Overstayed previous visa - will I have trouble getting new one?

Hello everyone!

I have a bit of a visa concern. I left Indian in March 2012 after 6 months in India, but had overstayed my visa by a significant amount

To cut a long story short - I had a stamp on my 6 month visa stating "each visit was limited to 90 days". I questioned this when I collected my visa in Madrid, but the lady at the agency assured me that it only applied if I didn't leave India during that 6 months. That is....as long as I entered the country only once, I could stay 6 months.
Well, as you all (probably) know, and I now know, the information given to me was false, and I ended up spending a month jumping through hoops in Bangalore, trying to explain what had happened, and that it had all been a gigantic, honest (and I am not ashamed to admit) totally stupid mistake.

Anyway. I am planning to go back to India around December time, and will be applying for a 6 month visa in either Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur. My question is - does anyone know if I will have trouble getting another visa? I will have a new passport by then, so the "overstayed" stamp will have gone, and the guy I spoke to at the Bangalore frro told me that "in theory" I shouldnt have any problem getting another one, I may just have some explaining to do.

I would really appreciate it if anyone has had any similar experience or any advice about how best to ensure I get another 6 month visa for India. (Which of course I will be checking and double checking with about ten different people for any hidden stamps and rules!!)

Many thanks in advance guys

Inglesita

If it is in the computerized record, you might be denied entry at POE even if you manage to get another visa.

Had one report where they had the visa in hand on arrival where they were promptly sent back due to a record of overstay. getting the visa may be only one hurdle to leap. In the days of computerization its less human than when I returned from India many moons ago and found a record of a lifetime ban from U. housing. My being newly married the lady just "lost" my file. I wish you the same luck & human consideration..

Gotta be a fast typist here.

Arrrrggghhh, this is not good news!

Anyone else have any personal experience with this? Or know how the problem can be solved? It was all a bit of a shambles in Bangalore, but it was an honest mistake, and eventually the frro people were very sympathetic. But yes...I can imagine that immigration just may say no when you turn up?! Ooh noo I am worried

Sorry I forgot to say thank you to you both for your quick replies! Travelling too long and I have forgotten my online manners, I apologise

you can only get 6 month visa's in your home country.
other embassies are only giving 3 month visa's.
good luck.

Someone I know did exactly the same thing. With new passport, a new 6 months visa was issued in Thailand, and no problem to re-enter india. This is a few months ago.

Nothing in life is guaranteed, but worth a try I guess.

OTH, Someone here, an IMer posted this.

Never overestimate the stupidity of an I/O at the POE

Not entirely correct Dan.

6 month visa are available away from base (to UK citizens anyway) in many locations, including Thailand as reported on here.
Equally limited 3 month visas are also only available in many locations, notably Sri Lanka, and in some countries, HCI will only issue to local citizens.

Its an unpredictable, and ever-changing mess.

KTM also often 6..

Originally Posted by IndyBoy
Someone I know did exactly the same thing. With new passport, a new 6 months visa was issued in Thailand, and no problem to re-enter india. This is a few months ago.

Nothing in life is guaranteed, but worth a try I guess.

Ok there is hope I see!

Thanks for all your thoughts guys. I have spoken to a friend of mine (an Indian), who reckons if I get the visa I should be ok, and if i am going to have any problems it will be with the Indian embassy in Thailand

My one saving grace is that I will have a new passport by the time I apply to go back in, so no "over-stayed" stamp, and a new passport number. I just hope my guardian angel will be with me on the day I try!
It wont be for a few months but I will keep you posted regards what happens

Thanks again!

Hello all, I just thought I would post a little update to this....I got back into India no problem at all!!
I applied for my new passport in Kuala Lumpur, and then applied for an Indian visa in Chiang Mai, Thailand using the new passport. I have no idea if they knew about my overstay issue or not, but it was not mentioned and I was given a three month tourist visa no problem whatsoever. And then at the airport in Chennai,again no problem.

So....it looks like somebody up there was looking out for me and Mother India wanted me to come back home!

Thanks to all those who gave me their thoughts and advice

xx

Very glad to hear the results..