Andamans Visa?

arturo_aquaboy · Oct 23rd, 2008, 22:49

Hi,

Sorry if this has already been covered - I couldn't find anything.

I started my India visa application yesterday (quite confusing as I have an Irish passport but have always lived here in Britain, but that's another subject altogether!) and it asked if I was visiting any protected territories. I put that I will be visiting the Andamans and it said that I would have to pay an extra £20 on top of the standard visa cost.

I had previously heard that you don't need to organise a visa for the Andamans - that you sort it on arrival and that it is free. If this is the case should I just ignore the protected territories part of my visa application and sort when I get there? I'd rather not pay if I can avoid it but at the same time don't want to end up not able to visit at all!

If anyone can shed any light I'd be most grateful...

Shiver me Timbers · Oct 23rd, 2008, 23:10

That doesn't sound right. Just get your Indian visa as normal, and you get your permit stamp on arrival at Port Blair, no charge for it.

theyyamdancer · Oct 24th, 2008, 00:35

Well, the thing is this: it all depends on your mode of travel. If you fly into Port Blair, then your permit is issued automatically and free of charge at the airport upon arrival. BUT if you take the boat (either from Chennai or from Kolkata) then you will need to organize the permit beforehand. No idea about payment for it. Sounds weird to me. But bureaucracy has its own rhythm, that's for sure. Enjoy your travels, anyway.

steven_ber · Oct 24th, 2008, 01:06

theyyamdancer

Are you sure?

'Shiver me Timbers' arrived in Port Blair by boat if I remember right.

Shiver me Timbers · Oct 24th, 2008, 01:08

(Cross-posted with StevenB)

Quote:

BUT if you take the boat (either from Chennai or from Kolkata) then you will need to organize the permit beforehand

This is no longer the case (it was a few years back) - you can now get the permit at the port in Port Blair when you arrive off the ferry. And it's free (it's just a stamp in your passport).

At least, that's how it was in 2006, and I see no reason why it should have changed since.

arturo_aquaboy · Oct 24th, 2008, 06:10

Well thanks everyone. I'm flying in so I guess that is all good!

theyyamdancer · Oct 24th, 2008, 13:13

Steve, Shiver, arturo, I read it in the most recent LP and I have read it mentioned here on IM as well. But I am most happy to be contradicted. I will check and get back.

theyyamdancer · Oct 24th, 2008, 13:36

Guys, I sincerely apologise if I gave outdated information. Here is a link from the official site of the Andaman and Nicobar in which it is stated that foreigners visiting should "obtain their permits soon after arriving". Check it out here:

http://www.and.nic.in/C_charter/IP_T/visitor.htm

edwardseco · Oct 24th, 2008, 13:37

Yup, the good news is its available on arrival by boat as well for some time. The 20L charge must have been for "shipping & handling". Just decline that..

theyyamdancer · Oct 24th, 2008, 15:14

One addendum here which I am unable to verify (but which Mr theyyam wants me to add) - IF anyone were to arrive by boat from a NON-Indian destination - the old rules would still apply. Is that clear? Say, to give an example, a yacht arriving from Thailand or something like that. In any case, not relevant to arturo aquaboy!

arturo_aquaboy · Oct 24th, 2008, 18:08

If only I could afford to arrive by yacht!

theyyamdancer · Oct 24th, 2008, 19:00

That was a good joke, eh? In any case, arturo, have a good trip, and don't forget to report back here to tell us all about it.

Catinka · Nov 3rd, 2008, 19:29

Hey Guys! I´m flying on the 10th of Nov to Port Blair and i heard that you have to get a visa on arrival which cost you 30 or 40 Euro (thats about 1.900 or 2.600 Rupee), they told me in the Indian Ambassy in Munich. What have you heard?

martinez · Nov 3rd, 2008, 20:10

Hi. Last year the entry permit cost nothin in Port Blair airport.The India Consulate in Lisbon wanted to charge me some monies and only give me a two week permit. The best thing to do is not tell the consulate in your country that you want to visit Andaman and just sort it out when you arrive at Port Blair.

Shiver me Timbers · Nov 3rd, 2008, 20:34

It's free as far as I know.

Oct 23rd, 2008, 22:49	#1
arturo_aquaboy Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Kent, England Posts: 17	Andamans Visa? Hi, Sorry if this has already been covered - I couldn't find anything. I started my India visa application yesterday (quite confusing as I have an Irish passport but have always lived here in Britain, but that's another subject altogether!) and it asked if I was visiting any protected territories. I put that I will be visiting the Andamans and it said that I would have to pay an extra £20 on top of the standard visa cost. I had previously heard that you don't need to organise a visa for the Andamans - that you sort it on arrival and that it is free. If this is the case should I just ignore the protected territories part of my visa application and sort when I get there? I'd rather not pay if I can avoid it but at the same time don't want to end up not able to visit at all! If anyone can shed any light I'd be most grateful...

Oct 24th, 2008, 01:06	#4
steven_ber Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: South of England. Posts: 11,569	theyyamdancer Are you sure? 'Shiver me Timbers' arrived in Port Blair by boat if I remember right. __________________ . How to get helpful replies to your transport/Itinerary questions. Train information. RAC & Waitlists explained.

Oct 24th, 2008, 06:10	#6
arturo_aquaboy Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Kent, England Posts: 17	A ha! Well thanks everyone. I'm flying in so I guess that is all good!

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Oct 23rd, 2008, 23:10	#2
Shiver me Timbers Maha Guru Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Asia Posts: 1,874	That doesn't sound right. Just get your Indian visa as normal, and you get your permit stamp on arrival at Port Blair, no charge for it.

Oct 24th, 2008, 00:35	#3
theyyamdancer lost in Mechuka member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Crete Posts: 4,426	Well, the thing is this: it all depends on your mode of travel. If you *fly* into Port Blair, then your permit is issued automatically and *free of charge* at the airport upon arrival. BUT if you take the boat (either from Chennai or from Kolkata) then you will need to organize the permit beforehand. No idea about payment for it. Sounds weird to me. But bureaucracy has its own rhythm, that's for sure. Enjoy your travels, anyway.

Oct 24th, 2008, 13:13	#7
theyyamdancer lost in Mechuka member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Crete Posts: 4,426	Steve, Shiver, arturo, I read it in the most recent LP and I have read it mentioned here on IM as well. But I am most happy to be contradicted. I will check and get back.

Oct 24th, 2008, 13:36	#8
theyyamdancer lost in Mechuka member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Crete Posts: 4,426	Guys, I sincerely apologise if I gave outdated information. Here is a link from the official site of the Andaman and Nicobar in which it is stated that foreigners visiting should "obtain their permits soon after arriving". Check it out here: http://www.and.nic.in/C_charter/IP_T/visitor.htm

Oct 24th, 2008, 13:37	#9
edwardseco Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Land that shakes and bakes. Posts: 5,844	Yup, the good news is its available on arrival by boat as well for some time. The 20L charge must have been for "shipping & handling". Just decline that..

Oct 24th, 2008, 15:14	#10
theyyamdancer lost in Mechuka member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Crete Posts: 4,426	One addendum here which I am unable to verify (but which Mr theyyam wants me to add) - IF anyone were to arrive by boat from a NON-Indian destination - the old rules would still apply. Is that clear? Say, to give an example, a yacht arriving from Thailand or something like that. In any case, not relevant to arturo aquaboy!

Oct 24th, 2008, 18:08	#11
arturo_aquaboy Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Kent, England Posts: 17	If only I could afford to arrive by yacht!

Oct 24th, 2008, 19:00	#12
theyyamdancer lost in Mechuka member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Crete Posts: 4,426	That was a good joke, eh? In any case, arturo, have a good trip, and don't forget to report back here to tell us all about it.

Nov 3rd, 2008, 19:29	#13
Catinka Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Germany Posts: 5	Hey Guys! I´m flying on the 10th of Nov to Port Blair and i heard that you have to get a visa on arrival which cost you 30 or 40 Euro (thats about 1.900 or 2.600 Rupee), they told me in the Indian Ambassy in Munich. What have you heard?

Nov 3rd, 2008, 20:10	#14
martinez Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: portugal Posts: 455	Hi. Last year the entry permit cost nothin in Port Blair airport.The India Consulate in Lisbon wanted to charge me some monies and only give me a two week permit. The best thing to do is not tell the consulate in your country that you want to visit Andaman and just sort it out when you arrive at Port Blair.

Nov 3rd, 2008, 20:34	#15
Shiver me Timbers Maha Guru Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Asia Posts: 1,874	It's free as far as I know.