Visa Roundup: Tourist Visa FAQs

sunbird · Sep 24th, 2006, 01:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Irish Dan

I've been living in india for 10 months on a work visa (X-Visa to be precise). I plan on heading to nepal in october once it runs out for a few weeks and want to return to india for a bit of travelling. Can I get a tourist visa when I re-enter india? Whats the procedure, should I apply for it before I leave or when I get to nepal? Or would it be easier to extend my x-visa?

Cheers in advance

Hi
Very good thread this one. I am getting all hopeful ( but maybe too soon) about what I have been reading and hearing about the X visa. But, no embassy site ever mentions it, and I hear different things - it is for spouses, or someone got it for work, or you can get it when you can show you have been in India for quite some years and support yourself with money from your own country. I would like to believe that indeed a long residence, in my case more than 8 years, can be honoured with a visa that also entitles to have a residential permit.
Can someone enlighten me please if an X visa would be given because of long stay and being financially self sufficient, and what documents need to be shown, and if it is possible for al nationalities?
ANd once you have an x visa, is it allowed to work?
Thanks.

When is someone finally going to set up business as an immigration lawyer for India....

Nick-H · Sep 24th, 2006, 10:33

Sunbird... it is mentioned on all the sites, don't look for 'X', look for Entry visa.

There is growing confusion as to whom and when it is issued, as the rules seem to be changing (without notice or explanation). See, in particular, the discussions here on foreigners buying property in Goa.

I'm curious to know how you've come to be here legally for eight years!

Can I suggest that, if you feel like answering that question and discussing your situation further, you start a new thread --- as this one is for keeping the FAQs up to date

rangichangi · Sep 25th, 2006, 06:30

This has probably been answered somewhere, so forgive me for asking again:

I'm thinking of acquiring a 12-month tourist visa. I understand that I may stay for only 6 months at a time. My question is this--if I get the visa in, say, October 2006, then enter India in January 2007, is it correct that I may stay in India till July 2007 (that is, from the time I enter India), or does the 6-month period start from the visa's date of issue?

(You may ask why I don't just get the visa later--it is because I will traveling frequently from November - December, and I would prefer to just get the visa in NYC before I begin my travels.)

GoanCanuck · Sep 25th, 2006, 07:39

The validity of the visa will be from Oct 2006 to Oct 2007. If you enter India in January'07 you can stay upto Jul'07.

rangichangi · Sep 25th, 2006, 10:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoanCanuck

The validity of the visa will be from Oct 2006 to Oct 2007. If you enter India in January'07 you can stay upto Jul'07.

makes sense. would rather deal with getting the visa here, than mess with it while abroad...

thanks for the prompt reply!

Nick-H · Nov 14th, 2006, 17:21

People...

Please use this thread for general corrections to the FAQs or updates: questions and visa chat should go in other threads

That way we keep the core information easy for people to find.

Loisb · Nov 14th, 2006, 21:20

Just re-posting my disapparing thread from last night!

I went to the Edinburgh Counsulate yesterday to get my visa and wanted to let folk know that they insisted on applications being on the form printed from the Edinburgh website http://www.cgiedinburgh.org/Default.shtml . Those who had printed them from the London Embassy had to fill out another one.......that had exactly the same details on, except the embassy details at the top!

. Not sure if this has been experienced by anyone else, but I suggest making sure you have the correct form!

But everyone in the queue got chatting and had a bit of a giggle - a taste of what's to come!

BTW we also heard from one chap who had been to the glasgow surgery at the weekend, queued for three hours, then been turned away. It seems that the surgeries get very busy, so go the the consulate if you can!

Nick-H · Nov 14th, 2006, 21:33

Please do not ask or answer questions here.

Only give suggested additions/corrections to the FAQ

Thank you Loisb: It seems they are making restrictions on what form we use!

kwistbeableandco · Nov 21st, 2006, 16:44

Latest on Tourist visa issued in Colombo for non-resident Western tourists;it still will take five working days, but now they won`t keep your PP at the first day(probably because of the many army security checks nowadays), you must come back the fifth day morning time to bring your PP and retrieve it late afternoon. So this means 3 times standing in line.

Moderator note: Thanks for that update

Eve68 · Nov 21st, 2006, 18:30

Just received mine yesterday, no more worrying! It took exactly eleven working days from the day they received the application, photos, etc... If you getting it by mail in the US like me that's how long it takes.

Anyone know why it costs a lot more for Americans ($60 for 6 mo)? I first thought it was according to a country's wealth but then I noticed for the Japanese it's only $1 or $3, and for a number of countries it's gratis. Maybe it's by how many travelers a year to India or agreements b/w the countries? Anyone know? I had posted this question before but it was one of the disappearing posts.

Nick-H · Nov 21st, 2006, 19:11

Please ask questions in another thread.

This thread for the FAQ Listing and Updates ONLY

SANJAY_DEL · Dec 1st, 2006, 12:07

Government of India has introduced a long term tourist visa with multiple entry for nationals of 18 countries
The countries which come under the new visa norms include france,germany,luxembourg,neth erlands, belgium, finland, spain, switzerland, norway,iceland, new zeland , japan , south korea , argentina, brazil, chile, mexico and vietnam
''the visa will have a five year validity with stipulation that continuous stay in India on each visit shall not exceed 90 days''

Lizbeth · Dec 30th, 2006, 18:08

Have just applied for my visa for India in Bangkok, it will take 5 working days and cost 2,100B for anyone who is interested (I'm an Aussie) My question on this thread anyway is that the Lonely Planet (2005 old?) said I must have an outgoing ticket to show in India and when I get my visa. No one has mentioned this, either on your site or at the embassy, any comments???

Also would truly love to go to Kashmir, am I kidding myself?

I don't have a time limit for India, expecting to stay as long as I love or hate it...

Also, (off topic) bumped into a couple in a bar who said they live in Goa and that there were really cheap domestic airfares in India. "don't catch trains or buses...20 bucks from one end of the country to the other, Goair" was a name they mentioned. True?

Cheers and thanx for a great website

Nick-H · Dec 30th, 2006, 23:02

None of us are experts. (not the professional kind, anyway!)

However, I don't think that any of us have ever been asked to show outbound tickets on arrival in India. Maybe the guy who wrote the article for the guide book was!

whiteb · Jan 1st, 2007, 16:46

Going through some of the info here about the Visa's.

The Information and general Concensus is that you need 2 passport photo's for the Application.

but here in Australia, i have used the Application from Sydney Consulate, and it says *ONE* passport, yes one on the form.

One recent passport sized photograph
Passport in Original (Valid for minimum of 6 months)
Flight details/itinerary
Fee.

Sep 24th, 2006, 10:33	#32
Nick-H Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 22,870	Sunbird... it is mentioned on all the sites, don't look for 'X', look for Entry visa. There is growing confusion as to whom and when it is issued, as the rules seem to be changing (without notice or explanation). See, in particular, the discussions here on foreigners buying property in Goa. I'm curious to know how you've come to be here legally for eight years! Can I suggest that, if you feel like answering that question and discussing your situation further, you start a new thread --- as this one is for keeping the FAQs up to date __________________ . IndiaMike Mod Team (The Grumpy One)

Nov 14th, 2006, 21:20	#37
Loisb Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Perthshire, Scotland Posts: 9	Here we go again Just re-posting my disapparing thread from last night! I went to the Edinburgh Counsulate yesterday to get my visa and wanted to let folk know that they insisted on applications being on the form printed from the Edinburgh website http://www.cgiedinburgh.org/Default.shtml . Those who had printed them from the London Embassy had to fill out another one.......that had exactly the same details on, except the embassy details at the top! . Not sure if this has been experienced by anyone else, but I suggest making sure you have the correct form! But everyone in the queue got chatting and had a bit of a giggle - a taste of what's to come! BTW we also heard from one chap who had been to the glasgow surgery at the weekend, queued for three hours, then been turned away. It seems that the surgeries get very busy, so go the the consulate if you can!

Nov 14th, 2006, 21:33	#38
Nick-H Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 22,870	Please do not ask or answer questions here. Only give suggested additions/corrections to the FAQ Thank you Loisb: It seems they are making restrictions on what form we use! Last edited by Nick-H : Nov 14th, 2006 at 22:46.

Nov 21st, 2006, 16:44	#39
kwistbeableandco Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Sri Lanka Posts: 32	Latest on Tourist visa issued in Colombo for non-resident Western tourists;it still will take five working days, but now they won`t keep your PP at the first day(probably because of the many army security checks nowadays), you must come back the fifth day morning time to bring your PP and retrieve it late afternoon. So this means 3 times standing in line. Moderator note: Thanks for that update Last edited by Nick-H : Nov 21st, 2006 at 18:26.

Dec 1st, 2006, 12:07	#42
SANJAY_DEL Account Closed Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: NEW DELHI, INDIA Posts: 1,353	Multiple Entry Visa Government of India has introduced a long term tourist visa with multiple entry for nationals of 18 countries The countries which come under the new visa norms include france,germany,luxembourg,neth erlands, belgium, finland, spain, switzerland, norway,iceland, new zeland , japan , south korea , argentina, brazil, chile, mexico and vietnam ''the visa will have a five year validity with stipulation that continuous stay in India on each visit shall not exceed 90 days''

Sep 25th, 2006, 06:30	#33
rangichangi Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: delhi Posts: 36	This has probably been answered somewhere, so forgive me for asking again: I'm thinking of acquiring a 12-month tourist visa. I understand that I may stay for only 6 months at a time. My question is this--if I get the visa in, say, October 2006, then enter India in January 2007, is it correct that I may stay in India till July 2007 (that is, from the time I enter India), or does the 6-month period start from the visa's date of issue? (You may ask why I don't just get the visa later--it is because I will traveling frequently from November - December, and I would prefer to just get the visa in NYC before I begin my travels.)

Sep 25th, 2006, 07:39	#34
GoanCanuck Maha Guru Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Vancouver Posts: 2,714	The validity of the visa will be from Oct 2006 to Oct 2007. If you enter India in January'07 you can stay upto Jul'07.

Nov 14th, 2006, 17:21	#36
Nick-H Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 22,870	People... Please use this thread for general corrections to the FAQs or updates: questions and visa chat should go in other threads That way we keep the core information easy for people to find.

Nov 21st, 2006, 18:30	#40
Eve68 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: USA Posts: 105	Just received mine yesterday, no more worrying! It took exactly eleven working days from the day they received the application, photos, etc... If you getting it by mail in the US like me that's how long it takes. Anyone know why it costs a lot more for Americans ($60 for 6 mo)? I first thought it was according to a country's wealth but then I noticed for the Japanese it's only $1 or $3, and for a number of countries it's gratis. Maybe it's by how many travelers a year to India or agreements b/w the countries? Anyone know? I had posted this question before but it was one of the disappearing posts.

Nov 21st, 2006, 19:11	#41
Nick-H Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 22,870	Please ask questions in another thread. This thread for the FAQ Listing and Updates ONLY

Dec 30th, 2006, 18:08	#43
Lizbeth travela Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: China, kind of... Posts: 10	Just my tuppance worth and a ? Have just applied for my visa for India in Bangkok, it will take 5 working days and cost 2,100B for anyone who is interested (I'm an Aussie) My question on this thread anyway is that the Lonely Planet (2005 old?) said I must have an outgoing ticket to show in India and when I get my visa. No one has mentioned this, either on your site or at the embassy, any comments??? Also would truly love to go to Kashmir, am I kidding myself? I don't have a time limit for India, expecting to stay as long as I love or hate it... Also, (off topic) bumped into a couple in a bar who said they live in Goa and that there were really cheap domestic airfares in India. "don't catch trains or buses...20 bucks from one end of the country to the other, Goair" was a name they mentioned. True? Cheers and thanx for a great website

Dec 30th, 2006, 23:02	#44
Nick-H Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 22,870	None of us are experts. (not the professional kind, anyway!) However, I don't think that any of us have ever been asked to show outbound tickets on arrival in India. Maybe the guy who wrote the article for the guide book was!

Jan 1st, 2007, 16:46	#45
whiteb Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 22	Going through some of the info here about the Visa's. The Information and general Concensus is that you need 2 passport photo's for the Application. but here in Australia, i have used the Application from Sydney Consulate, and it says ONE passport, yes one on the form. One recent passport sized photograph Passport in Original (Valid for minimum of 6 months) Flight details/itinerary Fee.

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