Visas to India?

[Mike]

Hey, world travellers. Does anyone have a hint on getting a multiple entry visa to India? My scheduled cruise on the Queen Vic. looks like it might be squashed to the tune of $$x,000 because India has denied me a multiple entry visa. They apparently refuse multiple entry visas to US citizens who happened to have been born in China. Period. Regardless of nationality. They issued me a single entry visa. Cunard says it's not their problem, and besides, I would not get to their check-in desk at the port because immigration would not let me past the gate (the ship stops 'twice' in India). No refund possible.
Ain't that the s%#ts?

 

[Rick S.]

I have a 12 month multiple entry visa for India, but also had a letter from a company in India requesting my presence for business meetings....

 

[David Morton]

Mike - just spoke to my eldest daughter who is versed in these things and much as Rick says, you would need to get in 'INVITATION' letter from an Indian company.
Do we have any Indian nationals on our website?

 

[Rick S.]

Mike,
when is your trip planned?

If you can pm me with the details, I may be able to get my contacts in India to send you an invitation letter. Would probably need your business address & such, my suggestion is to get a multiple entry business visa, doesn't take too long, but if your trip is close, it may not work.

 

[Cliff Beer]

Tell 'em you were born in Cleveland....

 

[David Morton]

Just a thought that comes out of listening to and reading this thread. Lots of us
have travelled all over this planet and I thought it might be a really sound idea
to pass on tips and pointers for the various countries we've all been to, and how to avoid any embarassing problems whilst there. It could be anything from how nice the
seafood is in Seattle to how to avoid stepping on the turds on the beach in Madras to keeping safe and not being robbed in St Paolo to where the best meat restaurants are in Jo'burg. Anything.

 

[Anthony]

just got (and used) a multiple entry business visa. we needed a letter of invitation from Indian Company, letter of intenet from our UK company and £114.50

Since the last time i got a visa, the application process has been 'out-sourced'....

before i had to wait in line at the Indian High Commission in The Strand for around 5 hours. now its fill in the application on line, submit it and then make an appointment to drop off passport and relevant documents, no more than 40 min wait. then go back after 3 days to pick it up again, 20 minutes wait again. So a better process all round.

Even though you apply for a 12 month visa they reserve the right to only issue months (same price though!!!!) but i got a 12 month!

Dave, sounds like a plan on the travel tips thread

 

[Mike]

Here's a little known fact that I discovered today re. multiple entry tourist visas. I spoke to the State Senator's office (they have a 3 person desk that deals with visa problems and similar things). Apparently it is the worldwide norm for embassies to deny multiple entry tourist visas to any citizen of any nation that was not born at 'home'. Makes no difference what country you are a citizen of or what country you are born in.
I also found out (thanks to one D. Morton) that, for India, they have a new rule posted Friday 2/28 that allows a re-entry to India in less than 2 months (previously, even with a multiple entry visa, you could not enter, leave and re-enter in less than 2 months).
You still must have a multiple entry visa.
Re. Tips on travelling, for those going to high altitude destinations (the Alte Plano of Peru for example - Lake Titicaca (12,000+'), Cuzco (11,000+') and Machu Picchu (8,000')
it is a good idea to take high altitude pills with you (e.g. diamox) before you start, especially if you're a senior citizen like me, but it is NOT a good idea to take sleeping pills while taking diamox, 'nuff said? )

 

[Joey Dean]

Can you not simply stay on the ship for the second port entry? Everyone else is ashore, you are napping on the deck having a relaxing day.