visa application experience

Atlast my application is submitted. Quite an eventful submission though.

I had earlier decided to submit my application on July 29 and could not submit then as I fell ill and had to cancel my appointment. Then I re-scheduled my appointment and got a confirmed slot for Aug 01, 2008, 9:00 AM. So far so good.

One of the future batchmate who had already got a visa had prepared a checklist and running against that, I realized, I was missing on few points. A resume, a bank statement for a particular account and my TOEFL scorecard were missing from the original pack I had prepared.

On July 31, I went to the bank for the statement and their printer was not working. No problem. Went again in the evening and collected the statement. Needed a VISA fee draft, went to StandardChartered (UK VISA recommends them) at Cunnigham Road and they were closed. Then I went to their M.G.Road branch and the guy at the counter needed my passport (in original) to issue a banker's cheque. Since I did not had that I went to HDFC bank and they were more than happy to meet my requirement (no fuss and no questions asked).

By the time I hit home, I had everything required but going against the checklist, I realized that a copy of my resume was missing (the realization dawned at 11:30 PM). With less than 10 hrs to go to VFS, I decided to check if any cybercafe were open at 8 in the morning. Luckily I found one open and took a print to attach with the application.

Next was VFS personnel's turn to surprise me. After 45 min of waiting, when my turn came in the lady said my photograph did not meet specification of 80% facial features visibility. She then asked me to click a snap and fix on the form. Now, I never expected this. I was dressed as shabbily as possible with a not-so-good-looking T-shirt and a cargo. Had no choice and the guy behind the lens did a good job of my face.

Once done, I collected my 3.5 x 4.5 photograph, fixed it and submitted it. The lady gave me a token for biometric call and within 10 minutes I was done. Reached home at 11:00 AM. Now, I am waiting for the courier guy to come and deliver the passport with the VISA.

Here is a checklist I included in the cover lette for student visa application.

1. Passport
2. VAF3 with photograph
3. IT Return (self and sponsor) for last 3 years
4. Demand draft for Rs. 8415/- towards Visa application fee
5. Bank statements (self and sponsor) for last 6 months
6. Fixed deposits (self and sponsor)
7. Property valuation documents certificates by govt. approved evaluator (self and sponsor)
8. Chartered Accountant’s Net Worth certificate (self and sponsor)
9. Employment certificate (self and sponsor)
10. Provident Fund and Public Provident Fund statement (sponsor)
11. 6 months pay slips (self and sponsor)
12. Shares and stocks statement
13. Loan sanction letter from the bank.
14. Unconditional offer letter from Lancaster University (self)
15. Letter from the university showing living expenses cost (self)
16. Sponsorship letter from sponsor (self)
17. Investments (debt+mutual funds) (self and sponsor)
18. Employment proofs from all companies worked for (self)
19. Education certificates (self)
20. Resume (self)
21. TOEFL certificate for English language ability (self)
22. Copy of interview appointment schedule conducted by university (self)
23. Transaction statement of initial deposit of 1500 GBP submitted to the university (self)