I applied for a Visa in October 2024
I applied for a Visa in October 2024. The first thing you have to do is set up an account. The application form has to be filled in on line, I started using Safari on my MacBook but like many foreign visa applications it works much better using google chrome.The form took me about 4 hours to complete and double check. The most difficult parts were uploading a picture, there are very exacting requirements and also ensuring I had all the correct information on provinces being visited. Once complete you print it. There is a separate top sheet you have to sign and then the many body of the application which is difficult to read. You need to sign it in several places.
I travelled to the London Visa office, easy to reach via Banks underground station. The office opened at 9am , I was there at 8.30 but about 25 people ahead of me. The doors opened just before 9am. We were herded in and put in a queue where we filed pass one official who checked we had our passport and we had signed the form in the correct places, even he missed one signature. You then get a ticket and a screen puts up your ticket number and tells you which counter to go to. An administrator goes through your form very efficiently and asks a few questions. They took my passport, checked flight details and returned them, studied my invite letter and kept a copy.They also wanted a payment form in case a refund was needed, luckily I had found that on the website and filled it in before going to London. They also wanted and kept a colour passport photo even though I had uploaded my picture successfully onto the application form.The next bit was a shock, as I don't live in London, over 3 hours by train I had brought a pre paid envelope with next day delivery and expected to have my passport returned within a week to 10 days as the process of getting a visa is only a few days. However, I was told the post office collect from the visa office 3 times a week but it could be 2 - 3 weeks until your passport is returned to you even with Special next day delivery. The two to three days turn around is only if you go back and collect the passport with the visa in it. Although I thought I had read all the information I did not know that it could take so long which is to do with Royal Mail not the visa office apparently.I had three weeks before travelling, but only just, so I was in a dilemma, should I come back and collect. I decided to trust the administrator who said I had time to get it back. She was right , I went to the visa office on Monday and my passport came back to me the next Saturday having taken only five day, what a relief.
Before I left the visa office I was given a bill and went to the payment department which is downstairs. The whole process took less that 40 minutes so I was out just after 9.30. It is quite pressured and you absolutely need to have all your paperwork in order as you enter the building. On Thursday I was able to go into my account( I couldn't get to my application on safari only google chrome )and see my passport had been through the process and posted, so was then able to track it (Having taken a photo of the envelope) via Royal Mail and was delighted it arrived in good time. The visa office did an efficient job.
28. lokakuuta 2024
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