New Visa Requirements?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: NJ/NYC
Programs: AA EXP/LT Plat, SPG Plat/LT Plat, HHonors Gold, Hyatt Plat, IHG Plat, MR Silver
Posts: 2,786
New Visa Requirements?
Hi,
I am currently in India on a Business Visa. I switched hotels this morning and upon checking in, I was informed by the manager that I will need to leave the country by October 31. I was extremely surprised to hear this, but I reviewed the letter from the government myself, and it is very clear that foreigners on Business Visas must leave by then.
Upon doing some research with my Indian colleague, it seems that the guidelines for Business Visas have changed and now are only valid for certain cases, such as starting a new business / joint venture. For my consulting work, I would need an Employment Visa. Shouldn't be difficult to get, but still somewhat annoying.
Does anyone have any information on this? We have reached out to the consulate as well as our own travel department, but I am looking for all the details I can get my hands on. I was already scheduled to leave on 10/31 (perhaps this is the reason why my flight is completely sold out), but was supposed to return several days later.
-Troy
I am currently in India on a Business Visa. I switched hotels this morning and upon checking in, I was informed by the manager that I will need to leave the country by October 31. I was extremely surprised to hear this, but I reviewed the letter from the government myself, and it is very clear that foreigners on Business Visas must leave by then.
Upon doing some research with my Indian colleague, it seems that the guidelines for Business Visas have changed and now are only valid for certain cases, such as starting a new business / joint venture. For my consulting work, I would need an Employment Visa. Shouldn't be difficult to get, but still somewhat annoying.
Does anyone have any information on this? We have reached out to the consulate as well as our own travel department, but I am looking for all the details I can get my hands on. I was already scheduled to leave on 10/31 (perhaps this is the reason why my flight is completely sold out), but was supposed to return several days later.
-Troy
#2
Join Date: May 2005
Location: SJC
Programs: NZ*G, QF NB, UA 1K, AA ExecPlat, IHG PlatAmb, HHonors Gold, SPG Gold, Marriott Gold, ZE1 PC
Posts: 2,636
I have an entire team in the same situation, but trying to get concrete information has been very difficult.
Supposedly the situation (gleaned from newspapers, hearsay, etc) that there was an incident between Chinese and Indian workers, and some people were killed. The govt investigated and found a lot of Chinese workers in India on Business Visas, and the rules were then changed.
The new rules are supposedly that BVs can only be used by "salesy" type people who are here to sell, buy, or set up/establish business. Employment visas are required for all people who are here working on contracts or projects being executed by Indian companies. This affects my team as we're employed by various offices of a MNC but working on an Indian project for our Indian office.
However the fun has started when we tried to establish how to get an Indian employment visa. I'm a New Zealander but live in Singapore, and have established from the NZ Indian High Commission that they think I need to go to NZ to get the visa issued since the rules say they will only issue to citizens in their country of citizenship. The Singapore Indian High Commission hasn't been able to answer the question from our travel agents/immigration consultants/email/phone/PAs going and annoying them in person, so I will have to visit next week when I get back to Singapore.
However, a Belgian colleague who is employed/works in NZ, who spoke to the High Commission in NZ was told he would have to go to Belgium. The Belgian Indian High Commission said he was fine on a Business Visa and didn't need an Employment Visa.
The Australian Indian High Commission has been unable to answer but it seems that a British colleague will need to return to the UK to get his visa. The Swiss Indian High Commission says there have been no changes.... and so on. It's absolute chaos but not surprising. Nonetheless all of us are leaving on the 31st to try and find out from our respective country consulates what the heck we should do!
The hotel we use (Leela Kempinski, Gurgaon) had not heard of the changes and it's a hotel used by many tech/telco companies. I'm surprised yours had said that you must leave -- where are you staying?
http://www.worldwideerc.org/Resource...-20091014.html has a reasonably detailed explanation as does http://www.worldwideerc.org/Resource...-20091009.html
Supposedly the situation (gleaned from newspapers, hearsay, etc) that there was an incident between Chinese and Indian workers, and some people were killed. The govt investigated and found a lot of Chinese workers in India on Business Visas, and the rules were then changed.
The new rules are supposedly that BVs can only be used by "salesy" type people who are here to sell, buy, or set up/establish business. Employment visas are required for all people who are here working on contracts or projects being executed by Indian companies. This affects my team as we're employed by various offices of a MNC but working on an Indian project for our Indian office.
However the fun has started when we tried to establish how to get an Indian employment visa. I'm a New Zealander but live in Singapore, and have established from the NZ Indian High Commission that they think I need to go to NZ to get the visa issued since the rules say they will only issue to citizens in their country of citizenship. The Singapore Indian High Commission hasn't been able to answer the question from our travel agents/immigration consultants/email/phone/PAs going and annoying them in person, so I will have to visit next week when I get back to Singapore.
However, a Belgian colleague who is employed/works in NZ, who spoke to the High Commission in NZ was told he would have to go to Belgium. The Belgian Indian High Commission said he was fine on a Business Visa and didn't need an Employment Visa.
The Australian Indian High Commission has been unable to answer but it seems that a British colleague will need to return to the UK to get his visa. The Swiss Indian High Commission says there have been no changes.... and so on. It's absolute chaos but not surprising. Nonetheless all of us are leaving on the 31st to try and find out from our respective country consulates what the heck we should do!
The hotel we use (Leela Kempinski, Gurgaon) had not heard of the changes and it's a hotel used by many tech/telco companies. I'm surprised yours had said that you must leave -- where are you staying?
http://www.worldwideerc.org/Resource...-20091014.html has a reasonably detailed explanation as does http://www.worldwideerc.org/Resource...-20091009.html
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: NJ/NYC
Programs: AA EXP/LT Plat, SPG Plat/LT Plat, HHonors Gold, Hyatt Plat, IHG Plat, MR Silver
Posts: 2,786
Finally someone who is in the same situation. You are right, no one knows what is going on and it is incredibly difficult to get any reliable information on this.
From the research our team has done, it seems that the requirements for an Employment Visa are a bit more stringent than a Business Visa (which caused this whole problem). At a minimum, it looks like they need a copy of your employment contract, salary details, etc. What's confusing is who this needs to come from. For example, I am employed by a US firm directly who is doing consulting work on behalf of a US client, at their Indian subsidiary, in conjunction with our India firm.
The way I read the requirements, the question is what is considered "doing work for an Indian company" - directly or indirectly?
I was initially information about this by the ITC in Vizag, however I have asked at the ITC Maratha (Mumbai), ITC Maurya (Delhi), and Park Hyatt Goa and none of them knew about this. I would think at least the ITC's in Mumbai and Delhi would be aware of this issue.
Thanks for the links I will check them out.
From the research our team has done, it seems that the requirements for an Employment Visa are a bit more stringent than a Business Visa (which caused this whole problem). At a minimum, it looks like they need a copy of your employment contract, salary details, etc. What's confusing is who this needs to come from. For example, I am employed by a US firm directly who is doing consulting work on behalf of a US client, at their Indian subsidiary, in conjunction with our India firm.
The way I read the requirements, the question is what is considered "doing work for an Indian company" - directly or indirectly?
I was initially information about this by the ITC in Vizag, however I have asked at the ITC Maratha (Mumbai), ITC Maurya (Delhi), and Park Hyatt Goa and none of them knew about this. I would think at least the ITC's in Mumbai and Delhi would be aware of this issue.
Thanks for the links I will check them out.
#4
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Terra Australis Cognita
Posts: 5,350
At the risk of stating the obvious... why not use a tourist visa? They're easily obtained, allow multiple entries and are valid 6 months, and you can get them issued back to back without anybody blinking an eye. Yes, you're not allowed to "work" on a tourist visa... but if you're getting paid at home by the home office, not by an Indian company in India, then you aren't really working in India now are you?
As a data point, I spent over a year (off and on) working... err... attending a project in India on an unholy mix of tourist and business visas, traveling back and forth every month or so, and Immigration never even batted an eyelid.
As a data point, I spent over a year (off and on) working... err... attending a project in India on an unholy mix of tourist and business visas, traveling back and forth every month or so, and Immigration never even batted an eyelid.
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: NJ/NYC
Programs: AA EXP/LT Plat, SPG Plat/LT Plat, HHonors Gold, Hyatt Plat, IHG Plat, MR Silver
Posts: 2,786
At the risk of stating the obvious... why not use a tourist visa? They're easily obtained, allow multiple entries and are valid 6 months, and you can get them issued back to back without anybody blinking an eye. Yes, you're not allowed to "work" on a tourist visa... but if you're getting paid at home by the home office, not by an Indian company in India, then you aren't really working in India now are you?
As a data point, I spent over a year (off and on) working... err... attending a project in India on an unholy mix of tourist and business visas, traveling back and forth every month or so, and Immigration never even batted an eyelid.
As a data point, I spent over a year (off and on) working... err... attending a project in India on an unholy mix of tourist and business visas, traveling back and forth every month or so, and Immigration never even batted an eyelid.
#7
Join Date: May 2005
Location: SJC
Programs: NZ*G, QF NB, UA 1K, AA ExecPlat, IHG PlatAmb, HHonors Gold, SPG Gold, Marriott Gold, ZE1 PC
Posts: 2,636
From the research our team has done, it seems that the requirements for an Employment Visa are a bit more stringent than a Business Visa (which caused this whole problem). At a minimum, it looks like they need a copy of your employment contract, salary details, etc. What's confusing is who this needs to come from. For example, I am employed by a US firm directly who is doing consulting work on behalf of a US client, at their Indian subsidiary, in conjunction with our India firm.
The way I read the requirements, the question is what is considered "doing work for an Indian company" - directly or indirectly?
The way I read the requirements, the question is what is considered "doing work for an Indian company" - directly or indirectly?
Our HR in India is unsure but are still talking to our advisors (PWC) to try and find out more - if I hear anything I'll post it here. It seems that it will be a letter from the Indian company which explains the project, how you're being funded, why you need to be there, etc.... rather than local employment.
Originally Posted by jpatokal
At the risk of stating the obvious... why not use a tourist visa? They're easily obtained, allow multiple entries and are valid 6 months, and you can get them issued back to back without anybody blinking an eye. Yes, you're not allowed to "work" on a tourist visa... but if you're getting paid at home by the home office, not by an Indian company in India, then you aren't really working in India now are you?
As a data point, I spent over a year (off and on) working... err... attending a project in India on an unholy mix of tourist and business visas, traveling back and forth every month or so, and Immigration never even batted an eyelid.
As a data point, I spent over a year (off and on) working... err... attending a project in India on an unholy mix of tourist and business visas, traveling back and forth every month or so, and Immigration never even batted an eyelid.
The other issue is that I'd be going through pages and pages in my passport very quickly .
#8
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Aberdeenshire
Programs: BA
Posts: 1,008
At the risk of stating the obvious... why not use a tourist visa? They're easily obtained, allow multiple entries and are valid 6 months, and you can get them issued back to back without anybody blinking an eye. Yes, you're not allowed to "work" on a tourist visa... but if you're getting paid at home by the home office, not by an Indian company in India, then you aren't really working in India now are you?
As a data point, I spent over a year (off and on) working... err... attending a project in India on an unholy mix of tourist and business visas, traveling back and forth every month or so, and Immigration never even batted an eyelid.
As a data point, I spent over a year (off and on) working... err... attending a project in India on an unholy mix of tourist and business visas, traveling back and forth every month or so, and Immigration never even batted an eyelid.
We have several people in our office here with the same problem as the OP - employed by the UK office but working on Indian projects in the India office for x weeks / months. Long term expats (like me) are on Employment visas but the short term guys are on Business visas.
For employment visas we have to initially apply in our country of residence (IIRC), but they can be extended at the FRO. We needed a letter from the Indian company stating that we were employed by the UK co etc and wouldn't cost the GOI anything while we were here, plus a copy of our contract.
Good luck!
#9
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,095
It's going to be turning more.
For those of South Asian backgrounds, it's probably going to still work out for those in the kind of arrangement you mention because of a presumption of social visit purpose if so declaring that for those with a tourist visa and/or tourist & business visas; for those of other ethnic backgrounds and staying at higher end hotels for long durations, it might become a bit more difficult if the Home Ministry decides to go full force with updated training and implementation at the international ports of entry.
PIO and OCI applications should see a spike due to this too since that's a more predictable -- if not also easier -- process than these contractor/employment-related visa requirements.
At the risk of stating the obvious... why not use a tourist visa? They're easily obtained, allow multiple entries and are valid 6 months, and you can get them issued back to back without anybody blinking an eye. Yes, you're not allowed to "work" on a tourist visa... but if you're getting paid at home by the home office, not by an Indian company in India, then you aren't really working in India now are you?
As a data point, I spent over a year (off and on) working... err... attending a project in India on an unholy mix of tourist and business visas, traveling back and forth every month or so, and Immigration never even batted an eyelid.
As a data point, I spent over a year (off and on) working... err... attending a project in India on an unholy mix of tourist and business visas, traveling back and forth every month or so, and Immigration never even batted an eyelid.
PIO and OCI applications should see a spike due to this too since that's a more predictable -- if not also easier -- process than these contractor/employment-related visa requirements.
Last edited by GUWonder; Oct 27, 2009 at 4:13 am
#10
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: USA
Programs: UA/CO(1K-PLT), AA(PLT), QR, EK, Marriott(PLT), Hilton(DMND)
Posts: 9,538
It's going to be turning more.
For those of South Asian backgrounds, it's probably going to still work out for those in the kind of arrangement you mention because of a presumption of social visit purpose if so declaring that for those with a tourist visa and/or tourist & business visas; for those of other ethnic backgrounds and staying at higher end hotels for long durations, it might become a bit more difficult if the Home Ministry decides to go full force with updated training and implementation at the international ports of entry.
PIO and OCI applications should see a spike due to this too since that's a more predictable -- if not also easier -- process than these contractor/employment-related visa requirements.
For those of South Asian backgrounds, it's probably going to still work out for those in the kind of arrangement you mention because of a presumption of social visit purpose if so declaring that for those with a tourist visa and/or tourist & business visas; for those of other ethnic backgrounds and staying at higher end hotels for long durations, it might become a bit more difficult if the Home Ministry decides to go full force with updated training and implementation at the international ports of entry.
PIO and OCI applications should see a spike due to this too since that's a more predictable -- if not also easier -- process than these contractor/employment-related visa requirements.
#11
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,095
Speaking of ordinary visas rather than of something like PIO or OCI, it is often still the way you mention it. However, it's not necessarily obvious to the Indian government who does and does not have any Pakistani links if using a non-Pakistani passport and born outside of Pakistan.
#12
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: USA
Programs: UA/CO(1K-PLT), AA(PLT), QR, EK, Marriott(PLT), Hilton(DMND)
Posts: 9,538
Speaking of ordinary visas rather than of something like PIO or OCI, it is often still the way you mention it. However, it's not necessarily obvious to the Indian government who does and does not have any Pakistani links if using a non-Pakistani passport and born outside of Pakistan.
However, it seems that over the past five years, there is a perception that applicants with Muslim names and South Asian heritage, even those born outside Pakistan, (but including those born in India prior to 1947), are experiencing extreme scrutiny of, and rejection of visa applications at a high rate. I do know of some cases personally and am a little surprised at the type of people who are experiencing background delays and rejections (i.e., older persons born in India, migrated to Pakistan, then migrated to the USA; or, college age persons born in the USA of Muslim parents from India).
#13
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 22,778
I suspect you are referring to people of third world countries having to change their plans to or in first world countries, such as the U.S. and the U.K. due to rules being changed or at the whims of interpretation of rules by those charged with implementing them. It's an indication of changing economic situation. There is substantial economic activity in India, which of significant interest to western business entities. India, unlike the U.S. the U.K. or western Europe, does not face people trying to get in to India by any means, with the exception of Nepalis or Bangladeshis.
#14
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 22,778
That is the case. I wish it were different. I have any friends who would like to visit India. How is it the other way around? Indians, specifically Sikhs, are allowed to visit Pakistan to visit Sikh shrines as members of organised tours. Their experiences have been positive. Grand parents of one my friends, who are from Rawalpindi got to visit with the family who lived in what was the former's home before the partition. The original porch light fixture that was still there was gifted by the Pakistani famly to them.
Last edited by Yaatri; Oct 27, 2009 at 11:50 am
#15
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 22,778
At the risk of stating the obvious... why not use a tourist visa? They're easily obtained, allow multiple entries and are valid 6 months, and you can get them issued back to back without anybody blinking an eye. Yes, you're not allowed to "work" on a tourist visa... but if you're getting paid at home by the home office, not by an Indian company in India, then you aren't really working in India now are you?
As a data point, I spent over a year (off and on) working... err... attending a project in India on an unholy mix of tourist and business visas, traveling back and forth every month or so, and Immigration never even batted an eyelid.
As a data point, I spent over a year (off and on) working... err... attending a project in India on an unholy mix of tourist and business visas, traveling back and forth every month or so, and Immigration never even batted an eyelid.