Visa questions...

marikac · Jul 19th, 2006, 08:43

I'm travelling to Nepal in October of 06. I'll be getting there by flying to India and then on to Nepal from there. I'll be in Nepal for 5 months then hope to spend another month in India on my way back home. I am attempting to figure out this visa infomration and I'm a little lost.

I know the visa's are only valid from the date of issue so if I go now to get a visa it will expire in Feb. and I will be stranded in Nepal. What is the best option for me? Can I get a transit visa for the way there and then in Nepal apply for a tourist visa for India??? Or should I apply for a tourist visa and keep my fingers crossed that I can get an extension?
Also what is recommended in this case, buying my airline ticket (which I'm itching to do) or wait until I have a visa in my hand??? I an hesitant to take a day off work to trek up to the visa centre in Toronto if it will just end up being a waste of time becuase of the validity from date of issue problem.

I'd love any help on this one.....

Thanks!

dilbharatmain · Jul 19th, 2006, 09:34

dont know if this will work, it did work for me once in Thailand.... you could apply for the Indian visa in Canada by post, but ask if you can be issued the visa at the embassy in Kathmandu. I know this is dicing with Indian bureaucracy, but my experience was that I was on my way to India but was going to be 3 months in South East Asia, so got everything sorted for the visa and asked for it to be issued in a few months time when I arrived in Bangkok, worked perfectly - went to the Indian embassy in Bang. a couple of days before flying to Calcutta and got the visa stamped straight in my passport.

I have also had a bit of difficulty in the past getting visas for India in Kathmandu, situation may be better now, but perhaps what you could do is apply for the indian visa once you arrive in Kathmandu, head off for your trekking or what ever you want to do, and then get the visa issued into the passport once you get back to Kathmandu. But you need to carry your passport with you on your travels in Nepal, need it for trekking permits, and visa inspections etc. Also on this issue, avoid the scam going on at the airport in Kathmandu where you will be stamped with an exit visa on arrival, you will take no notice of this, and then when you go to leave you will be told you have no entry stamp for Nepal and have to pay a US$50 fine - happened to me twice in the same year, so now really make sure you check that you have an ENTRY stamp when you arrive in Nepal (this is a round or oval stamp), and not the EXIT stamp which is triangular - a total scam on the immigration department side. good luck, visas just a hassle afterall. Dil

kandroma · Jul 19th, 2006, 10:22

why not just apply for a one year visa for india?

Merchant · Jul 19th, 2006, 11:16

Get the first Indian visa whenever is convenient. Go to India, then Nepal. Then get a new Indian visa in Nepal. There's no extension of a tourist visa--you're getting a new visa in Nepal. It's not a big deal. You shouldn't worry about it.

Sama · Jul 19th, 2006, 11:17

that was my thought. why not just get an Indian visa, then get a Nepal visa in India? can one do that or is it not that simple?

cdrake · Jul 19th, 2006, 11:26

isn't this what a five year(or whatever) multiple entry visa is about? you have a valid visa, but your entry is regulated as you enter and exit the country..so if you're stamped when you reenter....but there's no reentry /visa from nepal, is there?

sanjmeister · Jul 19th, 2006, 17:39

If you are just staying in the airport in Delhi on the way to Nepal, ie you're catching a flight immediately out of Delhi, my understanding is that you do not need a visa, as IGI Airport has a transit lounge. Check this with your airline/travel agent first.

So you could save yourself money by just applying for a visa for India in Nepal once you are there.

Alternatively, you can apply for a 1 year multiple entry visa. Given the circumstances, the Indian Embassy in Toronto should be forthcoming. If you are of Indian Origin, then you are extremely unlikely to experience problems obtaining a 1 yr multiple entry visa.

The third alternative, as provided by merchant, is to apply for a visa now, and obtain a new one once you are in Nepal.

I'm not sure how long it takes for a foreign national to get a visa in Nepal, but you should allow 5-10 working days.

HTH

sanj

marikac · Jul 19th, 2006, 20:25

Thanks for all of your input...I think I have a few options based on what you've all indicated.

My last remaining question is the flight...do I wait to buy it until I have a visa or is it ok to get the flight before hand...??? I'm just conscious of throwing money away on date changes if the visa isnt approved for that period...and getting stranded in Nepal sounds great but in reality I'm sure it's not.

Nick-H · Jul 19th, 2006, 22:48

Can a tourist visa of more than 6 months be had in Canada?

You Americans are lucky: you can get up to ten years even, but most of the rest of us have to be content with 6 months.

Indian transit visas are a bit like tigers.They are believed to exist in certain locations, but are rarely actually spotted...

sanjmeister · Jul 19th, 2006, 23:06

Nick, perhaps it is easier for individuals of Indian Origin to get the longer multi-entry visas. Always worth a try though - to my knowledge, at London HCI, they just tick the 6 month box if they can't issue a longer visa.

As for whether to get the airline ticket first, and then the visa, or vice versa, I don't think it would matter too much. If you are able to visit the Toronto CGI, they turn around straightforward applications on the same day. So you could feasibly get the visa and book your ticket more or less at the same time.

sanj

Nick-H · Jul 19th, 2006, 23:10

It might be yes, but (I guess I missed something...) how do we know the OP is of Indian origin?

I have a feeling that, even for those of Indian origin, they want more of a reason to be visiting than just tourism...

On the other hand, if he does qualify, a PIO card or OIC would do him very nicely for many, many trips!

sanjmeister · Jul 19th, 2006, 23:44

I'm not sure if OP is of Indian Origin. I just put the info in there just in case, and for reference should someone come across the thread later in a search.

Personally speaking, I got a 5 year multi from London HCI with no problem, in 2005. My reason was simply to visit family. I know others who have similarly straightforward experiences, but they are of Indian Origin.

But from others' experiences on the board, it seems not to be so easy.

Maybe it's worth making a poll, so a person can work out their odds of getting something other than a 6 month visa.

sanj

Merchant · Jul 19th, 2006, 23:54

I'm not sure why any of this is a problem. All the OP has to do is get a new six-month visa.

GoanCanuck · Jul 21st, 2006, 06:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick-H

Can a tourist visa of more than 6 months be had in Canada?

Yes, Canadian citizens are eligible for 5 year tourist visas.

GoanCanuck · Jul 21st, 2006, 07:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by marikac

I know the visa's are only valid from the date of issue so if I go now to get a visa it will expire in Feb. and I will be stranded in Nepal. What is the best option for me?

Thanks!

Marikac, you have the following options :-

1) Get a 5 year tourist visa. Canadian citizens are eligible for this.

2) Buy your ticket first and a week before flying make a trip to the consulate and get your 6 month visa. You can also download the form from the website and send it by mail. Tourist visas can not be extended generally speaking

3) Get your 6 month tourist visa several weeks in advance in Toronto or Ottawa and when you are in Nepal you can apply for a fresh 6 month tourist visa.

Jul 19th, 2006, 08:43	#1
marikac Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Ontario Posts: 3	Visa questions... I'm travelling to Nepal in October of 06. I'll be getting there by flying to India and then on to Nepal from there. I'll be in Nepal for 5 months then hope to spend another month in India on my way back home. I am attempting to figure out this visa infomration and I'm a little lost. I know the visa's are only valid from the date of issue so if I go now to get a visa it will expire in Feb. and I will be stranded in Nepal. What is the best option for me? Can I get a transit visa for the way there and then in Nepal apply for a tourist visa for India??? Or should I apply for a tourist visa and keep my fingers crossed that I can get an extension? Also what is recommended in this case, buying my airline ticket (which I'm itching to do) or wait until I have a visa in my hand??? I an hesitant to take a day off work to trek up to the visa centre in Toronto if it will just end up being a waste of time becuase of the validity from date of issue problem. I'd love any help on this one..... Thanks!

Jul 19th, 2006, 11:17	#5
Sama a pain in the asana Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: the India inside my heart Posts: 5,460	that was my thought. why not just get an Indian visa, then get a Nepal visa in India? can one do that or is it not that simple? __________________ *My India, 2005-2008* BE THE REVOLUTION

Jul 19th, 2006, 17:39	#7
sanjmeister Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: London Posts: 60	If you are just staying in the airport in Delhi on the way to Nepal, ie you're catching a flight immediately out of Delhi, my understanding is that you do not need a visa, as IGI Airport has a transit lounge. Check this with your airline/travel agent first. So you could save yourself money by just applying for a visa for India in Nepal once you are there. Alternatively, you can apply for a 1 year multiple entry visa. Given the circumstances, the Indian Embassy in Toronto should be forthcoming. If you are of Indian Origin, then you are extremely unlikely to experience problems obtaining a 1 yr multiple entry visa. The third alternative, as provided by merchant, is to apply for a visa now, and obtain a new one once you are in Nepal. I'm not sure how long it takes for a foreign national to get a visa in Nepal, but you should allow 5-10 working days. HTH sanj __________________ Visas4India

Jul 19th, 2006, 20:25	#8
marikac Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Ontario Posts: 3	Thanks! Thanks for all of your input...I think I have a few options based on what you've all indicated. My last remaining question is the flight...do I wait to buy it until I have a visa or is it ok to get the flight before hand...??? I'm just conscious of throwing money away on date changes if the visa isnt approved for that period...and getting stranded in Nepal sounds great but in reality I'm sure it's not.

Jul 19th, 2006, 22:48	#9
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 27,763	Can a tourist visa of more than 6 months be had in Canada? You Americans are lucky: you can get up to ten years even, but most of the rest of us have to be content with 6 months. Indian transit visas are a bit like tigers.They are believed to exist in certain locations, but are rarely actually spotted... __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

Jul 19th, 2006, 09:34	#2
dilbharatmain Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: New Zealand Posts: 118	dont know if this will work, it did work for me once in Thailand.... you could apply for the Indian visa in Canada by post, but ask if you can be issued the visa at the embassy in Kathmandu. I know this is dicing with Indian bureaucracy, but my experience was that I was on my way to India but was going to be 3 months in South East Asia, so got everything sorted for the visa and asked for it to be issued in a few months time when I arrived in Bangkok, worked perfectly - went to the Indian embassy in Bang. a couple of days before flying to Calcutta and got the visa stamped straight in my passport. I have also had a bit of difficulty in the past getting visas for India in Kathmandu, situation may be better now, but perhaps what you could do is apply for the indian visa once you arrive in Kathmandu, head off for your trekking or what ever you want to do, and then get the visa issued into the passport once you get back to Kathmandu. But you need to carry your passport with you on your travels in Nepal, need it for trekking permits, and visa inspections etc. Also on this issue, avoid the scam going on at the airport in Kathmandu where you will be stamped with an exit visa on arrival, you will take no notice of this, and then when you go to leave you will be told you have no entry stamp for Nepal and have to pay a US$50 fine - happened to me twice in the same year, so now really make sure you check that you have an ENTRY stamp when you arrive in Nepal (this is a round or oval stamp), and not the EXIT stamp which is triangular - a total scam on the immigration department side. good luck, visas just a hassle afterall. Dil

Jul 19th, 2006, 10:22	#3
kandroma Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: nyc Posts: 28	why not just apply for a one year visa for india?

Jul 19th, 2006, 11:16	#4
Merchant Maha Guru Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: New York Posts: 2,096	Get the first Indian visa whenever is convenient. Go to India, then Nepal. Then get a new Indian visa in Nepal. There's no extension of a tourist visa--you're getting a new visa in Nepal. It's not a big deal. You shouldn't worry about it.

Jul 19th, 2006, 11:26	#6
cdrake I want my baby back babyback babyback babyback Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: United States of America Posts: 640	isn't this what a five year(or whatever) multiple entry visa is about? you have a valid visa, but your entry is regulated as you enter and exit the country..so if you're stamped when you reenter....but there's no reentry /visa from nepal, is there?

Jul 19th, 2006, 23:06	#10
sanjmeister Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: London Posts: 60	Nick, perhaps it is easier for individuals of Indian Origin to get the longer multi-entry visas. Always worth a try though - to my knowledge, at London HCI, they just tick the 6 month box if they can't issue a longer visa. As for whether to get the airline ticket first, and then the visa, or vice versa, I don't think it would matter too much. If you are able to visit the Toronto CGI, they turn around straightforward applications on the same day. So you could feasibly get the visa and book your ticket more or less at the same time. sanj

Jul 19th, 2006, 23:10	#11
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 27,763	It might be yes, but (I guess I missed something...) how do we know the OP is of Indian origin? I have a feeling that, even for those of Indian origin, they want more of a reason to be visiting than just tourism... On the other hand, if he does qualify, a PIO card or OIC would do him very nicely for many, many trips!

Jul 19th, 2006, 23:44	#12
sanjmeister Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: London Posts: 60	I'm not sure if OP is of Indian Origin. I just put the info in there just in case, and for reference should someone come across the thread later in a search. Personally speaking, I got a 5 year multi from London HCI with no problem, in 2005. My reason was simply to visit family. I know others who have similarly straightforward experiences, but they are of Indian Origin. But from others' experiences on the board, it seems not to be so easy. Maybe it's worth making a poll, so a person can work out their odds of getting something other than a 6 month visa. sanj

Jul 19th, 2006, 23:54	#13
Merchant Maha Guru Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: New York Posts: 2,096	I'm not sure why any of this is a problem. All the OP has to do is get a new six-month visa.

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