CORRECTION

The one-month rule has been deleted - I fell into the usual trap, old versions of the FAQ are still up on the MHA website but if you navigate from the home page you get to the latest version (march 2011) which does not have the one-month rule. (Neither does it have anything like the rule being quoted to the OP!).

AndyD 8-)#

And what does "until their 2 month gap is not over" mean.
A confused J.

No wonder people are confused. Some friends recently got 1 year tourist visas without any problem but they had only been given 6month visas last season despite asking for 1 year. Its a lottery.

There are recent arrivals in Goa at the moment on 1 year Tourist Visas without the compulsory exit after 180 days

However, these are Single Entry Visas. If you exit India, the 2 month stay out rule applies. It seems it is technically possible to stay in India for 1 year as a tourist so long as you don't go out for a holiday and are only in India to enjoy the wonderment and magnificence of the place.

Also, you must register at the FRO within 14 days of arrival, just like we all had to do on the X Visas.

There appears to still be no category of visa for foreign nationals who wish to travel to India to maintain and enjoy their properties, the same properties that the Government of India were happy to accept tax payments at time of registration of the Deeds.

VFS are not budging on the HCI action .But they have agreed to submit it on the 19th for issuance on Tuesday 23rd as office closed on 22nd.
Flight cancelled!Not booking another until I actually have visa.
When I have my visa in my hand I will then ask to see where this NEW rule is written!

Immigration will scrutinise your visa and dates of exit/entry etc. Don't think you can pull a fast one. I have 1 year, 180 days and no return 60 days. He had a good look and a count up on exit at Chennai and entry at Mumbai. They have the last word.

I was not trying to pull a fast one. I was returning on day 63 after leaving India as I have done for all the 3 lots of 2 months out i`ve done and I`m well aware of immigration counting the days up on their fingers.
I have had 2 x 1 year visas as you describe.
My issue has been not being allowed to even apply for the visa within the 2 month gap -I did a year ago and Heidi`s parents did in June!

All visas say, in the small print, that Tourist visas are valid for a maximum visit of 180 days. The 1 year T visas I have seen also have an overstamp which says the same thing.

AndyD 8-)#

Then the Brits out here at the moment must be taking some kind of perverse pleasure in spreading the word otherwise. Likewise, those people who have confirmed reading these visas are either lying or have not inspected the said visas correctly.

I will not add to the confusion until I see one of these 1 Year Tourist (no 180 day restriction) Visa myself.

In the event that it is one of these malicious urban myths and there has not been any change, the 1 Year Tourist Visa is as useless as it ever was since you will have to leave India after 180 days from visa issue and stay out for 2 months before you can use up the remaining months.

Meanwhile, the Goans, having read the reports in the Herald, etc are of the belief that long term visas will not be a problem for Brits in the coming season. They are building their extra rooms and apartments in the expectation of a return to higher numbers of British tourists and are convinced everything has been sorted.

My mother and father obtained Tourist Visas in June. Both for one year with multiple entries. Dad's however did not have the 'must leave after 160 days' on it but mum's did. They were told at Panjim that dad didn't have to leave but to just register. Obviously dad is going to go out at 160 days with mum but the lady in Panjim told then to go straight to the embassy in Sri Lanka and show them that they obtain their visas together and they are likely to let them return straight away. We'll see.

They're making it up as they go along Jill!!!! I think it just depends who is processing your visa. Outrageous.

Hx

Just to add to the confusion......on the Monarch Flights website it advises about the two month out rule - but then also goes on to say that travellers must allow 30 days between the expiry of one visa before applying for another!

I emailed VFS about this and they confirmed that new visas cannot be applied for until expiry of a current visa - nothing about having to wait a further 30 days after expiry.
But you're right - it doesn't say anywhere on visa info about not being able to apply until expiry date.
I mistakenly applied for a 3 month last November, so had to apply for a further one to return in April and they wouldn't let me reapply until the day after my first one expired.
Mad!

From the VFS website

Looks as if the fine print has gone on the new format visas, but in this sample at least the 180 day limit is still there.
Who knows!!!

AndyD 8-)#

would be interested to see one myself as tourist visas are normally valid for a max of 180 days .

Well dad is in Goa and there is no way he would be able to post a picture of it on here!! But I can absolutely assure you, the 12 month tourist visa he go in June this year does NOT have the max 180 days on. Mum's does though. It's madness. When I go over in Jan I will be happy to post the said visa on here.