Re:More Visa stuff
 

OK here it is! We went to the Indian Embassy in Kandy Sri Lanka a couple of days back and applied for a 6 month visa and were told immediately that we could only get 3 months. So we asked for that one as we had no choice, we filled in the usual forms and were told to sit down and wait. After about an hour we were called to the window and told very abruptly that our application had been refused and we were to leave the Embassy. When I asked to speak to the Visa Officer I was shouted at and told again to leave. I then asked how we were supposed to get all our personal items and sell our scooters and the entire contents of our rented home and the moron at the counter just sneered at me and said that he was sure someone would take care of it. Luckily we have some very good Brit friends who are taking care of things for us. So after 20 years our Goa story is over but the good news is we have arranged to have an interview in Colombo with the immigration officer about residency and we will let you know how we get on.

My wife is relieved because at least now we know where we stand, we don't want to stay in a country where we are not wanted, we can take our overdraft any where!We don't want to return to Goa now but even if we did we would now have a problem with the "Have you ever been refused a visa' question. We hope you all have a good season in Goa. Regards from Sri Lanka.

Re: Visa stuff
 

afaik 'X' visas still don't have the 180 day limit, and they are/were still issuing some to FN's

AndyD 8-)#

Re: Visa stuff
 

Our Visa's have the 180 day restriction, however we never stay for more than 2 weeks at a time.

Re: Visa stuff
 

The guy who had a five year visa had the 180 day limit on it but said he could extend it in Panjim :sneaky:

Re: More Visa stuff
 

BLOODY HELL!!!!!
Did they not give a reason or say why???

Don't go to Sri Lanka for a visa, thats for sure.
Let us know how you get on.

Regards,
Remy

PS. and to add insult to injury....america and australia get 5 year visas willy nilly. I guess us Brits aren't wanted.:frown:

Re: Visa stuff
 

my daughter started of with a 1year visa, went to sri lanka and was given 6 months no problems, then last year she went back to sri lanka and given a 3 month one and told never to come back again, she went to the UK and was given a 1 year visa but with 180 restriction, hence next thursday she is leaving Goa with her partner and 3 kids, who have been at school in Goa (private) for the past 3 years excelled in their studies, to return to the UK and to who knows what!!!! very very sad day for me and my OH.....
I do wish the tables could be turned on some of the Goan that live peacefully in the UK and see how they feel when their visas are revoked ......
or they have to spend thousands of pounds going in and out of india every 6 months for their visas

Re: Visa stuff
 

This is very very naughty -
We were one of the lucky ones who were able to sell our unregistered apartment in April this year and I said on this forum that I was very unhappy about it and cried for weeks. I still feel the same and we are going back in a couple of weeks to sort out our stuff that is there in a friends place.
We had a beautiful apartment with everything we have in our home now - fitted kitchen - inverter - water filter - hot water in the kitchen sink - automatic washing machine - sky tv etc etc etc
Now we are going back to bl"""y camping and not looking forward to it but we have to get our money out.
One good thing

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thum bup::thumbup:

Give you all a wave from Sydney Harbour on New Years Even when we are on one of the Sydney Harbour Boats in the parade - better than the beach in Calangute!!!!

Re: Visa stuff
 

poppetjay,
if your daughter has been getting visas in Sri Lanka they were tourist visas - you are not allowed to live in India on a tourist visa - you need business / employment / student/ or 'X'. HCI are still issuing some 'X' visas so why not apply?
AndyD 8-)#

Re: Visa stuff
 

in the uk she was given a 1 year visa but due to the cost and 5 people travelling she decided to renew it in sri lanka hence the problem the last last she got 1 year from uk but 180 day restriction she cant afford to keep taking her family back to the UK every year for a visa

Re: Visa stuff
 

There is a Swiss couple who have lived here in Goa for the past 10 or more years,they are a well know sight in the south.They "own" a property here,they went to the Fro a few weeks ago to extend their visa (which they have always done) and were given 10 days to leave India,with no explanation.So it's not just the Brits that are affected.

John

Re: More Visa stuff
 

No reason given, just a flat refusal and told to leave. We have now found a 2 storey house right on the main river just outside Kandy for 100 quid a month, I can fish from the garden! We are able to renew our visa here every 3 months, it works out at 1200 pounds a year total for both of us. A little expensive but I don't have to personally go to apply, just send a local bloke we know and he does it all.The difference here is wonderful. Very happy

Re: More Visa stuff
 

I wonder when they changed the rules? - we looked at Sri Lanka before we chose Goa and the rules were very clear that you could only stay there for a maximum of 6 months in any year.

AndyD 8-)#

Re: Visa stuff
 

They haven't changed the rules as such, they are just a little more flexible now that the war is over. The Government is desperate for foreign exchange and to boost tourism and as a result things are more laid back than they were. The whole country is buzzing and the warmth of the people and the officials we have dealt with is palpable, especially after the cynicism and corruption of India (Goa). I have been reading with interest the many articles now being written about Goa re the forthcoming season and will be following it all closely. I don't bear any malice to the good and decent people of Goa that I met over the years but it is difficult to see how they ( the people who depend on tourism) are not going to suffer if the tourism figures that have been projected are true. Unfortunately the only way to protest the treatment being given to long termers is to stay away, but then it is the people who rent out houses etc that will suffer and we all know how the caring politicians give a shit about the aam aadmi.

Re: Visa stuff
 

correction - VFS now tell me that worldwide there are no 'X' visas for FN's
(and I think that guy meant he had to Register to stay more than 180 days).

AndyD 8-)#

Re: Visa stuff
 

My partner and i have been coming to Goa for nearly every season for 20 years and we have been looking at Sri Lanka too.An apartment in Hikkaduwa, one bedroom, living room and kitchen furnished, over Xmas is £150 per week. Bit pricey but its Xmas. But you dont have to put up with the greedy grasping hands and crap beer and mountains of garbage. If as you said things have changed, then i think you have sold us the next Winter season. Thank you very much.PS. I have fished in that river too. Only caught a tiddler though. Are there any big uns in there ?