Passport & India visa worries

Old Sep 14th, 2010, 04:17 PM
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Passport & India visa worries

I leave for India on Dec. 1 and just realized I need to renew my passport or add more pages before I can get my visa. I thought I could do one more trip because there are several partial pages, but if the India visa is the size of a full page, there's no place to put it except those amendment pages in the back.

So I have about 10 weeks total. Is that plenty of time? I'm the worrying type and I don't want to be sweating the last couple of weeks before the trip that I won't have my documentation in time.

Anyone renewed a passport recently? How long did it take? I live in the Washington area, so it would be relatively easy to do it in person, but I think it has to be closer to the trip before I could do that.

How long does it take to get a visa for India?

Is it worth it to use one of the internet sites that would do this for me (for a price, of course). And if so, does anyone have personal experience with one that you'd recommend?

I'd appreciate any suggestions. Thanks!
Karen
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Old Sep 14th, 2010, 05:04 PM
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India has contracted out all visas (in the US) to www.travisa.com I am very impressed with how efficient the process is with travisa. The application form is online and you fill it out online and print it and mail it along with the other documentation needed (like a copy of your birth certificate, and several other items). When you place the cursor over a blank, it gives you info on how to fill in that box - very useful. Once you have mailed in your passport and all of the documentation, they email you each step of the way. Travisa took about a week to get our passports with the visas back to us.

First you need to get your passport taken care of. Getting new pages takes less time than getting a new passport. You will have 6 month validity on your passport beyond your return date from India, won't you? If not, you need to get a new passport. You can pay for expedited processing of your passport or additional pages request.

BTW, it's worth considering whether you want to get a 10 year visa.
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Old Sep 14th, 2010, 05:26 PM
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Thanks for the quick response, Kathie. I've just been on the State Dept. website filling out the paperwork for the passport. It looks like if I go for the expedited service, it will be 3-4 weeks to get a new passport. Since mine expires in 2012, I think I'll just go ahead and get the new one rather than just new pages. Even if it takes 4-5 weeks, it sounds like I'll still have time to get the visa through travisa. I had my photos taken tonight, so I'm ready to send the passport renewal package out tomorrow.
I'll breathe easier when I've got it back, but I think it will be ok.
Thanks!
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Old Sep 14th, 2010, 05:30 PM
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It sounds like a plan!

Do take a look at all that is required fro documentation to be sent in with your visa application, so you can start putting that together now.
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Old Sep 14th, 2010, 05:51 PM
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Yes, I went to the travista website (thanks for the link). I hadn't realized I'd need my birth certificate, but I'm pretty sure I've got it stashed away in a folder in my basement, so it shouldn't be a problem. I'll have the form and documents all ready for when the passport arrives. I can't believe I'm going on this trip! It's been a long time since I posted questions here about my first trip to Asia with my daughter (over 4 years ago!). I can't wait to go back to Asia - and this will be so very different.
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Old Sep 14th, 2010, 06:38 PM
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new pages take 2 weeks by mail, but i bet in dc you can get them quicker... call embassey and see if the will process visa for you in dc
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Old Sep 15th, 2010, 01:42 AM
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I agree with Kathie about Travisa- I Fed Ex'ed my application on a Monday and had my passport and visa back on the Friday. And since I'm a naturalized citizen - and had visited Pakistan - I figure if anyone's would take longer it would be mine. I opted for the 10 year visa - makes even more sense if you're getting a new passport.
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Old Sep 15th, 2010, 05:19 PM
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With these reports of such speedy visa processing, I'm starting to get a little nervous, as I'm waiting for mine and it's taking more than a week.

Hopefully it's just the busy season for the Indian consulate. I can't imagine there's anything about me that would throw out a red flag. Although, of course, I've got no idea what's in my FBI file. And there's always those Facebook photos...
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Old Sep 16th, 2010, 07:46 AM
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Nutella - does Travisa show that your passport is at the embassy?
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Old Sep 16th, 2010, 02:29 PM
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I decided to go just get a new passport via mail. I paid the extra to have it expedited, and went to the post office yesterday and had it sent via overnight mail. The post office guy told me I should get it back in 3 weeks or so, which should give me plenty of time to get the visa.
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Old Sep 16th, 2010, 03:05 PM
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Thurs, yes, I've been checking the status obsessively and the embassy has had it for over a week. I even got another email from Travisa saying they inquired about my passport and the embassy is still processing my application. Hopefully good news soon, I can't take this stress!
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Old Sep 16th, 2010, 04:44 PM
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Nutella - when do you leave for your trip?
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Old Sep 19th, 2010, 07:51 AM
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Althom, I leave the first week of November. So I still have time to get my passport/visa back, but still it's a bit nerve wracking until I have it in my hands!
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Old Sep 19th, 2010, 10:01 AM
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Nutella - that's just the kind of stress you don't need! Hope it works out quickly.
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Old Sep 19th, 2010, 11:00 AM
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I completely understand! I'm the same way. I think I have plenty of time for mine, too, but i'll feel much better when the passport is back and I have the visa in hand.
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Old Sep 22nd, 2010, 10:52 AM
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I just got an Indian visa. I was told I had to supply a copy of my marriage certificate because the name on my birth certificate did not match the name on my passport. It is not a requirement on travisa, but I was told it is a new requirement. So, if you changed your name at any point in your life, you might meed to start looking for more documentation.
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Old Sep 22nd, 2010, 11:15 AM
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See my thread inre to this. I began it today. It was an ordeal for us and I do hope you sent a birth cert with the names of your parents or they won't process it. I had a state issued BC given to me by my mom BUT Travisa requires a "long" from which fortunately I was able to get w/i 30 mins. at the muni office 1 block away. The one I had, though state issued, wasn't enough. I hope things go well for you. The funny thing is I found that what Travisa oursourcing both in Chicago and Tx. told me was polar opposed, at least in one very important point to what travisaindia Chicago told me. There are two travisa offices in Chi and one is specific for Indian visas. Then when we went there the lady receptionist nearly refused to take my app until I told her what I was specifically told by someone and I mentioned her name, in her own office.
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Old Sep 22nd, 2010, 01:33 PM
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Drebby - that's definitely a new one! I've changed my name twice since birth but had no problem. Does seem that India is actively DIScouraging visits (and the current flap over the Commonwealth Games isn't going to help).

As a naturalized citizen I was supposed to send a notarized translation of my birth certificate, but since it was already in English I just had the copy notarized as a true copy (at my bank, where it lives in my safe deposit box).
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Old Sep 22nd, 2010, 01:41 PM
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Drebby, Did Travisa say that all married women who took their husband's last name must send a marriage license as well as a birth certificate?

Nutella-I do not know if the Houston office is processing yourr visa, but the Travisa website said that Houston is experiencing delays of something like 2-3 weeks.
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Old Sep 22nd, 2010, 01:58 PM
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althom1122: if you live in the Washjongton DC area, once you get your new passport you can get your visa in one day by going to the travisa office in Georgetown (on lower Wisconsin near K St.)

You fill out your application and select an appointment date/time online -- then drop off your passport, application documents, and fee (money order or cash) during your appointed 20 minute slot between 9-11am; don't be late!

Unless there are problems, you pick up your passport/visa between 4:30-5:30 (although the day I went the courier didn't arrive back from the embassy until almost 6:00). They will even send you a text message when your passport is ready. Readily available street parking (meter) too. One day and you are done.
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