Re: Visa help.
 

Regarding the extension of "tourist visas" and as far as I am aware. You can stay as long as you like within the validity of the visa. Only the conditions are you must register if you plan to stay longer than 180 days. If you leave for whatever reason it is 60 days before you can return. You cannot apply for an extension on a tourist visa and if you plan to convert it to another type you should do so at the earliest and have a) solid reasons b) the necessary paperwork to back up those reasons.

Personally I applied for my PIO in the UK (less hassle, treat it as a holiday) arrive UK submit application and paperwork on arrival and one month later pick up your PIO card.

Re: Visa help.
 

Oh and PIO's have 180 days plus an additional 30 days grace which = 210 days in which to register their extended stay (you do not need to do it within the 180) .. I took 208 days and the clerk was busy using her fingers to count to see if they could issue a fine/penalty for late registration.

Re: Visa help.
 

Wrong on both counts.

a) One year tourist visas are available to UK citizens in the UK, but maximum stay is still 180 days, followed by 60 days out. So much for staying for the full validity of the visa.

b) Conversion of a tourist visa is not possible, period (as you would say)


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Re: Visa help.
 

As far as I am aware PIO`s are not normally bound to 180 day restriction!

Can anyone back me up on this?

Re: Visa help.
 

Sorry I seem to have confused you - I meant PIO= Person of Indian origin, not PIO card.

AndyD 8-)₹

Re: Visa help.
 

People with PIO cards can stay more or less indefinitely but have to register if they stay more than 180 days.

AndyD 8-)₹

Re: Visa help.
 

http://goindia.about.com/od/gettingm...a-Marriage.htm

As per the procedure (in link above) it is possible to extend tourist visa and convert to X visa if you are married to a local resident Indian and have proof of residence.

Re: Visa help.
 

Sorry I was only referring to the 'requirement to register' any stay that exceeds 180 days.

PIO card holders are not bound to any restriction on the length of their stay but they must register the 'first stay' that exceeds 180 days.

As far as I am aware any subsequent 180 day + stay need not be be registered however any change of your residential address must be notified to the clerk/officer in charge of your file. (We also confirmed this with the clerk when we registered).

PIO card holders also have an additional grace period in which to register, which is 30 days after the original 180 have passed.

Re: Visa help.
 

My mistake on a) .. simply looked at an old 1yr visa which was stamped "any stay over 180 days must be registered" assumed it was okay to stay longer. I am glad that I had to return to the UK prior to 180 days elapsing. :ohmy::eek: (wonder what the consequences would have been??)

However on b) anyone who marries a local resident Indian may apply to convert their tourist visa to an X visa (unless this rule has been changed) so definitely not 'period' as I would say

http://goindia.about.com/od/gettingm...a-Marriage.htm

Re: Visa help.
 

Tourist visas not always given for one year in the UK, sometimes yes, sometimes no, good luck.

Re: Visa help.
 

Not sure why you would be denied a 1 yr multiple entry visa in the UK?
Both times I was successful and no questions asked ...

Re: Visa help.
 

A friend of mine tried in Birmingham, wrote a letter etc, but they only gave him a 6 month multi entry, oh well.:nod:

Re: Visa help.
 

VFS tell you that 1 yr T visas are only given to Indians!!
if you write a convincing enough letter you (or I have) may manage to get a 1 yr.

Re: Visa help.
 

And for people in certain occupations eg Armed forces, Police, media, photography - they will only get a 3 month single entry tourist visa

Dread - x

Re: Visa help.
 

Curious - not very long ago PIO's (mostly in USA) were complaing because they were being refused T visas and told to get X visas or PIO cards.

AndyD 8-)₹