Visa Extension

indiaprof · Jan 12th, 2009, 01:55

I think all you can do is go to Sri Lanka (probably cheapest, unless you're close to Nepal) and get a new VISA. The Indian High Commission in Colombo, Sri Lanka, handles these almost on a walk-in basis and you can get a new visa within a couple of days, if not on-the-spot. It's also relatively cheap to fly in and out of Sri Lanka from South India. Then you'll be back in India with a fresh 6 months and no troubles.

Nick-H · Jan 12th, 2009, 02:51

Quote:

SO my 10 yr visa has another 8 yrs to go

His visa, he says, is nowhere near expiry. It seems to be the 180-day thing that is bothering him.

If a person applies for an Indian visa in a country in which they are not resident, it is standard practice for the mission in that country to contact their mission in the home country. This takes more than a day or two.

machadinha · Jan 14th, 2009, 18:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by indiaprof

I think all you can do is go to Sri Lanka (probably cheapest, unless you're close to Nepal) and get a new VISA. The Indian High Commission in Colombo, Sri Lanka, handles these almost on a walk-in basis and you can get a new visa within a couple of days, if not on-the-spot. It's also relatively cheap to fly in and out of Sri Lanka from South India. Then you'll be back in India with a fresh 6 months and no troubles.

Sorry to contradict you, but as I mentioned before on this thread by all accounts the process isn't so straightforward nor reliable anymore, and it may not work at all.

It's worth a try, but again going by all accounts it's nothing to rely on anymore.** You may effectively find yourself blocked out of the country. That's not so strange if you think about it, if the Indian government wanted to allow people to stay for longer than 6 months, they would offer a visa for it.

As Nick noted, for those few nationalities who can get a longer visa* it's really a moot point anyway. While this still requires you to leave the country every 180 days, this is said to be a mere formality indeed. So little more than hopping out and back in & getting a stamp on the way indeed.

* And before people ask why, it would seem to be a simple matter of bilateral agreements don't you think.

** I can't judge why it seems to work for some and not for others of course. The quirks of individual officials will come into play no doubt; beyond that, just a note that getting yourself remotely presentable for your embassy visit(s) may likewise go a long way. They do have every right to refuse you, mind. A visa is never a right as such anyway, more like a favor by the country involved.

edwardseco · Jan 15th, 2009, 11:16

** I used to know a consular official who awarded visas on the basis of whether the candidate was a pretty lady..

G Man · Oct 10th, 2009, 11:25

Hi all - my 1st post here, great thread! Australian living in Dubai and wanting to bring the family to India for at least one year. From what I have read I can get a 6 month tourist visa, does anyone know of Australians being able to get a toursit visa for longer than this?

Any help much appreciated.

LilBoy BigTown · Oct 10th, 2009, 12:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by G Man

Hi all - my 1st post here, great thread! Australian living in Dubai and wanting to bring the family to India for at least one year. From what I have read I can get a 6 month tourist visa, does anyone know of Australians being able to get a toursit visa for longer than this?

Any help much appreciated.

No mate, 6 months is all you get. The 10 year visa is only for the Americans. Reason being, America grants 10 year visas to Indian citizens.

Welcome to IM

G Man · Oct 10th, 2009, 20:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by LilBoy BigTown

No mate, 6 months is all you get. The 10 year visa is only for the Americans. Reason being, America grants 10 year visas to Indian citizens.

Welcome to IM

Cheers mate for the speedy response.

Dam - any idea on whether it is still 6 months (not less) if I get issued visa's in Dubai? So essentially you need to do a visa run (exit country & get new one) every 6 months? No big deal really & excuse to see something else. My only fear would be not being given another visa - any thoughts /experiences by anyone much appreciated.

Nick-H · Oct 10th, 2009, 20:22

Quote:

So essentially you need to do a visa run (exit country & get new one) every 6 months?

You may be given a shorter-term visa if you have come from India and want to go straight back. After a couple of visas they may refuse.

This was going on for years, that people were essentially living in India on repeated tourist visas.

G Man · Oct 11th, 2009, 14:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick-H

You may be given a shorter-term visa if you have come from India and want to go straight back. After a couple of visas they may refuse.

This was going on for years, that people were essentially living in India on repeated tourist visas.

Ok, thanks. Seems the only 'guarentee' is I can get a 6 month toursit visa. As someone with no heritage links to India I dont think I can buy property. shame because I wanted to live there with my uoung family for a few years & maybe do some voluntary work or teach English (I am not a qualified teacher).

Anyone with any suggestions much appreciated!!!

Haylo · Oct 11th, 2009, 15:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by G Man

I wanted to live there with my uoung family for a few years & maybe do some voluntary work or teach English (I am not a qualified teacher).

If you have enough money to support yourself, and you wish to spend some time volunteering in India, you can get an entry Visa - but you do need an invitation from an organisation first and you're not allowed to do any work to earn an income to support yourself while on a volunteering visa.

EDITED TO ADD: If you had an employment visa, your wife and children would also qualify for entry visas during the period of your employment. I'm afraid that I don't know whether this also applies to the families of volunteers, but I would not be surprised if they didn't qualify.

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Jan 12th, 2009, 01:55	#31
indiaprof Account Closed Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: In the past, most of the time Posts: 820	I think all you can do is go to Sri Lanka (probably cheapest, unless you're close to Nepal) and get a new VISA. The Indian High Commission in Colombo, Sri Lanka, handles these almost on a walk-in basis and you can get a new visa within a couple of days, if not on-the-spot. It's also relatively cheap to fly in and out of Sri Lanka from South India. Then you'll be back in India with a fresh 6 months and no troubles.

Jan 15th, 2009, 11:16	#34
edwardseco Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Land that shakes and bakes. Posts: 5,843	** I used to know a consular official who awarded visas on the basis of whether the candidate was a pretty lady..

Oct 10th, 2009, 11:25	#35
G Man Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Dubai Posts: 3	Hi all - my 1st post here, great thread! Australian living in Dubai and wanting to bring the family to India for at least one year. From what I have read I can get a 6 month tourist visa, does anyone know of Australians being able to get a toursit visa for longer than this? Any help much appreciated.