India - Indian visa to my finacee in UK

Guru's

My fiancee is a British Citizen. She was born in UK. We are planning to get married in India and I am an Indian Citizen residing in US.

1. What sort of visa do I need to apply for her? Is it a tourist visa? Or is there any marriage visa too?

2. And also her parents are British Citizens but they were born in Pakistan. Does this will be a problem for her to get the visa on time?

3. What documents do I need to send her for her application? Since we are planning to get married in India, we do not have any marriage certificate yet from UK.

4. How long does it take to get he visa?

I would really appreciate if anyone can answer this.

Thanks
Kewl

in order to answer your question are you asking about getting your fiance a visa to the US or to India?

in which country will you be living in after the marriage?

as for the parents, if they are UK citizens why would anyone have to know or even care that they were born in Pakistan?

I'd like to help but am confused about your questions. My husband and I were married in the US in 2006 then again in India in 2007. The India marriage was not legally binding as far as I know, but rather just a ceremony for friends and family. If you are ok with doing it that way, I would recommend just having a court marriage in either the UK or US, and then a ceremony in India.

If her parents were born in pakistan there are some extra background checks that she'll have to go through before she gets any sort of visa.

As you're only going to visit India to be married there and maybe have your honeymoon there, all you need is a tourist visa for her.

Talking to my friends it can take anything up to 9 months if there is a connection with Pakistan. Having said that I did get a business visa in three days (wife born in Pakistan). I don't mean to alarm you but have you thought of a back up plan? Getting married in Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka or someone where all relatives can also gather?

as for the parents, if they are UK citizens why would anyone have to know or even care that they were born in Pakistan?

because you have to declare that on your visa application form....& once that is declared it can take a long long time for the visa to come through....i know someone who had to wait over 8 months just because his father was born in pakistan....

i know someone who had to wait over 8 months just because his father was born in pakistan....

1) I guess the person you know is a British Citizen, and both his parents are also British Citizens??

2) Did he apply for his visa on his British passport?

3) Was his visa restricted to certain cities?

Keyser, thank you very much for your help. I really appreciate it.

1) I guess the person you know is a British Citizen, and both his parents are also British Citizens??

yes & yes....

2) Did he apply for his visa on his British passport?

yes he did but he disclosed the part about his father being born in pakistan....that was the main reason for the delay....

3) Was his visa restricted to certain cities?

3 cities....

yes & yes....



yes he did but he disclosed the part about his father being born in pakistan....that was the main reason for the delay....



3 cities....

Keyser, thank you very much for the information. It it very helpful and I appreciate your help.

The reason I am asking you all these questions is because it looks like my situation is very similar to that of the person you know. My father, my mother, my sister and I are all British Citizens but my mother is born in Pakistan. We all live in the UK.

Therefore, I wanted to ask you a few more questions please.

1) The person you know, did he also have to do police reporting whilst in India? Meaning, reporting to the police on arrival and departure at each city?

2) The person you know, do you know how long his visa was valid for?

3) And the person you know, did he apply for his visa from the UK or from Pakistan?

Because I think the rules for applying for a visa might be slightly different, depending on which country you are applying from.

When all 4 of us applied for a visa for India (from the UK) back in 2008, it took about 2 and a half months to get the visas and then when we got our visas they were valid for 3 months, though they were not restricted to certain cities.

My mother and I each applied for a visa for India again (from the UK), in August this year (2011). So it looks like we could still be waiting for sometime? And maybe our visas will also be restricted to 3 cities?

Keyser, thank you once again for all your help, I really appreciate it.

Keyser, thank you very much for the information. It it very helpful and I appreciate your help.

glad i can help....

1) The person you know, did he also have to do police reporting whilst in India? Meaning, reporting to the police on arrival and departure at each city?

police reporting is only for pakistani citizens....so if you are a british citizen then you will be exempt....

2) The person you know, do you know how long his visa was valid for?

not sure....but i believe it was 3 months....

3) And the person you know, did he apply for his visa from the UK or from Pakistan?

from the uk....he is not a pakistani citizen....

Because I think the rules for applying for a visa might be slightly different, depending on which country you are applying from.

i'm sure they are but if you are a british citizen then its bext to apply in the uk....

When all 4 of us applied for a visa for India (from the UK) back in 2008, it took about 2 and a half months to get the visas and then when we got our visas they were valid for 3 months, though they were not restricted to certain cities.

once again, only pakistani citizens are restricted to certain cities....

My mother and I each applied for a visa for India again (from the UK), in August this year (2011). So it looks like we could still be waiting for sometime? And maybe our visas will also be restricted to 3 cities?

the max time its supposed to take for people with links to pakistan is about 6 weeks....if its been over 6 weeks since you applied then i suggest getting in touch with the embassy again....

& once again, if you are a british citizen then you don't have to worry about police reporting or being restricted to certain cities....

glad i can help....



police reporting is only for pakistani citizens....so if you are a british citizen then you will be exempt....



not sure....but i believe it was 3 months....



from the uk....he is not a pakistani citizen....



i'm sure they are but if you are a british citizen then its bext to apply in the uk....



once again, only pakistani citizens are restricted to certain cities....



the max time its supposed to take for people with links to pakistan is about 6 weeks....if its been over 6 weeks since you applied then i suggest getting in touch with the embassy again....

& once again, if you are a british citizen then you don't have to worry about police reporting or being restricted to certain cities....

Keyser, thank you very much once again for all your help, I really appreciate it.

I will let you know when we hear anything from the embassy about our visas.

Take care

If your British of Pakistani origin with parents born and lived in independent pakistan before becoming british, the Indian embassy considers you to be a Pakistani citizen as you can claim pakistani citizenship through descent and you cna legally have dual citizenships.

Im afraid you do not have a choice in these circumstances, the indians consider you to be Pakistani and will limit the visas accordingly.

If your British of Pakistani origin with parents born and lived in independent pakistan before becoming british, the Indian embassy considers you to be a Pakistani citizen as you can claim pakistani citizenship through descent and you cna legally have dual citizenships.

Im afraid you do not have a choice in these circumstances, the indians consider you to be Pakistani and will limit the visas accordingly.

d3vski, thank you very much for the information. It is very helpful and I appreciate your help.

From what you have told me, I wanted to clarify a few things with you please:

1) Will my visa be restricted even though I have applied for it on my British passport? I have never had a Pakistani passport, and I have no intention of getting one because I don't want one.

2) Will my mum's visa be restricted even though she has also applied for it on her British passport? She had a Pakistani passport, which expired back in 2002 and she submitted a letter with her India visa application stating that she has not renewed her Pakistani passport since it expired.

3) Will both my mum and I have to do police reporting in India, even though our visas would be on our British passports? If yes, please explain to me in more detail as to what exactly we would be required to do. Thank you.

d3vski, thank you very much for your help, I appreciate it.

My visa and my mother's visa for India were issued on 15th December 2011, each with a validity of 3 months, and they are not restricted :D :D.

Keyser and d3vski, once again, thank you very much for your help. I appreciate it.

My visa and my mother's visa for India were issued on 15th December 2011, each with a validity of 3 months, and they are not restricted :D :D.

Keyser and d3vski, once again, thank you very much for your help. I appreciate it.

great....glad it all worked out....

My visa and my mother's visa for India were issued on 15th December 2011, each with a validity of 3 months, and they are not restricted :D :D.

Keyser and d3vski, once again, thank you very much for your help. I appreciate it.
Raafehdin, did you went to India?
Were you given just one month stay on your passport although you had three month visa?
I heard one will get just one month stay even though the visa is for 3 months

I appreciate your advice and help.
Thanks
Kewl

Raafehdin, did you went to India?
Were you given just one month stay on your passport although you had three month visa?
I heard one will get just one month stay even though the visa is for 3 months

I appreciate your advice and help.
Thanks
Kewl

its been a year since your last post here....did you finally end up getting married????

Raafehdin, did you went to India?
Were you given just one month stay on your passport although you had three month visa?
I heard one will get just one month stay even though the visa is for 3 months

I appreciate your advice and help.
Thanks
Kewl

Kewl, my apologies for the delay in replying. I only just saw your message.

Unfortunately I did not go to India at that time because I became ill at the time I wanted to go.

When I got my visa in December 2011, I applied from Edinburgh, UK. It was valid for 3 months, from 15th December 2011 until 15th March 2012 and there were no other restrictions on it.

I then applied for a new visa, this time from Birmingham, because I now live near Birmingham. I submitted the papers on 25th May and I am still waiting for it.

Did your fiancee get her visa for India recently? If yes, may I ask what her experience was?

Thank you,

Raafeh

great....glad it all worked out....

Hello Keyser,

How are you?

Hope you are well.

Remember, you and I were in contact in this thread when I got my visa for India in December 2011 from Edinburgh, UK?

I was wondering if you could please advise me, I would be very grateful.

I then applied for a new visa, this time from Birmingham, because I now live in Coventry (near Birmingham). I submitted the papers on 25th May (nearly 5 months ago) and I am still waiting for it.

At the time when I submitted my papers, the manager said that visas normally come through quicker in Birmingham (3 months) compared to Edinburgh, but then at the same time, I understand it all depends on when the clearance from India comes.

Might it be an idea if I asked the Indian Consulate in Birmingham about the progress of my visa is? Or are they just likely to say they are still waiting for the clearance and it will come whenever it comes.

I am also guessing May might be a busy time to apply for visas, so maybe that might also be a reason why it is taking longer.

Keyser, thank you very much for all your help. I realy appreciate it.

Hello Keyser,

How are you?

Hope you are well.

Remember, you and I were in contact in this thread when I got my visa for India in December 2011 from Edinburgh, UK?

I was wondering if you could please advise me, I would be very grateful.

I then applied for a new visa, this time from Birmingham, because I now live in Coventry (near Birmingham). I submitted the papers on 25th May (nearly 5 months ago) and I am still waiting for it.

At the time when I submitted my papers, the manager said that visas normally come through quicker in Birmingham (3 months) compared to Edinburgh, but then at the same time, I understand it all depends on when the clearance from India comes.

Might it be an idea if I asked the Indian Consulate in Birmingham about the progress of my visa is? Or are they just likely to say they are still waiting for the clearance and it will come whenever it comes.

I am also guessing May might be a busy time to apply for visas, so maybe that might also be a reason why it is taking longer.

Keyser, thank you very much for all your help. I realy appreciate it.

it should not take 5 months....you should definitely get in touch with the consulate to see what they say....

Any delay has to be at the Indian (Home Ministry) end at the Consulate end,a s the Consulate is merely a conduit in this case.
My guess, raafehdin, is caused by your earlier visa. You are always asked if you have travelled to India prior to the proposed travel. Since you git a visa but never entered India, it, in the minds of Home Ministry babus is suspicious.
You should ask the Birmingham Consulate, but I doubt they will have a meaningful answer for you other than that it's being processed in New Delhi.
If there are any inconsistencies between the information provided on the two applications, that would be a cause of delay too.
From what I have read in the posts here, there seems to be some confusion between the length of the visa, i.e., its validity, and the length if stay allowed.
validity is simply the perid during which your visa is valid. You must enter India during the validity period. The length of one is allowed to stay is determined by the immigration officer based on the purpose of one's trip. For example, a ten year visa does not allow one to stay in India for ten years. A student could be given a three month visa, but could be admitted for a stay for three years without leaving India. The situation described above is rae, but entirely possible.

Sounds more like a matter of passport being lost/mishandled after being submitted for visa processing, unless flagged for denial.

You are always asked if you have travelled to India prior to the proposed travel. Since you git a visa but never entered India, it, in the minds of Home Ministry babus is suspicious.

it should not take 5 months....you should definitely get in touch with the consulate to see what they say....

Thank you Keyser.

You are always asked if you have travelled to India prior to the proposed travel. Since you git a visa but never entered India, it, in the minds of Home Ministry babus is suspicious.

Yaatri, thank you for the information, it is useful to know.

I thought I would also let you know (for your information only) that I currently already have three Indian visas in my passport (all three issued from Edinburgh) and the one from Birmingham (which I am currently waiting for) would be my fourth one. Under the section on the online application form (for the visa I am currently waiting for), under the section where I had to type the places in India that I visited previously, I typed the places and then I typed “(visited in July 2008)”.

What I learned when I submitted my visa application in Birmingham, is that the Birmingham Consulate asked for a lot more information compared to the Edinburgh Consulate.

For example, in Birmingham, they asked for a photocopy of my birth certificate and my mum’s naturalisation certificate. Neither of these was asked for in Edinburgh.

In Birmingham they asked for a written explanation as to why we did not use our previous visa. This was never asked for in Edinburgh (for the latter two of our three visas issued there)

In Birmingham, when I showed them a photocopy of my uncles Indian passport (as required proof of his ID), they also asked for a copy of his PAN card. Whereas in Edinburgh, my uncles passport photocopy was sufficient.

In Birmingham, they kept my mum’s original expired Pakistani passport (along with its photocopy) with her Indian visa application. Whereas in Edinburgh a photocopy of my mum’s expired Pakistani passport was sufficient.

In Birmingham, they kept all three of my mum’s British passports that she ever had (obviously including her current British passport on which she is applying for her visa). Whereas in Edinburgh, her current passport and the one prior to that were sufficient.

I gave the Birmingham consulate each and everything that they had asked for.

I understand that the more information you give, the stronger your application is.

Yaatri, I understand 101 percent that all you are trying do to is give a calculated guess as to what the situation of mine and my mum’s visa might be at the moment, which I suppose is all one can do.

I guess I will just have to continue waiting (playing the “waiting game”) and just hope for the best.

Sounds more like a matter of passport being lost/mishandled after being submitted for visa processing, unless flagged for denial.

GUWonder, in your opinion, should I ask the Birmingham Consulate about that (passport being lost/mishandled)?

Surely, the consulate does not physically post our passports to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in New Delhi?

To the best of my knowledge, the consulate keeps our passports (though I could be wrong) and the decision about our visa applications is made by the MHA and then given to the consulate.

Also from what I know, generally speaking, the reason our visas can take a while to come is because I think the MHA check each and everything to do with our application because they want to know where in India we are going, and why we are going. They do the full verification of all the information provided by the applicant before making a decision about issuing a visa.

Here is some information which I read on another forum:

Posted by someone with the forum name of "AmericanGuyIndia":

"I have been to the MHA. I know exactly how the process works. We are literally talking about "people, pencils, papers, PILES." Which "p" is missing? The one you mistakenly assume exists: Professionals. It is not a sophisticated situation - it's like being transported to 1835. There is a separate building where Pak origin piles are kept. It is staffed by one guy sitting at one desk. No computer. He is in the office two or three days a week, tops. This guy has to approve EVERY SINGLE Pak origin application from EVERY SINGLE country. If people truly knew what was going on and saw for themselves what I have seen they would not even consider applying. "Forgotten" doesn't even begin to describe what you are dealing with. They just replaced one guy with another so the new guy is learning the ins and outs of the job. Good luck with that".

Source: http://www.indiamike.com/india/indian-visa-and-passport-questions-f9/visa-delay-for-us-citizens-of-pakistani-origins-t109883/16/

I hope this information is of some use to you all.

Similar situation.

British GF of Pakistani Origin wants to visit India with me [Indian National working in UK] in February.

We applied on 26 September and still waiting. About 4 weeks ago, my Indian contacts have been contacted by local police to verify their existence and they say that have sent their clearance on but we still haven't heard anything.

We contacted VFS who said they cannot update us.

We don't know who to contact regarding this.

Applied in London Victoria office.

Similar situation.

British GF of Pakistani Origin wants to visit India with me [Indian National working in UK] in February.

We applied on 26 September and still waiting. About 4 weeks ago, my Indian contacts have been contacted by local police to verify their existence and they say that have sent their clearance on but we still haven't heard anything.

We contacted VFS who said they cannot update us.

We don't know who to contact regarding this.

Applied in London Victoria office.

Chancesilver, I understand your situation. The local police having contacted your contacts in India, and having written a report based on the meeting with your contacts, is only part if the process of getting clearance from India. They still have lots of other things to do after the report (though I am not sure what exactly those things are).

In other words the fact that police have contacted your contacts is merely a sign that your application is "work in progress". Unfortunately there is nobody who you can contact about it and there is not much you can do other than wait and hope for the best. VFS and the Indian Consulate will not be able to update you and they will not really have a meaningful answer for you other than the fact that your application is being processed in New Delhi and that you will be contacted by them once your clearance has come from India.

You never know exactly how long your application is going to take, though I have read it can take anything up to 9 months.

I submitted my current visa application on 25th May, six months have now passed. My Uncle in India said the police contacted him in October. We have not yet heard anything back from the Indian Consulate (in Birmingham).

As I might have stated earlier in this thread, when I submitted my previous application (in Edinburgh), I submitted it in August 2011. The police contacted my Uncle in India in October and then I got my visa in December 2011.

Chancesilver, good luck with your application, please keep us informed about how you get on with your application and I will also keep you posted on how I get on with mine.

thanks Rafe, got an email this afternoon and will be going to London tomorrow

"We are pleased to inform you that the clearance has been received from the concerned authorities for processing your visa.

You are, therefore, advised to submit your passport along with a print out of this e-mail to the concerned VFS Centre (Victoria or Goswell or Hayes), where you had submitted your visa application. The visa would be valid for three months from the date of issue."