India visa question.
Jul 22, 2009, 7:23 am
#2
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In practice no one cares what you are upto when you are there. If you are going on work, just apply for a business visit visa. Costs exactly the same.
Jul 22, 2009, 7:52 am
#3
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Thanks Oliver. I am not going for work. I may have some meetings of exploratory nature. I already have a 10 year multiple entry visa. So, I could use the tourist visa which I already have until it looks like something might turn into business. If I had proper business meetings and business interests I would definitely apply for business visa even if I had a tourist visa.
Last edited by Yaatri; Jul 22, 2009 at 8:03 am
Jul 22, 2009, 2:56 pm
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Thanks Oliver. I am not going for work. I may have some meetings of exploratory nature. I already have a 10 year multiple entry visa. So, I could use the tourist visa which I already have until it looks like something might turn into business. If I had proper business meetings and business interests I would definitely apply for business visa even if I had a tourist visa.
As a matter of good practice, if any business transaction is going to be papered, the right visa for the circumstances would be my suggestion even if the immigration staff most probably won't care.
Jul 23, 2009, 5:24 am
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In practice, the government rarely cares upon entry and exit to India, especially if having a long history of visits for social/tourist purposes.
As a matter of good practice, if any business transaction is going to be papered, the right visa for the circumstances would be my suggestion even if the immigration staff most probably won't care.
As a matter of good practice, if any business transaction is going to be papered, the right visa for the circumstances would be my suggestion even if the immigration staff most probably won't care.
If one can reasonably argue argue that meeting with other people was not actually conducting business, one is not violating the law.
Last edited by Yaatri; Jul 25, 2009 at 12:20 am
Jul 23, 2009, 5:31 am
#6
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In practice, the government rarely cares upon entry and exit to India, especially if having a long history of visits for social/tourist purposes.
As a matter of good practice, if any business transaction is going to be papered, the right visa for the circumstances would be my suggestion even if the immigration staff most probably won't care.
As a matter of good practice, if any business transaction is going to be papered, the right visa for the circumstances would be my suggestion even if the immigration staff most probably won't care.
Other than that, you are free to do as you please.
Jul 23, 2009, 6:02 am
#7
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OP...it is not like if your doing busdev the visa police are going to nab you...with the high price of an India visa I am sure the host country is just happy to get the cash. 
Jul 23, 2009, 8:57 am
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The limited concern is not about the immigration control staff at the airports -- it's others in and beyond government making an issue of it after a business engagement that is a more substantive concern but not necessarily or even generally so.
Jul 23, 2009, 10:12 am
#9
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If you get "paid" in India - not having a meeting / signing an agreement - on that trip, then that's a work visa. Else business / tourist are the same visa effectively.
Jul 24, 2009, 7:55 am
#11
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Jul 25, 2009, 12:12 am
#12
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You can enter the U.S. before the date of expiry of the visa provided you have not exceeded the number of entries allowed by the visa. the length/duration of your stay has nothing to do with the date of expiry of your visa, but with the type of visa. For example if your visa expires on Aug. 01, 2009, you can enter the U.S. anytime before Aug. 01 and stay in the U.S. beyond Aug. 01 as long as you meet other requirements of the visa.
Does the Indian visa work in the same manner?
Does the Indian visa work in the same manner?
Jul 26, 2009, 10:43 am
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You can enter the U.S. before the date of expiry of the visa provided you have not exceeded the number of entries allowed by the visa. the length/duration of your stay has nothing to do with the date of expiry of your visa, but with the type of visa. For example if your visa expires on Aug. 01, 2009, you can enter the U.S. anytime before Aug. 01 and stay in the U.S. beyond Aug. 01 as long as you meet other requirements of the visa.
Does the Indian visa work in the same manner?
Does the Indian visa work in the same manner?
Some countries and/or visa types have date of entry as the driving factor while others have it as the date of issuance, and it can be such a mix that it confuses even those in the consular sections. I operate on the risk-averse presumption that Indian visas aren't good for use to stay in India on or after the expiration date entered on the visa itself at time of visa issuance.
Last edited by GUWonder; Jul 26, 2009 at 10:51 am
Jul 27, 2009, 11:49 am
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I could be mistaken about the following since I haven't run this by anybody else, but I was under the impression that most Indian visas issued are only valid for staying in India up to the date of visa expiry stated on the visa; and that for those who will be in India visiting beyond the printed visa expiry date a renewal/extension is required, but that ordinarily on a tourist visa they don't like granting more than half a month or so as an extension unless there are some kind of special circumstances. [Another visa -- at least in prior decades -- good for extending the stay -- worked out easier than trying to get an extension on an existing visa.]
Some countries and/or visa types have date of entry as the driving factor while others have it as the date of issuance, and it can be such a mix that it confuses even those in the consular sections. I operate on the risk-averse presumption that Indian visas aren't good for use to stay in India on or after the expiration date entered on the visa itself at time of visa issuance.
Some countries and/or visa types have date of entry as the driving factor while others have it as the date of issuance, and it can be such a mix that it confuses even those in the consular sections. I operate on the risk-averse presumption that Indian visas aren't good for use to stay in India on or after the expiration date entered on the visa itself at time of visa issuance.
First Entry by: The date of expiry of the Visa
Valid for: X journeys during the period of stay, if the Passport remains valid.
Period of stay in India from the date of first entry: X months.
It seems to indicate that you cannot enter after the expiry date of the visa. It does not say that your stay is limited by the date of expiry of the visa, but by the validity of your passport.
Jul 28, 2009, 6:24 am
#15
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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.
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.