Visa validity extension

gianni66

I've searched something similar to my particular case in this sub-forum, but I didn't find any useful information, so I ask if someone can give a suggestion about my problem.

I goy a tourist visa last month for my trip planned in March; validity was two months (it is only 60 days now for the TV issued by Indian Embassy in Italy). But I had to postpone my trip to April, and the period of validity of my Visa didn't cover the new trip.

So I have applied for a new Visa. I have been back to the Embassy today, and they have said to me that I don't need to ask for a new Visa (and pay again 50 Euros for it), since they can extend the validity period of the previous one, which has not been used.

So, they will make a correction on my Visa, changing the expiring date from 01/04 to 30/04.

This is a good new for me, but I am quite worried for the fact that they will not give a phisically NEW Visa to me, but they will just make a correction (by hand) on the old one, writing (by hand again) at the bottom of it the confirmation of the validity extension and putting a stamp of the Embassy on this.



I asked if this can create some problem at the check-in, or at the Immigration desk in India, but they say "no problem"...

I've heard this phrase a lot of times in India, even when there are problems!

My flight to India will be from Paris, with Air France, on a saturday; I will be able to do nothing if the airline officiers will not allow me to embarque on the flight because they don't consider my Visa a valid one!

Shall I apply for a new Visa (and pay for it) instead of accepting the correction on the old one?

I don't want to risk to loose all my trip just to save 50 Euros...

mairangi_vice

Hi Gianni,

That is an interesting problem! You cannot extend your visa in India, but doing it before you arrive? Im not so sure. My guess is that if the embassy says it is ok, then go with it, but perhaps ask for another opinion on it apart from the official dealing with your case. Make sure that they put the official stamp over the change and maybe ask for a letter confirming what they have done.

As it is definitely an unusual case (I dont remember any similar cases on this site) if you encounter any problems they will probably be with the immigration guys in India rather than in Paris. The problem would be that although the rules may allow for this, the guy at the desk may not know about it.

gianni66

This is exactly what worries me. For thye Indian Embassy in Italy this non-standard procedure is OK; but who knows it outside their office in Rome? Nobody in Paris airport and nobody at the Immigration Desk at the arrival airport, sure! And will the hand-correction on the Visa and the handly-written confirmation on the same Visa be sufficient, even with a stamp?

I'm not sure... And I already can see the puzzled faces of the guys checking my passport and giving it back to me refusing my entrance in India...

Nick-H

If it's got the embassy stamp on it, I'd be happy with it, and be happy that they were able to help out this way.

But do try to get a stamp, not just a signature. Should be fine.

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Jorge Reverter

We truly understand you , but I also think that you have an stamp giving the validity to all the corrections and I suposse they have also corrected the dates of validty of your visa in their files.

Don't worry, be happy !!!!!!!!!!

Jorge

gianni66

There should be a signature together with the stamp, I will see it tomorrow.

Funny... two persons living in India have replied to this thread, and both are from Chennai, where I am directed with my flight from Europe!

gianni66

This is very interesting and I didn't consider it before: so the issued visas are recorded in some data base which is accessible at the Immigration Desk at the arrival airport in India?

This would solve completely the problem... I will ask to the Embassy to get a confirmation.

Thanks Jorge, you are always the "deus ex machina" here!

edwardseco

I think Jorge and Nick are right. You seem cleared to go. Its the first time I have heard of the staff being so reasonable..

gianni66

The good man responsible of this very co-operative procedure is the Italian guy working here in Indian Embassy... you have to consider the mixture between the legendary Indian bureocracy and the Italian style, "Tira a campà" ("there's always a solution", more or less)!

However, I will check tomorrow in detail the best thing to do. I prefer to spend an additional Visa fee rather than risk to be stopped at the airport chek-in!

gianni66

Here it is (I've removed name, passport and Visa numbers).

Yes, there is the Embassy stamp and signature repeated right above the correction, and there is also a confirmation with another signature at the bottom of the page.

The original Visa reported only one stamp and one signature, at the bottom-right edge.

I'm quite confused... what shall I do?

I am tempted to apply for a new one, though I have to pay again the fee, but I am very nervous with the idea to plan a trip, make a long journey and at the end risk to be sent back home because my Visa is not considered valid!

Any similar experience? I will land in Chennai coming from Europe.

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Nick-H

It looks good to me. The signature is in green ink!

No, really, I'm serious, green is good for bureaucrats.

alexvisentin

Nick, you made my day

gianni66

Do you think it can be a good idea to contact someone of the Immigration Dept. at Chennai airport before leaving to check directly with them?