Instructions to Complete a Packet for Obtaining Your MINOR India Visa

Transcription

1 Instructions to Complete a Packet for Obtaining Your MINOR India Visa READ CAREFULLY AND FOLLOW EXPLICITLY TO MINIMIZE DELAYS Questions? Contact Robin, our Participant Coordinator, at robin@campswamp.com. Included in this memo: ü Minor Visa Application Packet Preparation Instructions ü Minor Visa Application Packet Items Check List (see last page, include in packet) Bear in mind that if all is done correctly, it is possible to get a multiple-year visa, which will result your return to India with much less hassle. J Minor Visa Application Steps: NOTE: Do not mention anything about God, church, or traveling with a group. You are a sightseeing-tourist, learning about the Indian people and culture. 1. Go to a. Select the office pertinent to the minor s resident state according to the table below: Embassy Location Atlanta Chicago Houston New York San Francisco Washington, D.C. Jurisdiction including States Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virgin Island Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Colorado and Nebraska Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont Alaska, Arizona, California, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming Bermuda, Delaware, District of Columbia, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia b. Surname: This is minor s last name as on your passport. c. Given Name: This is minor s first name and middle name (if applicable) as on passport. Each name should be separated by a space. d. Complete all fields as directed on the application with the following specifics: i. Religion: Others, NONE in field below dropdown ii. Type of visa: Tourist Visa iii. Places to be visited: Chennai, Bangalore iv. Duration in months: 120

2 v. Number of Entries: Multiple vi. Purpose of Visit: Tourism vii. Expected Date journey: 09/05/2015 (mm/day/year) viii. Port of Arrival in India: Chennai ix. Port of Exit: Chennai x. Reference Name in India: Ebenezer Matriculation Higher Secondary School Address: Athnavur PO, Yelagiri Hills Tamil Nadu, Phone: xi. Photo Upload: can skip 2. Print resulting visa application form. The application should be printed on two (2) separate sheets of paper not on front and back of one page. 3. Sign form per instructions below: a. The India Visa application form has two (2) places for signature. The following sections must be signed correctly: i. Page 1: Minor applicant must sign COMPLETELY inside the box on Page 1 below his or her picture. SIGNATURE MUST MATCH THE NAME ON THE PASSPORT. If any part of the signature is outside of the box, the application will be rejected. ii. Page 2: At the bottom of Page 2, dad AND mom must sign, notarized. 4. Complete India Letter of Consent to Travel (included in this document). a. Have BOTH parents sign even if you don t live with them. b. Have notarized. 5. Verify your passport has: a. At least 6 months validity from the date the group returns. NOTE: If your passport expires on or before November 20, 2015, order a new one. b. Your signature on it. c. At least two blank visa pages available. NOTE: Include passport in packet to Springfield Travel. 6. Submit a photocopy of proof of residence/address that matches the present address on the visa application exactly. Can be one of the following: a. Photocopy of minor s state issued drivers license. Do not cut your drivers license copy down to a smaller size. Please leave the copy on regular sized paper. b. For minors without drivers license, a proof of address from both mom and dad or a legal guardian may be submitted instead. i. Drivers license (see step 7) ii. Major utility bill (Water, Gas, Electric, Sewage) 1. NOTE: The following items are NOT accepted: Cell Phone Bill, Phone Bill (landline), Credit Card Statement, Bank Statement, Cable Bill. iii. Copy of a valid/current lease containing both the landlord and tenant signatures.

3 7. Submit a copy of each of the following: a. Dad and Mom s drivers license (can suffice for proof of address in step 6) b. Dad and Mom s passport picture and barcode page, if available 8. Submit two (2) very clear copies, not the original, of minor s birth certificate. 9. Obtain two (2) original passport-sized pictures with: a. Your full face, front view and open eyes. NO GLASSES ON b. Dimensions of 2 x 2 c. A plain white or off-white background NOTE: No copied, instant, or scanned photos accepted 10. Complete, date, and sign the Additional Particulars Form. (New as of 2014, Download separately) For Place, enter city of residence. 11. Complete, date, and sign Declaration and Undertaking Form. (New as of 10/14, Download separately) For Place, enter city of residence. 12. Include a $289 check made payable to Springfield Travel (this covers application fee, Consulate of India Visa Fee, and mailing fees). NOTE: if within 45 days of trip, $ Complete information on packet checklist (last page of these instructions) and include on top of packet. 14. Fedex all of the above items to Springfield Travel Services, Swamp Corps India, ATTN: Malinda Ford, 1409B West Sunshine Street, Springfield, MO NOTE: DO NOT SEND BY REGULAR MAIL, AS IT CANNOT BE TRACKED. IMPORTANT RULES TO FOLLOW: COMMON ERROR (S) TO AVOID Caution: Errors on the visa application form CANNOT be fixed; an error of any type WILL result in the application being rejected by the Indian Consulate. If rejected you will be required to complete a new application. Surname is your last name. Given name (s) is your first AND middle name. You must list them on your visa application as they are listed on your passport. Application forms must be printed on two separate pieces of paper. Application forms printed front and back of a single page are NOT accepted. Applicants are required to sign the visa application in two places. On page 1, the applicant must sign COMPLETELY inside the box located under the photo area, if any part of the signature is outside of the box the application WILL be rejected. On bottom of page 2, the applicant s Dad and Mom only must sign on the dotted line.

4 Consent to Travel Form Date: To: Consulate General of India To Whom It May Concern: Regarding: Full Student Name As Shown on Passport USA Passport Number Please consider this to be formal notice of our authorization for the Embassy/Consulate of India to issue a visa for our child who is named above. He/She will be traveling in India from, to 20. Student will be accompanied by Jeff Rorabaugh (USA Passport Number: ). Mother s Signature Father s Signature Printed Name Printed Name Notary Signature: Seal:

5 Applicant s Name: Address: Daytime Phone: ( ) (preferably a cell phone) Mark off each item as they are placed in the packet; then place this sheet on top of packet items. Fedex to: Springfield Travel Services Swamp Corps India ATTN: Malinda Ford 1409B West Sunshine Street Springfield, MO Packet Items qsigned Visa App Form (printed on two separate pages, with page 2 notarized) qnotarized Letter of Consent to Travel qminor s Valid Passport (>6 months validity) qcopy of Proof of Address for Minor qcopy of Dad AND Mom s: o Drivers License (can be used as proof of address) o Passport, if available q2 Copies of Minor s Birth Certificates q2 Passport Pictures qaddition Particulars Form qdeclaration and Undertaking Form q$289 Check to Springfield Travel