What are the types of UK visas that I can apply for?

The United Kingdom has long been a strong magnet for migrants and travelers alike through the ages. Great Britain has had a strong historical connection, brought on by colonization, with many countries around the world, and these unofficial ties continue to endure to this day. Apart from this, the UK exerts a strong influence in the arena of arts, culture, education, lifestyle and many other areas. These are attractive to many people, and hence, the country figures on the wish list of many a migrant and tourist alike.

However, before you decide to make a trip to the UK, you must first understand the 

UK visa application formalities. There are several types of UK visas – picking the right one depends on the duration of your visit and purpose of stay. Broadly, you can consider the following categories of UK visas:

Work visas:  General (currently closed), Investor, Entrepreneur, Graduate Entrepreneur, Skilled talent, Post Graduate work (currently closed)

Work permit or Certificate of Sponsorship: General, Company transfers (from one location to UK-based one)

Other work categories: Youth mobility scheme, creative participation and sporting visas, Government authorized exchange, charity worker, religious worker, international agreement.

Study visas: Student visas, student visitor (limited duration in terms of days or weeks), Doctoral extension scheme

Family visas: Visas obtained by way of ties with spouse, fiancé, dependent citizen, unmarried partners and ancestry.

UK Tourist visa: Standard (not similar to business, academic, family and general visa), permitted paid engagement (for those invited to UK for lectures and speaking assignments, for example), short term study.

Getting your UK tourist visa is easy if you follow the procedures and file your paperwork diligently. You must have a valid passport and bank statements to prove that you can finance your trip to the UK comfortably. At least one page in your passport must be blank (last page is not considered) on both sides while applying for the UK visa.

The UK visa application formalities also include furnishing information on your travel dates and itinerary, your place of stay in UK, your overall travel expenses, permanent residential address, details of parents’ address and contact numbers, your annual income, details of persons accompanying you on the trip, details of trip sponsor (if any) and details of relatives or friends based in the UK. 

Water way to live!

The water is azure, the sun blazing down on your skin. You have nowhere to be, nowhere to go right this minute. You gaze out into the distance, your eyes traversing sleepily over the clear sands, over to the gulls flying past in a flock, over the horizon where the Earth meets the sky. You slather sunscreen lotion on your arms and legs, sit back in your chair, and pull your hat over your eyes. You’ve finished your drink and it’s a good hour before lunch. You put your book aside and close your eyes.

Now if only you could do this every single day of your life…

A holiday in Goa is the stuff of dreams. Every kind of tranquil peace awaits you in the land of sushegad and seafood, revelry and riotous fun. If you want to detach from your hectic city life and find yourself once again, Goa should be your destination of choice. Of course, it helps that Goa has some of the best tourist spots in the country, apart from some of the warmest, most fun loving people. Every minute spent in this sunshine state will leave you refreshed and energized to take on the rigours of your life once again.

But wait, you’re still on holiday and you have the time to let loose and enjoy Goa in all its glory – you can worry about your job and family responsibilities when you’re back home! You can start by booking good flight tickets for your preferred travel time. Don’t forget to book weekday tickets for cheaper deals, and avoiding the holiday rush is best. Then go on to booking yourself in one of the best hotels – the most excellent holiday often starts with the right accommodation. Look up one of the 5 star hotels in Goa – you can find the most recommended ones online – and book the accommodation that suits you. Many 5 star hotels in Goa offer complimentary airport drop and pick-up facilities as well, so you can start your trip on a hassle-free note.

Once there, draw up your itinerary and head out to explore Goa’s markets (you can pick up cheap alcohol, cashews, straw hats and other odds and ends for good prices), its many temples and churches, its places of interest (we recommend a walk around the late architect Charles Correa’s Kala Akademi, the Basilica of Bom Jesus or a day trip to the scenic Dudhsagar Falls) and its beaches astride a hired bike. There is much culture and history to appreciate as well, or if you’d rather put your feet up and rest, you can take a short walk on the beach and return to your room for a snooze.

The most refreshing trip to Goa entails lazing by the beach with a cold beer and a good book. Just being in close touch with the water will set your jaded mind at rest. Besides, you can eat a meal or sit back with a cocktail as you watch the sun set. Some sightseeing, a lot of rest and partying, and you’ll be all set to embrace your hectic routine once again.

As holidays go, this one’s going to be the one to remember every time your soul yearns for some peace and quiet. 

The documents you need for a US visa

Are you dying to go to the USA? We don’t blame you! It is truly the land of opportunity, making every person’s dream come true. People from all over the world try their best to migrate to the USA, dreaming of a better life and a prosperous future for themselves and their families.

But since not everyone wishes to migrate to the US, the rest of us can contend with a trip to the US to take in the sights and culture. It is one of the largest countries in the world, and it will take one several lifetimes to see it entirely and understand its ethos. Before you make your first trip to the US – or the first of several – let us guide you through the US visa process:

·         Choose the type of American visa on the basis of your purpose of visit and the duration of stay. There are many types of US visas available, so choose the correct category. Tourists wishing to visit the US on a short trip for tourism purposes should opt for the Non Immigrant Visa (NIV). The NIV is valid for tourists and holidayers, students, those visiting the US for office work assignments for a period less than 90 days, and athletes or representatives of Government-registered NGOs going to the US for sports, cultural, educational meets, etc.

·         Tourists can apply for a B-2 US visa. It is meant specifically for tourism only, and cannot be used for work or business purposes.

·         You must apply for a B-1 US visa if you are travelling to the US for work or business purposes.

·         You can choose to apply for the NIV online as well. But you must be careful about the application, because it cannot be retracted if you make a mistake in filling it out. Follow these guidelines when filling this form. If your visa is denied to you for furnishing wrong information, you must fill a new form.

·         On filling the application form, you will be assigned a number by the visa centre. You must keep this number carefully because you will need it to book your visa interview appointment.

·         Pay your visa fees on the basis of the American visa you have applied for. Once you pay the fees, you will be given a receipt number. This number is to be quoted for the US visa interview appointment as well.

·         Use the two numbers – fee receipt number and form application number – and use them to fix an interview date. You will be explained the process from now on in detail: it begins with a time and date for your visa interviews. You have two interviews to pass; one at the Consulate and the other at the visa application centre.

·         The Consulate interview takes place first, followed by the interview at the visa application centre. At both interviews, you must provide your passport details and the two numbers allotted previously. Your photograph may be clicked at the visa centre in the specified format, or you will be told the format for the picture. A second interview at the Consulate will take place, wherein you must submit the confirmation letter stamped at the visa application centre, current passport, and all documents required to support the visa application.

·         Your US visa status can be confirmed only after the second Consulate interview. 

4 things you need to know about living in the UK

It is said that if you want fun and warmth, you can go anywhere in the world but if you’re looking for whimsy, just go to the UK. The country is a curious dichotomy of tradition and modernity, and you’ll be hard-pressed to find the level of discipline and reverence for history that the average British person exhibits, anywhere else in the world. This is one of the few countries where the rural economy thrives as well as its urban counterpart, and where wholesome outdoor exercise and a simple country life sit cheek by jowl with a pulsing, exciting city life.

But don’t take our word for it – just get a UK visa and take a trip around UK to experience this wonderful country yourself. We leave you with just four of the many interesting facets about life in the UK, so that you know what to expect on your travels.

1. The food is great and wholesome. Though the Brits do not favour the use of spices in their food all that much, the fare is still tasty and fulfilling. In fact, the pubs and restaurants in England offer some of the most excellent food that you will find anywhere in the world, and they also stock the best wines and spirits. Many single people in the UK routinely meet at pubs with friends and proceed to have dinner there before turning in for the night. There are also many nightclubs and discos, and the nightlife is quite exciting.
   
   
2. You could lose your job but still pay rent. The Government of the UK follows a welfare system that takes care of all nationals in every possible way. Chief among these is that the Government pays the rent on your home if you are faced with a salary cut or if you are laid off by your workplace. Even those living in tony UK neighbourhoods can avail of aid for rent. However, this aid does not take care of mortgage payments and home loans.
   
   
3. The country is known for its arts. The UK is home to some of the modern world’s best known writers, musicians and actors, and the country is replete with the highest quality of theatre, cinema and television shows. You can regularly go to the opera, indulge your love of classical music and great literature, and take a trip across scenic moors in the country to find the homes and birthplaces of some of the country’s best playwrights and actors.
   
   
4. The UK has the smartest cabbies in the world. On your tourist trails in the UK, you may have noticed how intelligently the cabbies navigate busy junctions and get you to your destination in the least possible time. Their mental acuity comes from an exhaustive six-month testing and preparatory process for taxi drivers, which covers everything from etiquette to road directions and memorising all the routes they ply on. Only about a fourth of applicants get through the exams and receive their license. Cabbies in the UK are under oath to never swindle customers and to take the shortest routes to the end destination.

Plus, your UK visa application should be processed without interminable delays – the visa application offices are known to be prompt with paperwork.

What makes Sri Lanka a hidden gem?

Any traveller looks for just three things on a trip: A naturally beautiful country, friendly people and excellent food. A traveller visiting Sri Lanka gets to experience all these and so much more – there is picturesque beauty as far as the eye can reach, history and tradition at so many different places, a good climate and umpteen stunning beaches.

Get your Sri Lanka visa for a longish holiday in this island country. Make sure your Sri Lanka tour package covers places that showcases the unique:

1. Fantastic topography: You will be left amazed by the diverse topography of Sri Lanka. From beaches that change in appearance from pristine white sandy ones to rocky alcoves, and from various lagoons and dense jungles to swanky but flat city areas, Sri Lanka offers much to see and experience. Then there are misty mountains, lush tea plantations, waterfalls and large swathes of green meadows. Sri Lanka balances the countryside and its city character exceedingly well.
   
   
             
2. Rich history: Sri Lanka is replete with anecdotes and relics from its rich historical past. It shows remnants of its connection to the Indian epic, Ramayana, as well as many examples of its ancient architectural prowess. There are scores of old temples in reasonably good condition to visit, apart from the Cultural Triangle, an area housing six World Heritage Sites. You can look at frescoes, murals, old palaces, stunning stone work and filigree as well as dome-shaped dagobas. Then there are signs of its colonial past, with a Dutch fort and an old township at Galle.
   
   
3. Adventure sports: Since the country is an island, it has an ample coastline that offers tremendous opportunities for wind surfing, water skiing, banana boating and snorkelling, among many others. Plus, there are over 100 rivers, in which you can sail and go kayaking. All adventure sports are safe and tested by trained professionals. You and your family can have a whale of a time trying different adventure sports here. If you choose to stay on land, you can go trekking, biking and hiking.
   
   
4. Flora and fauna: The country’s beauty can be attributed in a large part to its astonishing variety of flora and fauna. Sri Lankans are proud to preserve this aspect of their country, and justly so – the world’s first wildlife sanctuary was set up in Sri Lanka in the 3^rd Century! Today, the country boasts of excellent jungle corridors, parks, zoos and reserves. You can book a jungle safari or make your way through a wonderful ornithological tour.
   
   
5. Warm people: Sri Lankans are some of the nicest, most gracious people in the world. They take hospitality quite seriously, and they pride themselves on taking care of tourists to the best of their ability. Even your local tour guide might invite you into his home – do not decline the invitation to visit the home of a local, or it is perceived as an insult. When you visit a Sri Lankan home, carry a gift for the host and hostess and eat the way the locals do.

Many images, many backgrounds – that’s life as a traveller

It is said that education is not earned simply by sitting at a desk and taking notes – it needs reiteration with a world view. But how can one get a world view if one does not step out of the places he is familiar with?

Travelling to other cities and countries is the answer. Just a single trip out of town is enough to broaden one’s horizons. Travelling frequently, using different modes of transport, eating whatever food is available and interacting with the locals teaches many lessons in empathy and enhances our understanding of the world. But if you want to cut down on travel time, flying to your destination and experiencing it on foot or using local transport is the best way to go.

We recommend checking the domestic flight offers available during your desired travel period so that you get the best deals on air tickets. Once your tickets are booked, you can sit back and contemplate the many benefits of travel, chief among which are:

• A change of scenery always helps. You may have the best life back home, but there are times when you just want to pack your bags and leave for unknown shores. Work stress,, several family responsibilities, mounting job pressures…all of these combine to make you feel ill and stagnant. Travelling is the best way to step off the treadmill of life for a while, mainly to get a change of location to improve your mood.
  
  
• It challenges your limits. Your holiday may not always follow a predictable curve. You might lose your bags, the place you are staying at may face a natural disaster, you might fall ill, you might wish you had never left home…there are challenges galore when you travel. Facing them and trumping these obstacles gives a sense of achievement, of having ‘grown up’ enough to surmount a problem. This is a good motivational tool.
  
  
• It introduces you to different cultures. Staying in one place for long, meeting the same people at work and in the neighbourhood, and watching the same TV serials every day can give you a myopic world view. It is time to expand your horizons by seeing new places, experiencing a way of life in an unfamiliar terrain, eating new food and learning other communities’ customs. These experiences help put our own lives in perspective, making us realise many truths about our own existence.
  
  
• Travel also pampers you. You need not always travel rough or hold your purse strings tightly booking a luxurious vacation simply to unwind and have others wait on you is a blissful experience. You can book yourself into a five star hotel, cheat on your diet with the choicest food, sleep all day, and have drinks by the pool. Then when night comes, you can either dance away at a pub or curl up on the bed with a romantic comedy film. 

An English sojourn and mind-broadening travels

Indians have a curious affinity for England – there is still an uneasy bond forged over the British ruling the Indians, and many Indians becoming prosperous early settlers in England over the last century. A shared ethos, transport system and justice structure combine to make Indians curious about present-day England.

An English sojourn is a delightful experience that every serious traveller must check off his bucket list. Apart from being beautiful, quaint and contemporary all at once, it offers superlative entertainment of the cerebral variety. England is steeped in tradition but has a forward looking outlook towards commerce and infrastructure – so while you can go see a fictional address of a fictional detective preserved for posterity (at Baker Street, where Sherlock Holmes was supposed to have lived) you also find the best in tube and road transport services here.

Book your UK visa from India and get the best flight tickets for a lengthy cross-country holiday across England. Your UK visa is your gateway to the most amazing holiday you will have this year. If you are looking for some pointers on what you can expect from your UK trip, allow us to expound on:

The best museums and art galleries - England truly believes in the refinement of the senses through visual art, and hence, there are several prominent art galleries, museums and pop-up art installations to see all year. The best part is, many of these are free to view and open to all at many spots. You can also find the best libraries and general reading rooms in this country – the British are huge proponents of learning!

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum

William Morris Gallery

The best food joints. The food cultures of the world truly unite in London where the most celebrated chefs from around the world have set up restaurants, hotels and cafes. So if you can eat Pad Thai noodles on a street corner, you can walk into a posh Indian restaurant at the next. However, be sure to sample the most famous English fish and chips (which is normally a takeaway meal) on your trip.

Source : www.timeout.com

The best shopping experiences. Every Englishman knows where to go when he wishes to shop – there are places to head to for clothes, knick knacks, shoes, accessories, and even electronics. You can spend a day at such exclusive shopping establishments as Harrods and Sears, while also buying a bouquet of peonies on the waterfront.

Source : www.visitlondon.com

                               

The best outdoors. The English moors have often been immortalized in several books and films on the country, because these brooding, vast open spaces have been the sporting and walking grounds of the British over the ages. You can find a wide variety of parks, zoos, jogging tracks, outdoor swimming areas etc. all over the country, so bear this element in mind when you’re bored of your hotel room during your trip. You can get tickets to Wimbledon if you’re buying a UK visa for July this year.

The best accommodation options. England offers a variety of stay options for the traveller. Besides, most streets bear maps of the immediate vicinity, while the cabbies are trained to take customers to their desired location in the least possible time. So there is hardly a question of you losing your way.