Originally Posted by d3vski (Post 12134080)

In my numerous trips to india over the years, ive never had the immigration officer utter a single word to me. They just stamp away. I will say good morning/good evening etc and all i will get from them is a half hearted attempt to acknowledge and shortly after passport is returned.

Just in case your business dealings will have a paper trail, i agree that you should get a business visit just to be on the safe side!

im also pretty sure my last 5 year multiple entry visa to India does not actually specifiy whether its for tourism or business. It just states five years multiple entry category x.

I will try and dig up my old passport and clarify.

Originally Posted by mark123 (Post 12146069)

As per my experiences you cann't work with this kind of visa. Visa is is only issued for tourism, family visits, and for business visits. It is not designed for work as an employee, and work of this kind is not permitted to holders of this class of visa.

Originally Posted by Mr. Bean (Post 12197029)

When you mean 'Tourist' what is the letter type of visa that you are holding? That is, what is the first letter of the visa number?

I have an OCI visa, which starts with 'U' (as all OCI visas seem to do). It is, of course, a lifelong visa. I don't know what category it fits into, but I would not imagine that I need a separate visa to "do business" in India.

Another person in my family has the 10-year multiple entry tourist visa, but I forget the letter designation. Probably you could just check the terms on an indian consulate website.

Originally Posted by Mr. Bean (Post 12197029)

When you mean 'Tourist' what is the letter type of visa that you are holding? That is, what is the first letter of the visa number?

I have an OCI visa, which starts with 'U' (as all OCI visas seem to do). It is, of course, a lifelong visa. I don't know what category it fits into, but I would not imagine that I need a separate visa to "do business" in India.

Another person in my family has the 10-year multiple entry tourist visa, but I forget the letter designation. Probably you could just check the terms on an indian consulate website.

Originally Posted by d3vski (Post 12198377)

OCI is a multi-purpose, multi-entry lifelong visa (basically Permanent Resident Status) given to people who are descendents (upto 2 generations) of those who are/were Indian Citizens. You can turn up tomorrow and live there forever!

Just checked my old 5 year visa, although the category is "X", the small print at the bottom of the visa clearly states:

Visa for tourist, non-extendable, change of purposes not allowed, not valid for protected, restricted and cantonment areas

Originally Posted by Yaatri (Post 12212295)

IS OCI available to foreign born spouses too?

Originally Posted by d3vski (Post 12213213)

No, OCI is only available if the person qaulifies through their own lineage.

My understanding is that the PIO is available to foreign born spouses. It is the Indian version of the spouse visa.