Welfare & Visa
Welfare Rights Service
A free welfare rights advice session takes place at The ICCA every Thursday morning. Pre-bookable appointments are available by calling The ICCA on (0115) 969 3402.
Visa Service
Anyone travelling to India requires a Visa and The ICCA are able to offer assistance with this procedure.
There are three types of Indian Visa and the associated costs are:
|
Six month Visa:
|
£50.00
|
ICCA Members
|
|
|
£55.00
|
Non Members
|
| One year Visa: |
£70.00 |
ICCA Members |
|
(a one year visa is
only issued for business
purposes only.)
|
£75.00
|
Non Members
|
|
Five year Visa:
|
£155.00
|
ICCA Members
|
|
|
£160.00
|
Non Members
|
* Above prices effective from 1st January 2010
All Visa applications have to be processed online and the Indian High Commission uses a company called VFS Global to conduct this. Please visit www.vfsglobal.com for more information about applications.
Upon submission of a passport to The ICCA please allow 7 working days for return.
Sponsorship
Application forms for Sponsorship are available at The ICCA. You can also download a Sponsorship form here.
OCI and Other services
Assistance with OCI (Overseas Citizens of India) applications are available as part of The ICCA service at a cost of £15.00. The OCI cost is £165 and some of the key benefits include:
-
No requirement for Visa,
-
ability to purchase property in India,
-
no restriction on visiting times,
-
no tax clearance certificate after 90 days.
For further details log on to www.consulcgibirmingham.org.
Indian passport application forms are also available at the centre.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Visa Service
Q What information is crucial to complete the Visa application but is sometimes forgotten or omitted?
A Ensure that you provide all the sponsors details including telephone number and post codes. It is mandatory to state your parents' birth place.
It is vital that the signatures on the Visa application match those on your passport, as any discrepancy will be questioned. Two recent identical passport-size photographs with a white background are required.
(The application form signatures should be identical to how it is written on your passport)
Q If I was born outside of the UK and I have not previously applied for a Visa do I need to bring any other evidence?
A Yes, you will need to bring previous passports to confirm origin of birth.
Q Do children require a Visa?
A Yes, a Visa is required for any child under the age of 16 years travelling to India. The following items are required:
- A photocopy of the childs birth certificate
- A photocopy of both parents passports
- A photocopy of the parents Visas.
Parents are required to write a letter of consent informing that their children are travelling with them. Both parents need to sign this letter.
Finally, the Visa application form for any child needs to be signed by both parents and the child if possible. If the child is too young, only the parents signatures are required.
Q What if I am a non-UK national?
A If you are a non-UK national who has been resident of the UK for one year or more, you are required to bring one of the following:
i) Utility bill / bank statement of at least one year
ii) Resident permit and entry stamp
iii) Stamp of indefinite stay.
If you have any further queries please complete the enquiry form on the Contact Us page.
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