Question:
I am an Indian National working
in Oman for the past 1 and a half
years. Do I need to apply to London
immigration office (which is the
concerned office for immigration
from Oman) or New Delhi? From the
CIC website, it suggests that I
need to be applying to London office
as I am staying in Oman for more
than 1 year. However I need an expert
advise to confirm this as its the
most important step in the immigration
process and nothing contrary to
this is mentioned elsewhere in the
law.
Answer:
You may apply through CHC New Delhi
as Indian national or through CHC
London if you have been lawfully
admitted to UEA for at least 12
months. Note that if you decide
to go through London then you must
submit with your application a sufficient
evidence showing that you have been
lawfully admitted to UAE for at
least 12 months.
Please also
keep in mind that if interview is
required then you will have to attend
it in Abu Dhabi or in London in
about 1.5 to about 2 years - if
you are not sure that you'll remain
in UAE for that long and if getting
UK visa is not so sure then better
consider New Delhi. Why do you want
to have interview in the first place?
Why not make a flawless application
package, submit conclusive evidence
for every claim and fully address
all matters that may possibly be
in question - just to make sure
that there in no margin left for
officer's doubts, questions, interpretations
and any other need to ask you anything
at the interview?
If things
will go as they go at present in
CHC London then don't expect guarantee
of conclusion within 2 years - it
takes about 18 months now to get
the assessment notice and if interview
is required it will probably happen
after another 6 to 10 or so months
from such notice. No, there is no
requirement to remain in the country
you are in and as long as you can
show up for the interview if needed
then you'll be fine. As for the
interview waiver - it is not about
what you think about your documentation,
it is how conclusively in processing
officer's opinion such evidence
proves all claims you made in the
application and if it answers all
questions s/he may have.
