Would anyone have an understanding of obtaining an actual visa (ie: appointment required, paperwork printed & filled in from home, attend interview)?
Tried searching on the embassy website (Melbourne location), but not providing much info.
V.O.A, or evisa are less of my liking compared to getting it done this or next week. Trip not for another 7 months, but rather be safe.
Try on and around this VFS site for information - it's about as good as you'll find:
India Visa Information - Australia - Prepare your application
You do all the paperwork online beforehand, and then print to take in with you. Apart from a couple of questions - or if you have Pakistani heritage - it's the same form for all visa types. You don't need to make an appointment, but it does mean that your wait should be reduced if you do. That said, they are rarely 'on time' anyway, so leave plenty of time afterwards. I've never had an 'interview' - they just check documents and collect payment.
As other have alluded to, make sure you review the specifications for photo acceptance, as this catches a few out on every visit that I have seen. VFS in Sydney have their own photo booth, and I'm sure they are extra strict just to supplement income! Also if you are doing a special or longer-stay/multi-entry visa, make sure you check the documents on the checklist that you need to take with you. After acceptance and paying the fee, it's been usually less than a week for me to get my passport back. I live close to the Sydney CBD, so I just go back in to collect in person (which has been no more than 10-15 mins wait on the 4-5 times I've had it done - maybe I was lucky), but you can also pay for registered post or courier.
In terms of applying now for arrival in 7 months... you're probably a bit too eager. I'm not sure you could do that without a 12 month visa, as my understanding is that the visa has validity from the date of issue, and not from the date you plan to arrive. The tourist visa is typically valid for 6 months.
After now completing my 3rd one, I do think you would be better off considering the
e-Tourist Visa, and applying for it ~30 days out from application. You'd still have time for the full in-person application, if there was some issue with the e-Tourist Visa, as they respond to the eTV usually within 1-2 business days. The immigration processing is also done differently on arrival for eTVs, and though I can't speak for other ports, it has always been much faster to go through the eTV channel at
Bangalore than for traditional immigration clearance. It's also cheaper - US$48 for eTV (plus cc fee) vs. ~A$85 in person for the tourist visa (though you can
calculate the visa fee here).
Note that the e-Tourist Visa is only available where entry to India is through certain designated ports, but it generally covers most tourist and business folk. You can leave via any immigration check-point.
Cheers,
Matt.
