Obtaining a volunteer visa, traveling from Canada

Paleface

Yeah infinite hopes zero expectations, there's a freedom in that. Whatsoever may happen to an individual in India, it has a tendency to deliver that which you wholeheartedly Will, rather than want. Even if a proportion of what one thinks one wants manifests, it will be life changing if you allow it to be so.

__________________
Only a mediocre person is always at his best. Somerset Maugham.

Glandith

Thank you for those words.

I have written to Pooja and she has agreed to help me. She believes that it would be best if Dr. Dewan wrote the letter himself. In any case, she will give me more news once she has spoken with him and Naniji.

I will write to her what I believe should be included in the letter (from what I gathered from this forum) so that I have the best chance at getting the visa I'm applying for. Here is what I have so far:

- preferably printed on company letterhead, format to be as official as possible
- registration number of the charity
- my full name, date of birth, and passport number
- specific request for a 5-year volunteer visa
- the nature of my work
- emphasis on not being remunerated for my work
- Dr. Dewan's signature

Would it be important to add where I will be staying (the ashram in Uttarkashi, for starters), or would that be useless or even detrimental as some have suggested on the first page of this thread?

If someone believes that something should be added or removed from this list, please let me know.

Glandith

Paleface

Well he will end up signing the letter, mostly written for him - so i would get on and send Pooja yr recommendations and not bother about where you are staying, several options on that one. Can say if anyone is really interested that you intend to rent a three room set in Rishikesh... bas! Anyhow it's coming together now -

Glandith

I have received a draft of the letter of invitation today, and I have a few questions:

1) It is addressed to me, inviting me to work with them. Is this alright or should it be addressed to whoever reviews my application? (Since it is addressed to me, my DOB and passport number are not included as they don't really fit anywhere.)

2) In the letter, they tell me that "it would be preferable if [i] could work on the Ganga Prem Hospice project for a span of more than a year..." Should they specifically request I get 5-year visa, or will this do? (I will be requesting a 5-yr volunteer visa on my application.)

3) Finally, the letter will be printed on company letterhead. Would a scan suffice or would it be preferable to have them send me the original?

Thank you all for your help so far. I am happy to see that things are slowly falling into place.

Glandith

Edit: Ah, if anyone has experience with such letters, and would like to look it over and give me their input, that can be arranged.

Glandith

I phoned the consulate this morning and was told that a letter addressed to me would do. As such, the letter is perfect. I have written another letter from them to the high commission, which I will submit for their approval and signature. In this letter, a 5-year visa is specifically requested. I have decided to include a cover letter as well to explain exactly what I will be doing and what type of visa I would like. From what I was told, the original of all these letters would be preferable. Sorta answered my own questions there.

I do have one final question before I send this off though, if someone could help. I read almost everywhere that it's important to include a date of departure. As I don't know how long I will be working there, what would you suggest I write? Right now, I have written that my work is scheduled to start in Jan 2010 and that I will return to my country of origin prior to the expiration of my stay. Would this be enough?

And this might be of help to others. The gentleman I spoke to over the phone said that a 5-year visa is usually only issued to frequent fliers to India. He said I could always try though, which I will do.

Glandith

Paleface

All sounds good and positive, came together eh! Departure date from India? Hmm, well i dunno, but as it sounds like you are dealing with reasonable individuals over there, then it sounds like you should put the maximum - sort of gung ho for 5 years and let's see what happens. Are the dice rolling for you Man?

Glandith

Dice rarely roll for me, but I have a knack at getting what I want. Let's see how this turns out.

Glandith