Mine was almost a straightforward application as I am "Employed". The process was like how it was described by a lot of other people in the forum.
- 1. Security Check.
2. Application form checked at a counter on the ground floor and was given a token.
3. Payment with HSBC Visa debit at the first floor and was given a payment receipt.
3. Application form checked and some data entered into the computer on the first floor.
4. Biometrics on the first floor.
5. Application with supporting documents (with copies of statements and payslips) received in a counter on the first floor. The lady at the counter mentioned that it will take at least 2 hours from there.
6. After 1.5 hours, Approval letter + documents were given back in another counter on the first floor.
Deviations from a "normal" application:
- 1. Applied with 10 months' payslip and bank statements.
2. Out of 10, 2 of the bank statements were duplicate statements on HSBC letterhead.
3. March bank statement was a temporary statement on HSBC letterhead.
4. Applied 5.5 months in advance. My current visa expires on the 1.09.12. Yet to know when my current visa is issued from.
5. I recently got married and my wife is yet to apply for a dependent visa in India. So, I applied as a Married person without a dependent.
Initially, I didn't want to spam this forum with another "experience" thread. But reading others people's experience who were in a similar situation as mine was really encouraging and reassuring for me. So, I record mine as well.
Thanks to everyone on this forum who shared their experience and knowledge. Any questions on my appointment, let me know.