Well on my form they asked me where my parents were born and country and they even wanted their date of birth. Like i said, forms and things change. Oh yeah, are your contacts in srinagar India? If so, then thats probably why!! Also, different consulates/embassies work differently and even have different rules.
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I've applied for Indian visas multiple times over the past several years...the form has always been similar to the one that I posted, without any questions about my parents other than their names & current citizenship. I've dropped off the form at the embassy myself for same-day visa service, and I wasn't asked a single thing...and was able to get my visa at the end of the day like everyone else. Granted, I don't look very "desi," but my reference addresses are all in Srinagar, so its not as though my application isn't being scrutinized. I also know people in similar situations as the OP who apply w/o any significant problems because they just neglect to mention Pakistan on their applications.
Re: British Indian married to British Pakistani - Tourist Visa problem HELP!!!
Under new rules brought in November 09, if you are a British citizen of Pak origin, you need the following:
i. General application form.
ii. A notarised invitation from relative(s) in India with a photo ID.
iii. A copy of employer's letter OR A chartered accountant's certificate (if self-employed) OR An unemployment allowance letter / disability allowance letter / benefit letter (if unemployed) AND latest one month bank statement
Basically, if you have no family links with India, then you can't go.
I went last July, took eight days to process the application, and I still had to lodge a letter of invitation from my relatives. So unless you have lots of time on your hands, and have strong family connections, don't bother applying.
Re: British Indian married to British Pakistani - Tourist Visa problem HELP!!!
Not sure what you mean.
Its the new visa policy after the Headley affair. I am not defending it, just telling you about the it. I think its a stupid policy, as it alienates the very few Pakistanis who are not in the "I hate India" category. Was in India last year, and your average Indian is actually quite nice to Pakistanis.
Re: British Indian married to British Pakistani - Tourist Visa problem HELP!!!
Actualy most terrorist attacks in India are commited by infiltrators.
Treating elderly people with disrespect or asking them to make a hundred trips is hardly going to make India safe.
Most British Pakistanis visiting India have a genuine interest or familial links. I have both. But the tratment metted out by the Indian High Commision is truely awful.
Re: British Indian married to British Pakistani - Tourist Visa problem HELP!!!
Speaking to someone yesterday, whose mother wanted to visit a sick aunt. They made her go ten times, and in the end the elderly aunt passed away. The Visa officer, a Gujarati chap, said "acha hua aik kum musla hindustan mein". Imagine the uproar if an American, British, or Austrailian visa officers said that to an India, they would be accused of all sorts of things, including membership of the Klu Klux Klan.
Can't speak for all Indian diplomatic missions, but the High cCommission in London is full RSS types, who take great pleasure in tormenting Pakistanis.
So if are a Brit Pak and planning a trip to India, I would suggest waiting for sometime, because as things stand, the liklyhood of getting a visa is non-existent.
Speaking to someone yesterday, whose mother wanted to visit a sick aunt. They made her go ten times, and in the end the elderly aunt passed away. The Visa officer, a Gujarati chap, said "acha hua aik kum musla hindustan mein". Imagine the uproar if an American, British, or Austrailian visa officers said that to an India, they would be accused of all sorts of things, including membership of the Klu Klux Klan.
Can't speak for all Indian diplomatic missions, but the High cCommission in London is full RSS types, who take great pleasure in tormenting Pakistanis.
So if are a Brit Pak and planning a trip to India, I would suggest waiting for sometime, because as things stand, the liklyhood of getting a visa is non-existent.
The bolded line:-How could one officer tell like that?That too when the embassy has its complaint lodging section?
Re: British Indian married to British Pakistani - Tourist Visa problem HELP!!!
I do not know abt Indian High Commission in other countries.But while living in Bali,I came across an incident in which one of my friends who had reneged Indian citizenship and acquired a Far East Asian country's citizenship was made to wait a long time for VISA .
But I did not want to blame the Indian officials for that because the guy was a `foreigner' in High commission's eyes.
I guess I was one of the lucky ones…I’m Canadian born, of Pakistani origin - my mother is orginally from PK while my dad is originally from India, but moved to PK in his youth and they are now Canadian citizens and both holders of Pakistani passports.
I got my visa to India in 5 days (this was October 2009) - no questions asked, despite my passport having two recent trips to Pakistan marked in it. I wonder why I wasn’t hassled
Shayad meri masoom sa chehra dekh kar unkon tasali mil gayi kay mein koyee ghalat kaam kar hi nahin sakti :halo:
Re: British Indian married to British Pakistani - Tourist Visa problem HELP!!!
I think the London High Commision is excessively difficult. I got my visa, but had to make three visits, and they kept changing the goal post. Once lodged, it took six working days, so not too long. But this was last year, before the Hadley affair, and even then they were difficult. The new rules on the VSF website make it clear that if you have no family connection, you can't go. So it doesn't effect someone like me or other Urdu-speakers. But if simply want to visit India as tourist, then forget it. Sehrysh, I suspect you had family links with India.
I also think the guy should have complained, but after all the headaches, the last thing the family wanted was to have any contact with the Indian High Commission. The thing is that the Pakistan High commission in London do not mess about Indians. I know a South Indian Hindu professor, who has made numerous visits to Pakistan, with out any problem.
Pakistan could make the same argument about security concerns, but has taken a different attitude towards British Indian applicants.
I think the London High Commision is excessively difficult. I got my visa, but had to make three visits, and they kept changing the goal post. Once lodged, it took six working days, so not too long. But this was last year, before the Hadley affair, and even then they were difficult. The new rules on the VSF website make it clear that if you have no family connection, you can't go. So it doesn't effect someone like me or other Urdu-speakers. But if simply want to visit India as tourist, then forget it. Sehrysh, I suspect you had family links with India.
I also think the guy should have complained, but after all the headaches, the last thing the family wanted was to have any contact with the Indian High Commission. The thing is that the Pakistan High commission in London do not mess about Indians. I know a South Indian Hindu professor, who has made numerous visits to Pakistan, with out any problem.
Pakistan could make the same argument about security concerns, but has taken a different attitude towards British Indian applicants.
I do have family in India - don't know, maybe that made it easier for me. But the truth is I didn't want to pay extra for a visitor visa ($123 CDN) - so when I submitted my application I did so as a tourist ($62 CDN) and ultimately, my trip was a tourist trip - I went to about 12 cities (4 states) in 26 days - an awesome trip!
Re: British Indian married to British Pakistani - Tourist Visa problem HELP!!!
I think it might be harder in UK then.. because in Canada I've never seen such cases. I have a couple of friends, young guys like mid 20's and they were born in karachi too! And well now canadian citizens and they just went to India a few months back. They actually had no problems and no one hassled them either. It's crazy hearing those stories, but I guess they got lucky.
