Film cameraman media visa what type do i need? been offered 2 movies on T Visa

jamiez · Jul 23rd, 2008, 15:27

Need some help .. Hi I am a cinematographer (cameraman) I have been coming to India since 2005, looking into becoming a resident cameraman.

I have had 3 BV visa and 2 TV's the last one, a TV and expires on 6/8 next week?? in the last few weeks whilst travelling around I met a producer, he has signed me up to shoot a movie in September-March in India... whilst I was here on my last BV i was introduced to a guy who set me up with a Pan card and a basic savings account. so now what sort of Visa and were and how do i get it? the Bv isnt enough for this contract?? any suggestions i would very much like to avoid the uk if poss?? any help would be priceless thx.

A pal had a tourist Visa and the week before it expired he picked up a Huge movie contract, Some contact in Delhi sorted him with an Employment Visa 1 year multi??

P.S I dont go job hunting on my t-visa trips but strangely am approached by colleages when am on such visa,s?? Have a lot of Indian friends in the industry working here. what to do.

Nick-H · Jul 23rd, 2008, 18:56

Otherwise, I wish I could help --- but all I can say is it sounds like an Employment Visa is necessary. In which case, you are going to need letter of invitation, copy of contract, statement of why a local person can't be employed... Please don't take this as gospel, do check the High Commission site etc, there may be more.

Watch out they don't go off at a tangent at the word 'film' --- all sorts of hoops are there for any foreign organisation or journalist filming in India. You'll be working for an Indian organisation, this should not be relevant to you.

jamiez · Jul 23rd, 2008, 19:55

Hi thanks as I thought my worry is I have signed the agreement and on the contract it states that the work starts from the date of signing although we wont be commencing filminbg untill sept or October...?? also Do I need to go back to the UK to get the employment Visa..?? any thoughts am on TV expires on 6/8 2 weeks today also the contract has my pancard number on it which i was given on my last business visa last year??

Nick-H · Jul 23rd, 2008, 21:19

Caveat: I have never worked in India (and I hope not to

) so my experience is limited.

I'd say that the collective experience here is that you are not going to get an employment visa while you are in India on a tourist visa; that tourist visas are strictly not extendible; and that if you overstay your tourist visa you are inviting big trouble not only leaving the country but with any future application you make.

If your employers are very well connected you might manage that employment visa without going back to UK. It is probably wise to plan the return trip.

I guess this is something you should discuss with your employers. They ought to be aware that they can't employ a foreigner unless he gets an employment visa.

federica · Jul 24th, 2008, 01:45

What about a new business visa and doing the job self-employed, on a contract base? Should be easier.

jamiez · Jul 24th, 2008, 01:57

Hi thanks how does that work in india?? am a uk citizen earning india rupees from an india film company?? please tell me more thanks so much

Nick-H · Jul 24th, 2008, 02:11

I think you should be abandoning the internet and booking your flight home.

With a visa that expires in two weeks, this is not time to start Indian Visa ABC.

I don't think you're likely to get a business visa in India either. Tourist visas are non-extendible and non-convertible. I think it says as much on the visa.

federica · Jul 24th, 2008, 02:16

I am not an expert, but if you are normally self employed and do just one project for an Indian company, as a kind of subcontractor, not as an employee, I am not sure whether you still need an employment visa. I thought in this case a business visa would be the right one. Again, I am no expert!

federica · Jul 24th, 2008, 02:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick-H

I don't think you're likely to get a business visa in India either.

True, most probably (almost 100%) you will get it only in your home country.

jamiez · Aug 2nd, 2008, 01:32

Thanks federica, am off to london on monday 5 am via dohah muscat to london into the B/S I am reading about with the new VFS?? system nobody enjoying that process...... and all the bolt ons with employment visa apps.!! fingers crossed thx

Nick-H · Aug 2nd, 2008, 01:34

Good Luck with the trip, the visa and all!

jamiez · Aug 2nd, 2008, 01:57

Thanks and thanks

Jul 23rd, 2008, 15:27	#1
jamiez Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: staying in India familly in UK Posts: 11	Film cameraman media visa what type do i need? been offered 2 movies on T Visa Need some help .. Hi I am a cinematographer (cameraman) I have been coming to India since 2005, looking into becoming a resident cameraman. I have had 3 BV visa and 2 TV's the last one, a TV and expires on 6/8 next week?? in the last few weeks whilst travelling around I met a producer, he has signed me up to shoot a movie in September-March in India... whilst I was here on my last BV i was introduced to a guy who set me up with a Pan card and a basic savings account. so now what sort of Visa and were and how do i get it? the Bv isnt enough for this contract?? any suggestions i would very much like to avoid the uk if poss?? any help would be priceless thx. A pal had a tourist Visa and the week before it expired he picked up a Huge movie contract, Some contact in Delhi sorted him with an Employment Visa 1 year multi?? P.S I dont go job hunting on my t-visa trips but strangely am approached by colleages when am on such visa,s?? Have a lot of Indian friends in the industry working here. what to do. Last edited by jamiez : Jul 23rd, 2008 at 15:32. Reason: additl info

Jul 23rd, 2008, 18:56	#2
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 25,811	Otherwise, I wish I could help --- but all I can say is it sounds like an Employment Visa is necessary. In which case, you are going to need letter of invitation, copy of contract, statement of why a local person can't be employed... Please don't take this as gospel, do check the High Commission site etc, there may be more. Watch out they don't go off at a tangent at the word 'film' --- all sorts of hoops are there for any foreign organisation or journalist filming in India. You'll be working for an Indian organisation, this should not be relevant to you. __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

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Jul 23rd, 2008, 19:55	#3
jamiez Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: staying in India familly in UK Posts: 11	Hi thanks as I thought my worry is I have signed the agreement and on the contract it states that the work starts from the date of signing although we wont be commencing filminbg untill sept or October...?? also Do I need to go back to the UK to get the employment Visa..?? any thoughts am on TV expires on 6/8 2 weeks today also the contract has my pancard number on it which i was given on my last business visa last year??

Jul 23rd, 2008, 21:19	#4
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 25,811	Caveat: I have never worked in India (and I hope not to ) so my experience is limited. I'd say that the collective experience here is that you are not going to get an employment visa while you are in India on a tourist visa; that tourist visas are strictly not extendible; and that if you overstay your tourist visa you are inviting big trouble not only leaving the country but with any future application you make. If your employers are very well connected you might manage that employment visa without going back to UK. It is probably wise to plan the return trip. I guess this is something you should discuss with your employers. They ought to be aware that they can't employ a foreigner unless he gets an employment visa.

Jul 24th, 2008, 01:45	#5
federica Maha Guru Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Bavaria Posts: 893	What about a new business visa and doing the job self-employed, on a contract base? Should be easier.

Jul 24th, 2008, 01:57	#6
jamiez Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: staying in India familly in UK Posts: 11	Hi thanks how does that work in india?? am a uk citizen earning india rupees from an india film company?? please tell me more thanks so much

Jul 24th, 2008, 02:11	#7
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 25,811	I think you should be abandoning the internet and booking your flight home. With a visa that expires in two weeks, this is not time to start Indian Visa ABC. I don't think you're likely to get a business visa in India either. Tourist visas are non-extendible and non-convertible. I think it says as much on the visa.

Jul 24th, 2008, 02:16	#8
federica Maha Guru Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Bavaria Posts: 893	I am not an expert, but if you are normally self employed and do just one project for an Indian company, as a kind of subcontractor, not as an employee, I am not sure whether you still need an employment visa. I thought in this case a business visa would be the right one. Again, I am no expert!

Aug 2nd, 2008, 01:32	#10
jamiez Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: staying in India familly in UK Posts: 11	Thanks federica, am off to london on monday 5 am via dohah muscat to london into the B/S I am reading about with the new VFS?? system nobody enjoying that process...... and all the bolt ons with employment visa apps.!! fingers crossed thx

Aug 2nd, 2008, 01:34	#11
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 25,811	Good Luck with the trip, the visa and all!

Aug 2nd, 2008, 01:57	#12
jamiez Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: staying in India familly in UK Posts: 11	Thanks and thanks

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