India Visa Expiration Question

wonderwomanusa

Since there's a big price difference between 6-month and the longer visas for US citizens, I suspect your friends who got the longer visas also asked specifically for them. Those 10-year visas are not given automatically to all comers.

machadinha

Just out of interest: What purpose do these 10-year visas for US citizens serve then, when in fact they don't allow you to stay for longer than 180 days? Just to ease up on the intermediate process of re-applying?

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dzibead

Yep. And also, if you go to India often enough, even though the fee for a 10-year visa is higher, it ends up being cheaper in the long run than paying for several shorter tourist visas.

edwardseco

Precisely, and since they start on arrival in effect they are very convenient if you want to stay long term. In my case the whole family put out the extra money for a 10 year vala so we could rush at any time should my mother in law's health deteriorate. She was quite elderly and had suffered a fall. The 10 year visa was an obvious necessity. God rest her soul. She was my good friend in the family.

I think there is a confusion that it is automatically given. It costs more and I doubt they would just give it away as thanks for visiting India.

For one time visitors its a waste. Alas, mine is sitting idle unless I can convince my better half we will travel way above backpacker style next trip. I will not be cheap, I will not be cheap..