Visa renewal for British citizens?

totty

A friend has lived in Goa for about 6 years, during that time he has had 2 visas, he doesn't work but lives off funds. He has contacted me to say that he cannot renew his current visa in India, which expires at the end of this month,for a third time. He has been told he has to return to England to renew it and then he can go back to Goa which is where he lives. He is coming to stay with me until he sorts it out. Anyone know the procedure, how long it takes by post, addresses etc. We live in Lancashire. Thanks - new to this, first post

totty

Mickey S

It is worth remembering that no-one has a right to a visa, and that the granting of a visa is not a mere formality.

Your friend should leave India bearing in mind that he may not be allowed to return immediately, and plan accordingly.

totty

Thanks for quick reply, hope he does get one as he just loves living there and hopes to be there forever, I really don't think he has thought there might be a negative side to his problem. Lost touch for a while but he must have got 2 visas in 6 years whilst there, don't know how it works I'm afraid.

totty

machadinha

<Cross-posting>

Hm. I don't know how he went about it before, but Indian visas are not normally extendable, unless he had some work permit or so.

My first suggestion would be to check with
http://meaindia.nic.in/
http://mha.gov.in/
http://www.hcilondon.net/

These are two threads here that may or may not help you:
Visa Roundup: Tourist Visa FAQs
Information on the Different Visa Types

The sub-forum you're in now (Indian Visa and Passport Questions) might have some more for you.

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derek cox

The high commison in London is from the 5th November 2007 accepting postal applications once again. As l was about to make a very early (4.30am) visit to join the queue for a visa, this was very welcome news. Lets hope that this dredful system of obtaining visas will start to improve and the £30.00 fee can be reduced, if enough complain and make a fuss you never know.By the way the agents fees are over the top for the little work they do to obtain the visa for you, my cheapst quote was nearly £120.

Nick-H

Derek, it's been £30 for quite a while, and it is cheaper than for an Indian getting a UK visa, so don't expect any reductions!

Totty... if you have the stamina to read our threads on foreigners buying property in Goa, you'll see that the whole visa situation has hardened up a lot. Your friend may have to be content with six-month tourist visas, and there may, ultimately, be a limit to the number of those that can be obtained qithout a break.

Suggest you introduce your friend to this site to check it out for himself.

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Dilliwala

Macha,
A British visa and its renewal is something required by non-British citizens. This is a British citizen wanting an Indian visa. Some tweaking in the title wud bring more appropriate responses, I think.

edwardseco

Don't know the kind of visa but was wondering if he can do the border run to a nearby country. Of course, it doesn't sound like a tourist visa so maybe not..

patti123

All the uk people with 5 year x visa have been refused a visa in Panjim .They have all been told to go back to the uk to get their visas.Some have gone to Sri Lanka but are only getting a 3 month visa there and they are making it hard for them to get it there as well.
It doesnt matter if you own property in Goa if you have a X on your visa they are not re-newing visas in Panjim .
A Uk couple that own a business in Goa got a 5 year x in Nepal this year .

totty

Replies are interesting, not heard from my friend yet and am not au fait with the visa situation. I know he has been in Goa for about 6 years and during that time has had 2 visas, he has been told that he must return to UK to renew his visa for a third time. He is not in good health and looks on Goa as his home, he sold all his properties here to live in Goa, his bank accounts are there as is everything he owns. Don't know any more until I hear from him but I know he wants it sorted asap then he can go back. From the posts I gather it is a slow process and renewal of a visa is not guaranteed. I know he does not have access to the net as his eyesight is not good. Thanks for all replies, any info is appreciated.

totty

Nick-H

You are very welcome to relay any more enquiries on your friend's behalf. We'll help if we can.

patti123

totty. He is in the same boat as lot of my friends living in Goa .They all have apartments and 2 couples have Portuguese houses . All have sold their house in the Uk and have bank accounts in India and have their lives in Goa.They dont want to live in the Uk .
Your friend has to come back to the Uk to get his visa. He should bring all his paper work and try to get a 2 year x visa. Another friend of mine that bought a apartment managed to get a 2 year x visa last year from Birmingham. But it seems more are only being given 6 month visa .If that happens it looks like in 6 months time he has the same problem.Must be a nightmare for him .

machadinha

Just leaving the links here to those Goan Property threads that Nick mentioned above. They're massive and often confusing, however they will give you a better idea of problems with regulations for expats. While focusing on property issues, of course visa statuses also get covered there:

Foreign owned property in Goa, (Part One)
Foreign owned property in Goa, (part Two)

From all I've read here, I guess Patti's description pretty much sums it up, alas.

ps Thanks Dilli, title adjusted

totty

Not heard from my friend yet although his visa expires at the end of this week. I have no phone number to ring him so I will just have to wait and see what happens, will keep posted.

Thanks for posts.

Totty

derek cox

Visa Postal application in London.l have just used the postal application to apply for a group of 4 of us and we had them back in just over 2 weeks, we used the post office secure next day delivery at a cost of £2.37 per head and that includes insurance. All in all a much better way than standing in line, provideing you can wait 2 weeks or so,also much cheaper than the agents,a happy bunnie.