Waking up at 5.30 am is not a pleasant task for me. But I had an 8.00 am appointment today for applying for UK Visa in Delhi and I would not like to goof up at any cost. This is the sixth time I was applying for a UK visa but there was a difference. The last trip was way back in 2011. There have been a few changes in the procedure since then.
The VFS Global for UK in Delhi at Shivaji Stadium Metro
First of all, the VFS Global for most of the destinations have shifted from Nehru Place to the Metro Station premises at Shivaji Stadium on the Airport Express Line. I saw it on the appointment letter and yet it didn’t register. It was a chance discussion with a friend that saved me from going to Nehru Place! I realized this just a day before!
As I am a big fan of Delhi Metro, I decided to go to New Delhi and then change for the Airport Express Line to go to the Shivaji Stadium Metro. Google maps pinned the VFS and the Metro Station almost on top of each other.
To change to the Airport Line I had to exit out of the yellow line and swipe my card again at the Airport Express Line. Shivaji Stadium is the next stop after New Delhi. As I took the escalators, I saw a big board of VFS Global on the landing itself. No wonder Google Maps pinned them on top of each other. I was there in good time for my appointment.
Security at the VFS Global
There are barriers to entry. The security guards are courteous but they need to see the appointment letter for permitting entry. A lot of electronic devices are not allowed inside, like laptop which is obvious but pen drives are prohibited too! However, there are locker facilities available if you end up with any of the prohibited items. I had two pen drives lounging in my handbag since ages and I had to put them in safe keeping. Someone else was depositing his big headphone. My small ear phones went in though.
At the gate there is a separate line for women. I passed through the scanners, gave my handbag for inspection and the guard opened the barriers, I was inside.
UK Visa Application Center is in Zone C
After entering, I went to zone C, there was still some time. The young man at the counter told me that his system starts only at 8.00 am so I would have to wait for a few minutes.
At 8.00 am all of us who had the appointment queued up and got our tokens. Mine was no. 7. I was also given a checklist to mark against the documents I was submitting. The counter token and the application area are separate. As soon as I went in the application area, I was called to counter number 20. There are a lot of counters, early in the morning I did not have to wait at all.
Submitting the Application
The girl at the counter was efficient. As I had filled my application online, I just need to print it and present it with supporting documents. They do not need a passport size photo now. The girl asked if I would like to submit my previous passports and I did. She asked if I would like to receive the passport in person or by courier to which I said I would collect it myself. She also asked if I would like a SMS alert to which I said I would track it online. Earlier it was possible. But I do not see the online tracking facility anywhere on the website now. Instead it is mentioned that I would get an email when my passport is ready for collection. She did confirm my email while I as at the counter.
She made a bundle of my application, packed it in a cover and asked me to proceed to bio-metric section.
The Bio-Metric Section
The bio-metric room I went to, was managed by a girl even younger than the one at the application counter. The retina scan and the finger printing went fine. But when it came to taking my picture, the camera was not working!
Initially the girl asked me a few details related to my passport. But the camera was still not working. I think she started fidgeting after a while. She banged the walls of the cubical next to her and a while a girl appeared from somewhere. She asked her to tell the person in-charge that the camera was not working. We waited, after a while she asked me if I would call a staff by walking outside? I happily did it for her.
Still no one came and the camera was not working. I asked the girl if her cubical was that hot throughout the day? The air-conditioning was good in the hall but her cabin was hot. I would have not noticed it if I did not spend the extra time because of the non-functional camera. She said it becomes fine after a while in her room too. She glanced through the ‘past ten year international travel history excluding UK section’ of my visa application and I thought her eyes widened for a moment. I must have mentioned at least 20 trips!
Then came a boy, who was the camera expert. He did something on the monitor, poked the camera with a pen a few times and viola the camera started working. After that it took me less than a minute to get clicked and walk out with the receipt for my application. The girl apologized to me for the delay.
I exited happily. Even though it was my sixth visa application to the UK, all my past visas were on business for academic work. This is my first blogger/freelance visa application to UK. I had major butterflies in my stomach the night before. But the application was a breeze!
I hope the Visa God will be kind to me this time too, as they have been always. The trip is slated for late May. It is going to be a cruise, my first, if everything goes according to the plan!
Update
Within a week, a got a confirmation that my documents were returned to the VFS. It was on a Saturday. On Monday I got a mail from VFS saying they will handle my documents according to my instructions. I did not opt for courier services. So I went to the Shivaji Metro VFS and collected my passport. I got the visa.
My best wishes.
Thank you so much Anupam.
Wish you all the best 🙂
All the best Mridula.
Wow! That was some procedure. Good luck ????
Thank you Archana, they have been like this since 2008! It was easier in 2007.
Thanks for the detailed info. And have a safe journey ahead! 🙂
Thank you Ravish!
That was a real account. Best wishes.
Thank you Chaitali!
Chalo Vilayat 🙂 That should be the new slogan.. UK is big for Indian families for vacation… All the best for the Visa and trip
Thank you Prasad!
All the best for your Visa & trip 🙂
Thank you Simran!
Best wishes, Mridula!
Thank you Bushra!
I felt Sms alert facility is waste. Let me know your experience..
I didn’t subscribe for the SMS Shrinidhi.
Timely informative Post for UK Travellers, Mridula.. Thanks for sharing the Post!
Thank you Sreedhar ji!
All the best mam.. I am sure it will be FINE and if you come to UK get in touch please …
Bikram’s
I will surely let you know Bikram!
All the best and have a blast 😀
Thank you Ami!
So I can hope some beautiful posts from UK . Wish you all the best Mridula ji .
Thank you Yogi!
Hi,
I heard they have increased the visa fees, can you please tell me how much did they charge ?
For my standard visitor visa the fee was 8900 Indian Rupees!
This standard tourist visa is valid for how many days/months ?
It is multiple entry for six months.
Just got back from my UK visa submission and read this! ???? have a super trip!
You too, have a great trip!
Helpful info for first-timers, Mridula. Tks
Happy to see you stop by Ranjeni!
I have my appointment tomorrow. I can’t thank you enough for sharing this detailed account
My best wishes to you!
How much is the wait time for the appointment? Like if I am booking today, do I get the appointment only for next week?
That I guess depends on the rush, you can book the first available slot!
I see there is a change in the process beginning Aug, 01, 2017 onwards. I was asked to submit all the documents and they were put in a bag. I was told I was done with it. Ofcourse post the biometrics and photographs. Kindly confirm.
That is true it was done before too. They also put a color bar on the bag. Did you notice the color?
How long does it take to get a Direct airside transit visa? And is it a good option to walk in without an appointment and pay the extra charge? I need a UK transit on 11october 2017.
I have never done that! Do update us about your experience if you can! To think of it, never been in transit in UK, always visited it.
That was a great blog, enjoyed reading.
Can you please tell if we have to take an appointment for visa and passport collection or can we just drop by the vfs office any time?
Not any time but during the hours specified for passport collection! But you don’t need an appointment for that.
We had applied for UK visa on 17th April 18 15 days passed but no information.Called up their International number thrice but after payment, as that is a paid number they put it on hold so of no use.Without tracking system getting no clue. Really worried.
Did you not opt for the SMS?
hi,did you get your visa? And when did you get it?
I did get my visa and I got in less than ten days. You might have noticed I wrote this post in 2016.
I had also applied 1st of June and done the bio metrics but still not get any information from visa office. I called then but they are saying it is under the decision. Not Sure when I get the visa information. Does mail/SMS come on specific time in a day? Mridula can you share your experience about the meaning of 15 working days.
Dear Kamal, 15 working days means you count the days when office is open, and not the Saturday and Sundays and other holidays. If they say it is under decision it means it is still with the embassy. I hope this helps a bit.
Hi. Did you get any update? I too have submitted documents on the 1st of June, Delhi.
I wrote this post in 2016 and yes I got my visa on time!
Thanks Mridula 🙂
Actually, my comment was in reply to ‘Kamal’s’ comment… I believe he too submitted docs on the 1st June’18 🙂
I hope all of you would get your visas soon 😀
when did you finally get the visa?
Are you asking me? I think I got it in ten days but it was my 6th trip to UK and I was invited on a cruise as a media.
Hi,
I was actually asking Chinmaya.
I have traveled to UK 5 times. Yet while I have applied now on 21 Jun 18, no intimation has been received till today ie 07 Jul 18 !!
Are they literally waiting for 15 working days?!
How much time is on an average spent at the Visa Application Centre once you enter the Arena?
That depends on the busy vs slack season. In peak season like summer holidays it can get crowded. UK anyway sees a lot of traffic. If you go in the morning, it is less crowded.
How to get a joint appointment when self and wife are applying for visa?
Did you try booking online? As I applied for myself I do not remember how to add another person to the same application but I known that option is there for Schengen visa. So do look around.
Thanx. I managed to get an appointment in the same slot for both of us.
Happy to hear that!
My sincere thanks for the blog on this important topic. It helped me in some ways.
Had a great outing to UK and few European countries in Jul-Aug.
Regards
Good to know that you had a great trip!
In how many days after your visit you get the update that your Visa is processed and approved?
It varies from application to application. I think it depends on your travel history.
Hello,
Just went through your experience at the VFS office and indeed a thank you for a detailed one. I too have my appointment due. Since you have been an experienced traveller, I would check with you two things:
1. I have filled for savings section (From shares etc a NO in the application form as they were not yielding a monthly return but yes I do have FDs that give interest quarterly. Now, what should I do? should I attach my Fds or not?
2. Also my bank statement is not A4 size, will it be a problem?
Thank you in advance
Hi Prachi, if you have sufficient funds in the bank that would be enough. But if you wish to show your FDs that too is not a problem at all. About A4 size I am not sure. But it should not be a problem. Do they specifically ask for an A4 size?
Hello,
Could somone help me out here. I have filled the application form online and paid the required fees for the UK Visit Visa. The new requirement is to upload documents on the VFS website before we could fix an appointment.
The upload section of the website is non-functional for almost 4 days. I have written emails to the VFS technical team as well as to the customer care. But there’s been no response. I have my travel scheduled for 10th April and I am beginning to panic.
Is it possible to drop in at the Visa application centre at Stadium Metro Station to resolve this issue? What are my other options.
Looking forward to some suggestions.
Thanks,
geeta.
If there is a phone number listed I would call it. Otherwise yes do drop in to the office and see if they can help you out.
Nice and informative….Thank you for posting
Is there a time bracket for collecting the passport? (I did not subscribe to any add on service to collect the passport any time of the day)
Yes do check out the website for collection times or call them.
Hey Mridula,
I did not opt for sms/ email facility at VFS, how would i know that when i need to collect my passport, tomorrow it will be 15 working days after submitting my biometrics. Should i just visit the VFS office?
Is there a call center number available? I would call them!
Hi. Is the facility for keeping bags etc available at the VFS Global Centre?
As far as I remember yes!
You are really Lucky, I’m still waiting for a response from UK VISA or VFS, New Delhi. I had applied for a UK, Visitor in Transit VISA for my connecting flight Delhi to Toulouse via London , having over 12 hours of Layover and different airlines. I had applied and submitted my Biometrics on 12th July 2019. 🙁 It is been over 15 days now. I still haven’t got any response. My flight is on 28th August, I’m worried if this goes on delaying like this.
Hi,
Thanks for the detailed post. I am applying for UK visa. I have submitted my application fee and visa form and also, I have uploaded my documents. But all the available slots are of premium lounge and I want a standard free appointment.
The earliest appointment is of tomorrow at 8 a.m., however, there is no option of selecting that slot. I have called them too but number is unavailable. Could you suggest what should I do?
Really sorry I saw your message late. I hope this was sorted?
I am trying to get in touch with vfs office but didnt get through. i need some details related to my work visa which i have applied in march.