Good News: PIO Arrived

PortieOwner · Jul 14th, 2007, 10:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by capt_mahajan

I thought it wasn't too difficult? A few tests (with exemptions for govt recognised licences) and a low morse speed (if required for the category of licence) and that was it?

As far as I know the exams are held every month in larger cities, and every two months in some others.

It looks harder than the exams here. I don't see any evidence of study guides (or better yet practice exams). I don't know code (I was planning to learn it but the US has dropped all code requirements, as have many foreign countries). Yes, I know I should learn it but time is in short supply. Some countries have full reciprocity with the US (Canada and the UK I think)--that would be very convenient.

The biggest problem is that you have to be in India for a year (as a foreigner) to apply. At least the license fee is miniscule.

One of our students is a Ham here and in India and he recommends contacting a club in Delhi and watching their operations. Wish I could take the HT with me, it would be fun.

Portie

cool blue · Jul 14th, 2007, 11:04

Thanks Nick - yes it is my visa here (six months with a three month extentions which is the block). We have been married since 2004 but only got the certificate this year - however, the certificate states that the marriage is recognised as "having effect from December 2004". I just wonder if I can apply in my home country if i go back on a short leave but don't want to get back and find that hubby should have come too! Or that I have left some vital paper in India.........

capt_mahajan · Jul 14th, 2007, 11:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by PortieOwner

One of our students is a Ham here and in India and he recommends contacting a club in Delhi and watching their operations. Wish I could take the HT with me, it would be fun.

Portie

Maybe this site has some info you dont already know

http://www.hamradioindia.org/

Btw, I think the morse code requirements have been dropped for certain categories here too.. in any case the required speed was only 5 words per minute, if I remember right.

Nick-H · Jul 14th, 2007, 12:40

Oh, yes, Cool Blue, I recall an earlier post of yours now.

Why don't you go to the MHA and ask?

It may be that you are more likely to be asked for bribes here, but should still be cheaper than flying home, even if you are.

Barryjames · Jul 14th, 2007, 17:06

Re the PIO.
Google - The High Commision of India, india House Aldwych London. (It will give you all the Indian High Commisions Canada USA etc.)

Look for section Visa/PIO. All the information you could possibly require will be found there. I do not remember anything about being married for one year, or fourth generation.

If your spouse is Of Indian decent i.e. your great grand parents, that is the information given.
They require the original documents, or authenticated copies.
You only need to send off your spouses passport and PIO, your original marriage certificate,
your own Birth Certificate, your two part application form.

The above site enables you do download the application documents and the instructions for its completion. Easy.

Good luck.

~It was a woman who drove me to drink, I never had the chivalry to thank her~

Nick-H · Jul 14th, 2007, 19:18

I think Cool Blue is past that stage, Barry.

You did it in in UK, right? It can be enormously simpler doing stuff there than here. Even though you are dealing with an Indian mission whose staff work for the same government department as the ones here.

Whatever it says on the sites, there will always be some additional document they want you to 'bring tomorrow'...

Then there is the trump card (see their disapointment when you actually come prepared for this

)... You've filled in the forms; you've provided original plus photocopies of every necessary, and a few unnecessary, document; they've laboriously checked and certified same; it is obvious from the form what you want and why you are entitled to it; and they say.....

Now please provide a covering letter telling us what you want and why you are entitled to it.

(I don't think IM has a banging-head-on-brick-wall smiley)

I did get my PIO here, with relatively little hassle --- but only because all the previous hassle with X-visas and residents permits had enabled us to make a contact.

But I'm sure you have your own stories of Indian bereuocrasy...

cool blue · Jul 14th, 2007, 23:02

Thanks for this Nick and Barry - yes i think the MHA would be a good start, and definitely agree that all processes seem much simpler and involve far fewer trees worth of paper.

I have just gone through a painful process and unbelievable amount of paper just for a three month extension (and then been told at immigration on the way to Bangladesh that my visa was not valid for re-entry - then they changed their mind!!) Now I am awaiting outcome of longer employment visa extension, so I am a little hesitant to rock the boat, or even confuse the boat by asking about PIO right now. But it sounds better than a pricey trip to the UK with hubby's passport in my hand and find out they need that elusive other paper - or to see hubby in real life! Watch this space - I hope that we too can post a celebrating PIO post in the not too dim and distant future.

Thanks for taking the time and trouble - and IM please do install that banging-head-on-brick-wall-with-a-fist-full-of-the-wrong-papers smiley!!

PortieOwner · Jul 16th, 2007, 08:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by capt_mahajan

Maybe this site has some info you dont already know

http://www.hamradioindia.org/

Btw, I think the morse code requirements have been dropped for certain categories here too.. in any case the required speed was only 5 words per minute, if I remember right.

Thanks, I had not seen that web site and it is very helpful.

capt_mahajan · Jul 18th, 2007, 10:07

A govt. of India site which is more useful, and whom you will have to contact in Delhi for the licence part of it. Note that online applications are not only possible, but mandatory.

http://www.wpc.dot.gov.in/profile.asp

Btw, I am trying to find out for myself whether foreign licences are acceptable, and how.. so I had gone to the NIAR (National Institute of Amateur Radio) here in Hyderabad, who gave me this site.

Jul 14th, 2007, 12:40	#19
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 26,960	Oh, yes, Cool Blue, I recall an earlier post of yours now. Why don't you go to the MHA and ask? It may be that you are more likely to be asked for bribes here, but should still be cheaper than flying home, even if you are. __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

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Jul 14th, 2007, 11:04	#17
cool blue Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: India Posts: 133	Thanks Nick - yes it is my visa here (six months with a three month extentions which is the block). We have been married since 2004 but only got the certificate this year - however, the certificate states that the marriage is recognised as "having effect from December 2004". I just wonder if I can apply in my home country if i go back on a short leave but don't want to get back and find that hubby should have come too! Or that I have left some vital paper in India.........

Jul 14th, 2007, 17:06	#20
Barryjames Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Goa Posts: 93	Re the PIO. Google - The High Commision of India, india House Aldwych London. (It will give you all the Indian High Commisions Canada USA etc.) Look for section Visa/PIO. All the information you could possibly require will be found there. I do not remember anything about being married for one year, or fourth generation. If your spouse is Of Indian decent i.e. your great grand parents, that is the information given. They require the original documents, or authenticated copies. You only need to send off your spouses passport and PIO, your original marriage certificate, your own Birth Certificate, your two part application form. The above site enables you do download the application documents and the instructions for its completion. Easy. Good luck. ~It was a woman who drove me to drink, I never had the chivalry to thank her~

Jul 14th, 2007, 19:18	#21
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 26,960	I think Cool Blue is past that stage, Barry. You did it in in UK, right? It can be enormously simpler doing stuff there than here. Even though you are dealing with an Indian mission whose staff work for the same government department as the ones here. Whatever it says on the sites, there will always be some additional document they want you to 'bring tomorrow'... Then there is the trump card (see their disapointment when you actually come prepared for this )... You've filled in the forms; you've provided original plus photocopies of every necessary, and a few unnecessary, document; they've laboriously checked and certified same; it is obvious from the form what you want and why you are entitled to it; and they say..... Now please provide a covering letter telling us what you want and why you are entitled to it. (I don't think IM has a banging-head-on-brick-wall smiley) I did get my PIO here, with relatively little hassle --- but only because all the previous hassle with X-visas and residents permits had enabled us to make a contact. But I'm sure you have your own stories of Indian bereuocrasy...

Jul 14th, 2007, 23:02	#22
cool blue Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: India Posts: 133	Thanks for this Nick and Barry - yes i think the MHA would be a good start, and definitely agree that all processes seem much simpler and involve far fewer trees worth of paper. I have just gone through a painful process and unbelievable amount of paper just for a three month extension (and then been told at immigration on the way to Bangladesh that my visa was not valid for re-entry - then they changed their mind!!) Now I am awaiting outcome of longer employment visa extension, so I am a little hesitant to rock the boat, or even confuse the boat by asking about PIO right now. But it sounds better than a pricey trip to the UK with hubby's passport in my hand and find out they need that elusive other paper - or to see hubby in real life! Watch this space - I hope that we too can post a celebrating PIO post in the not too dim and distant future. Thanks for taking the time and trouble - and IM please do install that banging-head-on-brick-wall-with-a-fist-full-of-the-wrong-papers smiley!!

Jul 18th, 2007, 10:07	#24
capt_mahajan (in charge of navel affairs) Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: India Posts: 10,139	A govt. of India site which is more useful, and whom you will have to contact in Delhi for the licence part of it. Note that online applications are not only possible, but mandatory. http://www.wpc.dot.gov.in/profile.asp Btw, I am trying to find out for myself whether foreign licences are acceptable, and how.. so I had gone to the NIAR (National Institute of Amateur Radio) here in Hyderabad, who gave me this site.

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