VISA AND CONSULAR SERVICES

The High Commission of India is constantly endeavoring to improve facilities for visa applicants. As part of this, online filing of visa forms was launched from March 25, 2011. Outsourcing of visa services since February 2008 has streamlined procedures and continues to provide satisfactory service to the applicants, which also includes tracking the progress of their applications on line or by calling VFS (www.vfs-in-lk.com) call centre. Amenities such as better seating, photograph and photocopy booths, large TV screens, increased number of visa application submission counters and dedicated telephones to handle applicant queries have been provided. The process is being continuously monitored to further improve services being provided to visa applicants, particularly with the number of visa applicants having increased. On an average the High Commission of India issues around 775 visas per day. The entire process, i.e. from the time of submission of the application to the outsourcing agency to the return of the passport to the agency is completed within 24 hours. During the year 2011, the Mission issued 1,88,152 visas.

Moreover, during 2011, 963 Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cards were issued to Sri Lankan nationals of Indian origin. Besides this, 1100 documents, including power of attorney, business documents, affidavits, etc., were attested and other consular services rendered.

For further details, please visit www.hcicolombo.org