India visa Rule change

[Rishi]

The Government of India has amended regulations pertaining to issue of tourist visas for India.
Date07/01/2010
Indian Visas
The changes affect those staying in India on either side of a visit to other countries – such as Nepal – and returning via India.
Details are given below:
The restrictions have been imposed so as to curb the abuse/misuse of the Tourist Visa and the use of Indian airports as travel hubs.
The ruling only affects those with tourist visas. Business visa holders and PIO card holders are not affected.
Cruise guests visiting India once in a single itinerary (ie: not two cruises combined) are not affected regardless of how many ports the ship is due to visit in India.
All travellers holding tourist visas must allow at least a 2 month gap before re-entering India regardless of the purpose of their first visit.
Transiting in India is considered an entry.
Those transiting in India en route to a neighbouring country for tourism (ie: Nepal) then returning to India for tourism must either re-arrange their travel to avoid transiting in India or apply for a re- entry permit before they depart.
However, those holding a tourist visa for India may be issued a re-entry permit (if they don’t have one already) on arrival if they hold supporting documents (ie: confirmation of flights) showing genuine need to re-enter within 2 months. This is at the discretion of the Immigration Officer(s) at the point of entry in India.
Also: those transiting India on a tourist visa without a re-entry permit may be requested to apply for the re-entry permit at the neighbouring country (by contacting the Foreign Regional Register Office – FRRO locally). Those that have been advised to do so may have their passports stamped with the instruction accordingly. The procedure is not expected to take more than a day at the FRRO.

Our advice is that all guests travelling to Nepal / Bhutan or elsewhere with visits to India on either side of their journey should apply for a re-entry permit prior to leaving their home country (point 6 above) as this should ensure compliance with the new regulations. We understand that those in transit in Indian airports and not leaving the airport (i.e. not crossing through Indian Immigration) will not be affected by these new rules. However, should flights be delayed or cancelled, no exit from the airport will be permitted therefore we urge even those not visiting India (staying in the airport) to have the re- entry permit as a safety measure. This will then enable travellers to cross immigration and go to a hotel.


Please note that this is only our assessment of the regulations and that we cannot be held liable for any delay or disruption resulting from application or otherwise of our advice. The above regulation is however subject to change in which you will be notified accordingly.

[big old bird]

Can you confirm that a cruise passenger who DOES NOT leave the ship whne docked in Indai does not require a visa? Or is a tourist visa required?

[Rishi]

Better to ask with Govt authority they make controversy visa rule

[Rishi]

The Indian government has relaxed their foreign policies
and cancelled the rule to stay out of India before applying again.
This may make it easier for some to attend, Christmas, Kumba Mela, Shivaratri & Navaratri or some of them.