0
It's now three weeks since we applied for Mrs. SW's PIO Card and there is some good news to report - and some bad!
The postman delivered a Special Delivery envelope, and as Mrs. SW cut it open and removed the contents it looked like there was a problem.
Both our passports were there, along with our marriage certificate, MY PIO Card and a receipt. But her PIO Card wasn't there.
Was there a problem? Did they need more information?
The answer was on the receipt.
To issue the PIO Card they have to get a blank "passport", affix a photograph and the signature of the bearer. Then they must write the bearer's name and details on the card before sticking a clear plastic film over the top of it to prevent it from being altered.
It is apparent that this will take another ten weeks.
Here's the dilemma: Do we wait until shortly after the 14th February 2008 and, if the PIO Card has not arrived, contact he HCI London to follow it up? I can imagine that they would have no knowledge of it, and anyone who has been there and seen the paperwork in haphazard piles all over the building would imagine the same!
We may visit India in January or February, so should Mrs. SW now apply for a Tourist Visa?
I shall phone them and ask why there is such a delay. Indeed, I have already tried to phone them several times, but each time the automated switchboard put me in a queue and I waited until I could wait no more.
I shall try again on Monday!
1787
The postman delivered a Special Delivery envelope, and as Mrs. SW cut it open and removed the contents it looked like there was a problem.
Both our passports were there, along with our marriage certificate, MY PIO Card and a receipt. But her PIO Card wasn't there.
Was there a problem? Did they need more information?
The answer was on the receipt.
To issue the PIO Card they have to get a blank "passport", affix a photograph and the signature of the bearer. Then they must write the bearer's name and details on the card before sticking a clear plastic film over the top of it to prevent it from being altered.
It is apparent that this will take another ten weeks.
Here's the dilemma: Do we wait until shortly after the 14th February 2008 and, if the PIO Card has not arrived, contact he HCI London to follow it up? I can imagine that they would have no knowledge of it, and anyone who has been there and seen the paperwork in haphazard piles all over the building would imagine the same!
We may visit India in January or February, so should Mrs. SW now apply for a Tourist Visa?
I shall phone them and ask why there is such a delay. Indeed, I have already tried to phone them several times, but each time the automated switchboard put me in a queue and I waited until I could wait no more.
I shall try again on Monday!
1787
