Applying for an Indian visa in Colombo
There seems to be an air of mystery around applying for an
Indian visa, especially in Sri Lanka. I’ve been hearing contradicting
reports about the success of applying for a 6 month visa and only receiving
single entry, rather than the preferred double or multiple, so thought I’d
share my recent experience. I’m a British citizen so the information below may
be different for other nationalities.
The office
The Indian visa application office (VFS) is located on Galle
Road 433 Colombo 03. From the Colombo Fort area it costs 200 rupees in a
metered taxi, takes around 1 hour to walk or you can also take the train to Bambalapitiya
(10 rupees) then walk left onto Galle Road for 10 minutes. There’s a “communication
centre” around 2 minutes walk from the office providing computers and printing.
Indian visa application centre in Colombo |
The application
Prior to attending the office you must complete the online visa
application form here. Once complete (it can take up to an hour) you must print
out the PDF document and present it to reception at the VFS office.
You will receive another form asking the same questions,
just to confirm you’re not an idiot I guess. To make things awkward (or to make
more money) you must supply 2 50mm x 50mm photos, the friendly staff in the
office will take your photos and photocopy your passport for 200 rupees. Once
these formalities are complete you’ll receive a number and must wait until you’re
called. I was just in the process of downing my 5th glass of free
water when I was called up, maybe a wait of less than 30 minutes. The clerk
flicked through my passport and nonchalantly told me I wouldn’t be able to
apply, WHAT!! Apparently you need both sides of 1 page of your passport
completely void of stamps, I only had 1 page free but the opposite side was
full. Stupid rules. Thankfully, after consulting her superior they agreed I
should be ok. In other words, I pay the fee and see what happens.
At this point you confirm details, hand over all your forms and laugh at your passport photos then pay the 5979 Sri Lankan rupees. That
cost includes 5350 rupees for the visa, 100 rupees consular surcharge, 350
rupees referral fee and 174 rupees service charges. The application process
takes 5 working days, so you’ll be given a date for a week later. You must come
back to the office between 9am and 10am on, or any day after the date given
with your passport and receipt. To a different desk this time (with an even
shorter waiting time - only 1 glass of water!) to hand over your passport and receive
the visa… NOOOOOT. Back to the photocopy man to pay for a duplicate of your
receipt and they will now accept your passport but won’t give you a visa. You must
come back for a third visit on the same day, any time after 16:45 on the 1st
floor, to collect your long awaited and fully deserved visa.
The outcome
Celebrating with Ronald down Galle Road. |
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