British passport for British citizen child born in India

[ToneGen]

Thank you Macro_Run & rarun53.

1) It is A4 size. It is easier to make a collage of all your photos with some photo editing software(like Picasso/Google photos etc)

You mean one or more A4 pages with lots of thumbnail photos in it? or every single photo printed on a A4 sheet of paper?
I have currently got each photo printed on 4"x6" size. and there are about 8-10 of them.

Again, please point me to the guidelines,if there is one, where it is mentioned.

Thanks a lot guys

[rarun53]

Hi,

There is no hard and fast rule. You can make an A4 page with 3-4 photos as a collage depends on the photo resolution and make your best guess.

Make 2-3 A4 pages if you have more photos

Regards

Arun

[srivisaN]

Hi,

I have a UK Passport Video conference Interview in India next week, can anyone who went for interview from India please share their experience and any documents we need to carry.

Thanks,
Sri.

[rarun53]

Latest Update:

It was 16 weeks since the application was sumbitted, i have raised a frormal complaint to HMPO over the phone about the service standards.

I received a call from the complaints team on Saturday(Yes, they do work) to discuss the issue.
He said that any overseas application wii go through a 3 stage process as below,
1) Checks in UK (Including the identy of father and possible interview)
2) Checks in India (Verfifying the government and other documents, May also include another interview for mother with or without child)
3) Combine report from 1& 2 and may request additional Documents if required, possibly new photo of the child if it is significantly old

Once all the 3 steps have been completed the Passport will be issued.

I have raised following concerns
* My wife has taken early maternity last year and she is nearing the end of her maternity period and her employer wants to know the status.
* I have also highlighted that my first child has moved to India with my wife and continuing her education in India and we have to Pay her annual school fees for the next year by Mid April.
* We are separated for long period of time and waiting indefinitely for the outcome.

The response was
* They Cannot expedite the process, so it takes as long as it takes.
* Asked me to visit them often if this may give some relief to the family (ofcourse on my own expenses)
* Make necessary arrangement for the well-being of the Child by getting support from Family members
* The other Child situation cannot be considered as this is irrelevant to the application of this child.
* And finally the shocking part is this - if my wife has to join back work in UK, he asked me to swap (the role) with my wife so i go there for supporting the children and she comes back to UK to join the job.

He assured that he will pass my concerns to the caseworker, but this will not expedite the process.
He also checked from the call logs that, i am calling Passport helpline every week for the status update, and he encouraged me to do so, so that we don't miss-out on any communications(Emails/Phone calls for any further document requests) from HMPO.

The only reference for my complaint is the date & time of the call with the person (he provided his name)

I will wait for 1 or 2 more weeks before i decide on next steps.

I think we all must register our complaints if the required service standards are not met and hope for the best.

Thanks

[Macro_Run]

Hi Arun,

Thanks for sharing.
Was mother called for an interview in India?

[rarun53]

Hi Arun,

Thanks for sharing.
Was mother called for an interview in India?

Nope. It is assessed case by case. So it may or may not be applicable to every application.

[Macro_Run]

Hi Arun,

Thanks for sharing.
Was mother called for an interview in India?

Nope. It is assessed case by case. So it may or may not be applicable to every application.

Ok, thanks Arun.

[yellowrose4u]

Hi Arun,

I understand the pain of waiting after set timelines has been exceeded. Did you heard anything yet on your case by any chance ?

Also did you had British counter signatory ?

[rarun53]

Hi Arun,

I understand the pain of waiting after set timelines has been exceeded. Did you heard anything yet on your case by any chance ?

Also did you had British counter signatory ?

No updates. Yes i did use British counter signatory. If possible can you share your timelines which will help other readers of this forum.

Thanks

[yellowrose4u]

Hi Arun,

timelines is very similar to yours, we have interview in UK after two months of the receipt of file. Still waiting for passports 3 Months now. How was your interview did they told you that they were happy with your application after interview ?

[rarun53]

Hi Arun,

timelines is very similar to yours, we have interview in UK after two months of the receipt of file. Still waiting for passports 3 Months now. How was your interview did they told you that they were happy with your application after interview ?

When i spoke to complaints team 2 weeks ago the said UK checks are over and overseas checks are still pending. They don't feedback anything on the interview or any other stages of the application. They can only tell which stage your application is. Time will only tell the rest

[Macro_Run]

Status of parents: Father - British (through naturalization) & Mother - Indian
Passport application submitted at local VFS (VFS-UK office Chennai): 06-Feb-2017
Application Received at Liverpool Office Via DHL Courier - 09-Feb-2017
Application Fee deducted - 10-Feb-2017
Passport interview:
Passport collected from local VFS : Waiting


I have received a letter on 24-Feb-2017 in an email as below.

We have completed the checks in the UK. Your application has been referred to our colleagues
overseas to complete the overseas checks. These checks may include the authentication of
foreign identity documents and an interview. You will be contacted separately on the next steps.

Status of parents: Father - British (through naturalization) & Mother - Indian
Passport application submitted at local VFS (VFS-UK office Chennai): 06-Feb-2017
Application Received at Liverpool Office Via DHL Courier - 09-Feb-2017
Application Fee deducted - 10-Feb-2017
Passport interview: 24-Mar-2017
Passport collected from local VFS : Waiting


I had an interview last week at London HMPO. It took about 30 minutes to finish off the interview.
They initiated with some formal questions like where are you coming from?, How did you come to here and how far from here?. I was asked about my whole UK history including visa extensions and employment as well. She asked about my family related questions like (communication with them, sending money for family support, how many times have you been to your home country, when came back to UK, when did you see your child after birth). She did see my child photo in my mobile phone then she wanted to see more photos of my child since birth, but unfortunately I did have that.

Finally, she said that your child application is being processed at Liverpool HMPO. They will contact you if need any additional information and documents.

I asked her how many weeks/days will take to finish the process then? will have to wait another 4 weeks to hear anything from us.

I am waiting for it and will be sharing that here.

[Macro_Run]

She did see my child photo in my mobile phone then she wanted to see more photos of my child since birth, but unfortunately I did have that.

Sorry :
She did see my child photo in my mobile phone then she wanted to see more photos of my child since birth, but unfortunately I did NOT have them in my mobile phone.

[rarun53]

I had exactly the similar interview and was told the exact 4 weeks turn around, but it has been 8 weeks since my interview and no updates.

[srivisaN]

Hi Arun,

I had my interview done on 16th March in India. I received a communication from HMPO Liverpool on 10th Feb that they have completed UK and Overseas checks are pending.

I called HMPO today, they said that Overseas checks are still pending.

I think the delay is down to the "overseas checks" for everyone, not sure how quick this part was for other members in the past.

Thanks,
Sri.

[rarun53]

Hi Arun,

I had my interview done on 16th March in India. I received a communication from HMPO Liverpool on 10th Feb that they have completed UK and Overseas checks are pending.

I called HMPO today, they said that Overseas checks are still pending.

I think the delay is down to the "overseas checks" for everyone, not sure how quick this part was for other members in the past.

Thanks,
Sri.

Hi Sri,

The UK checks are happening very quickly for everyone. The next stage so called "overseas security checks" goes for indefinite period of time. All you can do is to call them every couple of weeks to make sure that you haven't missed any communications from them requesting any additional documents. The helpline people have only limited information with them so they cannot give you anything other than the magic word of "overseas check pending". Wait for at least 16 Weeks from date of application received at UK, before you make any complaints. Otherwise it is just a waiting game.

At least in your case you have received various emails about the status. For me only email i received was to book an interview appointment way back in Jan.

If you look at my comments on 12th Mar about my complaint and the response i received you might get an idea of the whole process.

Regards

Arun

[rarun53]

Final updates

Status of parents: Both British ( through naturalization)
Passport application submitted at local VFS (VFS-UK office Chennai): 18-Nov-2016
Application Received at Liverpool Office Via DHL Courier - 21-Nov-2016
Application Fee deducted - 22-Nov-2016 by CC
Passport interview: 24-Jan-2017
Passport collected from local VFS : 06-Apr-2017

Passport was printed on 28th March and Sent via DHL to Delhi High Commission. It reached Delhi on 1st April and VFS called on 05th April to collect the passport. Dispatch from London to collection from VFS is between 8-10 Days.
Good Luck for those who are waiting.

We are now proceeding with "New-Visa" from Chennai FRRO. I will update the details once the documents were submitted.
Arun

[Macro_Run]

Passport was printed on 28th March and Sent via DHL to Delhi High Commission. It reached Delhi on 1st April and VFS called on 05th April to collect the passport. Dispatch from London to collection from VFS is between 8-10 Days.
Good Luck for those who are waiting.

We are now proceeding with "New-Visa" from Chennai FRRO. I will update the details once the documents were submitted.

Good news & Congrats!. Arun.
Do you mean the "New-Visa" - an exit process for your child from India?.
It would be great, if you share that info as well.

[rarun53]

Good news & Congrats!. Arun.
Do you mean the "New-Visa" - an exit process for your child from India?.
It would be great, if you share that info as well.

Thanks Macro. My wife visited FRRO chennai today after collecting the passport. The people there are not really helpful. They provide different information at different times. They said both Exit permit or New-Visa will take between 1 week to 10 days. So we are going for New-Visa straight away.

Now I am in the process of collecting information from FRRO to apply for the NewVisa. I'm going to be in person next week in India to sort this out and update as soon as i have more information.

Cheers.

[Macro_Run]

Thanks Macro. My wife visited FRRO chennai today after collecting the passport. The people there are not really helpful. They provide different information at different times. They said both Exit permit or New-Visa will take between 1 week to 10 days. So we are going for New-Visa straight away.

Now I am in the process of collecting information from FRRO to apply for the NewVisa. I'm going to be in person next week in India to sort this out and update as soon as i have more information.

Cheers.

Ok, all should be fine. All the very best.

Once collected child British passport, is there any time limit (must) or can we take our own time to do this exit/new visa process in India?

[rarun53]

There is a 14 day cooling off period after which we have to pay fixed penalty for late application of Visa or Exit permit as the child is staying illegally after getting the passport.

[yellowrose4u]

Congratulations Arun,

So in your opinion is it better to follow up with them every couple of weeks for the status of passport until it arrives ?

[srivisaN]

Hi Arun,

Congratulations, you must be very happy by now.

regarding New Visa, I hope you are trying to apply for 1 year (multi entry) visa for your kid.

If that is the case try to check below links, I guess you need to apply for authorization from Ministry of External Affairs before applying for any new visa at local FRRO. first link has customer service no of MOEA.

https://indianfrro.gov.in/mea/
http://nriinformation.com/faq2/question209.htm
http://rohanstravelguide.blogspot.in/20 ... rn-in.html

[srivisaN]

I tried calling HMPO today, guess what.. I got a good news this time.

Status of parents: Father British ( through naturalization), Mother Indian
Passport application submitted at local VFS (VFS-UK office Hyderabad): 27-Jan-2017
Application Received at Liverpool Office Via DHL Courier - Not Sure, Hyderabad VFS Office forgot to send tracking number
Application Fee deducted: 01-02-2017 by CC
Letter from HMPO: 10-02-2017 (email telling UK checks completed, Overseas Checks pending, Possible Interview)
Passport interview: 16-Mar-2017
Passport Printed: 04-04-2017
Passport collected from local VFS : Arrived at Delhi on 06-04-2017, still waiting for final call from VFS Hyderabad

I am trying to collect information regarding 1 Year (multi entry) visa, if one have any links please share

Thanks,
Sri.

[rarun53]

Hi Srivisa

Congratulations. The 3 links you have provided for New-visa were quite old and they are no-longer current.

The process is below (every step is mandatory)
1) Fill the online form at the below website
https://indianfrro.gov.in/frro/menufrro ... g=K1Z57D0K
2) Upload all the Necessary documents
3)Book an appointment
4) Go to FRRO and submit all the papers
5) Wait for them to email you to collect the visa.

The Category to choose is NewVisa (which is entry visa to new born baby and you can request the duration as you like)

Though, the document checklist on the website is quite clear(and common) the final decision on what documents required is individual FRRO's decision. I am saying it because for the proof of address required if you are staying with your family or friends house is letter from the owner along with the id,address proof as per the website. But Chennai FRRO was insisting From-C to be filled from the landlord which is only required if you are staying in Hotel/Logde/commercial places as per the website.

So visit local FRRO where you are going to apply, find out what documents are required from their perspective and prepare accordingly.

All the best.