Visa Guidance

richie4india · May 8th, 2007, 18:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by ba9rn

OK, I'll play just once more. It is you who is clouding the issue by asking about volunteering at the start of this thread and working in other threads. The distinction being that one is paid.

So the answer to the simple question you now post is yes it is possible. But first you need a job. The company (eg. call centre) has to sponsor your application for an employment visa. Then you can arrive and work.

There is no way (legally) for you to work (for pay) on a tourist visa. Nor may you stay for more than 180 days - which also means that there is no way to gain resident status with a tourist visa.

The volunteer work is my main concern...I am not too worried about working but would be a further great experience etc etc. They better not change the 6 month visa! LOL

Nick-H · May 8th, 2007, 19:14

You need to check out your terms, check out the visa types and the circumstances in which they are issued.

There is no such thing as a 'residency visa'

The definition of 'residency' under Foreign Exchange regulations (which applies to property ownership by non-Indians) is totally different to having a residents permit. (and different again for taxation...)

A Residents Permit is what you get when you register (combined with a registration certificate). It has certain advantages, like making it possible to get an Indian driving licence, open rupee bank account, pay (in theory at least) local prices. However, for stays of just a few months here it is something you wouldn't really miss.

richie4india · May 8th, 2007, 20:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by ba9rn

OK, I'll play just once more. It is you who is clouding the issue by asking about volunteering at the start of this thread and working in other threads. The distinction being that one is paid.

So the answer to the simple question you now post is yes it is possible. But first you need a job. The company (eg. call centre) has to sponsor your application for an employment visa. Then you can arrive and work.

There is no way (legally) for you to work (for pay) on a tourist visa. Nor may you stay for more than 180 days - which also means that there is no way to gain resident status with a tourist visa.

And yes, UK immigration is equally strict. It just may not seem that way sometimes. But you must be aware of the term 'illegal immigrant'. That is what you would be in India, if you do not obey the rules. You might (like many in the UK) get away with it for a while. But don't think you will be treated too leniently if you are caught. That's where the UK is law is different.

Oh NO I would never overstay a Visa or anything dodgy like that anywhere. Long term it is not worth it!

richie4india · May 8th, 2007, 20:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick-H

You need to check out your terms, check out the visa types and the circumstances in which they are issued.

There is no such thing as a 'residency visa'

The definition of 'residency' under Foreign Exchange regulations (which applies to property ownership by non-Indians) is totally different to having a residents permit. (and different again for taxation...)

A Residents Permit is what you get when you register (combined with a registration certificate). It has certain advantages, like making it possible to get an Indian driving licence, open rupee bank account, pay (in theory at least) local prices. However, for stays of just a few months here it is something you wouldn't really miss.

This is what I wasn't sure of. If maybe residency permit of some sort would be handy. When I return to India to do further volunteering after my first go! The 6 month tourist Visa I know is perfect really but still....So all residency permits etc are obtained by a stay of 182 days!?

Cool beans....

Merchant · May 8th, 2007, 20:25

Residence permits are not visas. Nick, what type of visas do most people with residence permits have?

richie4india · May 8th, 2007, 20:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Merchant

Residence permits are not visas. Nick, what type of visas do most people with residence permits have?

We know that....you need to stay for 182 days on a visa that permits it...an E Visa etc...to be eligible for residency

Merchant · May 8th, 2007, 20:47

I was just curious, and this discussion is hard to follow.

Nick-H · May 8th, 2007, 21:18

WHOA!

Can you guys please tear it all up and go back to the beginning.

Please!

Residents permit has nothing to do with staying for 182 days

Richie, go here and check out the types of visa available. Also check out the requirements for foreigners in India to register with FFRO.

Also check out the Indian embassy/consulate site for your own country.

OK... having done that, you'll probably find that you can get a 6-month tourist visa and do your volunteering here until it expires (valid from date of issue in London, so count 5 months something...).

Forget about residents permits, 182 days, etc etc etc ---- got nothing to do with it.

Or else go back to square one and tell us what you really want to achieve. And if that is emmigrating to India, then go and read the Foreigners Buying Property in Goa threads, even if you are not interested in Goa: they cover, pretty much, what foreigners can expect.

Merchant... Off the top of my head, I think anyone who has any visa, other than a tourist visa, must or can register. If they register then they'll get a residents' permit. It is much more complex, as some visa types allow you not to register if you are not staying more than 180 days; others absolutely require you to register within 14 days.

As for following the conversation... that's why I'd rather it went back to square one. If I was trying to go there, I wouldn't start from here!

richie4india · May 9th, 2007, 04:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick-H

WHOA!

Can you guys please tear it all up and go back to the beginning.

Please!

Residents permit has nothing to do with staying for 182 days

Richie, go here and check out the types of visa available. Also check out the requirements for foreigners in India to register with FFRO.

Also check out the Indian embassy/consulate site for your own country.

OK... having done that, you'll probably find that you can get a 6-month tourist visa and do your volunteering here until it expires (valid from date of issue in London, so count 5 months something...).

Forget about residents permits, 182 days, etc etc etc ---- got nothing to do with it.

Or else go back to square one and tell us what you really want to achieve. And if that is emmigrating to India, then go and read the Foreigners Buying Property in Goa threads, even if you are not interested in Goa: they cover, pretty much, what foreigners can expect.

Merchant... Off the top of my head, I think anyone who has any visa, other than a tourist visa, must or can register. If they register then they'll get a residents' permit. It is much more complex, as some visa types allow you not to register if you are not staying more than 180 days; others absolutely require you to register within 14 days.

As for following the conversation... that's why I'd rather it went back to square one. If I was trying to go there, I wouldn't start from here!

Er de-stress. Yes you need to stay in India for 182 days. To qualify for residency status. So YES a resident permit does have something to do with 182 days...atleast the consulate seem to think so!!

I know which Visa I need. However, I was asking about something else as I have heard many different things with regards to getting residency.

Considering this, I am aware that you need to stay in India for 182 days in one year to be able to apply for residency. I was trying to gauge whether this 182 day rule needed to be in one complete stay or any stay over the 12 months of a year! Even so it does not matter as the 6 month Visa will suffice. However, if I decide to stay for a year I will need to do a ''Visa run'' on expiration of my first 6 month Visa.

This is where the 182 days come in to play. After my 2nd 6 month stay I would have been in India for more than 182 days although this would not have been in a consecutive stay...therefore invalid for obtaining residency or not, this is what is not clear with the HCI.

I read on another forum that you could do this and qualify as you would have spent 182 days in India over a year.

Whilst I am not that fussed I was just wondering as it doesn't seem that clear from the consular.

cyberhippie · May 9th, 2007, 05:02

Richie to get residency status you would need to have a visa that allows you to stay more than 182 continuous days.
This is the crux of the problem you face.

Bear in mind unless you have a job offer, are of Indian origin (or married to someone who is) qualify for a research, missionary or Yoga visa then you won't be able to get anything other than a tourist visa. Which REQUIRES you to leave the country every 180 days.
On your initial visa from your home country, you won't even come close to 180 days as the visa starts from the day you pick it up NOT the day you enter India!!

As I've said to others on the subject you HAVE NO right to emigrate to India and there is no back door anymore, there was once but those days are gone!!

So it's visa runs to surrounding countries I'm afraid, unless you can figure out a way to qualify for a longer term visa. In the current climate I wouldn't hold my breath!!

I hope that's been of some help to you.

By the way as far as I know a residency permit doesn't relieve you of the need for supporting documentation like a long term visa, or PIO card!

richie4india · May 9th, 2007, 05:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by cyberhippie

Richie to get residency status you would need to have a visa that allows you to stay more than 182 continuous days.
This is the crux of the problem you face.

Bear in mind unless you have a job offer, are of Indian origin (or married to someone who is) qualify for a research, missionary or Yoga visa then you won't be able to get anything other than a tourist visa. Which REQUIRES you to leave the country every 180 days.
On your initial visa from your home country, you won't even come close to 180 days as the visa starts from the day you pick it up NOT the day you enter India!!

As I've said to others on the subject you HAVE NO right to emigrate to India and there is no back door anymore, there was once but those days are gone!!

So it's visa runs to surrounding countries I'm afraid unles you can figure out a way to qualify for a longer term visa. In the current climate I wouldn't hold my breath!!

I hope that's been of some help to you.

By the way as far as I no a residency permit doesn't relieve you of the need for supporting documentation like a long term visa, or PIO card!

Cool....thanks! Well I do not wish to migrate to India. My main plan is to do work with a Charity for 6 months, whilst travelling possibly extending to a year. Hence, the reason for the question.

Hey I plan to take £1500 for six months to live on...will this suffice? I am sure it will!

cyberhippie · May 9th, 2007, 05:08

Also Richie if you are making long term plans be careful. Though I have nothing to back up what I'm saying, I've a strong feeling that the back to back visa in order to live long term in India, may also come under scrutiny in the coming years. Another loophole closed!!

cyberhippie · May 9th, 2007, 05:13

1500 quid comes out at roughly 650 Rupees a day, which is more than enough to live an ok life in India which includes travel, decent food, the odd beer or two and staying in budget accommodation. Mrs cyberhippie and I usually live on about 800 a day!!

richie4india · May 9th, 2007, 05:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by cyberhippie

Also Richie if you are making long term plans be careful. Though I have nothing to back up what I'm saying, I've a strong feeling that the back to back visa in order to live long term in India, may also come under scrutiny in the coming years. Another loophole closed!!

Possibly, I see where you are coming from. Well as I say the main reasons are; I want to do volunteer work and tour India.

I have no intentions to buy property in India or obtain residency. At the same time I may want to stay for longer than 6 months.

I do not blame the Indian Government. However, they are very strict. It wouldn't come as a shock to me if they got rid of the 6 month Visa and issued a one month Visa like most countires. This would affect a lot of older people who spend the winter months in Goa.

cyberhippie · May 9th, 2007, 05:19

Choose your charity well, SOOoo many of them now ask you to pay for the privilege of working for them!

May 8th, 2007, 19:14	#17
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 26,960	You need to check out your terms, check out the visa types and the circumstances in which they are issued. There is no such thing as a 'residency visa' The definition of 'residency' under Foreign Exchange regulations (which applies to property ownership by non-Indians) is totally different to having a residents permit. (and different again for taxation...) A Residents Permit is what you get when you register (combined with a registration certificate). It has certain advantages, like making it possible to get an Indian driving licence, open rupee bank account, pay (in theory at least) local prices. However, for stays of just a few months here it is something you wouldn't really miss. __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

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May 8th, 2007, 20:25	#20
Merchant Maha Guru Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: New York Posts: 2,096	Residence permits are not visas. Nick, what type of visas do most people with residence permits have?

May 8th, 2007, 20:47	#22
Merchant Maha Guru Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: New York Posts: 2,096	I was just curious, and this discussion is hard to follow.

May 8th, 2007, 21:18	#23
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 26,960	WHOA! Can you guys please tear it all up and go back to the beginning. Please! Residents permit has nothing to do with staying for 182 days Richie, go here and check out the types of visa available. Also check out the requirements for foreigners in India to register with FFRO. Also check out the Indian embassy/consulate site for your own country. OK... having done that, you'll probably find that you can get a 6-month tourist visa and do your volunteering here until it expires (valid from date of issue in London, so count 5 months something...). Forget about residents permits, 182 days, etc etc etc ---- got nothing to do with it. Or else go back to square one and tell us what you really want to achieve. And if that is emmigrating to India, then go and read the Foreigners Buying Property in Goa threads, even if you are not interested in Goa: they cover, pretty much, what foreigners can expect. Merchant... Off the top of my head, I think anyone who has any visa, other than a tourist visa, must or can register. If they register then they'll get a residents' permit. It is much more complex, as some visa types allow you not to register if you are not staying more than 180 days; others absolutely require you to register within 14 days. As for following the conversation... that's why I'd rather it went back to square one. If I was trying to go there, I wouldn't start from here!

May 9th, 2007, 05:02	#25
cyberhippie Account Closed by User's Request Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: the Netherlands Posts: 6,012	Richie to get residency status you would need to have a visa that allows you to stay more than 182 continuous days. This is the crux of the problem you face. Bear in mind unless you have a job offer, are of Indian origin (or married to someone who is) qualify for a research, missionary or Yoga visa then you won't be able to get anything other than a tourist visa. Which REQUIRES you to leave the country every 180 days. On your initial visa from your home country, you won't even come close to 180 days as the visa starts from the day you pick it up NOT the day you enter India!! As I've said to others on the subject you HAVE NO right to emigrate to India and there is no back door anymore, there was once but those days are gone!! So it's visa runs to surrounding countries I'm afraid, unless you can figure out a way to qualify for a longer term visa. In the current climate I wouldn't hold my breath!! I hope that's been of some help to you. By the way as far as I know a residency permit doesn't relieve you of the need for supporting documentation like a long term visa, or PIO card!

May 9th, 2007, 05:08	#27
cyberhippie Account Closed by User's Request Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: the Netherlands Posts: 6,012	Also Richie if you are making long term plans be careful. Though I have nothing to back up what I'm saying, I've a strong feeling that the back to back visa in order to live long term in India, may also come under scrutiny in the coming years. Another loophole closed!!

May 9th, 2007, 05:13	#28
cyberhippie Account Closed by User's Request Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: the Netherlands Posts: 6,012	1500 quid comes out at roughly 650 Rupees a day, which is more than enough to live an ok life in India which includes travel, decent food, the odd beer or two and staying in budget accommodation. Mrs cyberhippie and I usually live on about 800 a day!!

May 9th, 2007, 05:19	#30
cyberhippie Account Closed by User's Request Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: the Netherlands Posts: 6,012	Choose your charity well, SOOoo many of them now ask you to pay for the privilege of working for them!

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