Besides an appointment letter, consulates seek letters from employers approving leave for travel dates.
“Your documentation has to establish that you are a genuine tourist, with definite interests (assets or relations) in your home country, and not a potential immigrant. And, that you can afford to incur the travelling expenses,” says Ashutosh Akshikar, CEO, Mercury Travels, while explaining the importance of documentation while applying for international visas.
Given the complexity of the work, travel operators offer visa counselling services as a part of their tour package for a fee. There are a number of important details that consulates are seeking now.
A basic proof that most require pertains to your employment. The typical documents one must present include your appointment letter and pay slips for six months prior to the visa interview. In addition, many consulates have now started asking for letters from employers approving your leave for the dates specified while applying for a visa and also the expected re-joining date. Along with employment details, one has to show tax returns for the past three years.
Account statements need to be in place was well. Any sudden large amount deposits are scrutinised by the consulates, especially the ones close to the visa interview or application dates.
Other investment documents like insurance policies, equity investments, fixed deposits and Public Provident Fund statements and so on can also be shown. Property-related documents can strengthen your visa application.
Again, many individuals, mostly single, may be able to provide all the other documents (pertaining to employment and other investments) but may not own any property. In this case, if you have been named as a nominee for any of your familial properties, you can file documents to that effect as well, says a manager, visa and passport services, with a leading travel agent. He explains, "Actual ownership is obviously preferred but even a nominee document can work. A physical asset in one's home country is considered a solid reason for one's return."
Each consulate provides a list of mandatory documents. These mostly include passports, birth certificates, invitation and sponsorship letters, details of relatives being visited abroad and so on.
Consulates ask for details of your travel plans. However, most people do not make any definite plans (read: make payments, book tickets or hotels) until they have the visas and, therefore, mention tentative plans. However, if you are willing to take a chance, book your tickets in advance or pay for your hotels. This may work in your favour, as the visa officer will look at it as an investment in your trip and commitment to returning.
Similarly, you can even use your creativity to establish strong roots or relations in India. Newly married couples applying for their visas are often known to show their marriage certificates and even pictures of the ceremony. As a single man or woman, if you are travelling abroad and your partner is in India, you can also use images from the function to establish your 'engaged' status.
