Employment Visa ?

vcuvox

Hello Everyone,

I am seeking advice on my present situation. I currently possess a 10 year multi-entry tourist visa (American). However, I applied for an employment visa with the Indian Embassy in Washington DC (through Travisa Outsourcing) a couple of weeks ago. I submitted all the requested documents. I was called by the processing centre on Weds. to submit a letter (per the Embassy's request) explaining where I will be working, whether or not I am currently employed, and to provide explanation of the work I did for an Indian NGO last fall. On the latter point, I had forgotten I had listed my work as a consultant to an Indian NGO for 2 months on my CV. I am aware that this is not allowed under a tourist visa. So I explained it as volunteer consultant in the letter to the embassy. However, I do know that this likely raised suspicion. I also do not think that my job title as Senior Researcher is helping matters. I am highly skilled with multiple degrees in a specialized field.

I will be working for an Indian-owned international consulting firm in the field of international development, so my research is not limited to working only in India. In fact, it is quite possible that my research is elsewhere in the world, but for a base of location I will be simply be working from India. I am not sure if this will be well understood by the "deciding officials" and if it will have any bearing on the decision. I have heard nightmare stories about getting a research visa for India, so I don't want my employment visa application to be co-mingled with that category at all.

I have a non-refundable flight to India on Tuesday and my passport and visa is in limbo. The processing centre cannot say when the visa will be issued or denied. Their website is misleading because they state processing time of 3-5 business days for employment visas (as well as other visas). I have been advised by the manager at the processing centre to write a letter requesting that my passport be released on Monday with or without the visa. She informed me that the visa process could be put on hold while I traveled to India on my scheduled plans and that I could cancel the process at anytime. She also stated this letter would not affect the visa, if it turns out that permission is given over the weekend or on Monday for the issuance of the visa.

I have several questions:

1) Will I receive my passport back in tact with the ten year tourist visa, so that I can proceed to travel on Tuesday to India?

2) The processing centre asked me to state my itinerary in the letter (I guess as proof of the urgency in the need for immediate release of my passport). However, I do not have a return flight (at least as of yet). What information should I provide? How should I explain? I do not want to arouse any further enquiry.

3) If I do proceed without an employment visa and then decide to cancel the Washington DC application, what is the likelihood of encountering difficulties and problems in obtaining an employment visa in Nepal in a month or so? Will there be a record of my Washington DC application? It seems like there are many rejections and problems with applications made in Washington DC and I have seen elsewhere on the IndiaMike forum advise to move and apply through other consulates.

I have not been outright rejected at this point. However, time is of the essence and there is no telling how much longer on the wait time for a decision. The processing centre informed me that some employment visa applications have gone for 6 months without a decision.


Thanx

namaste_cat

But can you even do that - apply from a non-U.S. location? I thought you had to apply from the U.S.
I'd assume so.

Hopefully someone who has experience will come along and give you help esp with 1) and 2) since those are time-sensitive. Good luck!

nycank

OP: What does this mean ? Ph.D in Developmental Economics ? Plant Biology ? Micro Finance ? Physics ?

A senior researcher in Theology, Dogma, Reproductive Health, Farm Economics, Political Science, Community Organizing, Labor Economics, could raise eyebrows in certain quarters of the ministry; or ministries if you had any connection to a faith-based NGO.

What nightmare stories have you been hearing about research visa ? In which fields where these folks who had nightmares.

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bade bhaisaheb is outsourced

Haylo

Travisa says on their home page "Non-refundable tickets or reservations should not be purchased until all visas and passports are secured and in your possession."

Then you're lucky that the Indian Embassy / Consulate there must be far more flexible than in other places - usually they require at least two working days notice to retrieve an application.

Nobody on here will be able to tell you that.

Either she's telling you what you want to hear, or you're lucky that they are FAR more flexible than usual. The usual policy is to tell people that they should not make travel plans until they have received their visa, and to process applications strictly in order of receipt. Indian (and many other) Embassies are generally VERY reluctant to bow to "You have to do this today because I'm flying tomorrow" type pressures.

You are highly likely to encounter difficulty and possibly a refusal if you apply in Nepal. Employment visa applications should be made in your own country.

Yes, sometimes it can be a protracted process. Fortunately, as Employment Visas are only available for posts that cannot be filled in India, an employer would have nothing to gain by withdrawing a job offer and offering it to another foreigner instead - who would then have to start the visa application process from scratch!

Good luck!

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The world is mud-luscious and puddle-wonderful - E.E. Cummings, poet (1894-1962)

laurute

Really, best of luck.. Sounds like a nightmare situation..
Very complicated I guess.. especially also that you 'forgot' to remove your 'volunteering consultant work' from your CV..
I was going throug a similar situation (but thank god, not that complicated!) and had to cancel my ticket as well when waiting for my Employment Visa for good two months. You definitelly cannot rely on the information stated on the website where they claim to issue Employment Visas within 2-3 working days.
Stay strong and I hope all will turn well as soon as possible!
Do keep us posted!