Applicant details: Minor child on UK passport (Both parents on Indian passport with ILR) applying for 12 months multiple entry.
1. Go to https://indianvisaonline.gov.in, select type as 'Entry Visa', fill in the details, generate filled PDF application form from it. This site is mainly to generate the filled application form.
A few points that I noticed
- Can save and exit but do please note the temporary ID for retrieval of partialy filled applications.
- Asks for any physical identification marks.
- Asks to upload a photo but will still need to carry 2 photos as well.
- The final filled form has a section for 'Address of place of stay/hotel' but it was never asked during filling the form. VFS said that it is a glitch and do not have to be filled.
- Father signed on behalf of the minor
2. Once you submit the above step, it automatically creates a record and redirects into https://www.visaservices.co.in/ website with an application id starting with GBRLV. Everything from now on is to be in this website with this ID + passport number.
3. In the above record, there is the option to pick postal application or in person at VFS. I selected Goswell road, London. Appointment slots were plentiful with ones available for the very next day as well. Opted in for SMS/email updates, opted out for Photo printing by VFS. Paid the fee here itself - a total of 90.88 which includes Visa fee, Consular surcharge, VFS service charge, SMS charge, VAT.
4. Documents enclosed
-Appointment letter (printed after step 3)
-visa fee payment printout (from step 3)
-UK Passport valid for a minimum of 180 days with at least two blank pages.
-Two recent 50 mm * 50 mm size photographs. (Minor was less than a year old, but still took a pic with her eyes open on a plain background at home, printed it at a photo studio). Pasted one photo on the application form.
-Filled application form from Step 1
-Declaration (downloaded from website on step 2, signed by father)
-Photocopy of the child’s FULL birth certificate showing both the parents’ names.
-Consent letter addressed to the HCI, London signed by both the parents (Template given below)
-Photocopy of both Parents' passports first and last pages only
-Photocopy of both Parents' ILR BRP cards.
5. Reached VFS 20 minutes prior to appointment time. Reception (with an attitude) had a quick glance through documents and issues a ticket number. Substantially big waiting area with 18 counters and display / annoucments of tickets being called. Toilets available but no baby changing facilities. Got called in 4 minutes, the lady at the counter was pleasant, polite and helpful. Checked all the documents, confirmed basic details including mobile phone number, issued an acknowledgment slip. Opted for collection of passport rather than courier. Job done in 5 minutes.
6. Got an SMS late evening that the application has been submitted to HCI London. The second day since submission, got message and email in the morning that passport is ready for collection !! Went the same day at collection time 16:00 ~ 17:30. Again got a ticket which was called in 5 minutes. Received the passport back with Multiple Entry X Visa for a year from date of submission. Have written on it that Registration required only if continuous stay exceeds 180 days - which is mute for minors anyways.
Just took 5 days from step 1 to 6 - impressed !
Consent Letter format
From
Father's Name
Address
Mobile number
To
The Visa Officer,
High Commission of India,
India House,
Aldwych, London.
Madam / Sir,
Subject: Letter of consent for <<Minors name>>’s travel.
We, <<fathers name>> and <<mothers name>>, parents of <<minors name>> (UK Passport no: ###### DOB: DD/MM/YYYY), can confirm that our daughter will be travelling with us to India to visit family and friends and we both give our full consent for her travel. Our expected date of arrival and departure from India are on DD/MM/YYYY and DD/MM/YYYY respectively.
Regards,
Father’s name: <<>>
<<Sign>>
………………………………………………………………..
Date: Today's date
Mother’s name: <<>>
<<Sign>>
………………………………………………………………..
Date: Today's date