Tourist Visa, Object of Journey : tourism or marriage?

Annie S · Mar 3rd, 2008, 21:21

Can my boyfriend enter India on a tourist visa with object of journey --> "tourism" and we still get married?

My boyfriend is an American native (Montana). I'm an Indian national (Mumbai). We intend to get married in December this year. We met each other on the net 3 years ago. Both our familes are very much open to our relationship and marriage. He has just started filling the 5yr multiple India tourist visa application form and it asks for "purpose of visit / object of journey". Should we mention: (A) Engagement, Marriage & tourism / vaccation; (B) Tourism / vaccation.

Initially we had planned to meet and get engaged in May, this year. However, last year his old house burned down so the American Red Cross helped them find an appartment in a 4plex in another area. He takes care of the bills and stuff. However, all his utility bills are on his parents name and his drivers license has his old address. The address he has mentioned in his passport is his current address. To get a new license with his current address will take about 6 to 8 weeks. He has already requested leave from work in May and cannot cancel it.

Even if he tired to get the name changed on the utility bill, the first electricity bill will arrive only after about two months from now, by which time we intend to meet. Is there any other document we can produce as proof of residence? How can he still make it here in the beginning of May?

Also, if he mentions purpose of vist only as "Engagement & Marriage" can will still visit places within India on that visa?

Thank you very much to all those who can help me!

Nick-H · Mar 3rd, 2008, 23:08

Isn't it odd that they ask for purpose of visit on a five year visa --- when it obvious that there are probably going to be a number of visits!

I wouldn't worry too much about this. I'd put tourism/visiting friends or some general thing like that.

It's a tourist visa, so he can travel on it. I got married on a tourist visa. I enquired and it was all they would give me: a six-month tourist visa.

Bear in mind that the maximum length of any single stay in India on a tourist visa is 180 days. If you plan to live together in India then the five year option is probably a waste of money (I think the longer-term visa is more expensive? we don't have them in UK). Once married he can apply for an "Entry" (X-type) visa and, after a year of marriage, for a PIO card with 15-year validity.

In UK, If I have a British passport (I do) I can get a tourist visa with no other documentation whatsoever, and no proof of residence or address is asked for --- or at least that was the case the last time I did so in 2005, and X visa in 2006. I do not know if there is more formality in USA. We need an American to tell us.

Annie S · Mar 3rd, 2008, 23:28

Hmm, that was kinda relieving. But, yeah more answers are needed. Did you do the application process yourself or engaged a lawyer/agent? We mostly intend on staying in the US, but lets see how things workout.

Nick-H · Mar 3rd, 2008, 23:43

In India after marriage... I engaged a lawyer who did nothing but give me bullshit for several months, then got my 'X' visa easily at the London Indian High Commission, followed by my PIO card in Chennai after a year of marriage. We are settled in India.

If you do not intend to live in India then it matters much less what visa your husband-to-be will have.

I know nothing about USA immigration, but I guess it is pretty well covered on the web.

Mar 3rd, 2008, 21:21	#1
Annie S Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Mumbai, India Posts: 3	Tourist Visa, Object of Journey : tourism or marriage? Can my boyfriend enter India on a tourist visa with object of journey --> "tourism" and we still get married? My boyfriend is an American native (Montana). I'm an Indian national (Mumbai). We intend to get married in December this year. We met each other on the net 3 years ago. Both our familes are very much open to our relationship and marriage. He has just started filling the 5yr multiple India tourist visa application form and it asks for "purpose of visit / object of journey". Should we mention: (A) Engagement, Marriage & tourism / vaccation; (B) Tourism / vaccation. Initially we had planned to meet and get engaged in May, this year. However, last year his old house burned down so the American Red Cross helped them find an appartment in a 4plex in another area. He takes care of the bills and stuff. However, all his utility bills are on his parents name and his drivers license has his old address. The address he has mentioned in his passport is his current address. To get a new license with his current address will take about 6 to 8 weeks. He has already requested leave from work in May and cannot cancel it. Even if he tired to get the name changed on the utility bill, the first electricity bill will arrive only after about two months from now, by which time we intend to meet. Is there any other document we can produce as proof of residence? How can he still make it here in the beginning of May? Also, if he mentions purpose of vist only as "Engagement & Marriage" can will still visit places within India on that visa? Thank you very much to all those who can help me!

Mar 3rd, 2008, 23:08	#2
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 25,811	Isn't it odd that they ask for purpose of visit on a five year visa --- when it obvious that there are probably going to be a number of visits! I wouldn't worry too much about this. I'd put tourism/visiting friends or some general thing like that. It's a tourist visa, so he can travel on it. I got married on a tourist visa. I enquired and it was all they would give me: a six-month tourist visa. Bear in mind that the maximum length of any single stay in India on a tourist visa is 180 days. If you plan to live together in India then the five year option is probably a waste of money (I think the longer-term visa is more expensive? we don't have them in UK). Once married he can apply for an "Entry" (X-type) visa and, after a year of marriage, for a PIO card with 15-year validity. In UK, If I have a British passport (I do) I can get a tourist visa with no other documentation whatsoever, and no proof of residence or address is asked for --- or at least that was the case the last time I did so in 2005, and X visa in 2006. I do not know if there is more formality in USA. We need an American to tell us. __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

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Mar 3rd, 2008, 23:28	#3
Annie S Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Mumbai, India Posts: 3	Hmm, that was kinda relieving. But, yeah more answers are needed. Did you do the application process yourself or engaged a lawyer/agent? We mostly intend on staying in the US, but lets see how things workout.

Mar 3rd, 2008, 23:43	#4
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 25,811	In India after marriage... I engaged a lawyer who did nothing but give me bullshit for several months, then got my 'X' visa easily at the London Indian High Commission, followed by my PIO card in Chennai after a year of marriage. We are settled in India. If you do not intend to live in India then it matters much less what visa your husband-to-be will have. I know nothing about USA immigration, but I guess it is pretty well covered on the web.

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