This will be of interest to Goans residing abroad, holding non-Indian citizenships and making plans to travel to India.
Roland. From: Joe Bailey [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Friday, December 03, 2010 10:04 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Visiting India - From 7 July 2010 New Indian Visa regulations 32 Dear Friends These Indian visa requirements have been in existence for some few months, so those who have been to India of late will be well aware. These set of laws have come into force since last years Bombay Massacre by Terrorists I have requested Loren D'souza the young and dynamic CEO of VFS Services Australia P L to answer in a nutshell just 3 general questions for the benefit of those intending to visit India in the near future which he has obliged promptly. Please scroll further down.. VFS Services are the Indian Visa Service Provider. Initially, this service was entirely done by the Indian High Commission/Consulates but has since been outsourced, about 3 years.. The Indian High Commission in Canberra is hell-bent in providing a resourceful customer service. Do circulate among your friends and relatives in Australia. With kind regards Joe Bailey Canberra . -----Original Message----- From: Loren D'souza Sent: Friday, 3 December 2010 1:05 PM To: [email protected] Subject: RE: India Visa regulations and time frame Dear Joe, Thank you for your email and for your words of appreciation. I have responded to your questions hereunder. However should you require to discuss this further please feel free to call me on my Mobile and I would be most happy to assist. Warm Regards, Loren D'Souza VFS Services Australia Pty. Ltd Level 1, 64 Clarence Street Sydney 2000, Australia _____ From: Joe Bailey [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Friday, December 03, 2010 12:09 PM To: Loren D'souza Subject: India Visa regulations and time frame To Loren D Souza CEO VFS Services Australia P L Dear Loren It was nice meeting you at the conference held at the National Museum in Canberra on 20 November hosted by Her Excellency Sujatha Singh, High Commissioner of India. You spoke very well, took umpteen questions from the floor and answered them appropriately. I was surprised to learn from Her Excellency that dual citizenship Australian/Indian or any other country/Indian is considered illegal by India. India only recognises Indian Citizenship. However, the purpose of this message is to request you to please answer the 3 questions below in view of the latest Government of India changes to visa requirements. I request this information for the benefit of the Anglo-Indian Community in Australia as most of them have Australian Citizenship. With kind regards Joe Bailey Canberra 1. What is the difference between an entry visa to India, a tourist visa to India and a business visa to India. (how long can one remain in India with these visas) In Simple Terms a Tourist visa is for pure tourism or to visit friends, an Entry visa is basically a visa that offers more privilidges to Ex Indian Nationals as the same is extendable and permits multiple entry with no restrictions during the visa validity, entry visas are also for spouses of a person on a long term visa (such as an employment visa). Finally a Business Visa is purely for someone wanting to research business opportunities in India or persons from companies going for company to company business meetings. In More Detail: http://www.vfs-in-au.net/news.html 2 I am of Indian origan. On becoming an Australian Citizen I surrendered my Indian Passport to the Australian Immigration Authorities. Since then I have travelled to many countries including India on my Australian passport. I am now told that there is a new requirement in obtaining an Indian visa. What is this new requirement? Once again in Simple Terms, since India does not permit dual citizenship, the new requirement with effect July 7th 2010 requires that any person of Indian Origin applying for a Visa, OCI Card or PIO card provide proof that his/her Indian Passport is cancelled or if lost or missing or not in possession, then a Statutory Declaration detailing the reason for the same attested by a Justice of Peace. If the passport is still in the persons possession and is not yet cancelled, then the same can be lodged along with a Visa, OCI or PIO application for cancellation officially. In More Detail: http://www.vfs-in-au.net/aboutyourvisas.html 3 Please answer the email below by Carlton . Hi Joe There has been some confusion about persons of Indian origin (like you and me) trying to secure a VISA to India. I am attaching a copy of a directive from Dr A. Dadar Singh, Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs, to Indian missions in the U.S.A. indicating that persons who have acquired foreign nationality, need not have to make a declaration of renunciation of Indian citizenship as our Indian passports expired before 2005, and we do not have to pay Rs 7000. Is there one ruling for Indians living in the U.S.A. and another for Indians living in other countries like Australia. I am also attaching a copy of an email from a friend of mine living in Perth which indicates there is a different procedure for POIs living in Australia/Perth. I think you know the Indian High Commissioner in Australia personally. I wonder if you could prevail upon her to clarify the position re the issue of VISAs for POIs (persons of Indian origin) like me who are living in Perth. I am interested in this matter because I have an aged mother (97 yrs) living in Chennai and I may require a VISA on an emergency basis should she pass away suddenly. Would appreciate your help. Regards, Carlton Response: Persons of Indian Origin can now apply for a tourist visa or an entry visa. In either case the renunciation rule will apply as already explained above as this is a requirement set by the Ministry. Rules across Australia are standard and I would advise Carlton to kindly refer to the below links for more details on tourist and entry visas especially the checklists. Please also review the specific difference and benefits of tourist and entry visas at : http://www.vfs-in-au.net/news.html http://www.vfs-in-au.net/tourist.html http://www.vfs-in-au.net/entry.html Please ensure the checklist is reviewed carefully and all supporting documents are provided. Once a complete application is lodged it is normally turned around within 3 working days if lodged in Perth. If an emergency visa is required, please contact our office in Perth and our Manager there would be glad to assist.( of course provided supporting documents are intact and subject to approval of the High Commission of India) .
