Indian visa

Hey

Has anyone here recently got their Indian visa? Recieved my passport today with my 6 month visa however stamped on the bottom is "maximum stay of 90 days & minimum 2 months gap between each visit"
Has this been the case for anyone else?
Im a bit concerned as I need the entire 6 months for the route Ive planned.

Im a New Zealander and applied for my visa here in NZ.

Thank you

Interesting. I checked my last 3 Indian Visas (2006, 7, and 8). All for 6 mth and multiple entry. What did they say in the application phase?

I think that 6 months on Indian visa is its validity: you have to enter India within 6 months from the date when the visa was issued.

The Indian visa regulations changed a month or two back to prevent 'misuse' of tourist visas...

http://goindia.about.com/b/2010/01/02/new-indian-tourist-visa-rule-clarified-by-indian-government.htm

Hope this helps.
Chris.

Edit in Above post written as I was writing mine - I'll let mine stand anyway

Indian visas normally start (the six months) from the date of issue.

I have applied for a few in the UK and they have all been for continuous 6 month. I can't believe it is only an anti Kiwi thing - maybe this is a new rule cos of troubles in India?

Have a look at the Thorn Tree India branch, a change like this should have made news there.

Also, check it out with the Embassy.

Please report back as thsi could affect a lot of people.

Edited by: SimonHill

Having read a bit of the above link, I understand about the 2 month gap, but can't see why you only got 90 days.

As is often the case.
Who's Sharell Cook -
Im a New Zealander and -
(It really does help if posters list their country of home)
Indian visa regulations changed a month or two back
They did.
Don't have the position to check it out for you at the moment, but recently was a report that NZers now get visas on arrival, - and the stay regulations have been at relaxed. From memory, there are now none.
Always check the regulations applying to your passport. The Kiwi one is all gold.
Go to
http://www.safetravel.govt.nz/index.php
It is OUR official info - and dial up India.

Yeah Simon, so many make the mistake. Not a an anti Kiwi thing. Travel so depends on YOUR passport. So much that you read on blogs does not apply to us. ALWAYS check what applies to you - from your countries official site.
For us, a usual classic is Europe where we get virtual unlimited free travel - that so many get a bum steer from blogs. And the official recently was we now get visas on arrival in India - among other freeing up there.
Always Always check what applies to you - Blogs are not official info sites. Nor are often relevant info sites of another country.

Ive been on the phone with the Indian High Commission office in Wellington today they tell me this new rule has been in place since December and that it is clearly posted on their internet site. I must be as idiot as I cant see it anywhere on the site, all I saw was the mandatory two month gap between visits notice, http://www.hicomind.org.nz/

No mention of this rule on the application pages, seems ill have no other option other than changing my route around big time.

I agree, I can't see anything about 90 days - it says 6 months, but there is the caveat "Tourist Visa can be granted for up to six months (Maximum)" , which would allow them to vary the length.

However, I imagine that the new rule they are talking about is the two month re-entry rule. You could try getting back to them, but even if it is a mistake, they are unlikely to change it. Maybe a personal visit may be better?

Have you tried posting on the India branch?

check indiamike.com for some other threads

look at indiamike.com

I had a look at the forums on indiamike.com and read a number of threads by people with the same problem as me. A British citizen applied for 6 month visa in Kathmandu and only got 2 months. Belgium citizen at applied in Belgium and only recieved 3 months.

I guess it's just the way it is now? not much you can really do about it, the staff in Wellington are getting sick of hearing my voice on the phone complaining and pleading with them!

So basically you have 6 months to get to India and use your 90 day visa?

As I said above - the 'old' Indian visas started running as soon as they were issued. Your 90 days may already be expiring.

The 'right to vary' could be a real pain in the future. I imagine the best plan is to submit tickets and poss travel plan for the length you want and then hope for the best.

I sympathise with you, looks like you've been well stuffed here.

As I said above - the 'old' Indian visas started running as soon as they were issued. Your 90 days may already be expiring.

I don't think that's true. you have 6 months to enter into India from the date the visa was issued. From the date you enter you can stay up to 90 days (for each entry). The 2 months gap between entries was not in force when I was there the last time (2008).

Sorry iik, but I think that what I said is true - all of my Indian visas (and my cycling companions and my sister who sailed there) started running the day they were issued. It may not be the case now, but that is why I said the 'old' Indian visas meaning before this current 'right to vary was imposed'.