Volunteer work on a tourist visa

Austin Allegro · Oct 20th, 2009, 23:44

I know there is much discussion of this. The letter of the law appears to be that no voluntary work may be undertaken in India with a tourist visa - an entry visa is required instead.

However, I have checked the websites of dozens of volunteer agencies in India and nearly all advise getting a tourist visa 'to avoid complications'. Some advise keeping quiet about volunteering; others stay neutral and just say you require a 'correct' visa.

The couple of charities I am interested in working for have advised getting a tourist visa because an employment visa can be difficult to obtain, and I suspect I would not get far trying to get an employment visa. It has been tough finding the kind of volunteer work I want to do without having to pay a fortune for the privilege and I don't want to jeopardise this opportunity.

Now, either this is just helpful advice or it is also because they don't want any responsibility for their volunteers, which is understandable.

So my question is not on the jot and tittle of the law, but on what might happen if, hypothetically, one were to undertake voluntary charitable work on a tourist visa.

Thousands and thousands of tourists must do some work for a few days in various well known places in India, and these cannot possibly all have employment visas. Every guide I have read points to places where volunteers can just drop in and offer help.

What constitutes 'voluntary work' anyway? If, like Michael Palin, I decide to take part in a play organised by the Indian Army Amateur Dramatics Society in Simla, is this 'work' and a violation of my visa? If I help a local person with his English by holding unpaid informal 'lessons', is this work?

Ultimately, am I likely to suffer any repercussions or be deported? Have there been any documented cases of this happening to volunteers?

federica · Oct 20th, 2009, 23:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Austin Allegro

So my question is not on the jot and tittle of the law, but on what might happen if, hypothetically, one were to undertake voluntary charitable work on a tourist visa.

It could happen that you'll get caught on working on a tourist visa and get in trouble because of that. Don't ask me how likely you'll have problems.

I know of one case where the visa status of a volunteer worker was questioned, but the outcome was that he had a proper visa. In his case that was good for him, otherwise he would have had problems. The whole issue came up when the work of his organization was not pleasant for some locals/politicians.

Why don't you apply for an X visa (entry visa) to be on the safer side?

Austin Allegro · Oct 21st, 2009, 04:44

I suppose the problem is that if I apply for an employment visa and don't get it, and then apply for a tourist visa, I might not get that either if they cross check, because they might assume I was going to work anyway.

a_f_d · Oct 21st, 2009, 16:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Austin Allegro

I suppose the problem is that if I apply for an employment visa and don't get it, and then apply for a tourist visa, I might not get that either if they cross check, because they might assume I was going to work anyway.

you won't get an employment visa - but as federica said you might get an 'X' visa, and if that is refused they'll probably give you a tourist visa anyway

AndyD 8-)#

NonIndianResident · Oct 23rd, 2009, 14:32

Follow the advice of all those people with experience who tell you to get a tourist visa. An X-visa is almost impossible. Thousands of people volunteer every year in India on tourist visas. I've known hundreds of them and never heard of anyone who got deported for it, or even any problem. Just keep quiet about volunteering on your visa application.

There's a reason that all those volunteer agencies tell you to do it! They have experience!

NonIndianResident · Oct 23rd, 2009, 14:53

After reading more on this topic around IndiaMike, I'd like to add I was a amazed to hear of an American who actually got the X-visa for volunteering. Very surprising. Maybe it's possible now.

The only foreigners who are likely to get deported or have problems (or even get lynched or burnt, in some parts of India!) are Christian missionaries. If you're one of those, go somewhere else.

Austin Allegro · Oct 23rd, 2009, 15:43

Thanks for the info.

I thought being boiled in a big pot was the traditional treatment for missionaries...

Haylo · Oct 23rd, 2009, 20:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by NonIndianResident

I'd like to add I was a amazed to hear of an American who actually got the X-visa for volunteering. Very surprising. Maybe it's possible now.

Absolutely, entry visas are now issued to people who have been offered unpaid volunteer positions.

The website gives all the details.

laurute · Oct 25th, 2009, 16:36

Hi Austin,

So how did that go? Did u get an X Visa or decided to go on a Tourist Visa?

I can share my experiance when I was applyin for my Employment Visa and when it got rejected because of the low salary offered, I thought of applying for the Volunteer Visa as well. However, according to the officer at the Embassy 'they do not encourage volunteer work nor Visa's for that', but reasons were not shared why.

My advise would be - just go for Tourist Visa and don't risk your opportunity and life experiance!

Austin Allegro · Oct 26th, 2009, 23:39

Laurute

I haven't applied yet, am still at planning stage...I'll keep the forum posted!

Oct 20th, 2009, 23:44	#1
Austin Allegro Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: London Posts: 24	Volunteer work on a tourist visa I know there is much discussion of this. The letter of the law appears to be that no voluntary work may be undertaken in India with a tourist visa - an entry visa is required instead. However, I have checked the websites of dozens of volunteer agencies in India and nearly all advise getting a tourist visa 'to avoid complications'. Some advise keeping quiet about volunteering; others stay neutral and just say you require a 'correct' visa. The couple of charities I am interested in working for have advised getting a tourist visa because an employment visa can be difficult to obtain, and I suspect I would not get far trying to get an employment visa. It has been tough finding the kind of volunteer work I want to do without having to pay a fortune for the privilege and I don't want to jeopardise this opportunity. Now, either this is just helpful advice or it is also because they don't want any responsibility for their volunteers, which is understandable. So my question is not on the jot and tittle of the law, but on what might happen if, hypothetically, one were to undertake voluntary charitable work on a tourist visa. Thousands and thousands of tourists must do some work for a few days in various well known places in India, and these cannot possibly all have employment visas. Every guide I have read points to places where volunteers can just drop in and offer help. What constitutes 'voluntary work' anyway? If, like Michael Palin, I decide to take part in a play organised by the Indian Army Amateur Dramatics Society in Simla, is this 'work' and a violation of my visa? If I help a local person with his English by holding unpaid informal 'lessons', is this work? Ultimately, am I likely to suffer any repercussions or be deported? Have there been any documented cases of this happening to volunteers?

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Oct 21st, 2009, 04:44	#3
Austin Allegro Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: London Posts: 24	I suppose the problem is that if I apply for an employment visa and don't get it, and then apply for a tourist visa, I might not get that either if they cross check, because they might assume I was going to work anyway.

Oct 23rd, 2009, 14:32	#5
NonIndianResident Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: India Posts: 114	Follow the advice of all those people with experience who tell you to get a tourist visa. An X-visa is almost impossible. Thousands of people volunteer every year in India on tourist visas. I've known hundreds of them and never heard of anyone who got deported for it, or even any problem. Just keep quiet about volunteering on your visa application. There's a reason that all those volunteer agencies tell you to do it! They have experience!

Oct 23rd, 2009, 14:53	#6
NonIndianResident Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: India Posts: 114	After reading more on this topic around IndiaMike, I'd like to add I was a amazed to hear of an American who actually got the X-visa for volunteering. Very surprising. Maybe it's possible now. The only foreigners who are likely to get deported or have problems (or even get lynched or burnt, in some parts of India!) are Christian missionaries. If you're one of those, go somewhere else.

Oct 23rd, 2009, 15:43	#7
Austin Allegro Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: London Posts: 24	Thanks for the info. I thought being boiled in a big pot was the traditional treatment for missionaries...

Oct 25th, 2009, 16:36	#9
laurute Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: India Posts: 15	Hi Austin, So how did that go? Did u get an X Visa or decided to go on a Tourist Visa? I can share my experiance when I was applyin for my Employment Visa and when it got rejected because of the low salary offered, I thought of applying for the Volunteer Visa as well. However, according to the officer at the Embassy 'they do not encourage volunteer work nor Visa's for that', but reasons were not shared why. My advise would be - just go for Tourist Visa and don't risk your opportunity and life experiance!

Oct 26th, 2009, 23:39	#10
Austin Allegro Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: London Posts: 24	Laurute I haven't applied yet, am still at planning stage...I'll keep the forum posted!