OM SAI RAM
The burning question, to wit; 'Will the mandatory 2 months out of India after a stay of 6 months, remain or be removed"?; was asked at the meeting with US Consul, Jason Rieff.
Consul Rieff said he did not wish to comment and give us false hope or false despair. Later ,when talking informally, he indicated that he felt the general trend was towards tightening visa controls in India, the States and across the world.
He explained that the "2 month rule" had it's origin in the Mumbai bombing of 26-11-08. He went on to say that the Indian Government has initiated a restructuring of the Foreigner's Registration System, providing more locations for top officers, called FRROs, to process issues.
Puttaparthi may or may not eventually fall under the new FRRO officer in Hyderabad.
For the moment Sai Baba devotees, who must register, according to their visa requirements, will continue to do so with Mr. Srinivas, Assistant to the Foreign Registration Officer (FRO) in Anantapur.
Mr Srinivas generally comes to the North 7 Building in the ashram on Wednesdays; arriving some time in the morning and departing after 4PM.
Please look carefully at your tourist visa to see if registration is required. Apparently if it is required, and you don't have it, it can cause delays and more when you try to depart India.
Registration is required for all other visas and sometimes for a tourist visa.
NB:Registration with the FRO assistant normally gives you a residencial permit until the 6 months are up for a Tourist visa, or the term is up for a different sort of visa.
NB: Registration is not the same thing as a 'Report of Arrival', which must now be done withing 24 hours of coming to Puttaparthi( please see the notice at the entrance to the ashram for details.)
Normally this arrival report is done at the ashram, hotel, or with the watchman at your apartment house.
If this does not occur, you can go to the Puttaparthi Police, ask for the senior officer in charge, request 'Form C", fill it out, get it stamped and make photocpies for yourself.
US Embassies worldwide strongly suggest that you carry a photocopy of your passport with you at all times.
The passport is the property of the US government.
It is also wise to carry a copy of your visa and the phone number of the Hyderabad Consulate so you can contact them if need be.
+91(40)4033-8300 is the main number.
You can ask for the officer on duty if it is after hours, otherwise ask for American Citizen Services.
For Indian Visa laws, property laws, or any other laws governing Foreigners in India, please contact the Ministry of Home Affairs at (011) 2338-2989, in New Delhi.
Jason did mention the subject of extensions to your stay, saying that a Tourist visa is generally not extended but other visas might be with good cause (like airline strikes or hospitalization), and a petition to the FRO.
NB:He asked all Americans on overstay to please advise the Consulate immediately.
Only a Consulate can speak with authorities in this situation.
Overstay is a serious offense with a 2 year prison term.
On a different note, Jason said that a driver's license can be obtained by going to driving school in a city nearby.
In order to get a visa for India in the USA, Jason said you must present proof of citizenship(example:passport), proof of identity(example: birth certificate) and proof of residence(examples: driver's license, income tax statement or utility bill).
Residency requirements vary from state to state, but a devotee who recently requested a visa said the Indian Consulate just wants to know you are a resident of the USA.
NB: For further information, please contact the Indian Embassy or Consulate where you plan to request your visa, whether in the States or in some other country, to be sure of the exact paperwork you must bring to them and the type of visa you will be accorded.
We want to extend a warm welcome to the groups coming to visit Swami in June and July. We are looking forward to seeing you and/or meeting you.
Please do not hesitate to contact me at the email address above or phone: 98489-30117.
Sai love and blessings of peace and happiness to you all,
Margot Adams Hoagland de Labar,
Volunteer Warden, ACS, US Consulate General Hyderabad, Puttaparthi Area
No comments:
Post a Comment