In the dark, no idea about visa's!

Sorry to ask this but I really have no idea and scrolling through the other threads is just confusing me.....

As an Australian citizen who is looking to travel and perhaps work in India for at least 3 months, possibly up to 1 year, I need to know...

1) Is this even possible, can you get a visa for 12 months, or MUST you leave every 6 months?

2) Is it possible to obtain a work visa before I leave Australia if I haven't got a job lined up to go to?

3) If I was offered a job when I arrive (and I only have a tourist visa) is it hard to get a work visa when I'm there?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

http://www.indianconsulate.org/visa.html

this should make things clearer

Georgie

Its an interesting question whether you can renew in country now or have to leave to do so. There is a report for that (in country) but no one has first hand info so its still speculation..

It's helpful to ask yourself these questions from the opposite perspective. Does your home country allow foreigners to do what you're asking? India doesn't either.

dude -

youve never been to india, you dont even know if you can cope for a day let alone a year. 10% of tourists turn tail in less than one week. why dont you get a 6 month visa and go have a look, enjoy the place, see if youd like living there, visit where you might like to live, stay there a few months.

get used to eating runny food with your right rand and wiping your ass with the other. become accustomed to the cows, beggars, noise, poverty and general anarchy in the streets - then think it thru.

12 month visas are not issued to tourists which will give you a great oppty to see a neighboring country. hope this isnt too preachy -just go and try it. you gotta travel and see a country before you settle in it. -you gotta earn your stripes.

bunch of nitwits here in thailand -havent been out of the majoy cities, let alone the neighboring countries and travels to far flung places like india, pakistan or indonesia -ACK! thems uncomfortable places with no cable, a/c or dancing girls!

Hey Indiamad ... have you had any luck getting broader info?

from everything I've looked at you are going to have to at least duck into a neighbouring country for a couple of days ...

and even if you can get a renewal in India it is probably best to have a plan B, if you prepare for it and find out its not necesary... its still far better than not taking it into account and finding yourself at the end of your visa with no convenient borders

But if you find out otherwise, let us all know!

Oh and Monkgonemad had a good point when he said "... will give you a great oppty to see a neighboring country" so don't be too dissapointed

Where are you thinking of moving to? ... I'm after reccomendations for my trip Cheers!

.Monkgonemad, I've already spent 3 months there and fell in love with the place after 24 hours, so that's why I want to go back!!! I was only supposed to be there for a month long tour but just didn't want to come home so spent the next 2 months on my own travelling. It really beats me how anyone can want to go to India without having a fair idea as to what to expect, that 10% of tourists must be pretty niaive. I appreciate your comments though

Xealot, I'm looking to spend some time in Bangalore where I've heard that there are lots of Australian, UK, Irish, American BPO's/call centres etc, have been told the skies the limit when it comes to teaching english language which is what I want to do. Haven't been there yet but supposed to be very modern.

I'm still confused about my questions 2 and 3 though, so if anyone can shed any further light......

I work in IT and our Asset Managers have made me promise to visit Bangalore because we are always calling our Dell technicians there


I've never been to India so my advice may seem a little shallow ... but google can do wonders and over and over again it leads me to this sentence :

"Employment Visa: Applicants must provide certified copies of the appointment letter and contract/employment agreement from the employer including copies of documents relating to the company's incorporation in India."

So it sounds like the answer to 2 is no

But I can't see why you wouldn't be able to change your visa type once you have evidence of potential employment (Does anyone have actual firsthand information? I'm specualting here which isn't a good idea when it comes to visas ). Although of course all of this would be far less of an issue if you can score a job before you leave ... have you tried online employment sites for India?

cheers dude - enjoy.

from my experience in asia - nothing beats being on the ground. you make contacts, see what jobs you want ...and DONT want, see what bogus promises that were made overseas are nothing but outlandish lies.

if you must look for work from overseas - my hunch is best place to look for work is on work message boards (hotjobs/monster) or maybe your govt has something. i think you posting asking about how/where answers your own question.

working on a toursit visa is illegal. th erisk is up to you. sometimes it doesnt mean anything, other times its a fine/jail or both. no one can answer this - not even the copper as he hauls you into jail what lies ahead. what you should do is leave the country, go to bkk and get a work visa.

incidently, beware of those businesses not willing to sponsor your work visa.


peace

Can anyone clarify this?

Thanks everyone for your helpful and much needed advice, I'm seeing the light

Hey guys in the world of speculation!

I heard that ladyrunner here on IM just landed an IT job in Bangalore and is in the process of figuring her long term stay there. Maybe she will see this thread and respond with some enlightment of her own experiences and knowledge.

The best advice I can give about visa's and all is to call or visit the closest Indian embassy and explain the situation and see what they recommend. I wouldn't risk taking advice from any others.