UK citizen marrying Indian citizen in Mumbai - X visa, E visa or what?

Hi,

My boyfriend (from UK) has been living and working in India (Mumbai) for the past few years on an Employment visa. Now, we are finally planning to get married. He converted to Hinduism a few months ago, so we could get married in Arya Samaj. His EV expires end of june this year. Can we apply for X visa (after getting married) from India itself or does he have to leave the country to get it? Does anyone know the entire process of getting an X visa. Like the time involved in it. Or could he get an extension based on our marriage and then get the X visa? As we are spending all our money in setting up home, we can't afford a trip outside country to get a Visa. So, is it poosible for him to change his Employment visa to X visa in India?
Any help would be priceless!


(New thread started, from right to stay in india after marriage?)

It might be possible. Very hard to give black and white answers.

Conversion after marriage is one of the few situations allowed for a tourist visa, so it might be from E visa. However, please consider this carefully: your husband cannot legally work in India with an X visa, so the conversion may not be so good for your finances.

You might know this Nick - how long after marriage can a spouse of an Indian qualify for the right to work? Do you apply for a PIO card or something similar? We don't live in India now because I need to work to pay off student loans ... eventually we would like to move back. Can I eventually work in India?

It isn't a case of how long after, but it becomes one because one has to wait a year (or more, depending on where you apply) before an application for a PIO card will be accepted.

With a PIO card, you can work/study/etc in India.

Ah ok, thanks Nick. Just to clarify, a year after the marriage, or a year after being on X Visa?

Sorry nevermind! Just read the beginning of this thread and my question was answered. Hooray for reading comprehension.

A year after marriage. Remember: you could apply for a PIO card if you'd never been to India. You could even apply for one even if you never used it!

This enforced delay is a matter of policy, not written into the regulations you can see online. You need to find out what the policy is in your country.

Interesting the US does this with GI marriages to Korean "girls"..

Thanks Nick! Just one more question. When one converts his/her present visa (Tourist/employment) the validity of X visa is till the previous visa expires? My boyfriend's Employment visa expires after a couple of months. Now when we convert that to X visa, does he get a new visa (anywhere between 6 months to 5 years) or it expires when the previous visa expires?

Don't know. I'd expect it to be a new visa.

As I said, I don't know if this E-to-X is possible!

Good luck with it all

From Saigon to The American Dream

If you are planning to get married then just go for the Indian citizenship after you are married.
It is a sure shot and permanent solution.If you plan to do so. Else you will have problem in anything and everything.
And more over one on a tourist visa cannot start business or work in the visiting country.
Just watch out your legalities and proceed according to your situations.

Not quite. First you must be a resident in India for 7 years before applying. Second you must renounce your other citizenship to get an Indian passport - I'm not planning on giving up my US passport for an Indian one! No thanks. PIO card sounds the best way to go.

Makes me think of my life - American girl marries Indian guy and moves TO Saigon! What kind of dream is that I wonder...

Please explain exactly how this is done. Start with the number of years wait before applying.

A dream of having great pho, and bicycle pollution free in the green paddy fields...