UK: After learning that they could no longer apply for tourist visas on behalf of the applicant, several UK nationals planning to travel to India had to postpone or cancel their visits. This implies that the applicant must now physically show up at the UK visa centres. The problem, though? Before the start of their flights, there are no appointments available.
In recent months, there has been a growing backlog for Indian visas as applicants lament the lack of open appointments and protracted processing delays.
Also Read: Gold Rate Today: Gold Prices Fell before Dhanteras, this is the Rate from Delhi-Mumbai to Lucknow
The efforts being taken to fix the problem have been described by the Indian High Commissioner to the UK.
In his video message from India House in London, Vikram Doraiswami stated, “First and foremost, we recognise that there has been difficulties in arranging these appointments, and we are doing our utmost to alleviate the issue.
He made it clear that more visa openings would soon be made available online and that they were also increasing their capacity in collaboration with their service provider, VFS.
Two additional immigration centres would open by the end of the month, one in Glasgow, Scotland, and the other in the heart of London.
The goal of this effort, according to him, is to double our capacity and get to roughly 40,000 visa applications every month.
Before, British nationals could also send a paper visa application to India. But the UK has now been barred from participating in this, sharing Pakistan’s and Lebanon’s plight.
Given that appointments at India’s 9 visa processing centres from Birmingham to Manchester and from central London to Edinburgh are fully booked for more than a month, applying for visas in person at this point is pretty challenging, if not impossible.
Britons at risk of derailed vacation plans
Numerous Britons who have booked flights to India in the upcoming weeks are at risk of having their vacation plans derailed by the lengthy visa clearance process for India.
For instance, tourism is Rajasthan’s second-largest source of income, and the UK is its largest export market. Dipak Deva, the MD of Sita Travels, asserts that the withdrawal of e-visas has also resulted in booked vacations being cancelled, leading to a major decrease in tourists. He continues, “With the reduction in e-visas, the tourism industry will lose close to fifty million dollars.”
In the meantime, the UK High Commissioner to India issued a warning to Indians who intend to travel to the UK. Added Alex Ellis, “To be safe, my suggestion is to wait to purchase your airline tickets until you have received your visa. This year, we hope to welcome a record-breaking number of Indian students to the UK.” Including that the UK is continuing to grant priority visas and train more people.
Keep watching our YouTube Channel ‘DNP INDIA’. Also, please subscribe and follow us on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, and TWITTER
