Can you enter the Andmamans with a Single-entry Indian Visa?

Oscar P · Jan 20th, 2009, 21:21

Hi guys.

A friend and I are travelling to Chennai in a few weeks and are thinking of including the Andamans in our tour of India.

Unfortunately, because my friend has Pakistani parents (but a UK passport) he could only get a 3 month single-entry Indian visa. Would it be fine for him to go to Port Blair from Chennai, then back to Chennai in a couple weeks, on his single-entry visa? Or would Indian authorities kick up a fuss?

Many thanks in advance.

edwardseco · Jan 20th, 2009, 21:42

Its not a different country! It wouldn't be an issue. But, note that foren visitors are restricted to certain areas..

Oscar P · Jan 20th, 2009, 22:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by edwardseco

Its not a different country! It wouldn't be an issue. But, note that foren visitors are restricted to certain areas..

Thanks for the reply Edward. I know that the Andamans belong to India, but since they are so far away from the mainland and require a separate kind of visa, thought there could be problems. Hopefully not!

machadinha · Jan 20th, 2009, 22:19

Like Ed said, I can't see why there should be a problem (unless the authorities should be touchy about Pakistanis visiting there; unlikely that they would be, would be my guess. It's not militarily a touchy area or anything. The main concern today seems to be to protect the native peoples living there, as well as the ecology, and rightly so.)

You may require a permit, or for parts of it, I don't know what the current deal is; a permit isn't a visa though. It is indeed very much the same country. Permits are required for numerous restricted parts of India; none of them eat into your number of entries as allowed by your visa.

Haylo · Jan 21st, 2009, 02:13

Permits can be obtained on arrival, or at the same time as applying for your visa, there's a very helpful sticky thread about visiting which you may find useful.

As an aside, as I believe that the charges for a single entry visa and multiple entry are usually the same, I'm curious as to why people apply for single entry visas?

machadinha · Jan 21st, 2009, 02:21

I think it's less a matter of what you apply for than what you are dealt with, Haylo. It pays to ask about if it's not to your liking though, sure.

The OP (original poster) had indicated in this case it may be a matter of the person being of Pakistani descent and hence not being issued a multiple-entry visa. As s/he stated: "he could only get a 3 month single-entry Indian visa."

Haylo · Jan 21st, 2009, 03:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by machadinha

As s/he stated: "he could only get a 3 month single-entry Indian visa."

I know some people do request them, but I admit that I completely missed that part of the OP!

machadinha · Jan 21st, 2009, 03:09

I've been seeing a number of threads again where people have missed even the few preceding posts yes. Um, whatever.

If people request a single-entry visa you'd think they'd be cheaper. I know it was a choice in my country in the past; I take it it currently isn't and hence has little financial implications.

Haylo · Jan 21st, 2009, 03:24

Mach, the usual Indian tourist visas issued in the UK are all multiple entry anyway, the only price variation is for Sri Lankans, who for single, double and multiple entry pay only three, six and eight pounds respectively!

machadinha · Jan 21st, 2009, 03:29

Exactly. That's what I've been saying all along.

So I guess if you're issued a different one you fall under a different scheme. It would pay to, and there should be no harm in, enquire about this if you do. But beyond that you'll basically have to go with what you're dealt with.

(It would help with regards to a number of queries if members realize we're not all British or American I guess. So simple stuff like how does my ATM card work and sh*t may vary significantly. I see too many sweeping statements on such issues, when they're really not as universal.)

To bring it back to the above question, of course a UK citizen of Pakistani origins would face some extra issues, what do you think? But to bring it back to Oscar the original poster, I don't think it should be an issue in this particular case no. I don't know that, I just can't see how it would be.

Haylo · Jan 21st, 2009, 03:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by machadinha

Exactly. That's what I've been saying all along.

I was responding to your comment about thinking that requesting single entry visas would be cheaper, I must have misunderstood what you meant and it's certainly not something I am going to argue over.

Oscar P, apologies for hijacking your thread, this is the one about Visiting the Andamans which you will find very useful.

Oscar P · Jan 21st, 2009, 05:01

Just to clarify; he could only get a single-entry 3 month visa, because even though he was born in the UK and has a UK passport, his parents were born in Pakistan and so for "security" reasons the India consul only give a 3-month single entry (which takes ages to process), whereas because my parents are British I get a 6 month multi-entry for the same price and in no time - bloody unfair to be honest!

Because the Indian authorities are so difficult about people with Pakistani heritage, we may not risk buying flights to the Andamans without certainty in case he's not allowed back onto the Indian mainland! Does anyone know if they stamp your passport when you arrive back in Chennai? Because if this is the case, then they might pull him up on the single-entry visa...

Haylo · Jan 21st, 2009, 05:23

I have not visited the Andamans myself, and I do understand your concern but as you are taking an internal flight and not leaving India I cannot imagine why they would give you an exit or entry stamp in Chennai.

Give it another day before deciding, hopefully one of the members with direct experience will be able to reassure you.

.

machadinha · Jan 21st, 2009, 07:03

If we didn't state it plainly yet, any permit to go to any restricted area in India has no bearing on the number of entries on your visa. You're still in the same country, and a permit isn't a visa (I'm quite sure I said so above before). In other words, you'll be traveling in-country. There's really no issue with visas or number of entries at all.

What you might conceivably run into is people of Pakistani backgrounds not being very welcome in some areas (and do we really need to get into the details of that here? I should hope we're all aware of the geo-political situation), but again I can't imagine why this would be an issue here. It should be easy to find out about with the appropriate authorities, who you'll need to speak to (if indeed you have to at all) anyway.

There's really no chance of him being "not allowed back into India" btw, you will already be in India and not leaving it either. I guess the worst that can happen is you won't be allowed to visit the Andamans, and you ought to be informed of this before you could ever make it there.

For official sites, try the "travel links" link in my signature, post #4 above.

edwardseco · Jan 21st, 2009, 11:31

Quote:

Because the Indian authorities are so difficult about people with Pakistani heritage, we may not risk buying flights to the Andamans without certainty in case he's not allowed back onto the Indian mainland!

Now that would be hilarious. He couldn't leave the Andamans at all! Absolutely no way. Just have him travel discretely on his UK passport and don't worry about it. Its a permit for the Andamans not a visa..

Jan 20th, 2009, 21:21	#1
Oscar P Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: London Posts: 4	Can you enter the Andmamans with a Single-entry Indian Visa? Hi guys. A friend and I are travelling to Chennai in a few weeks and are thinking of including the Andamans in our tour of India. Unfortunately, because my friend has Pakistani parents (but a UK passport) he could only get a 3 month single-entry Indian visa. Would it be fine for him to go to Port Blair from Chennai, then back to Chennai in a couple weeks, on his single-entry visa? Or would Indian authorities kick up a fuss? Many thanks in advance.

Jan 21st, 2009, 02:13	#5
Haylo Structural Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Middle East and heading Easter Posts: 5,804	Permits can be obtained on arrival, or at the same time as applying for your visa, there's a very helpful sticky thread about visiting which you may find useful. As an aside, as I believe that the charges for a single entry visa and multiple entry are usually the same, I'm curious as to why people apply for single entry visas? __________________ The world is mud-luscious and puddle-wonderful - E.E. Cummings, poet (1894-1962)

Jan 21st, 2009, 05:23	#13
Haylo Structural Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Middle East and heading Easter Posts: 5,804	I have not visited the Andamans myself, and I do understand your concern but as you are taking an internal flight and not leaving India I cannot imagine why they would give you an exit or entry stamp in Chennai. Give it another day before deciding, hopefully one of the members with direct experience will be able to reassure you. . Last edited by Haylo : Jan 21st, 2009 at 07:18. Reason: Changed "to advise you" to "to reassure you"

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Jan 20th, 2009, 21:42	#2
edwardseco Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Land that shakes and bakes. Posts: 5,841	Its not a different country! It wouldn't be an issue. But, note that foren visitors are restricted to certain areas..

Jan 20th, 2009, 22:19	#4
machadinha brother my cup is empty member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: yörp Posts: 14,373	Like Ed said, I can't see why there should be a problem (unless the authorities should be touchy about Pakistanis visiting there; unlikely that they would be, would be my guess. It's not militarily a touchy area or anything. The main concern today seems to be to protect the native peoples living there, as well as the ecology, and rightly so.) You may require a permit, or for parts of it, I don't know what the current deal is; a permit isn't a visa though. It is indeed very much the same country. Permits are required for numerous restricted parts of India; none of them eat into your number of entries as allowed by your visa. __________________ Reading tips, all picked up at IndiaMike : INDAX's A Comprehensive Guide To India / Dinoj Surendran's Desi Humor / ITHVC on Culture Shock & Travel Health / JetLag Travel Guides For the Undiscerning Traveller / India Travel Links

Jan 21st, 2009, 02:21	#6
machadinha brother my cup is empty member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: yörp Posts: 14,373	I think it's less a matter of what you apply for than what you are dealt with, Haylo. It pays to ask about if it's not to your liking though, sure. The OP (original poster) had indicated in this case it may be a matter of the person being of Pakistani descent and hence not being issued a multiple-entry visa. As s/he stated: "he could only get a 3 month single-entry Indian visa."

Jan 21st, 2009, 03:09	#8
machadinha brother my cup is empty member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: yörp Posts: 14,373	I've been seeing a number of threads again where people have missed even the few preceding posts yes. Um, whatever. If people request a single-entry visa you'd think they'd be cheaper. I know it was a choice in my country in the past; I take it it currently isn't and hence has little financial implications.

Jan 21st, 2009, 03:24	#9
Haylo Structural Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Middle East and heading Easter Posts: 5,804	Mach, the usual Indian tourist visas issued in the UK are all multiple entry anyway, the only price variation is for Sri Lankans, who for single, double and multiple entry pay only three, six and eight pounds respectively!

Jan 21st, 2009, 03:29	#10
machadinha brother my cup is empty member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: yörp Posts: 14,373	Exactly. That's what I've been saying all along. So I guess if you're issued a different one you fall under a different scheme. It would pay to, and there should be no harm in, enquire about this if you do. But beyond that you'll basically have to go with what you're dealt with. (It would help with regards to a number of queries if members realize we're not all British or American I guess. So simple stuff like how does my ATM card work and sh*t may vary significantly. I see too many sweeping statements on such issues, when they're really not as universal.) To bring it back to the above question, of course a UK citizen of Pakistani origins would face some extra issues, what do you think? But to bring it back to Oscar the original poster, I don't think it should be an issue in this particular case no. I don't know that, I just can't see how it would be.

Jan 21st, 2009, 05:01	#12
Oscar P Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: London Posts: 4	Just to clarify; he could only get a single-entry 3 month visa, because even though he was born in the UK and has a UK passport, his parents were born in Pakistan and so for "security" reasons the India consul only give a 3-month single entry (which takes ages to process), whereas because my parents are British I get a 6 month multi-entry for the same price and in no time - bloody unfair to be honest! Because the Indian authorities are so difficult about people with Pakistani heritage, we may not risk buying flights to the Andamans without certainty in case he's not allowed back onto the Indian mainland! Does anyone know if they stamp your passport when you arrive back in Chennai? Because if this is the case, then they might pull him up on the single-entry visa...

Jan 21st, 2009, 07:03	#14
machadinha brother my cup is empty member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: yörp Posts: 14,373	If we didn't state it plainly yet, any permit to go to any restricted area in India has no bearing on the number of entries on your visa. You're still in the same country, and a permit isn't a visa (I'm quite sure I said so above before). In other words, you'll be traveling in-country. There's really no issue with visas or number of entries at all. What you might conceivably run into is people of Pakistani backgrounds not being very welcome in some areas (and do we really need to get into the details of that here? I should hope we're all aware of the geo-political situation), but again I can't imagine why this would be an issue here. It should be easy to find out about with the appropriate authorities, who you'll need to speak to (if indeed you have to at all) anyway. There's really no chance of him being "not allowed back into India" btw, you will already be in India and not leaving it either. I guess the worst that can happen is you won't be allowed to visit the Andamans, and you ought to be informed of this before you could ever make it there. For official sites, try the "travel links" link in my signature, post #4 above.