Visa or PIO...

vajraheart · Dec 22nd, 2006, 21:41

Hello,
I'm a non-resident Indian, living in the US. I visit India each year for 1/2 yr. I go for Buddhism, retreats, etc. I'm headed back in January, and bought a one way ticket this time. I have a standard tourist visa. I've been reasarching other visas, and the PIO card. But I'm not certain which would make the most sense for my intended purposes. There is an issue with the area I visit, Tso Pema. It's a supposed restricted area, with no solid reasons for being so. Apperently the local police are having problems with the gov't in getting the restriction lifted. I'd be staying at a monastary, which also raises issues with the police. In as far as which activities you are allowed to participate in versus your visa status. One officer said something pretty funny to the effect of if you are there under a tourist visa you aren't allowed to meditate lol. Anyhow, I've been told that a student visa would be one route, but would they recognize the monastary as an offical insitution? And would they allow me to stay for the years I would like to stay for? Would getting a PIO card be the least troublesome? Is there less harrasment by the police for PIO card holders? Sorry for my very first post being so long, thank you for the help one and all

shere · Dec 22nd, 2006, 22:14

What about Overseas Indian Citizenship ?

You would then be considered an Indian citizen and could wander where you want without the foreigner tag being held against you.

GoanCanuck · Dec 22nd, 2006, 22:14

Get a PIO card. You can then stay on a long term basis although you will have to register with the police station closest to the monastery after arriving in India.

Nick-H · Dec 22nd, 2006, 23:04

vajraheart, Hello and welcome to Indiamike.com

Given the frequency of your visits to India, I would think that a PIO card most certainly makes sense for you. One thing is the cost, but if you paying for a tourist visa every year that should even out.

A PIO card allows you to be a student or to work in India. The only limitation is that you have to register as a foreign resident if you are going to stay here more than 180 days at a time. It even allows you to buy property, other than agricultural.

It is valid for 15 years, and given that you must register, I can't see any problem with you staying for 15 years! I am a foreign spouse of an Indian citizen and have just applied for a PIO card with the intention of staying here indefinitely!

Legally, apart from restrictions on agricultural land ownership or standing for a political post, you should be treated pretty much as equal to an Indian Citizen with an Indian passport.

Now, whether any particular government officer or policeman actually thinks so only time will tell: I'm sure you know how this country works better than I do!

My vote: go for the PIO. Especially if you have easy access to the documents that prove you were born an Indian citizen.

Just to pick hairs on one point: My understand is that an NRI is an Indian Citizen, ie entitled to an Indian passport, just not resident in India. A person of Indian birth or descent who is a citizen of any other country is --- a foreigner! The PIO card puts you (according to the publicity) on a par (in many respects) with a non-resident Indian.

Having typed all that... I've just remembered OIC.

Overseas Indian Citizenship is not available to me, as spouse does not qualify: only birth as or direct descent from, Indian citizen. Check it out: it is for life, not just 15 years, and I think, for those who are 'genetically' (I can't think of a better way of putting it just now) Indian, it is replacing the PIO scheme.

GoanCanuck beat me to it. And went straight to the point

Shaktipalooza · Dec 23rd, 2006, 00:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by shere

What about Overseas Indian Citizenship ?

You would then be considered an Indian citizen and could wander where you want without the foreigner tag being held against you.

Not necessarily. Having lived outside India puts you in a different category among many Indians. You may still be subjected to bias, prejudices, excessive fees, etc.

Overseas Indian Citizenship is most definitely not the same as being an Indian citizen. There are many threads in this forum discussing this.

pennylessinindia · Dec 31st, 2006, 20:36

Just a late note to say the PIO does not allow acess to a restrict area!

abfab · Jan 21st, 2007, 06:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoanCanuck

Get a PIO card. You can then stay on a long term basis although you will have to register with the police station closest to the monastery after arriving in India.

Could I just add that with a PIO card, (from what I understand), you only have to register after your stay has exceeded six months, (within 30 days of the expiry of six months), rather than soon after your arrival (as is the case with long term visas).

Nick-H · Jan 21st, 2007, 13:49

You are right.

Although the X (Entry) visa is likely to have a rubber stamp saying that you don't need to register for less than 180 day stay, relaxing the requirement.

Dec 22nd, 2006, 21:41	#1
vajraheart Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Washington, D.C. Posts: 1	Visa or PIO... Hello, I'm a non-resident Indian, living in the US. I visit India each year for 1/2 yr. I go for Buddhism, retreats, etc. I'm headed back in January, and bought a one way ticket this time. I have a standard tourist visa. I've been reasarching other visas, and the PIO card. But I'm not certain which would make the most sense for my intended purposes. There is an issue with the area I visit, Tso Pema. It's a supposed restricted area, with no solid reasons for being so. Apperently the local police are having problems with the gov't in getting the restriction lifted. I'd be staying at a monastary, which also raises issues with the police. In as far as which activities you are allowed to participate in versus your visa status. One officer said something pretty funny to the effect of if you are there under a tourist visa you aren't allowed to meditate lol. Anyhow, I've been told that a student visa would be one route, but would they recognize the monastary as an offical insitution? And would they allow me to stay for the years I would like to stay for? Would getting a PIO card be the least troublesome? Is there less harrasment by the police for PIO card holders? Sorry for my very first post being so long, thank you for the help one and all

Dec 22nd, 2006, 23:04	#4
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 27,763	vajraheart, Hello and welcome to Indiamike.com Given the frequency of your visits to India, I would think that a PIO card most certainly makes sense for you. One thing is the cost, but if you paying for a tourist visa every year that should even out. A PIO card allows you to be a student or to work in India. The only limitation is that you have to register as a foreign resident if you are going to stay here more than 180 days at a time. It even allows you to buy property, other than agricultural. It is valid for 15 years, and given that you must register, I can't see any problem with you staying for 15 years! I am a foreign spouse of an Indian citizen and have just applied for a PIO card with the intention of staying here indefinitely! Legally, apart from restrictions on agricultural land ownership or standing for a political post, you should be treated pretty much as equal to an Indian Citizen with an Indian passport. Now, whether any particular government officer or policeman actually thinks so only time will tell: I'm sure you know how this country works better than I do! My vote: go for the PIO. Especially if you have easy access to the documents that prove you were born an Indian citizen. Just to pick hairs on one point: My understand is that an NRI is an Indian Citizen, ie entitled to an Indian passport, just not resident in India. A person of Indian birth or descent who is a citizen of any other country is --- a foreigner! The PIO card puts you (according to the publicity) on a par (in many respects) with a non-resident Indian. Having typed all that... I've just remembered OIC. Overseas Indian Citizenship is not available to me, as spouse does not qualify: only birth as or direct descent from, Indian citizen. Check it out: it is for life, not just 15 years, and I think, for those who are 'genetically' (I can't think of a better way of putting it just now) Indian, it is replacing the PIO scheme. GoanCanuck beat me to it. And went straight to the point __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

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Dec 22nd, 2006, 22:14	#2
shere Maha Guru Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: England Posts: 1,122	What about Overseas Indian Citizenship ? You would then be considered an Indian citizen and could wander where you want without the foreigner tag being held against you.

Dec 22nd, 2006, 22:14	#3
GoanCanuck Maha Guru Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Vancouver Posts: 3,119	Get a PIO card. You can then stay on a long term basis although you will have to register with the police station closest to the monastery after arriving in India.

Dec 31st, 2006, 20:36	#6
pennylessinindia Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: India Posts: 59	Just a late note to say the PIO does not allow acess to a restrict area!

Jan 21st, 2007, 13:49	#8
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 27,763	You are right. Although the X (Entry) visa is likely to have a rubber stamp saying that you don't need to register for less than 180 day stay, relaxing the requirement.

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