A press conference at the High Commission of India was held on Wednesday 18th March 2015 to discuss the new visa schemes that they are implementing, as well as the biometrics collection procedure during visa applications.
Many travel companies and journalist were present at the press conference, posing questions at the authorities regarding the new biometrics procedure and the uncertainty of the date. Many people were appalled at this new regulation that is supposed to take place and what enraged them even further was the contradicting statements of the High Commission of India with the information that was available on their website. While the authorities stated that the new dates of implementing the new procedures are yet to be decided, the website clearly stated that the changes will be taking place on 16th March.
The High Commission of India, Mr Ranjan Mathai mentioned that this will not be a rule significantly for India, this is proving to be the way forward with many countries adapting to the new technological advancement to visa and their procedures. “They [biometrics] are increasingly becoming the norm all around the world. And I refer to the norm all around the world because very often, what systems are introduced here [UK] becomes not just an international norm but an international rule.”
Further on, Mr Mathai elaborates on the different visas and the requirements as well as how to acquire them. For instance, the e-visa availability may come into progress, as UK citizens may become eligible to visa on arrival in the near future. With the e-visa, you will apply for the visa online prior to your travels and receive your visa on arrival at India, where you will be required to do the biometrics process on arrival itself. This would be a single entry ticket to India and would be given once a year only. The e-visa procedure have yet not been implemented and negotiations are taking place on when and how this procedure will take place.
The reason being this press conference was to give an insight to the proposed plan and to answer queries as the new prospective procedures have received criticism. A lot of flak was received for the idea of having to book separate appointments for each family members for an Indian Visa at the Indian Embassy, not guaranteeing that the appointment could be given in blocked slots. However, it has now been clarified that it is not mandatory for the personal presence of the applicant; a nominee or family member are able to submit the visa application on their behalf, provided that the nominee/family member are able to produce an authorisation letter signed by the applicant.
