Visa Run

richie4india · Jun 6th, 2007, 21:18

I will be going out to Goa late November 2007. I plan to stay until early July (more than 6 months).

I would like to know if I can do a visa run a few days before the one I will be on expires as I will leave my stuff in Goa. Throughout December I will be travelling other parts of India.

Late May I will need a new visa for the last month and a bit....so can this be done before the initial visa expires?

Cheers

richie4india · Jun 7th, 2007, 01:12

I guess I will have to leave on expiration and can only renew on or after. I will most likely go to Sri Lanka....anyone know if Sri Lanka is best????

Merchant · Jun 7th, 2007, 02:07

You don't have to wait until your visa expires. You are not renewing your visa; you are getting a brand new one. Don't wait until the very end of the first visa, since you don't want to get stuck in case you have trouble getting the new one.

As for which country, in theory it shouldn't matter where you go. I don't know if there is a "best" country--you are dealing with bureaucrats at an Indian consulate no matter where you go.

richie4india · Jun 7th, 2007, 02:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Merchant

You don't have to wait until your visa expires. You are not renewing your visa; you are getting a brand new one. Don't wait until the very end of the first visa, since you don't want to get stuck in case you have trouble getting the new one.

As for which country, in theory it shouldn't matter where you go. I don't know if there is a "best" country--you are dealing with bureaucrats at an Indian consulate no matter where you go.

Oh thank god for that! I have looked at the website for Sri Lanka and I'm confused as to what they want. I mean on the application form it says Birth Certificate and elsewhere it says for Sri Lankan nationals only.

I can not find a site for Katmandhu.

Who has experience in this bedlam of an exercise!?

Cheers

Merchant · Jun 7th, 2007, 02:46

You need the same documents that were required the first time you applied. Requirements vary by nationality of applicant. You might have to fill out some additional paperwork--but the application, photos, and fees are supposed to be the same,

It's really not a big deal to get a new visa. If you go to an Indian consulate on the subcontinent (as opposed to Europe), you are dealing with an overburdened institution, staffed by bureaucrats who have more pressing visa issues to deal with, like Tamil refugees from the Sri Lankan civil war. Fixing a visa for a, no offense, white European to continue his Indian holiday isn't going to be a priority for them, so you may have to wait longer than you did when you applied at home. But people here on IM have reported getting new Indian visas in Colombo in three days or so.

I would get the new visa while a full month remained on the old one, just to be safe. That way you aren't locked out of India if something happens--like an attack on Colombo, which isn't out of the question and which forces you to travel elsewhere to get a new visa.

richie4india · Jun 7th, 2007, 02:49

I thought it may take a few days! Will they post it to my hotel or can I collect it. I think Colombo may be best really!

Merchant · Jun 7th, 2007, 02:54

I think you probably have to queue up and collect it yourself. At least, you should expect to have to do it yourself. Make a bunch of copies of your passport and old Indian visa, since you'll be in Colombo and your PP will be out of your hands.

richie4india · Jun 7th, 2007, 03:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Merchant

I think you probably have to queue up and collect it yourself. At least, you should expect to have to do it yourself. Make a bunch of copies of your passport and old Indian visa, since you'll be in Colombo and your PP will be out of your hands.

Oh god it sounds bad! LOL I hope nothing bad happens!

Merchant · Jun 7th, 2007, 03:02

Probably nothing will happen, but you never know. Sri Lanka has lots of issues that can affect you, alas.

edwardseco · Jun 7th, 2007, 03:11

So many people have done this routinely..

richie4india · Jun 7th, 2007, 03:29

The pain is finding a decent direct charter flight from London to Goa rather than flying via Mumbai.

Are there any specific sites? Thomsonfly have bad flight times!

machadinha · Jun 7th, 2007, 05:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by richie4india

I can not find a site for Katmandhu.

Who has experience in this bedlam of an exercise!?

There's a lengthy sticky thread here: My stay in Kathmandu for Visa 25.12.06 - 3.12.06.

Not sure if it lists the URL but looks to be here: http://www.south-asia.com/Embassy-India/ .*

See also http://www.nri-connect.com/NRIUseful...Consulates.htm , or go >Missions and Posts Abroad at http://meaindia.nic.in/ , that's where they got it.

* Btw I see now that notice of theirs which has been subject of some discussion here:

Quote:

# Repeated applications for tourist visas will not be entertained.

I wonder if it doesn't just mean if you've been declined, there's no point in trying again. As opposed to blocking back-to-back applications I mean.

richie4india · Jun 10th, 2007, 19:00

So if I fly to Nepal and book a room for a week I can apply there. I hope they give me a second one though!

It sounds dodgy as they do not like giving repeated applicants a visa.

richie4india · Jun 10th, 2007, 19:42

Anyone know of any decent places to stay near the embassy in Kat?

Nepal requires me to get a visa first! I think Sri Lanka will be less hassle. I will have to go to Delhi to get that Nepali visa first!

Having said that they try to put you off...saying you should use your home country to apply. Then they are also saying you may need invitation letters etc to support your tourist application!!

sunbird · Jun 10th, 2007, 21:04

"I wonder if it doesn't just mean if you've been declined, there's no point in trying again. As opposed to blocking back-to-back applications I mean.[/quote]

Hi
I admit I have some difficulty knowing where to post a particular question, so I am trying again here because the key word is 'back to back'. I would like to know if anyone can confirmn the rumours that are going around in goa:
1. no more back to back from consulates in neighbouring countries

2) no more back to back even from indian embassy in your own country, but 6 months in, 6 months out'.
As I wrote in my other post: people driving each other crazy with these kinds of rumours _ I checked offical sites and cannot find anything about this, and I feel it may not be wise to send an email to e.g. the Home Minsitry to ask this question.....

My last related question is whether by now it is emerging that for people who apply for back to back for Goa there are other rules than for people who go back to other places in India.

Though I am asking a question I also hope to be of service if and when I can put rumours to rest here!

Jun 6th, 2007, 21:18	#1
richie4india Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: London Posts: 165	Visa Run I will be going out to Goa late November 2007. I plan to stay until early July (more than 6 months). I would like to know if I can do a visa run a few days before the one I will be on expires as I will leave my stuff in Goa. Throughout December I will be travelling other parts of India. Late May I will need a new visa for the last month and a bit....so can this be done before the initial visa expires? Cheers

Jun 10th, 2007, 19:42	#14
richie4india Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: London Posts: 165	Anyone know of any decent places to stay near the embassy in Kat? Nepal requires me to get a visa first! I think Sri Lanka will be less hassle. I will have to go to Delhi to get that Nepali visa first! Having said that they try to put you off...saying you should use your home country to apply. Then they are also saying you may need invitation letters etc to support your tourist application!! Last edited by richie4india : Jun 10th, 2007 at 20:43.

Jun 10th, 2007, 21:04	#15
sunbird Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: India Posts: 6	back to back "I wonder if it doesn't just mean if you've been declined, there's no point in trying again. As opposed to blocking back-to-back applications I mean.[/quote] Hi I admit I have some difficulty knowing where to post a particular question, so I am trying again here because the key word is 'back to back'. I would like to know if anyone can confirmn the rumours that are going around in goa: 1. no more back to back from consulates in neighbouring countries 2) no more back to back even from indian embassy in your own country, but 6 months in, 6 months out'. As I wrote in my other post: people driving each other crazy with these kinds of rumours _ I checked offical sites and cannot find anything about this, and I feel it may not be wise to send an email to e.g. the Home Minsitry to ask this question..... My last related question is whether by now it is emerging that for people who apply for back to back for Goa there are other rules than for people who go back to other places in India. Though I am asking a question I also hope to be of service if and when I can put rumours to rest here!

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Jun 7th, 2007, 01:12	#2
richie4india Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: London Posts: 165	I guess I will have to leave on expiration and can only renew on or after. I will most likely go to Sri Lanka....anyone know if Sri Lanka is best????

Jun 7th, 2007, 02:07	#3
Merchant Maha Guru Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: New York Posts: 2,096	You don't have to wait until your visa expires. You are not renewing your visa; you are getting a brand new one. Don't wait until the very end of the first visa, since you don't want to get stuck in case you have trouble getting the new one. As for which country, in theory it shouldn't matter where you go. I don't know if there is a "best" country--you are dealing with bureaucrats at an Indian consulate no matter where you go.

Jun 7th, 2007, 02:46	#5
Merchant Maha Guru Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: New York Posts: 2,096	You need the same documents that were required the first time you applied. Requirements vary by nationality of applicant. You might have to fill out some additional paperwork--but the application, photos, and fees are supposed to be the same, It's really not a big deal to get a new visa. If you go to an Indian consulate on the subcontinent (as opposed to Europe), you are dealing with an overburdened institution, staffed by bureaucrats who have more pressing visa issues to deal with, like Tamil refugees from the Sri Lankan civil war. Fixing a visa for a, no offense, white European to continue his Indian holiday isn't going to be a priority for them, so you may have to wait longer than you did when you applied at home. But people here on IM have reported getting new Indian visas in Colombo in three days or so. I would get the new visa while a full month remained on the old one, just to be safe. That way you aren't locked out of India if something happens--like an attack on Colombo, which isn't out of the question and which forces you to travel elsewhere to get a new visa.

Jun 7th, 2007, 02:49	#6
richie4india Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: London Posts: 165	I thought it may take a few days! Will they post it to my hotel or can I collect it. I think Colombo may be best really!

Jun 7th, 2007, 02:54	#7
Merchant Maha Guru Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: New York Posts: 2,096	I think you probably have to queue up and collect it yourself. At least, you should expect to have to do it yourself. Make a bunch of copies of your passport and old Indian visa, since you'll be in Colombo and your PP will be out of your hands.

Jun 7th, 2007, 03:02	#9
Merchant Maha Guru Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: New York Posts: 2,096	Probably nothing will happen, but you never know. Sri Lanka has lots of issues that can affect you, alas.

Jun 7th, 2007, 03:11	#10
edwardseco Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Land that shakes and bakes. Posts: 4,224	So many people have done this routinely..

Jun 7th, 2007, 03:29	#11
richie4india Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: London Posts: 165	The pain is finding a decent direct charter flight from London to Goa rather than flying via Mumbai. Are there any specific sites? Thomsonfly have bad flight times!

Jun 10th, 2007, 19:00	#13
richie4india Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: London Posts: 165	So if I fly to Nepal and book a room for a week I can apply there. I hope they give me a second one though! It sounds dodgy as they do not like giving repeated applicants a visa.

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