Extending an Entry (X) Visa via Delhi MHA Jan 09

Since I referred to the fascinating posts on this site before making my pilgramidge to Delhi, I decided to post my experience. I'm actually sitting waiting in the 'Visa matters' waiting lounge just now, so the story is not over yet. I'll update this post when the story is complete!

I needed an extension of my Entry (X) visa to continue my voluntary work in Pune. I went to the local FRO who informed me, as anticipated, that if I wanted anything done I'd have to go to Delhi to collect a letter. They did say they could forward a request but that it might take months. I asked how many and he said it depends on Delhi. I said 6? He said maybe more, who knows. Needing my extension within a month, and hearing horror the story of a friend who got stuck for 5 months in India while his application did NOT make it's way to Delhi, I decided to go myself.

If you need a Visa extension for whatever reason, you'll be wondering why Delhi needs to be involved. Apart from the obvious desire for such important decisions such as whether or not a UK national should be allowed to stay and help teach slum kids, to be made at the political heart of the country, I think I've worked out the method behind the madness. Delhi looks at the type of visa, the required extension, and the reason, and either makes a decision on the spot, or, and this is the important part, instructs the local authority to which the foreigner belongs as to the required action they must take before granting an extension. Reading these forums and hearing from experience, it seems tourist Visas are rarely even looked at for extension, unless the person is close to death or something equally as important. I had an X visa (XV), which I guess stands for Entry/Volunteer.

The Ministry of Home Affairs in Delhi is at 26 Man Singh road, in the middle of the political area. I'd heard you need to be there early to reserve a spot. In the end it turned out to be a lot less painful than the outside wait of 2 hours I had in Aldych in London a year ago to get my first Indian Visa. I think that process changed with the introduction of our wonderful friends the VCS in the UK.

Anyway, here's the process of Visa change / extension / exception etc in Delhi.

* Arrived 8 am. There was barely anyone in the 'reception' office. Wouldn't bother coming earlier than 9 really, which is when the action begins. Although less painful than London was for me, because I long wait outside in the rain for that, the Delhi process was more confusing and complicated.

* 9am, someone turns up in reception and bizarrely, by some event I didn't witness, this causes everyone to hastily vacate the reception area! I am last because I was packing up my laptop. Take a good book or some work, and water if it's summer. Delhi is intolerably hot in summer.

* People, about 30 of them, que outside the door. If you want to be at the front of that q, just wait near the door! An Indian q (semi circle) forms.

* Receptionist guy hands out numbered tokens.

* 9:15 and everyone qs again, when their number is called, this time back inside the reception area. It was quite funny.

* This numbered q is for... Another token! That's right, this time they collect your passport, take your Indian address, and print you a more official looking piece of green paper which they draw a number on with pen. This is your ticket for the proceedings of the day, and that is your real number: don't loose it.

* 9:30 and I use my ticket to get through the gate. Make way up stairs in the very middle of the big building which I'd been pointed towards. Still no sign of an application form at this point.

* Wait for 30 minutes then numbers are called by a woman behind a small desk. Its all a bit messy, individual number calling turns to number ranges then to anarchistic shoving of tickets in her face. This would be the pattern of the day. Two short, identical forms are handed out for you to fill in. Your number is written on them.

* Bring photocopies of your supporting documents, whatever they are. Alternatively use the handy photocopier for Rs 2 per sheet in the foyer of the building. I made two copies of each, because I have a feeling I'll be asked for them again in Pune.

* Hand in form. No numbers this time, just hand it in when your done.

* 10:30 I ask the woman how long until my interview and she says 30 minutes. For those new to India, try my double-plus-twenty rule. Take the time, double it, and add 20 minutes. 30 means 1 hour 20, 5 minutes means 30, etc. It's worked with me for everything from meetings to when the broadband guy eventually comes. Tomorrow? Means the day after plus a bit.

* 11:50 (almost exactly 1 hour 20 minutes later), I walk into the waiting area to find out what's going on. There are a lot of people crowded around the desks at the side of the area that had been vacant before. It looks like a train station. I had asked the woman at the desk if my number would appear on the number screens and I don't know if she understood me so she said yes. People always say yes to everything if don't understand here.

* Hear a vague 'Nicholas, International' being called from within the scrum of people surrounding the desks. Unsure if that meant me, but decide to go and investigate anyway.

* The guy in front was japanese and wanted an extension for medical reasons I think. I believe he got 15 days: there were a load of us crowded round the open desk so we could all see what was written and hear the 'interview'. I sat down after him because I could see my paper there. Unfortunately you need to push a bit in free-for-all situations like this, trying to be polite only means you'll wait a very long time or never get what you want.

* 12:00 The interview was more like a time for the officer to read your case for the first time, check your reason and presence in person, and write a note on your application form. That note will go to your local FRO office. Mine was long, and I could see included a request to cross check my NGO and probably ask probing questions like how often and how many hours I work there. I'm a bit worried about that to be honest, and have a feeling I may be rejected after cross checking, but that's going into the specifics of my case which is a whole other story.

* After the interview I went to a friends office and waited to head back at 4:30.

* 4:50: I arrive hurridly. Again, as suspected, there was no need to rush.

* 5:45 After a long wait and a confusing process of calling out countries and names for batches of applications that came and went, I collected my letter. Make sure you remain in the waiting area so you can hear your name.

Now we'll wait and see what Pune do/say. I have 3 weeks to get my application processed. Backup plan is either to return to London or go to Nepal for a tourist Visa, though I hear that's getting harder. I'll keep you updated.

Interesting stuff

Looking forward to the next instalment.

Or did you start a new thread for this?

He didnt, his post count remains at 1!

Sorry for the delay, I got busy with other things.

I got the Visa extension after taking the sealed envelope to Pune police station. It was only for 3 months though, so I had to return to the UK soon afterwards and ask for another.

This information may be out of date now..