Changing number of entries

dusterio

I did a lot of Googling and have never found any information in regards to change of number of entries on the Indian visa!

So I managed to do it myself, and I would like to share my experience - maybe it will help somebody in the future!

For some weird reason, I got a one year TRIPLE entry business-visa, while my wife (who is a housewife) got a MULTIPLE entry X-visa. Some guys at the Embassy decided that it's more important for housewives to travel rather than for businessmen

Anyway, three entries in one year is definitely not enough nowadays, so I called Mumbai FRRO and told them the story - they just laughed )) Like: - "Hahahahaha, nice". - "But can you do something?". - "No".

Since I knew that Ministry of Home Affairs is responsible for foreigners in India (FRROs have very limited power), I decided to give it a try and go to Delhi.

I got to Delhi, went to the Foreigners Division of MHA which is located near the India Gate (Mon Singh Road). You get an entry pass at the gate of the building, then go to the first floor and ask the guy at the reception for a form. Take the form, and put in "visa conversion" field - "from double entry to multiple entry" or whatever you need. Fill the rest of the form and give it back - they will call you when they are ready to talk to you. In my case, it took only around 10-15 minutes since my nationality is not that common and different nationalities are served by different officers.

During the interview, I had to prove the officer that I need more entries - I showed him my travel history, my old stamps - so that he could see that I leave the country more than thrice per year. Then he told me to come back at 5 PM the same day. In the evening, he gave me a sealed letter that has the very same form inside with his remarks - I had to deliver it to Mumbai FRRO (Indian Government saves money on diplomatic correspondence?

Then, I had to visit Mumbai FRRO several times because they asked for extra papers - even though they had an MHA order in hands. They asked for an undertaking letter - a letter where any Indian slum dweller (I mean - they don't verify person's job/social/financial status, etc) can say that he/she will be responsible for you during your stay, and send you back home in case it's needed. Photocopy of the passport of this person is required as well.

It took one full day at Mumbai FRRO to get the work done - in the morning I got the token from the receptionist, then spend several hours waiting for the officer to call me, then gave him the undertaking letter, proof of my business in India, rental agreement for the flat, passport photocopy. He told me to come back at 4 PM.

I came back at 4 PM and waited until 5:30 PM - then finally I got my passport with a small text "as per MHA order ### allow multiple entry facility", and FRRO stamp - voila, I can travel now!

Some advices for people going to the Ministry/FRRO:
- Never wait for your turn ) It's possible that the officer will never call you. Just ask what is your counter/division, wait until the officer is free and approach him/her! Some people had to go to restricted areas of the building to get some attention! Otherwise you can spend the whole day without any result

Haylo

Dusterio, what a helpful account, I'm sure it contains a lot of details that other people will be searching for.

Rather than it getting lost among the threads where people are asking whether it is possible, I wonder whether you could try adding to the title - something like "Changing number of entries - how we did it"?

If you are still within the time frame, you can click on "edit post" then select "advanced" which will give you the option to change the post title.

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