The Union ministry of home affairs (MHA) has revised the tourist visa guidelines, following representations and objections from several quarters over the stringent tourist visa rules.
Those who raised objections included the tourism ministry, industry stakeholders and diplomatic channels. The new visa guidelines give reprieve to tourists visiting India. They can now reenter the country three times within the visa period.
However, the cooling-off period of two months before a foreign tourist can be issued a new visa stays. But the restriction does not apply to foreign nationals coming on any other visa or People of Indian Origin (PIO) holding PIO or Overseas Citizenship of India cards.
The latest set of guidelines was issued by the MHA on April 26, asking the Indian missions abroad and the immigration authorities within the country for uniform implementation.
The P. Chidambaram-led home ministry had last year formulated 'strict' visa rules for tourists after the role of terror suspect David Coleman Headley in Mumbai attacks came to light. The visa guidelines stipulated a cooling-off period of two months before a tourist could visit India again.
However, under the new guidelines, if a foreign national holding tourist visa, after initial entry, plans to visit another country in the neighbourhood and then wants to re-enter India within 60 days, before finally exiting, he can do so up to three times.
This would help those tourists who plan to visit many countries using India as a transit point. Now, a tourist just needs to show his itinerary and ticket bookings to Indian mission abroad, or if he/she had already been out of his country, then to the nearest Indian mission for availing facility of three-time re-entry. The mission would issue an authorisation to the tourist.
The revised rules even authorise the immigration authorities in the country to allow tourists to re-enter up to three times, even if they do not carry authorisation by the Indian missions abroad. The tourists again need to show some documents supporting their travel plans and ticket bookings in different countries.
The visa rules also say the total period of stay during the three entries cannot exceed the stipulated period of 180 days or 90 days, as the case maybe.
Coming back to the cooling off period of two months, the guidelines say if the tourist has availed the three re-entry chances or has completed the visa term, then there has to be a gap of two months from the date of final exit.
However, in emergency cases where the tourist needs to visit India within the cooling-off period, then he has to seek permission from the Indian missions abroad. The Indian missions can only issue visa in emergencies such as death, serious illness in the family, non-availability of connecting flights and on the basis of proper documentation. Even foreign regional registration offices can also allow entry in emergency situations.
Also, the Indian missions have been asked to be strict in granting tourist visa for the purpose of recreation, sight-seeing or casual visits. No other activity such as work or business is permitted on this visa.
Spouse or relatives of foreign nationals already on employment or business or research visa, can only be issued X-visa and not the tourist visa. Similar rule will apply to PIOs and foreign nationals married to Indians. They can only be granted X-visa.
Reproduced From Mail Today. Copyright 2010. MTNPL. All rights reserved.
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Travel Alert
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Bureau of Consular Affairs
India
April 16, 2010
The Department of State alerts U.S. citizens to ongoing security
concerns in India. The U.S. government continues to receive information
that terrorist groups may be planning attacks in India. The February
2010 bombing in Pune and the November 2008 attacks in Mumbai provide a
vivid reminder that hotels, markets, trains and other public places in
India are especially attractive targets for terrorist groups. Terrorists
and their sympathizers have demonstrated their willingness and
capability to attack targets where U.S. citizens or Westerners are known
to congregate or visit. This replaces the Travel Alert dated January 29,
2010, to note the February 2010 bombing in Pune, and expires on May 30,
2010.
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Hi! Good to hear from you. All is really fine here. Yesterday was Easwaramma Day and I didn't go out much. I actually felt sick from the heat--the first time ever. I was nauseous all day and went to bed at 9 o'clock and slept until 6. Had to douse myself with water throughout the afternoon yesterday. I have never felt it this hot before.
e-MAIL FROM A FRIEND LIVING IN PRASANTHI
There are many, many people here, mostly Indians. They came for the programs yesterday which included the installation of two huge silver idols of Swami's parents at the Samadhi. People came in droves because they thought He was going to give out saris. He didn't. This morning I received a call that He is not going anywhere. Some people left yesterday for Kodai, but apparently He changed His plans. We don't know anything from one day to the next. Everything is being painted outside and inside in preparation for His birthday.
I'm glad you got your card to have your checkups. Take good care and enjoy yourself! It's too hot to be here right now anyhow.
Love,
Dear Sir, May 8th 2010
I lived in India for 30 years, almost half of my adult life and I had not stepped out of India for 20 years, duly registered and legal until recently. In March of this year I was told to bring my papers to Prasanthi Nilayam where I have been living instead of Bangalore where I had lived previously as I own flats in both places.
Immediately upon seeing me, the FRO said, “You have to leave the country.” I said “ but I’m here on a five year visa.” He replied, “We just received a new circular saying we cannot extend five year visas.” I did as I was told.
Sir, I am living here in Florida with my dearest sister in my own apartment with TV and AC and good music and a microwave but Sir. I must get back to my India. I should be there not here. Not only do I miss not having Darsan of Sri Sathya Sai Baba, but I miss not having the Darsan of all my sweet dear Indian sisters. Perhaps you don’t know Sir, but they are, most are, the dearest kindest people in the world, and the strongest also. I have learned so much from them and I miss them. I miss being in India in fact, so very much.
I know that you are not giving x visas but Sir, I simply belong in India, that’s all. I never should have been told to go but now, now that I’m here even though it is most clean and pleasant, I must go back Home now, to my India.
I just want to add that my pension gives me over 500 dollars a month and also that I am plenty busy over there writing my website,
Saiwonderland.net and my blog, saigraduates.blogspot.com. But please sir, I’m like a bird trying to fly in the ocean. I must return to my India.
I pray that you understand my plight and will be merciful
Sincerely Susan Caffery
Question 10: Whether a 5 years extension can be given to a registered foreigner?
Answer:
§ Yes. Five year VISA extension can be granted for following categories of foreigners:
I. Foreigners of Indian origin, their spouses & children.
II. Foreigners living in India on valid visa continuously for last 20 years.
III. Experts & technicians coming to India in pursuance of bilateral agreements, their spouses and children.
IV. Foreigners married to an Indian National, when on long term VISA or when long term extension has been approved by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Foreign Division, Jaisalmer House, 26, Man Singh Road New Delhi, then further extension up to five year at a time can be given by concerned FRROs/FROs cum Superintendents of Police on production of relevant documents and satisfaction. For Bangladeshi National only one year extension is given at a time and such Sri Lankan Nationals invariably require approval of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Foreign Division, Jaisalmer House, 26, Man Singh Road New Delhi for all extensions)
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