[WonderWomanUSA]

I figured that applying a week before I leave would work best, and filed the online application a week before that. Made an appointment for Thursday, and the visa was to be done in one day. Hah!

They had sent me an e-mail to confirm the appointment, and at that time, told me that because of the consulate taking the day off for Dusshera, it would take two days. Oh well, I live here, so that's not a problem.

So on Thursday morning I went downtown to Travisa office, which in San Francisco is on Mission between 5th and 6th Streets.  To my surprise, the place was full of Indians who need visas (or visas for their American-born children), few of whom had followed the instructions about stapling photos to the application, etc. The line moved slowly...

Firday at 5:30pm, there were twice as many people there, some carrying luggage, as they were booked on an 8:45pm flight. And because of the consulate being closed, and the volume of applications, the visas didn't arrive until 6:15, by which time a bunch of people were really ticked off!

A fellow from San Diego started grousing about the delay ... admitted that it is his first visit to India. "Get used to it," I told him. This is what it's like...

The Travisa folks did a pretty good job of getting the passports distributed back to owners, and they did take care of the folks going to the airport first. I finally got out of there around 6:30, with my shiny new ten-year visa in hand.

How was YOUR experience at the visa office?

[kullukid]

WonderWomanUSA, on Oct 11 2008, 07:49 PM, said:

A fellow from San Diego started grousing about the delay ... admitted that it is his first visit to India. "Get used to it," I told him. This is what it's like...

How was YOUR experience at the visa office?

Hi WWUSA, Here's a pleasant experience I had at the Visa Surgery a few yrs ago. http://www.gourmetin...?showtopic=1330

Unfortunately I went back the following year singing their praises, to find a queue of 2-300 people outside the Temple. We queued all day until around 4pm when there was still around a 100 people who had not been processed & the HCI decided they'd done enough for the day & wanted to close the doors. Things got verreee heated & eventually the police were called. We didn't get a visa that day.
It's amazing how the HCI manage to export the "Indian Chaos" all over the world.....a little taste of India before you arrive!!   KK

[AlanD]

We applied by post to VFS in London (the outsourced company) for 6 month multiple entry visas. We only need 5 months actual stay in India this time so Caroline allowed for the time VFS say it takes to process the applications plus a few days more.

We almost had a problem with the visas being issued too quickly!

When they came back we had only made it inside the expiry date by a day! We could have had to rebook our flight back from India at extra cost, if available, or gone begging for a visa extension at the Delhi FRRO (Foreigner's Regional Registration Office) and that wouldn't have been something to look forward to for months. I advise people not to cut things too fine.

I'm not sure if this is typical though or if we just caught them in a quiet spell - any other UK experiences?

[WonderWomanUSA]

I figure that, at my age, a ten-year visa should ensure that I never have to apply for another visa for India!

KK: thanks for directing me to that old thread. Do they still do those surgeries, now that the visa process has been outsourced?

AlanD: happy to hear the dates worked out, though just by the skin of your teeth! I have always applied a week before leaving, but that's because I only have to get across town. If I lived elsewhere (like several people I met in the TraVisa office), I'd probably have done it by post.  One fellow had flown up here from San Diego (600 miles away) and was afraid he'd miss his flight back....that's insane!

[noflylist]

WonderWomanUSA, on Oct 13 2008, 10:18 AM, said:

I figure that, at my age, a ten-year visa should ensure that I never have to apply for another visa for India!

10 years from now, I am sure we will hear from you another pleasant experience!

BTW, I am thinking of applying for a PIO card, so as not to need visa anymore.

[WonderWomanUSA]

retiredflylist, on Oct 13 2008, 08:32 AM, said:

BTW, I am thinking of applying for a PIO card, so as not to need visa anymore.

You know, I think that's a really terrific idea! If I was eligible, I would do that!

[dzibead]

Sigh.  For a San Francisco resident, the old system of applying at the consulate was a lot easier and faster.  Drop off your passport and application in the morning and come back a few hours later and pick up the PP and visa.  Well, at least that was my experience.  There might have been days when it was more hectic and maybe I was just lucky.  Oh, well ... at least the Trevisa office is still in SF so taking care of everything in person is still an option for me.  And whatever the current increased inconvenience, it's nothing compared what an Indian has to go through to get a visa for the U.S., so I shouldn't complain!  

Congrats on the 10-year visa, WW!

[WonderWomanUSA]

TraVisa also offers one-day service, Dzi... but Thursday was Dusshera and the Consulate wasn't open that day, which is why the visas were delayed.

Just four more sleeps and I'm outa here ...  

[priya]

Quote

Just four more sleeps and I'm outa here ...

And, if you have a spare moment, please pop in and make us all envious.

Happy travels WWUSA.

[WonderWomanUSA]

Thanks for the good wishes, Priya! I'm sure you'll hear all about it!