EC Application - My Findings

[freebirds]

thanks for your help raghu.
i did get in touch with the vfs chennai though i appied at hyd vfs.
they say all info we have is , the appl is still with bhc peding assessment and some verification. they donot have any other info. they asked me to keep checking the vfs website.
if there is anything to do with medical, the vfs chennai shld be able to tell me right.
donno whats happening ...full stress

[aj_sp_007]

hi freebirds..

i have gone through all ure post related to EC and really disappointed with everything.All i can suggest you is to be positive,and get prepared for any interview u have to face in future.
One thing i would like to know is,
when we apply for EC is it necessay to go through VFS,cant we apply directly to the counslate, coz in 2002 i applied for my UK tourist visa and i was not knowing about this VFS, i applied directly to the counslate, they interviewed me, and confirmed my visa, and in two hrs time i got my passport back with the visa.
What do you suggest...??

All the very best..be positive, everything wil be ok.

aj_sp_007
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West nile virus advice

[raghupv30]

Hi Freebirds,

My friend was in the exact situation as urs.
I suggest u to contact the VFS Hyderabad office directly or send the mail to British High Commision Chennai.
Ur mail to the emailid i had given in my last posting to get redirected to the casewoker visa officer who is handling the case. The mail response would tell u the exact status of ur case. Instead of getting into stress mood, just check these options seriously.

-Raghu

[freebirds]

guys,

thanks a lot for your support. grt.

raghu, as advised , i just emailed the bhc people on the emailid u have sent to me. asking them for status update.

I will wait for the email from them. waiting is painful ya.

i too went to bhc chennai in 2002 for wp stamping. it took a day to get the ppt stamped.

thanks again

[nnj10]

Hello All,

I would like to share my Visa Application experience with all of you.

Today I applied for EC for myself and my wife at VFS-UK Office in New Delhi.

From Today onwards, there is a new procedure in place for all HSMP visa applicants (as told by the VFS Guys at their checking counter).
Now the HSMP visa issue time is 15-18 working days. They told me that they have to send all the documents for further verification to Mumbai Office (Probably British Dy.HC or any third party verifcation agency).
They took two set of photocopies for each document that I submitted.

They also asked me to fill up an HSMP proforma, where we have to state the points claimed in different section as well as evidence supplied to UK Home Office for HSMP Approval.

So, it smells like, BHC wants to do another round of check on all documents...before they can issue visas.

Anyone who applied today please share your exp.

NNJ10

[freebirds]

i agree. u r right nnj10. becos when i called bhc yesterdya, the helpline girl told me , it is under consideration. which means they will do verificiation. from what u said, this makes feel a bit confident. becos, u never know, whose documents are fake and kind of things.

thanks for the info. i too did fill the proforma and i mentioned the points i claimed. i had submitted all original docs which i sent for hsmp..cover to cover i gave as it is...

also, i didnt give any phtocopies. may be the rule u told might be in existence from today but they might have started verification from a month ago. so no worreies. i submitted on 16th march. today is 29th. coupel of more days to go ..lets c..i might get in next week..

[antony]

Hi guys,

I have gone through the posts and in my case i am re-applying for the EC.

First time instance:
The ECO (Entry Clearance officer) refused the visa on the ground of looking into the IT returns of assessment year 2006 - 2007 as earnings i claimed and gave me 25 points(instead of 40 points).

Today i applied in VFS, Bangalore. I went to the VFS and they asked me to take all set of documents 1 xerox copy and asked to submit.

NB:
1) I do not have the HSMP permit letter with me when re-applying for the second time.
2) I kept only the email got from the following mail id as proof.
chennai visa office
Chennai.VisaEnquiry@fco.gov.uk
3) Filled the proforma which can be found in the link...
http://www.britishhighcommission.gov.uk ... 7170902275
4) Again repaid the fees of Rs.8441.

For Married people:
Please add a comment in the section "Other Information" of the VAF1 application form as :

"I am planning to take my spouse and child within 3 months, once I get settled in UK with a job."

I have not included this in my first EC application. They quoted a statement saying on grounds of 82(1) the visa is refused. (But i have given all original documents.)

Not sure about 3rd party verification.
OThers please share your experiences....

Antony

[nouna]

Just thought to share my experience with EC.
This morning my husband, daughter and I have applied for Entry Clearance. The process was simple and straighforward with the officer asking only a few questions in the interview afterwhich we paid the fees and they took our fingerprints. Surprisingly, we were asked to come back at 3 pm to pick up the stamped passports which we did! So we were granted HSMP visas for 2 years valid from today untill 29/3/2009. They have returned with the passports all the original documents we submitted for EC. The officer also said that when entering the UK for the first time, we need to present the original HO letter of approval at the airport. So after all the hassle and HSMP refusals we've been through during the last 6 months until we finally got approved, it's good to end things with such a smooth and quick EC process! Good luck to everyone

[aj_sp_007]

hi nouna,

plz help..

did you applied directly to the counslate or u went through vfs..
from whr did u applied...???

plz help

aj_sp_007
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COACH HANDBAGS

[nouna]

hi aj_sp_007, applied directly at the British Embassy-Consulate section in Budapest.

[aj_sp_007]

can i do the same in india...directly apply to british counslate or should i go through vfs..?

why u applied directly...dont have vfs in budapest ??

aj_sp_007
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MERCEDES-BENZ 560 HISTORY

[nouna]

aj_sp_007, I am not sure if you can do the same in India. The HSMP approval letter stated to check the location of the nearest British Embassy, High Commission or Consulate at http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk to apply for EC. In the application forms page there is a link to the British mission overseas where you can find a list of all British Embassies worldwide.
I suggest that you give a call to your nearest Embassy and inquire about the application process in your country.

[aj_sp_007]

thnx nouna
________
STARBUCKS GIFT CARD

[pravtech]

Hi,
Reg: EC

can we check the status of the application?
submitted my docs to BHC chennai,were to check the status..

thanks
praveen

[freebirds]

its 12.30 night india..

praveen..here it is for u

http://www.vfs-uk.co.in/trackyourpassport.aspx

[pravtech]

Hi guys,
regad: EC
now the timeframe for EC is increased to 7-10 days it seems.is that true guys.

thanks

praveen

[uk.destiny]

Hi freebirds,

any update from your side?
did u get any response for your mail(BHC)?

Thanks,
Uk Destiny

[freebirds]

yes i did get a reply. they say, it is still under verification. and pending iwth caseworker officer.

Thank you for your e-mail dated 30/3/07.

You may wish to be informed that your HSMP application is pending in our office for certain enquiries to be completed by the Visa Officer.

We will keep you updated on the outcome of the same.
We appreciate your co-operation.

Yours Sincerely,

Casework Section

this is it.someone told me that it will take two - 3 weeks . so am hoping to get in the next week ..hopefull postive

thanks

[uk.destiny]

Hi freebirds,

Best of luck for your EC.
In the mean time,if possible You can ask your employers...etc (if BHC contacted them abt ur details)...

Thanks,
UK Destiny

[freebirds]

hi,
thanks man..
i work in a big company mnc..donno whom to ask abt the feedback. anyways, i resigned to my job. .i am thinking they might have sent my educational docs for verification. becos i gave them laminated sheets.
i had a habit of getting docs laminated.

i left everything to god now. i am used to this kind of waiting in life...
its really tough ...for some, things happen so faster and ..vice versa

[ajilani]

Hi everyone,

Can I fill-up VAF1 form electronically or by using typewritter? Is it will be acceptable to BHC? Is hand-written fill-up form is mandatory? Please help.

- Azher

[uk.destiny]

Hi ,

Any EC Approvals ? what are the timelines for Approval.
I applied on 27th Mar 2007 at Bangalore.
Called BHC chennai Today,They said documents are under verification.
Others, Please post their timelines.So, that we can estimate...when we will get our passports back.

Thanks,
Uk Destiny

[feb_hsmp]

Hi All,
I have applied EC on 30th March, me too in waiting mode. At VFS office they told me that EC process will take atleast 10 days for completion. Indirectly they told me no enquires before 10 days period. I am praying to God that we get through this phase with positive results.
At Mumbai VFS, while submitting documents i came to understand they have started new process called Integra, in which they are asking for following documents Xerox copies only as one seperate set along with the other complete original set.
1) Appointment letter
2) Salary revision letter
3) Emplyment ID
4) Pay slips of last 6 month
Cheers,
Febhsmp

[uk.destiny]

Hi All,

I got Visa for 2 Years.

Applied on 27/Mar/2007 at Bangalore VFS
Got it today(03/Apr/2007) by Blue dart Courier .

Documents submitted:
-------------------------
1)Aproval Letter
2)All docs submitted for initial HSMP Applications
3)Experience Letters(offer Letters&Releave Letters)
4)Bank Balance - 3.7 Lacs
5)Pay Slips - 6 months
6)Sponsorship Docs

Thanks,
Uk Destiny

[pravtech]

congrats uk.destiny..
can u describe ur documentation u sent for sponsership???it will help others..
yours is too fast gr8..