Days to go for event,no sign of Pande’s UK visa

Dr Pande,who is also a radiologist based in the city,is says,“There has been a delay of more than 25 days.” Pande had applied for the visa in mid-April. “Normally,I get the visa within 4-5 days but now I am not sure whether my UK visa has been approved or not,” he says.

Pande’s is not the only case that is waiting for the UK visa. There are several people whose plans to visit Europe have been stalled as they have not yet received the UK visa. Several travel agents in the city point out that there has been a considerable delay in getting visas. Zelam Chaubal,Director of Kesari tours said that a lot of travel agents had to suffer during this holiday season. “We have to make arrangements for the air travel of tourists and even hotel bookings. If a particular consulate decided to keep the visa on hold for a month then it becomes a problem for the tourist to proceed with his/her holiday plans. This year,we have to process at least 6000-7000 visas within three months,” says Chaubal.

According to Wilfred Machado,Manager,Visa services for Riya Travels,“We had submitted the visa application to the UK embassy of a couple on April 5 who had made travel plans to Europe on May 20. They were supposed to apply for the Shengen visa on April 29 but we have still not received their passpports as they are waiting for the UK visa. Till such time that the UK visa is approved the entire family is on tenterhooks,” says Machado.

Amarjit Lidder,chairperson of the Travel Agents Association of India,Pune chapter,said that apart from the five days of break on Good Friday,Easter Sunday and Monday,the wedding of Prince William and Kate,there had been an upgrading of security too during this period. According to Nosher Irani,travel agent and a member of the TAAI.

“Every year,we face problems during vacations as the load of tourists travelling from the country has increased. However,the embassies can at least inform whether the visa is approved or not,” he points out. When contacted,the office of the British High Commission was unavailable for comment.

Travel advisory for Britons

A worldwide travel alert has been issued after the killing of Osama bin Laden. In their website,the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has advised British nationals to “keep up to date with our travel advice,monitor the media carefully for local reactions,remain vigilant,exercise caution in public places and avoid demonstrations,” following the death of Osama Bin Laden on May 2. Embassies across the world have been told to monitor security closely. We advise British nationals to keep up to date with our travel advice,monitor the media carefully for local reactions,remain vigilant,exercise caution in public places and avoid demonstrations,says an official advisory