Important Info Re 'Hand Written' Visa Applications

Following various comments re %26#39;Hand Written%26#39; visa applications on another thread - I was commenting that %26#39;why is there a downloadable/printable visa applic, in the old simple style, on the VFS website if they will only accept online applic%26#39;s%26#39; - I did email VFS, as promised, to ask if %26#39;Hand Written%26#39; visa applic%26#39;s were acceptable to them.

After %26#39;chasing%26#39; them a couple of times I rec%26#39;d the following, and very helpful, email from them:

Dear Applicant,

Thank you for your e-mail.Yoy may print it out and fill in the details by hand and submit it any of our London offices either in Victoria or Goswell Road in London.We would require:-

a. Passport valid for a minimum of 190 days with at least two blank pages.

b. Correct visa fee (proof of payment if paid online).

c. Two recent (6 months old) identical passport-size photographs (white or off white background)

d. Filled application form in black ink and block letters (all columns in the form are mandatory and must be filled, if something does not apply to you please put NA i.e., not applicable) and must be signed in origin as per passport.

e. Additional documents as per visa applied for.

Any individual can submit applications or collect passports on an applicant’s behalf. Please note for collection, presentation of original receipt is required. Also the application form has to be duly signed by each individual applicant.

We do encourage applicants to submit their visa applications with prior appointments in order to reduce the waiting time at the applcaition centre.

To obtain an appointment you need to complete an online application form, select an appointment date (time is computer generated) and submit your application along with relevant documents at the application centre which falls under your jurisdiction or by post. (http://in.vfsglobal.co.uk/jurisdiction.aspx)

Best Regards

Information Service Desk

VF Services ( UK ) Limited

So, they are saying that it IS OK to submit hand written personal attendance applic%26#39;s, but I won%26#39;t be able to make an appoin%26#39;t unless I apply online.

I did also ask, in my original email, if it was acceptable to send a %26#39;Hand Written%26#39; applic for a Postal Applic, but they didn%26#39;t reply on this. I have, however, emailed them back to ask, again, about this, and I will update you when I receive a reply.

Hope this helps.

Important Info Re 'Hand Written' Visa Applications

Why can%26#39;t you fill it in and pay on line ?

Important Info Re 'Hand Written' Visa Applications

Well, the fact is that you can fill it in online etc, however, most of the posts on the forum seem to be about the problems that people are having filling in online, the complexity, and the time that it takes - people are talking hours here.

The downloadable/printable form on the website is basically the %26#39;old form%26#39; that was used in previous years. It%26#39;s one page only, very straightforward and simple, and takes just a few minutes to complete.

It would be soooo much easier, and simpler, if this were to be used for postal applications, plus a postal order, instead of all the hassle that people seem to be encountering online.

As for us, personally, we can%26#39;t do the postal applic, %26#39;cos we won%26#39;t be in the UK for long enough. For us it will be need to be a visit to Victoria.

I think you may have to make two visits one to drop your papers off and another visit to pick them up. I%26#39;m not sure if they still process them %26#39;same day%26#39;

I may be wrong but I%26#39;m sure somebody will put me right.

Has anybody managed to get a visa yet other than postal ?

Yes, it is one visit to apply, and another to collect 2 to 3 days later - not a problem for us.

If you read the various posts, many, many people have got their visa%26#39;s by personal visit to VFS.

OK, I have now had a further email reply fom VFS.

They confirm that you CAN send the downloadable/printable form completed by hand as a postal application!! See further email below:

Dear Applicant,

Thank you for your email.

Yes, you may apply with a hand written form.

Best Regards

Information Service Desk

VF Services ( UK ) Limited

So, we now have written confirmation that you can use this simple form - …vfsglobal.co.uk/images/Visaform-19thFeb08.p… - filled in by hand, for either your POSTAL, or your PERSONAL VISIT Visa Applications.

So, if you do not wish to go through the hassle of the online application, just download this printable, very easy, very simple, one page form.

The only drawback that I can see is that, for personal visit applic%26#39;s, you cannot make an advance appointment. I can%26#39;t see a drawback for postal applic%26#39;s - it%26#39;s got to be simpler!!

This doesn%26#39;t help me, as I won%26#39;t be able to do a postal applic, but I hope that this info helps some of you.

After the hassle that some people seem to have had completing them online - plus the people who have ended up paying twice it does sound simpler to complete the forms by hand so thanks for clarifying this Bluesmania and good luck with your visas.

Thanks Gemma1.

Hi Bluesmania, well at least we have confirmation now and thankyou. I wonder if they changed it because of the hassle people have been having. Personally, I still like the online forms, but I like online stuff, even did our passports online!

Hi Meercat.

Yeah, if people are computer literate and comfortable with the online applic - go for it. However, if they are having prob%26#39;s, or are uncomfortable with the online, the hand written applic is a good option.

I have to be honest, if I was in a position to do a postal applic, I%26#39;d very definitely do the hand written form. It%26#39;s so much easier, and quicker, even though I don%26#39;t have a prob with computers - why complicate it? I guess it%26#39;s each to his own.

it%26#39;s %26#39;Sod%26#39;s Law%26#39; though isn%26#39;t it. having found all of this out, I will still prob have to do online applic%26#39;s, %26#39;cos I will need to present them personally at Victoria, and I%26#39;d prefer to have an appointment rather than queue!!

Still, if the info helps someone else...............

Hi Bluesmania, it is weird because our friends applications (in July) were returned unprocessed with a letter explaining the reason as being because they hadn%26#39;t applied online. I think many, many people will find it alot easier to do the handwritten ones. Shame they don%26#39;t clearly state this on the website!