UK Tier 2 Visa - oh what a mess

Target country: United Kingdom
Passport country: India
Type of Visa: Employer sponsored Tier-2 General work visa

Experience:
UK Home Office is seriously trying to limit immigration into the country. This means they have tightened up a lot of processes that made it easier to get a Tier 2 or Tier 1 in the past.

I did not have time to apply for my Tier 2 by post, because of essential travel plans. The postal application takes upto 3 months to process.

So I had to go for a 'premium appointment'. I had a look through the UKBA website, and there were no premium appointments available for the whole year! Crazy! In the past it was possible to call the UKBA and get an appointment over the phone. Now that phone number has been withdrawn. Also, in the past, Lawyers were able to access the appointment system through a separate interface and get premium appointments for an extra fee. That has also been shut down.

So, after much fretting, my lawyer (Fragomen Plc) was able to get me a premium appointment at the Sheffield public enquiry office. I went there on the day with all my paperwork, to find that there was a 'problem with the computers'. I had to wait all day (6 hours) at the office. Even then, my passport wasn't returned the same day (as it used to be in the past). The passport and biometric visa card came in the post almost a week later.

All in all, very frustrating and stress inducing.

To top it all off, when I tried to enter the UK at Heathrow for the first time on my new Tier 2 visa, I was 'detained' at the border for 15 mins. Apparently they recorded the wrong fingerprints on my biometric card. So now every time I travel to the UK, I will have to wait around for 15 mins while the officers perform additional checks before letting me in.

But here are some photos to inspire you to go live in the UK!

USA L1 visa application - on an Indian Passport

So, my company is planning to send me to New York for 6 months, on a blanket L1 visa. Application is in process, will keep you updated. But one sticking point so far -- I have been with my company for exactly 12 months. And in that period I spent 30 days in the USA during a number of trips. Apparently, I cannot count those 30 days towards my 1 year with the company. So I have to wait for a month, before I can apply!

Update!
As usual the US embassy were super efficient. The appointment tool roughly 2 hours. My L2 visa (and my wife's L2 Spouse visa) was approved on the spot. We got our passports by courier on the 4th business day after our appointment (appointment was on a Monday, got the passports on the Friday).
Only slight headache was that the embassy's credit card machine wasn't working. We Indians need to pay a 'fraud protection' fee of $500. So I had to go out of the embassy and get cash (equivalent in Pounds).

Visa Country: USA
Visa Type: L1 Intracompany Transfer and L2 Spouse
Embassy: USA Embassy in London, UK

Second time USA B1/B2 visa application

Passport: Indian Passport
Embassy: US Embassy in London, UK
Visa Decision Time: On-the-spot
Visa Appointment Wait time: About 2 weeks
Passport delivery time: About 3 working days
Points to note

• No electronics, not even earphones/cables/key-fobs allowed in the embassy
• You can take a book and/or a snack, but no bags
• Time spent within the embassy: About 1 hour
• You need to complete your online application beforehand, and carry the confirmation page & payment receipt
• Passport delivery costs about £16, you need a credit/debit card to pay for it. No cash.

Documents that they looked at:

• Current passport
• Old Passport with old US Visa
• Application confirmation

I took a slew of documents, including bank statements, payslips, letter from my employer. They didn't look at any of them.

Questions they asked in the interview:

• How long will you be in the US?
• Where did you get your last visa?
• How long have you lived in the UK?
• Where did you live before the UK? What did you do there?
• Are you married? Is you wife in the UK?

Hope this helps!

Visa wale Hanuman Ji??

Just saw this .... this is visa applications taken to the next level ... must visit this as part of my 'visa' pilgrimage .... http://twitpic.com/1ckrjo

Apologies for the Ads

Hello Loyal Readers I'm testing out Google AdSense, hence you will see a block of ads on the right hand side. I just want to understand AdSense, and my aim is not to get you to sign-up for advertised services. So feel free to ignore the ads :). If you really don't like them, let me know via comments below. Thanks!

Visa Free Travel to Mexico - if you have a US visa

I just read on the website of the Mexican embassy in London that people of ALL nationalities do not require a visa to Mexico, if they hold a valid USA visa. Have you tried entering Mexico on a US visa? Please share your experience in the comments below.


Here is the exact wording from the Embassy of Mexico ...
"According to the new regulations, from the 1st of May 2010 it is not necessary to apply for a tourist, business or transit Mexican visa if you hold a VALID VISA for the United States of America -regardless the nationality- . Immigration authorities in Mexico will ask for your US visa and a valid passport when you arrive. "

"Permanent residents in Canada, Japan, The United Kingdom (Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK), The United States of America or the Schengen countries wishing to travel to Mexico do not require a visa to enter the country as a tourists and business visitors for a 180-day stay and as a visitors in transit for a 30-day stay."

This is an extract from an email I got from the Consulate of Mexico in Washington DC: "If you have a valid passport (any nationality) and a valid US visa (any kind of visa) or green card, you do not need a tourist visa to visit Mexico"

Adding my first hand experience below
The wife and I traveled to Mexico in August 2012. We have US L1 and L2 visas, and we also have older B1/B2 visas. The Immigration Officers at Cancun Airport just looked at our US B1/B2 visas, stamped our passports and let us in. No questions, no hassles, no need for a Mexico visa.

Where Aryan (Hrithik Roshan in Dhoom2) can go on visa-free crime sprees

I was watching 'Dhoom 2' yesterday. How the heck is Aryan (the character played by Bollywood super-hunk Hrithik Roshan) such a far-reaching international criminal, when he is clearly an Indian? Doesn't he need a visa for each country he's planning a robbery in?

Here are the top 8 places where Mr. Aryan can go on a visa-free crime spree, and enjoy beautiful vistas too.

Bahrain
This middle-eastern country is known for pearls. Mr. Aryan can steal pearls and enjoy views of a majestic skyline. If travelling for business purposes, visa can be obtained on arrival by Indian passport holders.

Bermuda
Beautiful Island nation, famous for its 'triangle' where ships & aircraft are fabled to go missing. Mr. Aryan can rob one of the wealthy off-shore banks, where rich Brits & Americans stash their dosh. Visa not required for upto 6 months, generally speaking, for Indian passport holders.

Hong Kong
International financial hub with excellent food, nightlife and city views. Mr. Aryan can hold a rich Chinese businessman to ransom and earn millions of Renminbi. Indians don't need a visa for upto 14 days.

Iran
Home to one of the world's oldest civilizations, and owner of large oil reserves. This fascinating country is full of history. Also great views near the Caspian sea and the Azerbaijan border. Mr. Aryan can come to steal one of the WMDs that Iran is allegedly developing (though I'm not aware of any proof of existence). Visa on arrival available for tourist visits of upto 7 days, for Indian passport holders.

Jamaica
Beautiful Caribbean nation, known for reggae music and stunning beaches. Not much for Aryan to steal, but he can come here to relax. No visa required for upto 14 days for Indian passport holders.

Macao
Casino Island off the coast of China, near Hong Kong. Has a charming old Portuguese part of the city. Mr. Aryan can come to pull an Oceans-11 at one of the ginormous casinos here. No visa required for visits upto 30 days for Indian passport holders.

British Virgin Islands
Laid back Caribbean archipelago, famous for being a tax-haven and for local resident Richard Branson. Mr. Aryan can hob-nob with Branson and chill on the beach. 1 month visa-free access for Indian passport holders.

Ecuador
Famous for the Galapagos Islands with all their fauna. Additionally, Mr. Aryan can make vital contacts with local mafia, near the Colombian border. Visa free for 90 days for Indian passport holders.