Can you please tell us where on IM as this is a new one that hasn`t been heard of!

http://www.indiamike.com/india/india...ation-t115452/

Posted by Haylo, IndiaMike's acknowledged visa expert, and none of the others queried it.

Thanks for that J5. Could this be put on the visa help thread as I feel this is quite an important issue if correct!People assume by leaving the country the 180 day clock will be reset! A lot of people could be in serious trouble as I`ve not seen this publicised anywhere before!!Has any anyone else like Afd?

It used to be that if you left India on a multi-entry visa you 'reset the clock - this is still true if you observe the 2-month out rule, however if you [manage to] invoke the side-trip concession then it is just that - a side trip which is part of your 'visit' and so the 180 day (or for some visas 90 day) limit is still in force. Note that this means the 'clock doesn't stop' while you're out of India - on your return you can stay until (at most) 180 days after your first entry date.

hth - AndyD 8-)#

Thanks Andy.
Is this actually in black and white on an MHA site somewhere. I`ve been sent a link from IM but I think I must be stupid as I dont read it that way_ or perhaps don`t want to.This should be publicised in the press. There are many ex pats living in goa on tourist visas who assume (as you said) that a side trip resets the 180 day clock!I dread to think how many will be in trouble when they next try to leave the country! This new rule(kept very quiet) is despicable!J

Noni can you please shift the posts about this 180 day thing to visa help!!!
To some of us this is devastating news!

I have a one year business visa expiring end of Nov. I go back to UK for a month and have flight booked for Dec 27th. How likely am I to get another business visa? I will have necessary letter etc.

Thanks for shifting that Noni! I know personally of at least 1 person who is now overstaying their 180 days. There is a letter in todays herald about this rule that so many people are totally unaware of. I would have fallen foul of it if J5 had not made the comment he did!I am trying my best to publicise it among the expat community as best I can!

Im sure you will have no problem. Got friends who regularly apply business visa in uk and they only return for 2 weeks.
Beware of extending business visas in Panjim. These friends of mine ended up paying more for a 4 month extension than the 1 year cost them in the UK. With lost income from regular interviews etc etc etc they could have had a holiday in the uk and got new business visas.

In theory if you have all the correct documents (including a set of accounts for your business) you should be able to get a multiple entry business visa for up to 5 years but the only way to find out for certain is to submit your documentation and wait. the High commission web site www.hcilondon.in has FAQ pages and the basic info but you can meet all the requirements and still have problems. You only have to go back on this thread to see the problems people have had. The only thing to do is turn up at the visa service office nearest to you and be nice and friendly and keep your fingers crossed.

We applied for and got a one year business visa about 6 weeks ago (our 4th one) with no problems at all.As long as you have the correct paperwork you should be fine.

John

When, you get your Tourist Visa is also an issue. My parents are having to leave for another 2 months exile, before the 180 days. If they don't, and leave at 180 days it will mean they are away from their 'home' in Goa for Christmas.

Tell me about it!!! I am going to have to be away for Christmas or else will have to leave again well before expiry of visa.

Yes, - we're leaving next Wednesday - don't expect we'll get back till 10th November at the earliest, assuming no further changes to the rules.

The gilding on the lily has worn so thin now, that if there are no positive changes, we'll be seeking new pastures to spend our retirement - we are seriously considering Turkey - do any Expats in Goa know of anyone who has bought or is renting longterm there? We're thinking of the Bodrum Peninsula.

Cheers Iain

Turkey will probably our next destination when we leave here.We were in Altinkum last year,and we enquired about a few places to rent and it seemed the rental charges were on par with goa.

As for buying,we heard a couple of horror stories of people losing their apartments because the land was sold illegaly.So i wouldn't recommend it.

John


John

Same here in Spain, although calmed down a bit now.
As with everywhere you have to do a lot of research