Has anyone converted an x visa to an e visa without leaving India?

Delhi Expat

Hi everyone, is there anyone out there who has been able to convert their x (entry) visa, or actually any other kind of visa, to an e (employment) visa without leaving India? I have a job offer so I can get all the necessary letters and such but I hesitate to initiate the process as the government officials theoretically could make me leave the country immediatly if they want to be mean. All the websites for the Indian consulates abroad say that you must return to your country of origin and apply for the employment visa there but this seems to apply more toward tourist visa conversion. There is a form from the MHA to convert a visa, so theoretically this is possible....and since x visas are given to foreigners here with their working spouses I am sure that some spouses in the past have found work and have had to change their visa status. Any of you out there who can tell me how you did it? I am in Delhi; addresses and names of helpful Indian officials would be priceless! Thanks in advance!!!!

charles.crow

Hi Expat, I once tried to change visa status within India, but had no luck. On another occasion, I changed from B visa to E visa by going to the Indian Embassy in Sri Lanka. This was an easy process that took 3-4 days; although it entails flight and hotel expenses (which should be paid by your employer) it can save a lot of time and wasted effort. I also know someone who did the same via Nepal, and had no difficulty; the Indian Embassy in Bangkok, however, isn't so cooperative based on what I've heard from two sources.

Nick-H

Trying to change visa type in India can be a nightmare.

I spent months (even with the supposed help of a pro agent who turned out to be simply full of bullshit) trying to change from T to X here (I know it is not allowed, but, by the book, when I married a local it should have been allowed).

Finding myself back in London anyway, I just went to HCI London and got a new X visa in minutes.

Delhi Expat

Hi Guys, thanks for writing. I spoke with a visa "expert" and he said it is possible to change a visa here (you know what that might mean...time...more time...bribes...capricious officials who torture you....paying the visa expert too) but always best to go back to your home country.

However, I have heard that there is one company here hiring local expats and getting their x visas changed. They don't bribe either. So, it can be done. For anyone to get the e visa either here or at home the company hiring you must write some letters and guarantee to repatriate you if you misbehave, this is called an "undertaking." You must also have skills and/or education for the position that a local does not have.

The most encouraging thing that I have learned is that once you file your paperwork with the MHA (Ministry of Home Affairs) and they have accepted it, you can legally start working. Then, they take up to three months to decide (so you have three months of work). I guess if they tell you to go home for your visa after this consideration then you will have to return to your home country and apply for the visa there after all. But at least you will be an employee of the company at that point and maybe they will pay your return trip for the visa.

I will post my story as this progresses. I think more and more expats are going to be in this situation as we come to India with our spouses and then want to work ourselves. There is a organization for trailing spouses called Strategic Links here in Delhi that has been a big help to me. I will share what I learn and, as I posted before, please share your stories if you have come here and converted (or tried to convert) your visa status. Thanks

PortieOwner

If you have to leave the country, I wonder how easy or expensive it would be to try the Indian embassies in Katmandu, Singapore, or Dubai?

Delhi Expat

From the Indian consulate web sites and from the visa expert, it seems you have to go to your home country. The trouble is no one knows for sure.... I think your suggestions is great and it would be so much cheaper and easier. I will look into it, thanks!

smallsquirrel

I have hesitated to switch to an E visa as I heard that your stay here is then dependant on your employment....soooo.... if you lots your job you have to leave the country, get an X visa and come back in. Is that true?!?!??!

Can one switch from a tourist visa to E visa within the country? Tourist to X visa?????

kodumuris

Hi

My son is US Citizen who is 5 years old. Both my self and my wife are Indian Citizens. I tried to aplly for PIO card in India for him but unfortunately they sent it back saying that i need to conevrt his visa status to 'X' type currently he has 'T' type, can anyone please help how do i need to get the status changed.

Thanks

Nick-H

You go to your FRO, and fill in the necessary forms requesting the change. They may send you to Delhi!

You might find it easier to just apply for a new visa for your son in America, or... if you do decide to go back there, simply go straight to PIO there.

kodumuris

We are going back to stay in India and we donot have any plans to go to US, please suggest

Nick-H

Then you will have to go through the process of getting your son's visa converted to an Entry (X) visa. It must be of at least one year duration before he can get PIO card in India.

One or the other thing you must do, as, on a tourist visa, your son can't stay here longer than 180 days.

Well, a third possibility is to apply outside India, but at a near country than USA.

kodumuris

Thanks Nick for your valuable suggestion.
Iam in so tense about my son's status.
I donot know the procedure for converting the visa status, We came to India in March 2007, can you please suggest me on how to convert the status. Can i go to Indian emabassy in Delhi directly or is it better I go to Nepal or Srilanka. PLease suggest, can you give me your contact number if possible.

Thanks

Nick-H

Not much I can help you with personally. As I have posted, my attempts, after marriage to an Indian citizen, to convert visa type in India, were a fiasco.

As to the general subject of visa types, registration, FRRO, FRO, I recommend that you search this site: there is lots of information, and lots of people have given their experiences.

If you live in one of the four biggest metros, you can go straight to the Ministry of Home Affairs Immigration Bureau in that city, who are also the Foreigners Regional Registration Officers.

In Hyderabad, i think you must go to the FRO (Foreigner's Registration Office) which will be a function of the local police. Please see -->this link

The Bureau of Immigration website should be useful to you too

Another starting point for exploring this site would be -->this thread. Please note that, apart from using the search function, each thread page has a generated list of similar threads at the bottom, which is a very good way of finding information.