Time really flies. It just seems like y'day that I got my admit.
Now, I am running around, trying to get all the documents for the visa ready.
Thankfuly, I am done with the police clearence certificate(a bloody pain).
To get a PCC, one needs to apply at the local Passport office.
Luckily at Bangalore, we have interent reservations. Therefore, all you need to do is to make a reservation, go at the scheduled time and deposit your documents. Well, it is not as simple as it seems. The passport office folks have lunch break before the internet reservation stuff starts off, and knowing how strict govt officers are when it comes to being on time, the process starts off 30 mins late. Luckily, lot of people who have booked through the internet do not turn up. So, I just need to wait for an hour before my name is called.
Just when I was about to hand over my documents to the guy sitting across the counter, tea break happens. And there is no way that these guys would work while on a break. So, I have to sit again for 10 mins, while they are sipping away in front of me and gossiping arnd with their colleagues.
After a further 10 min delay, I finally get to hand over the documents. Its pretty fast after that. My documents go through 3 windows (scanned at every stage), and finally at the 3rd window, i pay up the fees. Phew... thought that I was done with it,
I was told to collect it the next day. I was under the impression that it would be like the internet booking system again, and that I would need to come at a particular time and collect my passport. Well, wrong again... I had to come at 4 and wait for my name to be called (and in case I was not around, I had to wait till the very end).
This time I was prepared. I came in at 5. It was the right thing to do, coz they started at 5. I had to wait for another 1 hour before my name was called. Finally at 6, I left with the documents in my hand.... What a relief :)
Now, I need to get my bank papers in order and also get a medical certificate. To top it up, I came to know that visa applications now have to be made at the embassy directly. Have heard a lot about the pain one goes through to get the visa sorted out. Looks like, I will have to go through it myself :(
Am flying to Delhi on the 1st of June to apply for the visa. Will let you guys know how things go :) .... Keeping my fingers crossed
