Debbie and I are in the process of applying for 10 yr validity tourist visas for India. Our applications are very similar, except I put down "Software Engineer" as my occupation and Debbie put down "Writer."
Big mistake. I got my ten year "tourist" (T) visa with no problems or delays. Debbie however only got a 3 month "journalist" (J) visa. She has asked them very nicely to reconsider, saying that she does not write professionally, and is just a mild mannered housewife. We will find out later today if they will deign to issue my shady potentially subversive sweetie a long term visa. They seemed concerned that she should not write about India and sell it for some reason. I know that there are third world dictatorships lacking a free press that are anxious to control access by foreign journalists, but India? WTF? -- Charles
