? I have opted for home delivery option. Do we get to know when they dispatch the passport back ? I haven't got any email or sms so far regarding my application. All the status stated above are from their website.

How long is the UK tourist visa process taking nowadays in BLR? Was exploring an early October trip, but don't want our passports to get stuck for too long at the High Commission.

I also believe it costs around 15K now. Is that correct?

I believe the quoted timeline for processing is 15-20 working days. I paid around 12k, I think it's the same now (excluding VFS charges, which are extra and based on the services you choose, like SMS alert and passport delivery service).

https://visa-fees.homeoffice.gov.uk/.../inr/visit/all

Hello everyone,
I have quick question about parking spots near US Embassy in Chanakyapuri, New Delhi? One of my cousins has his interview scheduled in first week of August and he was discussing the same with me. Since he will be travelling alone, where can he park his car? And is he allowed to take car keys inside the Embassy?

Looking for some prompt replies.

Thanks

Is it advisable to book tickets to the UK after the visa application/interview etc.? What if the visa is denied on this basis only? A bit confused as the Schengen countries are now pretty OCD about compulsory air tickets. No idea about the UK though.

Further, for a couple applying together do we need individual sets of the same documents, or can we use the common documents jointly?

Based on my UK visa experience few years ago, air tickets were not required for visa application. I booked tickets after visa was approved. Whereas, Schengen visa application required confirmed travel reservation.

We booked the tickets after the visa was issued. Prior bookings are not necessary in case of UK. However, the covering letter (and sponsor letter - if applicable) must include a proper itinerary with duration and place of stay clearly mentioned.
If you choose to upload all the documents yourself, then there's no need of carrying any photocopies to the VFS at all. But it is better to have all the originals with you. In case of common documentation, prepare a notarized affidavit stating the same and upload it for both the individuals.
Not talking about notarized copies but about a notarized affidavit indicating the relationship between the two and stating the use of common documents for both.

I don't think notarized copies are needed. Just have separate sets with each application to avoid confusion or delays during scanning at the counter. Carry originals with you. Usually there is xerox counter inside, for any unforeseen situation. Also attach cover letter with each application.

Do we compulsorily need a TB test for a UK tourist visa? :coldsweat

EDIT: Seems to be only for >6 month visa holders and for other specified categories.

Extract:
You’ll need to have a tuberculosis (TB) test if all of the following are true:

you’re coming to the UK for 6 months or more
you’ve lived in any of these listed countries for 6 months or more
you were living there (or another listed country) within the last 6 months
If you’re coming to the UK for less than 6 months, you’ll still need a TB test if you’re applying for a Returning Resident visa, or a family visa as a fiancé, fiancée or proposed civil partner.

Had a clarification on US B2 visa for my 10 year old. Query: is it required for 10 year old to attend the biometric or is it waived off, also how does the photo get taken? Ours is a family application.

My experience with US B1/B2 Visa renewal via drop-box

My most recent visa (B1/B2) expired a couple of months ago and thanks to the forum, I learnt about the drop-box process and successfully renewed my visa. Just thought to pen down my experience.

- Previously I have had multiple B1/B2 and L1 visas, with the most recent being the B1/B2 visa which I wanted to renew.

Please note Most recent visa is determined by the expiry date. Dropbox option would be applicable only when applicant is renewing same category visa which expired less than 48 months ago.

- Created a DS160 profile on https://ceac.state.gov with usual details and my past 5 years international travel. I mentioned about my most recent B1/B2 so that I can get option for drop box since it expired within last 48 months. After submitting my application, I paid the visa fee. Remember to download and save DS160 confirmation page.

- Then I went to https://www.usvisascheduling.com/ to get drop-box appointment using the DS160. As people in the forum have shared, it does not matter where the appointment is taken in India. Documents can be dropped at any drop location (paid) or consulate (free) at the same time as the appointment. Also note that they have consolidated all renewals (drop-box eligible) at New Delhi and you will find appointments readily available vs other locations. I selected option of home delivery; we need to pay INR 850/- at the time of home delivery of passport.

- One needs to be patient and keep checking the site for appointment slots as the consulate keep releasing new slots regularly. First time I logged in, it showed me earliest appointment in 2025 ! I did not pick any slot and kept checking the page for few days. Please note that page gets locked if one logs in too many times in the day. So try only 2-3 times in a day otherwise they may lock you out for 24 hours or you would land on waiting page more often. After about 1-2 weeks of trying and waiting, I could get appointment in New Delhi within next week. I found that they don't open appointments at other consulates as often so just proceed to grab appointment wherever it is available as per your convenience. Eventually, you can drop the documents at any of the locations as I mentioned earlier.
- Applicant or any representative can drop the documents at the appointment time. One needs to carry passport (including any older passports), 2 photos, print out of the DS160 confirmation page and appointment confirmation. You can also add any supporting documents.

- After submission, I kept checking status on https://www.usvisascheduling.com/en-US/ and https://ceac.state.gov/

- There is no status updates via emails/sms. I could see the status changing to these 4 categories on the websites: In transit to post, Received at post, Approved, Issued.

- After I saw issued status, passport was delivered to my home within 2-3 days via blue dart. I received email from consulate about passport delivery 1 hour before the Bluedart delivery person showed up on my door ! I was expecting some heads up but luckily someone was at home to receive. It took about 2 weeks from submission to receipt.

Now I am ready to fly again :)

Not needed.

Children under 14 years are exempted from interview and biometrics.

However, you need to carry the photos ( as per the U.S. norms) and other pertinent documents of your child to the biometrics where it is scanned.