ISLAMABAD, July 16: The Indian High Commission said on Friday that a visa drop box facility had been introduced through two courier companies for all Pakistani and foreign visa applicants to facilitate visas for bona fide travellers to India.

A High Commission press release said visa applications could be collected or delivered at Gerry's and TCS offices at Karachi, Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar, Sialkot, Faisalabad, Multan, Gujranwala, Hyderabad, Sukkur and Quetta.

Applicants may be called for an interview by the High Commission where processing time will vary from two weeks for business travellers to eight weeks for general applicants.

It said the courier company would directly intimate to the applicant a likely date by which the visas would be ready. The service charge of Gerry's/TCS is Rs500 for out-station and Rs300 for Islamabad-based applicants. In addition, the normal visa fee of Rs15 per applicant will be collected from Pakistani nationals. Visa charges for other nationals vary.

The following are the requirements for visa seekers when depositing visa applications with TCS/Gerry's offices:

a) For Pakistani nationals, four application forms are required along with four photographs for a single entry visa. All columns in the application forms shall be filled irrespective of accompanying documentation.

b) Old passports should also be submitted in case an applicant has travelled to India earlier or applied for visa.

c) First-time visitors should attach an invitation letter or related documentation. Processing time in such cases could be longer.

d) Business travellers should enclose a letter from the employing company, an invitation letter from the business contact in India and a certificate of registration with a recognized chamber of commerce or other evidence of commercial operation.

e) For medical emergencies, evidence of medical appointments, a copy of medical records and correspondence with the Indian hospital are required. Applications for group visas, including educational, professional and business groups, letters of invitation, details of hosts and sponsors, detailed itinerary including places of stay and details of organizers in Pakistan should accompany the applications.

g) Foreign nationals should normally obtain Indian visas in their country of residence. Foreign nationals resident in Pakistan may submit application forms through TCS and Gerry's.

Processing time required would be two weeks. Foreign nationals of Pakistani origin and holding Pakistani passports should apply for visas on their Pakistani passports.

h) Applicants can also apply directly at the visa section of the High Commission between 10am to 12 noon on working days.