Applying for an Indian tourist visa in Bangkok

mushika · Mar 20th, 2008, 12:04

I'm a US citizen, currently on a six months India tourist visa and am planning to soon fly from India to Bangkok to get another 6 months India tourist visa. I'd like to return to India within two weeks.

Can anyone confirm, from their experience, that the outsourcing visa office in Bangkok is not objecting to issuing back-to-back six month India tourist visas?

sebos · Mar 29th, 2008, 16:17

do they still give 6 months easily or do they give 3?

Scandojazzbuff · Mar 30th, 2008, 01:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by mushika

I'm a US citizen, currently on a six months India tourist visa and am planning to soon fly from India to Bangkok to get another 6 months India tourist visa. I'd like to return to India within two weeks.

Can anyone confirm, from their experience, that the outsourcing visa office in Bangkok is not objecting to issuing back-to-back six month India tourist visas?

I doubt they care, but, you should check the website for Indian visas and make sure there is not a maximum amount of time limitation in a year that the Indian gov't. allows one to spend in India on tourist visa.

sebos · Mar 30th, 2008, 12:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scandojazzbuff

you should check the website for Indian visas and make sure there is not a maximum amount of time limitation in a year that the Indian gov't. allows one to spend in India on tourist visa.

which website would that be?

mushika · Mar 31st, 2008, 02:30

http://www.indianembassy.gov.in/bangkok/visa.htm is the Embassy of India in Bangkok page detailing visa procedures.

There's no info there about limitations that's why I asked for someone who has been through it to relate their experience regarding back-to-back visas.

gobi · Apr 16th, 2008, 16:56

Anyone know of any service agents that can expedite the process in less than five days?

....have some family thinking of coming on the spur-of-the-moment now in thailand?

daindm · Apr 21st, 2008, 02:52

Hi,
Myself and 2 others all with Oz passports, have been doing the tourist visa every 6mth routine, for a while now (since 2000). No problems except for the last year or two. Just last month we did our usual Sri Lanka (Colombo) trip to get another 6mth TV.
The one which was just expiring, we got from our home country Australia.
Like Thailand and now also GB, Oz and lots of other places the same private company is doing the initial processing, in Colombo you go to 433 Galle Rd - VFS Global (website= http://www.vfs-in-lk.com/) which is much calmer, quicker and smoother than it used to be. Then 5 working days later they tell you to go to High Commission for handing in of your passport and getting the visa.
We were told very clearly that from now on if you have just had a 6mth TV from your home country, then ANY commission (other than your own country) can only give you 3mth TV maximum.
From experience I've learnt not to take anything told by these employees at face value or as %100 true, but he did sound very sure. so bottom line you won't rreally know until you do it. But you should be able to get 3mth for sure, and maybe 6mth you never know.
One thing to note - we were told the commission would phone the number we gave VFS on our apps but we didn't want to risk them not calling so just appeared at the commission the morning of the due day and - no worries but we never got the call, even though we had our mobile with us all morning. Maybe the system sussed we were already started being processed that morning, so don't freakout if you don't get call after they tell you, just go wnyway.
Good luck - keep us updated.
Yours sincerely, Dain

mushika · Apr 21st, 2008, 08:54

Thanks, daindm, for your helpful information. I, too, have been hearing that 3 months is becoming more common for repetitive Indian tourist visas.

I will update regarding my experience.

zerosumgame · May 17th, 2008, 20:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by mushika

Thanks, daindm, for your helpful information. I, too, have been hearing that 3 months is becoming more common for repetitive Indian tourist visas.

I will update regarding my experience.

Hey Mushika - how did you get on?

I'm planning on going for my second from BKK soon - I emailed the embassy (prompt, helpful response) and they said it's possible, but because it's a 2nd from them, they'll need to interview me to explain my frequent visits.

I had also been told BKK was giving several back to backs no questions asked. Does someone have recent experience of this, or any tips on interview do's and don'ts?

Any other updates on the unwritten rule of back-to-back limitations without returning to home country?

Has anyone tried KL as an alternative 'fresh' consulate if you wear out your welcome at the other favourites? ;-)

mushika · May 19th, 2008, 02:02

Sorry I forgot to get back to the forum. Yes, I did get another six months tourist visa for India but, like zerosumgame says, an interview at the consulate was required. My reason for frequent trips to India is that I am retired and want now to thoroughly enjoy what's left for me to experience. (Guess that won't work for young folks.)

goangoangone · May 30th, 2008, 07:52

A friend went to Bangkok and applied yesterday for a 6 month Tourist visa. He was told that they will only issue a visa to people who have stayed in Thailand a minimum of 2 months. He was told to apply in his own country (UK). He has appealed against the decision and we are awaiting the outcome.

Andrew Promchan · May 30th, 2008, 08:36

Hi there
I have lived here in Thailand for six years,so when my partner and i applyed for Indian visas this March i got my visa the next day.I did not even go to the visa office,i just signed some documents and my partner applyed for me.

But i have also heard that some non residents are only given a 3 month visa or told to apply in their home country.
Saying that i think it all depends on the mood of the person behind the desk,so if it's a bad day for them you've had it

Goangoangone i hope your friend has a good outcome.

Scandojazzbuff · May 30th, 2008, 09:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew Promchan

Hi there
I have lived here in Thailand for six years,so when my partner and i applyed for Indian visas this March i got my visa the next day.I did not even go to the visa office,i just signed some documents and my partner applyed for me.

But i have also heard that some non residents are only given a 3 month visa or told to apply in their home country.
Saying that i think it all depends on the mood of the person behind the desk,so if it's a bad day for them you've had it

Goangoangone i hope your friend has a good outcome.

I am a resident in Thailand and like everyone else I know had to wait 5 days to get my 6 month mulitple entry visa. Are you Thai? Perhaps there are some exceptions toward certain Nationals.

2 days ago, an American friend applied in BKK and has to wait 5 days to get his.

Unfortunately, I have no experience with back to back visas.

goangoangone · May 30th, 2008, 09:51

Up until now, the norm has been for residents to get theirs same day and outsiders in 5 working days. I will post on the outcome...................

Andrew Promchan · May 30th, 2008, 13:47

Hi Scandojazzbuff
No i'm not Thai,i'm English.
What i'm been told and also read on the Indian visa website for Thailand is that you have to be a resident in Thailand for over three years(have to produce photocopies of all your yearly Thai visas also copies of your Thai work permit),to get your Indian tourist visa the same or next day.
So nonresidents and residents under 3 years have to wait 5 working days to my knowledge.
Hope this helps.

Mar 20th, 2008, 12:04	#16
mushika Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Pondicherry Posts: 12	I'm a US citizen, currently on a six months India tourist visa and am planning to soon fly from India to Bangkok to get another 6 months India tourist visa. I'd like to return to India within two weeks. Can anyone confirm, from their experience, that the outsourcing visa office in Bangkok is not objecting to issuing back-to-back six month India tourist visas? Last edited by mushika : Mar 20th, 2008 at 13:08. Reason: repeated word

Apr 21st, 2008, 02:52	#22
daindm Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Jammu India Posts: 8	Probably 3mths!? Hi, Myself and 2 others all with Oz passports, have been doing the tourist visa every 6mth routine, for a while now (since 2000). No problems except for the last year or two. Just last month we did our usual Sri Lanka (Colombo) trip to get another 6mth TV. The one which was just expiring, we got from our home country Australia. Like Thailand and now also GB, Oz and lots of other places the same private company is doing the initial processing, in Colombo you go to 433 Galle Rd - VFS Global (website= http://www.vfs-in-lk.com/) which is much calmer, quicker and smoother than it used to be. Then 5 working days later they tell you to go to High Commission for handing in of your passport and getting the visa. We were told very clearly that from now on if you have just had a 6mth TV from your home country, then ANY commission (other than your own country) can only give you 3mth TV maximum. From experience I've learnt not to take anything told by these employees at face value or as %100 true, but he did sound very sure. so bottom line you won't rreally know until you do it. But you should be able to get 3mth for sure, and maybe 6mth you never know. One thing to note - we were told the commission would phone the number we gave VFS on our apps but we didn't want to risk them not calling so just appeared at the commission the morning of the due day and - no worries but we never got the call, even though we had our mobile with us all morning. Maybe the system sussed we were already started being processed that morning, so don't freakout if you don't get call after they tell you, just go wnyway. Good luck - keep us updated. Yours sincerely, Dain

May 30th, 2008, 07:52	#26
goangoangone What happened? Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Goa Posts: 1,929	Latest story from Bangkok A friend went to Bangkok and applied yesterday for a 6 month Tourist visa. He was told that they will only issue a visa to people who have stayed in Thailand a minimum of 2 months. He was told to apply in his own country (UK). He has appealed against the decision and we are awaiting the outcome. __________________ GoanGoan......here

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Mar 29th, 2008, 16:17	#17
sebos Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: goa Posts: 9	do they still give 6 months easily or do they give 3?

Mar 31st, 2008, 02:30	#20
mushika Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Pondicherry Posts: 12	http://www.indianembassy.gov.in/bangkok/visa.htm is the Embassy of India in Bangkok page detailing visa procedures. There's no info there about limitations that's why I asked for someone who has been through it to relate their experience regarding back-to-back visas.

Apr 16th, 2008, 16:56	#21
gobi Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: India Posts: 35	Anyone know of any service agents that can expedite the process in less than five days? ....have some family thinking of coming on the spur-of-the-moment now in thailand?

Apr 21st, 2008, 08:54	#23
mushika Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Pondicherry Posts: 12	Thanks, daindm, for your helpful information. I, too, have been hearing that 3 months is becoming more common for repetitive Indian tourist visas. I will update regarding my experience.

May 19th, 2008, 02:02	#25
mushika Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Pondicherry Posts: 12	Sorry I forgot to get back to the forum. Yes, I did get another six months tourist visa for India but, like zerosumgame says, an interview at the consulate was required. My reason for frequent trips to India is that I am retired and want now to thoroughly enjoy what's left for me to experience. (Guess that won't work for young folks.)

May 30th, 2008, 08:36	#27
Andrew Promchan Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Thailand Posts: 7	Hi there I have lived here in Thailand for six years,so when my partner and i applyed for Indian visas this March i got my visa the next day.I did not even go to the visa office,i just signed some documents and my partner applyed for me. But i have also heard that some non residents are only given a 3 month visa or told to apply in their home country. Saying that i think it all depends on the mood of the person behind the desk,so if it's a bad day for them you've had it Goangoangone i hope your friend has a good outcome.

May 30th, 2008, 09:51	#29
goangoangone What happened? Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Goa Posts: 1,929	Up until now, the norm has been for residents to get theirs same day and outsiders in 5 working days. I will post on the outcome...................

May 30th, 2008, 13:47	#30
Andrew Promchan Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Thailand Posts: 7	Hi Scandojazzbuff No i'm not Thai,i'm English. What i'm been told and also read on the Indian visa website for Thailand is that you have to be a resident in Thailand for over three years(have to produce photocopies of all your yearly Thai visas also copies of your Thai work permit),to get your Indian tourist visa the same or next day. So nonresidents and residents under 3 years have to wait 5 working days to my knowledge. Hope this helps.