Advice for US citizen wanting to live in India

Seattle2India · Apr 27th, 2007, 05:12

I am an American citizen who would like to move to India within the next two years. I do not have any Indian relatives so I cannot be considered as a PIO, NRI, etc. My partner, who is an Indian citizen and a US resident, would like to bring me to live in India with him. Ideally, we would like to open a small hotel or Bed & Breakfast in Kerala. My question is: how can I stay in India the longest? Can I ever become a resident? Could I "work" at our hotel or Bed & Breakfast and could I ever have any part of our hotel or B&B in my name? Would it be possible for him to move back to India, purchase a home and open it as a Bed & Breakfast and then hire or sponsor me to work there? Lastly, just to discourage the obvious "just get married comment", my partner and I cannot marry as we are two guys.

Any thoughts or ideas would be appreciated- thanks!

crvlvr · Apr 27th, 2007, 05:35

Most Indian visas allow you to stay for only 180 days. The easiest option, IMHO, is go to India on a tourist visa, get "married" to an Indian woman, much like the movie Green Card. Then you become eligible for the PIO card, which will allow you to stay for more then 180 days with you partner. I am pretty sure you may be able to find some one who will be willing to "marry" you for a fee. I'm sorry, but this is bet I could come up with. May be the others will have better suggestions.

Before you do anything permanent, visit India first. you may hate it.

Nick-H · Apr 27th, 2007, 07:46

He can employ you, maybe.

But he may have to persuade the immigration guys that it is a job that can't be done by a local.

That's about the only way I can see ...

No, wait; I guess you can be a partner in his business and get a business visa.

No sure answers, I'm afraid.

And you really should be very aware of what living in India is like before jumping into this. Where ever you choose you should particularly, discretely, check out what it would be like for two guys living together there. Are you aware of how conservative India can be? Are you aware that homosexuality (assuming that 'partner' means ...partner) is still against the law here?

noflylist · Apr 27th, 2007, 07:59

If romantic partnership, then I think Indian law may not allow you to marry him. But of course, he being Indian citizen can do anything in India he wishes.

You should talk to immigration attorney in India.

But first, get a tourist Visa and get the feel of place, you may not dig it!

noflylist · Apr 27th, 2007, 08:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by crvlvr

I am pretty sure you may be able to find some one who will be willing to "marry" you for a fee.

That would be highly illegal in hot and humid Kerala!

camelgirl · Apr 27th, 2007, 09:26

I agree with most of the previous posts regarding spending some time in India before you plan to live there.

Also, if you are an American citizen you can get a 10 year Visa. You CANNOT stay for 10 years in a row but you CAN stay for 6 months in a row. Then you would have to leave for a short bit and then come back for another 6 months......for almost 10 years! You wouldn't have to go far, Nepal, Sri Lanka but you probably would want to leave anyway for an occasional break.

noflylist · Apr 27th, 2007, 09:28

yes, my brother did the same. From Calcutta, he would drive to Nepal and U turn every 6 months or so

Seattle2India · Apr 27th, 2007, 09:53

Thank you everyone for your reply. While I have never lived in India, I have spent time there enough to know that I would be able to live there, especially in the company of my partner. From the sound of it, I don't know if that will ever be a reality anyway, perhaps we should stick to our idea of having a second home there and living in the US...

Nick-H · Apr 27th, 2007, 11:29

If you start with a second home there --- no problem with your partner buying one --- and work from there you never know what might happen!

Establish a base there and the dreams might follow. If you can afford it, I'd say this is really the best thing to do.

ananda2193 · Apr 27th, 2007, 19:37

Not to be negative, I hope you have a lifelong happy time with your partner.
But people do breakup all the time and if your paying for half, you'll have no legal rights to the property.

crvlvr · Apr 27th, 2007, 23:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by noflylist

That would be highly illegal in hot and humid Kerala!

Yes, But, I thought that was implied. May be I should have mentioned that clearly. However, there is no legal way for a non Indian to stay in India for more than 180 days (may be a year max under student visa) unless he/she is married to an Indian.

camelgirl · Apr 27th, 2007, 23:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seattle2India

perhaps we should stick to our idea of having a second home there and living in the US...

Great Idea, can I come visit in India?

Ananda does raise a good point regarding splitting the cost and what the legal rights to the property would be. These unfortunate realities of "who gets what" need to be legally sorted out "just incase", but that's true even here in the USA. I'm certain it could be worked out to be fair. I know it freaks some people out to talk about "what ifs" but I find it makes things easier to just get that sort of thing out-of-the-way and then forget about it (like making a will

) Sorry, can't help it, I'm the organized type.

Where are you thinking of buying your home in India?

ananda2193 · Apr 28th, 2007, 00:08

I'm sure Paul McCartney is feeling like a fool for not having a prenup.

As are the countless others.

delhidjinn · Apr 28th, 2007, 00:15

You can float a company in US, for purpose of real estate/hotel investment. Apply to RBI, get the permission, invest your money, come in as director (you get long stay). Please use a lawyer specialising in this. You can take your money back easily this way as well.

crvlvr · Apr 28th, 2007, 00:43

I think the minimum investment requirements for this option is huge, like $10 million..

Apr 27th, 2007, 05:12	#1
Seattle2India Mike Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Seattle Posts: 9	Advice for US citizen wanting to live in India I am an American citizen who would like to move to India within the next two years. I do not have any Indian relatives so I cannot be considered as a PIO, NRI, etc. My partner, who is an Indian citizen and a US resident, would like to bring me to live in India with him. Ideally, we would like to open a small hotel or Bed & Breakfast in Kerala. My question is: how can I stay in India the longest? Can I ever become a resident? Could I "work" at our hotel or Bed & Breakfast and could I ever have any part of our hotel or B&B in my name? Would it be possible for him to move back to India, purchase a home and open it as a Bed & Breakfast and then hire or sponsor me to work there? Lastly, just to discourage the obvious "just get married comment", my partner and I cannot marry as we are two guys. Any thoughts or ideas would be appreciated- thanks!

Apr 27th, 2007, 07:46	#3
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 26,822	He can employ you, maybe. But he may have to persuade the immigration guys that it is a job that can't be done by a local. That's about the only way I can see ... No, wait; I guess you can be a partner in his business and get a business visa. No sure answers, I'm afraid. And you really should be very aware of what living in India is like before jumping into this. Where ever you choose you should particularly, discretely, check out what it would be like for two guys living together there. Are you aware of how conservative India can be? Are you aware that homosexuality (assuming that 'partner' means ...partner) is still against the law here? __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

Apr 28th, 2007, 00:15	#14
delhidjinn Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: New Delhi Posts: 29	Yes, it is possible You can float a company in US, for purpose of real estate/hotel investment. Apply to RBI, get the permission, invest your money, come in as director (you get long stay). Please use a lawyer specialising in this. You can take your money back easily this way as well.

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Apr 27th, 2007, 05:35	#2
crvlvr Guru Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Hollywood Posts: 4,474	Most Indian visas allow you to stay for only 180 days. The easiest option, IMHO, is go to India on a tourist visa, get "married" to an Indian woman, much like the movie Green Card. Then you become eligible for the PIO card, which will allow you to stay for more then 180 days with you partner. I am pretty sure you may be able to find some one who will be willing to "marry" you for a fee. I'm sorry, but this is bet I could come up with. May be the others will have better suggestions. Before you do anything permanent, visit India first. you may hate it.

Apr 27th, 2007, 07:59	#4
noflylist Account Closed on User's Request Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Houston Posts: 840	If romantic partnership, then I think Indian law may not allow you to marry him. But of course, he being Indian citizen can do anything in India he wishes. You should talk to immigration attorney in India. But first, get a tourist Visa and get the feel of place, you may not dig it!

Apr 27th, 2007, 09:26	#6
camelgirl 10 year Visa okee dokee Join Date: May 2005 Location: Swannanoa NC usa Posts: 1,019	I agree with most of the previous posts regarding spending some time in India before you plan to live there. Also, if you are an American citizen you can get a 10 year Visa. You CANNOT stay for 10 years in a row but you CAN stay for 6 months in a row. Then you would have to leave for a short bit and then come back for another 6 months......for almost 10 years! You wouldn't have to go far, Nepal, Sri Lanka but you probably would want to leave anyway for an occasional break.

Apr 27th, 2007, 09:28	#7
noflylist Account Closed on User's Request Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Houston Posts: 840	yes, my brother did the same. From Calcutta, he would drive to Nepal and U turn every 6 months or so

Apr 27th, 2007, 09:53	#8
Seattle2India Mike Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Seattle Posts: 9	Thank you everyone for your reply. While I have never lived in India, I have spent time there enough to know that I would be able to live there, especially in the company of my partner. From the sound of it, I don't know if that will ever be a reality anyway, perhaps we should stick to our idea of having a second home there and living in the US...

Apr 27th, 2007, 11:29	#9
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 26,822	If you start with a second home there --- no problem with your partner buying one --- and work from there you never know what might happen! Establish a base there and the dreams might follow. If you can afford it, I'd say this is really the best thing to do.

Apr 27th, 2007, 19:37	#10
ananda2193 Maha Guru Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: you essay Posts: 1,482	Not to be negative, I hope you have a lifelong happy time with your partner. But people do breakup all the time and if your paying for half, you'll have no legal rights to the property.

Apr 28th, 2007, 00:08	#13
ananda2193 Maha Guru Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: you essay Posts: 1,482	I'm sure Paul McCartney is feeling like a fool for not having a prenup. As are the countless others.

Apr 28th, 2007, 00:43	#15
crvlvr Guru Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Hollywood Posts: 4,474	I think the minimum investment requirements for this option is huge, like $10 million..

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