How can my wife get a work visa?

keeperlit

Hi there

I've read through the past posts on this topic and got some really great info. I'd like to run through my situation to see if anyone can add anything else.

I'm starting a new job in New Delhi/Gurgaon in 3 weeks. I am being sent by a company based in London, they are applying for our Visas, my wife is going too. It seems that they will get an employment visa for me and that my wife will have a "spouse's visa" (x visa?) or possibly just a tourist visa. They are just starting the process and are not very well informed.

As my wife intends to find work also I am wondering is there anything we can do now to facilitate this before applying for the visas? My wife has looked into work and the possibilities are good (she is an architect). Often the companies say they assume she has a work permit, but isn't this a chicken and egg thing? I.e. You need a job before you can get a work permit?

My understanding from other posts is that my wife wouldn't be able to work under a spouses visa (def not under a tourist visa). And that she will have to travel back home to apply to change whatever current visa she has for a work visa once she has found a job (and company are willing to sponser). Do you think companies would be generally sympathetic and willing to assist in a situation such as this?

If anyone has any knowledge re this situation i'd be very grateful. Thanks!

Nick-H

Hi and welcome.

I think your understanding is correct.

X visa because they can issue it same validity (I think co-terminus is the jargon?) as your employment visa. Also you can both be registered.

If she gets a job then she needs an employment visa sponsored by that company, and the normal thing is that should be done back home. Maybe if the company has good contacts, it might be able to get it done in India, I don't know, and people who have succeeded in getting the rules bent often don't rush to publicise it!

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It will be easy to find a job if she arrives in Delhi, she can then get her visa changed, if she wants to get a work visa before she lands in Delhi then I suggest that she should start contacting architectural firms in Ireland that has operations in Delhi.

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Nick-H

If she has a tourist visa, I'd say her chances of getting it changed are very slim.

If she has an X visa, they are better, but it is still 'procedure' that employment visas are issued in the home country.

However, the fact that she is already resident in the country (ie 'x' visa and registration certificate/resident's permit) might make all the difference.

I'm guessing here, of course!

keeperlit

Thanks guys

I've just filled in the Visa application forms this morning. I'll update you on how it pans out. We'll try and change my wife's visa in India if at all possible, if not it will require a trip home. There are still a lot of unknowns, my wife needs to find a job she wants with a Company that is willing to assist. And no doubt we will be pretty busy settling into a new life in India!

Indojingai

She can find a job in the BPO industry very easily IMO. Accent skill trainers were in huge demand at one point in them call centres.

I'll get the fire and brimstone for this ... but have you been to India before? I reckon one small look-see trip will do no harm before going lock stock and barrel.

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keeperlit

In an ideal world we would have gone for a visit first but it wasn't possible. we've been around a lot and while I totally appreciate India is not like other places I think (hope!) we'll be okay. We will be pretty well looked after which is a big help.

vlt

Just wondered how the visa worked out for your wife?

I am in a similar situation having been offered a job in Mumbai and my (potential) employer agreeing to arrange for a work visa for my boyfriend (who is also an architect).

However when I try to find information about work visa's it appears the only way to get one is to be sponsored directly by the company employing you ...

I think it will be difficult for both of us to make such a big move without feeling confident that we can both have fulfilling work.

Our plan was for him to speak with potential employers on our look-see with visa in hand ... but that's not looking too feasible ...

I would be very interested in any advice.

mairangi_vice

vlt, you are correct. work visas must be sponsored by an indian company, you will not be able to get one before you have a job in india.

The only thing to do is to come here, find a job, and then go back home and get the visa.

vlt

Thanks mairangi_vice.

I dropped by the Indian High Commission in Sydney, Australia today and grabbed the checklist.

From what was explained to me it sounds as simple as :
- finding a job;
-having the prospective employer provide you with an employment contract/letter of employment; then
- submitting this together with an application in your home country for processing.

Hopefully its as straightforward as it sounds (certainly much simpler than applying for an Australian visa).

Now to find the right job!

thanks very much for your help.

keeperlit

vlt, sorry haven't had very much time online in past couple of weeks. I can't add anything other than has been said so far - I may be able to soon as soon as I get some concrete info.
My wife has been offered a job just in the last couple of days and now we are trying to see how to convert her current tourist visa to one that allows her to work. The company don't think it will be a big problem they are checking it out from their end and in the meantime I'm asking through my companies agent in London to see what they say. We are working on the assumption that it will take a trip home.
Will post an update when there is something more concrete.