Live in Goa.

north

Hello.

Have had a couple of nice holidays in North Goa. And i wondered what it would be like to live there. Someone told me to visit this site, and ask questions.

After talking to some English people who live there on a holiday visa, it seems you have to live there for 180 day's, leave India, come back, get your passport stamped and then you can stay.

But some people said you are not allowed to purchase certain things, like Gas Bottles, Cars or Scooters. But it would seem it's OK to pay rent etc, can anyone throw some light on this.

Thanks.

North.

GoanCanuck

You can only stay a maximum of 180 days continuously in Goa on a tourist visa. Then you have to leave India and apply for a fresh tourist visa. Please don't listen to anyone who says it is possible to renew your tourist visa or buy property on a tourist visa. The short answer is that you can't.

Until recently the Indian government was allowing people to stay on a long term basis in Goa but there has been a change in policy and you can no longer do this.

You should ask goangoangone who is a fellow British expat in Goa.

Nick-H

You can get a six month tourist visa, leave the country before its expiry and get another six month tourist visa.

But there is no guarantee that the Indian Government will allow indefinite back-to-back tourist visas.

With the latest news about refusals to renew 'X' ('Entry' visas) would it surprise anyone if back-to-back tourist visas came under scrutiny?

You can get background and information, along with a little controversy from
this very long thread <-click here
Which I suggest you read in its entirety!

Welcome to IndiaMike

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goangoangone

I'm guessing that they are only issuing Tourist visas to stop people buying anything; property, scooters, cars etc. Despite talk of increasing the length of Tourist visas, I wouldn't be surprised if they cut the length or only issued "on entry" for holidaymakers.
To anyone thinking of staying long term, I would say come for a year minimum and you will see a difference from having holidays. Don't take any long term decisions on impulse. They don't want long stayers, only holidaymakers who spend.

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Silverkey

If India got 1.05 biljoen people. And 50% is mail (just make it easy) Than it can be that difficult to find a dream partner..

once you got the husband and wife status.. You can live, buy and start a business without leaving the country..

Travelling is nice... but living on a place is different!

love, peace and freedom!!

Sil

north

Hi All.

Thanks for your reply's. Is it best to go as a tourist first, find somewhere to rent, do the 180 day thingy, get back to Goa and try to buy a property. Anyone any advice or views on this please. If you can prove you can support yourself, ie, money wise will this help.

Thanks.

North.

cyberhippie

I'm not sure if this makes any difference, I know of a couple who tried this and were both on medical pensions for life. They tried for a five year visa with a view to staying in Goa, their application was refused!!
Emmigrating to India (which to all intents and purposes is what you are trying to achieve) is the same as with other countries it's difficult and there isn't a fast track way of attaining residential status in India.

Many who thought they had found one, are now looking long and hard at their status with the Goan goverment, as some achieved residentail status via the back door and are now under scrutiny!!

This topic comes up often and by way of some general advice ; if your are thinking of moving to Goa or India, think of it in exactly the same terms as you would about emmigrating to say Australia, you have to qualify and there is no RIGHT to residential status as such.

capt_mahajan

that should surprise a few people.

Nick-H

...And, it seems, even those who came through the front door are having their long-term visa renewals refused

cyberhippie

Well I suppose the last thing India needs to import is people

Funny you know, I was "worried" things would go the other way and there would be a housing market free for all.

Being fussy about immigration seems like a good idea to me most countries are so why not India I suppose.

There should still be some kind of mechanism for people wishing to live in India though, strict is fine but at least give the poor buggers actuall undisputable legal status after they qualified for immigration!!
It seems to be a huge grey area at the moment

Nick-H

Yes, allowing people to set up house here, granting them Entry Visas, letting them spend their money to do all this legally ---and then denying them renewals is pretty low. More like some tiny African or S. American state.

They could shut the doors, they could raise the barriers, but they should not treat people who are already established here like this.

Makes me worry that I'll discover one day they now require me to be married to two Indian citizens to stay here!

capt_mahajan

I propose the point system like many countries have

Visited agra? 5 points
With spouse? minus 1

..and so on.

cyberhippie

I might have enough points to qualify...........yipeee!!!!

capt_mahajan

Seriously, I agree that clear rules should be made and known.

I guess part of the reason is that the authorities have not been geared for a noticeable number of foreigners who want to retire, buy property and live in India. Rules exist for foreigners coming to work here, marrying Indians etc. Its the retirees who need clarity.

That said, the rules for buying property are quite clear, regardless of the spin given to them by all interested parties for their own convenience.

north

Don't know if any of you have heard the UK New's over the last couple of weeks, but there has been quite a few problems in Almeria Spain. The spanish goverment has clamped down on non spanish people buying property over there. Some of the land was sold by corrupt council officals, now the goverment is taking back the land and people who have property on the land will not get any compensation. And people have lost there life savings over this, So i suppose you need a very good legal man if you are going to spend big sums on property in Goa. I have also i have heard, land can be passed on to family for generations, and the family can come back years after and claim the land back, has anyone heard of this.

[b]North