Hello peeps!
Second installment of the serie.
Remember how border crossing in the Maldives was easy peasy?Well, let me introduce to visa procedure, Indian style!
All the official info is available here: http://in.vfsglobal.co.uk/
If you have a passport from
Finland, Japan, Luxembourg, New Zealand or Singapore then lucky you
little bugger - no need for advance procedure, you can get a 30 days
visa with single entry on arrival in Delhi and Mumbai ONLY.
The
rest of us will need to get a tourist visa before entering the
country. Usually a 3 to 6 months visa with single, double or multiple entries, no
extension possible.
You will need for the application:
- Passport valid for a minimum of 180 days with at least two blank pages.
- 2 recent 50*50 size photographs. Check they are the correct size!
- The online application form with signed declaration.
- For the double entry visa you will also need to submit a tentative travel itinerary
That's only the start.
If you are like me a non UK passport holder you will also need the following:
- If you have been in the UK
more than 2yrs, you will need to provide:
- A stamp of indefinite stay OR
- A utility
bill for the current month and for at least 2yrs back. Only landline
phone, gas, electricity, water, council tax and tenancy agreement are
accepted - no bank statements and no mix and match of the utility bills.
- If you have been in the UK for less than two years there is a form to fill in and processing time will be minimum 10-15 working days in this case.
The application form
is filled in online, then you print it with all the forms and document
check lists required. Make sure everything is signed where needs to be.
Either post everything including your passport to the Hayes mission or
book an appointment and drop the paperwork at your local application
centre. The appointment time is issued
when you do the online application but can be modified after.
It takes about 1wk to process the application. You can choose the delivery option for your passport when you do the online application.
Happy days :)
Hello peeps!
I thought I might do a serie of "informative" post rather than just my usual ranting and outpouring of thought. I will do this from time to time on different topics, so if you ever think about visiting the same countries, at least I can give you a head start on what to expect and how to avoid the pitfalls.
Sooooo... Welcome to...
THE FABULOUS WORLD OF VISAS - or how to get lost in bureaucracy!
Aside of all the excitement of planning a round the world trip, one of the tings i found decidedly not glamorous is the think about the visas I will need along the way.
First thing first - I will be going for a year, so not point getting all the visas I could possibly need before I go because chances are most of them will expire way before I get anywhere near said countries!
I will however get some before I go and the rest I will just pick up along the way. Wish me luck :)
Today's topic is the Maldives.
All official info available here: http://www.immigration.gov.mv/index.php/entry-to-maldives.html
There no procedure to go through before entering the country. A 30 days free visa issued on arrival.
You will just need to show:
- A valid passport
- A valid ticket onward ticket
- Enough funds to cover the expenses for the duration of your stay - US$100 + $50 dollars per day - OR a confirmation of
reservation in a Tourist Resort or a Hotel.
It is that easy!
A word of caution: the Immigration officer is well within his/her right to issue anything up to 30 days. Sad but true - so smile, be polite and look smart. Could prove a bit of a challenge after a 13hrs journey, but just think about that cocktail you will sip when you arrive at the hotel - it is worth the hassle!
Happy days :)
Hello peeps!
This week my journey has well and truly started.
I moved out of my flat on Tuesday and moved into a friend's spare room. It was a bit of a shock when I got there.
All my life packed in 3 suitcases, 3 bags and 4 boxes, fighting for space among my friend's stuff, a single bed on one side and the pump in the fish tank promising to turn me insane in the middle of the night if I don't switch it off. That, and the uncertainty of what the next year and a half will bring.
Was tough. Real tough. I actually cried. Life as I knew it was over and a new life I know nothing about was begining.
After the first couple of nights, things are feeling a lot more settled.
Wake up around 7am, courtesy of the 3 kids upstairs running around.
New shower routine - don't forget the bathrobe... would be best to avoid any unfortunate incident...
Wi-fi detox - that one is still bringing tears to my eyes! I def need to get them a router :(
New parking spot in the street.
But also - starting to feel this trip shaping up and becoming real.
I will be leaving the UK in 7wks. There no time to sit around and hope for the best.
It will be the best because I will make it the best.Simple as that.
It's just that I might spend the w.e in my bathrobe not doing much... one needs to enjoy the quiet house before the kids come back on Monday morning!!!
:)
