1 Year Multi Entry Visa - UK

Hey everyone,

Just a quick one - have any of my fellow Brits applied for a 1 year multi entry visa from the UK and been successful?

If so, was there any difference in process? Did you have to provide an itinerary etc?

The reason I ask is that my wife and I are about to embark on our 'round the world trip - we're starting in India in early March and intend to stay a few months before leaving and coming back in October/November until February.

Bearing in mind we wouldn't be applying/granted a Visa until February, a 1 year multi entry makes perfect sense considering the cost implications and difficulty applying for a visa on the road.

Any thoughts? What are the chances of such a visa being succesful?

Thanks,

NB

There are plenty of reports of people getting 1-year T visas, but there is absolutely no guarantee. Submit an itinerary and a covering letter.

AndyD 8-)₹

P.S. don't apply too soon, remember the visa runs from date of issue!

I applied for a 1 year multi- entry visa last August (2012) and just handed in a letter with my application form stating that I planned 3 visits to India, in late August to Kashmir, in December to Goa and in April 2013 to Dharamsala. I didn't give any further details or an itinerary.
The counter staff at VSF told me that a 1 year visa wouldn't be issued and that I should just apply for 6 months but I insisted on trying for 1 year and was granted it without any problem. Processing time was 3 days.

Helpful thread. I am planning on applying for a 1 year tourist Visa on the basis that I will be cycling (for charity) for many months across India. This would be after a visit to Sri Lanka and also involve travelling through Nepal. My itinerary would make me outside of a 6 months tourist visa. It would be less of a problem if the visa commenced from the date of entry but I read, unless I am mistaken, that the 6 months begins from the date of issue and not from the day of entry or travel. It looks like I need to submit a letter along with my itinerary otherwise I will need to cut short my trip.

I had a 1 year multiple entry 15 months ago. They asked for a covering letter as to why I required 1 year. I'll be applying again in April for another one. Trying to think up some good reasons for the letter.

My itinerary would make me outside of a 6 months tourist visa.

Although my visa is valid for 1 year the maximum stay on any one visit is still 180 days (6 months) I'm pretty sure this is the maximum length of stay on a Tourist visa. I think your best bet would be to plan your trip so that you leave India towards the end of the 180 day period and then re-enter. This is now much easier to do as the requirement to have a 2 month gap between visits has been dropped.

My trip will be within the 180 days but the stay in India will extend beyond the period or rather the expiry date provided by a 6 month visa issue date.

Today I submitted an cover letter and itinerary together with an application for a years visa. The chap dealing with the application said that it was unusual to receive a tourist visa beyond the 6 months but given my circumstances it was likely that I would be granted the year I requested.
I also signed a multi entry form to cover any situation with regards crossing and recrossing India's borders from Nepal. Since I am cycling I wanted to cover all the bases including potential equipment issues.

Fingers crossed I will get the time I need to complete my journey in the time period I planned. It will be brilliant to get all this red tape sorted out before I go.

The guy at VFS was talking out of his bottom................. but not unusual.

No problems getting 12 month multiple entry visa.

I have had 3 back to back, just send a covering letter with a general itinerary.

No problem getting mine either. Applied Monday pm. Available for collection on Wednesday.

VFS were excellent and the guy that dealt with me was really very efficient and his opinion regarding the likelihood of getting the 1 year, multi entry visa based on my requirements was spot on.

Thanks to AndyD above for suggesting the cover letter and itinerary submission. It also helped me organise my plans a little better.

Good news. Was that London?

This is all great news everyone!

I'm not flying out until the 6th March - how late would you say it is safe to apply? I want to get the most out of the visa so if I could get it issued late Feb early March that would be ideal.

I think I'll drop my application in at Hayes/Southall on or around the 23rd - that should be enough time right?

NB

Yes. Victoria.

Apparently I will need to register my arrival within 14 days. Each stay in India cannot be beyond 180 days.

If you're not staying longer than 180 days, you don't need to register. Registration with FRO/FRRO is for people staying longer.

Unless what's printed on your visa suggests otherwise.

Thats what I find a little confusing as the visa certificate says 'STAY DURING EACH VISIT NOT TO EXCEED 180 DAYS'...
and yet my Visa period is for a year and below the above is printed; 'Registration Required within 14 days of Arrival in India for Visas valid longer than 180 days'.