question re: working online while in India

CFPhotoGrafie · Sep 13th, 2009, 10:23

This subject has always confused me. I have been told that working via the internet while traveling in other countries is perfectly legal as you are not taking work away from locals.
I have operated numerous affiliate businesses for about 2 yrs. and theoretically even if I never log into them, they are already making money no matter where I am based geographically.

I guess what I'm asking is, can I log in and add new images, info, links etc while in India and live off that income there legally without needing a work visa? thanks

Nick-H · Sep 13th, 2009, 13:54

Who would ever know?

How could they tell?

Nobody is going to monitor your network traffic for packets that look like they could be associated with a profession!

Quote:

can I log in and add new images

Of course, if these are images that you are taking in India, I'd say that puts a different light on it, and consititutes work --- whether you send them abroad in the post or over the net would not be the relevant factor then

britindel09 · Sep 13th, 2009, 15:27

All depends on two factors, where the money goes to that you earn, in India or elsewhere, or where you are normally resident?

Legally your tax is paid where you are what is termed "ordinarily resident".

If money comes into India than you will have some issues getting it out if large sums are involved.

Nick-H · Sep 13th, 2009, 20:13

Tax liability is an entirely different issue.

And, if you are working in India, just being paid abroad would not be enough to escape Indian tax. Many people would wish that tax avoidance was that simple: it isn't.

CFPhotoGrafie · Sep 15th, 2009, 10:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by britindel09

All depends on two factors, where the money goes to that you earn, in India or elsewhere, or where you are normally resident?

Legally your tax is paid where you are what is termed "ordinarily resident".

If money comes into India than you will have some issues getting it out if large sums are involved.

The money goes into a PayPal acct based in the States.

All my online sites combined earn less than $100/month currently and the only tax paid on this is interest on the acct.
I am trying to increase earnings to at least $500/month

Most likely some of the uploads would be photos of my travels in India or info about locales I've visited.

For me the trickiest part is the fact that I will be earning monthly payments one way or the other, and there is no way to say whether the new images will result in addit. sales/revenue.

As Nick H said in first response, who would know? But I don't want to do anything which might jeopardize my stay or future visits.

thejag · Sep 15th, 2009, 11:52

an appropriate candidate for haylos Experimentation forum id say....

Id say you can get away with as long as you keep getting your tourist visa extended unless the indian foreign service asks to see your financial history to ascertain that you do not intend to illegally stay on in india.... and when they see that you do not currently have funds and they ask where will you get them from??? So i guess you can do this (it will be illegal and as nick said who is going to go around sniffing) as long as you have a tourist visa...

fsg · Sep 15th, 2009, 16:35

There must be thousands of visitors to India who take photographs/notes and when they go home get the illustrated articles published, and are paid for it.

Similarly Indians who visit overseas must do likewise.

Your enterprises are not earning you a fortune

You are a little naive in posing the question initially.

Next you will be wanting to know about model release forms .

Also seeking travel companions is not the best way to interact with the locals, that is best done solo. Indians are very curious about a solo female, and will chat, but if there are 2 of you it does not happen.

Nick-H · Sep 15th, 2009, 21:49

I would be more concerned about the visa status than the income.

CFPhotoGrafie · Sep 17th, 2009, 11:29

I think there is some misunderstanding here as to what I'm asking, otherwise no one would call it naive.
Honesty is not naiveté...
Travel and landscape photography obviously do not require model releases.

I am not intending to stay on indefinitely in India, merely asking for future reference should I come back.

The only reason for asking is because I was told I could be deported from the UK as a US citizen if I was caught working online (when I traveled there a few yrs back), even though it's income I'd be making no matter where I am sitting when I log in whether in US or traveling abroad.

Rules are different everywhere you go, so I am merely checking to make sure I'm doing the right thing.

Thanks for the tips and advice.
I am going to consider the question answered and unsubscribe.

Sep 13th, 2009, 10:23	#1
CFPhotoGrafie Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: nomadic Posts: 110	question re: working online while in India This subject has always confused me. I have been told that working via the internet while traveling in other countries is perfectly legal as you are not taking work away from locals. I have operated numerous affiliate businesses for about 2 yrs. and theoretically even if I never log into them, they are already making money no matter where I am based geographically. I guess what I'm asking is, can I log in and add new images, info, links etc while in India and live off that income there legally without needing a work visa? thanks Last edited by Aishah : Sep 15th, 2009 at 16:38. Reason: re-formatting font

Sep 15th, 2009, 16:35	#7
fsg Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: U.K Posts: 478	There must be thousands of visitors to India who take photographs/notes and when they go home get the illustrated articles published, and are paid for it. Similarly Indians who visit overseas must do likewise. Your enterprises are not earning you a fortune You are a little naive in posing the question initially. Next you will be wanting to know about model release forms . Also seeking travel companions is not the best way to interact with the locals, that is best done solo. Indians are very curious about a solo female, and will chat, but if there are 2 of you it does not happen. __________________ The British gave India bureaucracy..... India perfected it [Lord Desai]

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Sep 13th, 2009, 15:27	#3
britindel09 britindel09 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: noida Posts: 24	All depends on two factors, where the money goes to that you earn, in India or elsewhere, or where you are normally resident? Legally your tax is paid where you are what is termed "ordinarily resident". If money comes into India than you will have some issues getting it out if large sums are involved.

Sep 13th, 2009, 20:13	#4
Nick-H This is just a cameo appearance Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 36,208	Tax liability is an entirely different issue. And, if you are working in India, just being paid abroad would not be enough to escape Indian tax. Many people would wish that tax avoidance was that simple: it isn't.

Sep 15th, 2009, 11:52	#6
thejag has arrived Join Date: May 2009 Location: Chennai Posts: 842	an appropriate candidate for haylos Experimentation forum id say.... Id say you can get away with as long as you keep getting your tourist visa extended unless the indian foreign service asks to see your financial history to ascertain that you do not intend to illegally stay on in india.... and when they see that you do not currently have funds and they ask where will you get them from??? So i guess you can do this (it will be illegal and as nick said who is going to go around sniffing) as long as you have a tourist visa...

Sep 15th, 2009, 21:49	#8
Nick-H This is just a cameo appearance Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 36,208	I would be more concerned about the visa status than the income.

Sep 17th, 2009, 11:29	#9
CFPhotoGrafie Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: nomadic Posts: 110	I think there is some misunderstanding here as to what I'm asking, otherwise no one would call it naive. Honesty is not naiveté... Travel and landscape photography obviously do not require model releases. I am not intending to stay on indefinitely in India, merely asking for future reference should I come back. The only reason for asking is because I was told I could be deported from the UK as a US citizen if I was caught working online (when I traveled there a few yrs back), even though it's income I'd be making no matter where I am sitting when I log in whether in US or traveling abroad. Rules are different everywhere you go, so I am merely checking to make sure I'm doing the right thing. Thanks for the tips and advice. I am going to consider the question answered and unsubscribe.