Visa And Flight Dates

Bill · Jul 28th, 2003, 21:50

A question on optimising duration of 6 month of stay.

When booking flights and subsequently arranging visas is it sensible to attempt to maximise duration of 6 month visit by getting visa as close to departure/return dates as possible (the scheduled flight we are considering is a once a week departure and return - so we are trying to avoid losing a week at the end of the trip)

Heres the plan:

Visa application in person on Wednesday 24 Sept

Flight out on the Friday 26 September

Visa expires on 23 March

Return Flight on March 23

What happens if the return flight date is moved by a couple of days ?

The alternative is booking the departure flight a week earlier.

Any thoughts/advice

Bill

-m2- · Jul 29th, 2003, 03:15

The only risk in 'cutting it fine' is the innumerable Indian and local holidays the consulate office you are using might be closed for a day. You do not indicate your nationality or where you will be getting visa so to be sure, check the web-site for the consulate you will be using (or phone them) to ensure there are no holidays that would interfere with your plan.

If your return date was moved ahead a couple of days it should not cause a problem as it would be inadvertant -- at worst, there might be a small fine but I wouldn't think so, but I haven't had any experience along this line, so don't quote me

pooch · Jul 29th, 2003, 03:42

You just have to walk into a foreigner's registration office, present your passport and confirmed ticket (the OK sticker with the new date) and they will extend your visa, pop in morning, collect after 3pm. You should do this before your visa expires, there would be a $30 fine and Indian bureaucracy to put up with if you approach them after the expiry date. Furthermore overstay by more than 90 days causes a lot of problems.

Alan D · Jul 29th, 2003, 04:06

I think the foreigners registration office in Delhi are usually prepared to give a 2 week extention if you have problems with flights out of the country. As julls says don't let your visa expire as they may not be helpful in this case.

We managed to get a 2 week extention without any problems even though we didn't have our tickets with us. I had offered to go back to the hotel and get them though.

By all accounts 2 weeks extra is the maximum they are prepared to allow you.

Bill · Jul 29th, 2003, 17:40

Thanks Guys,

Nationality British and live in central London - the High Commission I use is also in London. Will of course check it's open for business on planned date of application. Returning from Trivandrum so should I need an extension of a few days can i get this locally - or is it absolutely necessary for say two just days - or will I get the OK at the airport??

Rgds

Bill

Alan D · Jul 29th, 2003, 18:34

Hi Bill

I think it's only possible to get the 2 week extention visa in the major cities of New Delhi, Calcutta, Mumbai and Chennai. The system used to be different some years ago but it was changed. About four or five years ago we tried to get an extension in Jaisalmer. Nothing doing, they told us to go to Jodhpur. You will definitely get it there they said. Went by bus to Jodhpur. They said no, you have to go to Delhi. Went by night bus to Delhi, arriving there on the expiry date. Went to the Foreigners Registration Office and got the extension.

Totally shattered. Crashed for 24 hours.

I really don't know what the situation would be if you turned up at the airport with an out of date visa. Has anyone else on the forum done this?

Some airlines won't confirm your flight if your visa is out of date.

Alan D · Jul 29th, 2003, 19:05

I'm just thinking Bill, you could be giving yourself unneccessary difficulties with this visa extension. It might be more relaxing if you took a flight back a few days earlier.

Jul 28th, 2003, 21:50	#1
Bill Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 9	Visa And Flight Dates A question on optimising duration of 6 month of stay. When booking flights and subsequently arranging visas is it sensible to attempt to maximise duration of 6 month visit by getting visa as close to departure/return dates as possible (the scheduled flight we are considering is a once a week departure and return - so we are trying to avoid losing a week at the end of the trip) Heres the plan: Visa application in person on Wednesday 24 Sept Flight out on the Friday 26 September Visa expires on 23 March Return Flight on March 23 What happens if the return flight date is moved by a couple of days ? The alternative is booking the departure flight a week earlier. Any thoughts/advice Bill

Jul 29th, 2003, 04:06	#4
Alan D Maha Guru Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Southampton UK Posts: 1,866	I think the foreigners registration office in Delhi are usually prepared to give a 2 week extention if you have problems with flights out of the country. As julls says don't let your visa expire as they may not be helpful in this case. We managed to get a 2 week extention without any problems even though we didn't have our tickets with us. I had offered to go back to the hotel and get them though. By all accounts 2 weeks extra is the maximum they are prepared to allow you. __________________ What a long strange trip it's been!

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Jul 29th, 2003, 03:15	#2
-m2- . Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: . Posts: 1,575	The only risk in 'cutting it fine' is the innumerable Indian and local holidays the consulate office you are using might be closed for a day. You do not indicate your nationality or where you will be getting visa so to be sure, check the web-site for the consulate you will be using (or phone them) to ensure there are no holidays that would interfere with your plan. If your return date was moved ahead a couple of days it should not cause a problem as it would be inadvertant -- at worst, there might be a small fine but I wouldn't think so, but I haven't had any experience along this line, so don't quote me

Jul 29th, 2003, 03:42	#3
pooch Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Middle East <---->India Posts: 384	You just have to walk into a foreigner's registration office, present your passport and confirmed ticket (the OK sticker with the new date) and they will extend your visa, pop in morning, collect after 3pm. You should do this before your visa expires, there would be a $30 fine and Indian bureaucracy to put up with if you approach them after the expiry date. Furthermore overstay by more than 90 days causes a lot of problems.

Jul 29th, 2003, 17:40	#5
Bill Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 9	Thanks Guys, Nationality British and live in central London - the High Commission I use is also in London. Will of course check it's open for business on planned date of application. Returning from Trivandrum so should I need an extension of a few days can i get this locally - or is it absolutely necessary for say two just days - or will I get the OK at the airport?? Rgds Bill

Jul 29th, 2003, 18:34	#6
Alan D Maha Guru Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Southampton UK Posts: 1,866	Hi Bill I think it's only possible to get the 2 week extention visa in the major cities of New Delhi, Calcutta, Mumbai and Chennai. The system used to be different some years ago but it was changed. About four or five years ago we tried to get an extension in Jaisalmer. Nothing doing, they told us to go to Jodhpur. You will definitely get it there they said. Went by bus to Jodhpur. They said no, you have to go to Delhi. Went by night bus to Delhi, arriving there on the expiry date. Went to the Foreigners Registration Office and got the extension. Totally shattered. Crashed for 24 hours. I really don't know what the situation would be if you turned up at the airport with an out of date visa. Has anyone else on the forum done this? Some airlines won't confirm your flight if your visa is out of date.

Jul 29th, 2003, 19:05	#7
Alan D Maha Guru Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Southampton UK Posts: 1,866	I'm just thinking Bill, you could be giving yourself unneccessary difficulties with this visa extension. It might be more relaxing if you took a flight back a few days earlier.