Anyone applied for 10 year Indian visa?
 

I need an Indian visa for my upcoming trip, and since I have to apply with my US passport I'm thinking of asking for the 10 year visa. Although it costs nearly three times as much as a 180 day visa, I won't have to apply again for 10 years (you can pay something like $25 to get it moved to a new passport). Plus, I'd like to get it out of the way, instead of worrying about it in August (I can't apply too early because I won't leave India until Jan 9th, but I leave home Sep 10).

Has anyone applied for one of these? I was wondering whether I'd be more likely to be turned down. Travisa warns that it will take longer for either visa, as I was born in the UK but am applying in the US.

Hi Thursday, I have a 10 year visa on a US Passport. You should be able to give a reason why you need a 10 year (ie immediate family in India, or other reason).

I applied directly to the Consulate General in NY (they cover the New England region). I have never used a visa service.

You don't need to pay anything to get it moved to a new passport. Just bring the expired passport that has the still valid visa. We did that on our last trip and they didn't even give it a second look because many people have extended visas on expired passports going into India.

Hope this helps.

Clarification...you bring both your new passport and the expired one. They look at the old one for the visa and stamp the new one on arrival and departure.

I got a 10 year visa about 2 years ago. It was so nice last may when I didn't have to bother with that aspect of getting ready for my trip. It took no longer than usual to get the visa...(7-10 days?).

I just wish I'd gotten it on my first trip to India, but I never guessed I'd go back so often!

Well, I don't have any family in India... My main reason is to get it well ahead of my trip, so I don't worry about it, plus I may well want to visit again in less than 10 years. Did you have to give a reason, lcuy?

My nearest Indian embassy is over 200 miles away, and they don't take mailed-in applications any more. (Another of those "the US does it to our citizens" deals.) You have to use the Travisa service if you don't go in person.

thrusdays, we're getting ready to get 10 year visas. I didn't see anything about needing a reason to get one. We know we'll be back to India within the next few years, so a 10 year visa made sense to me. We haven't completed our forms yet, but plan to do so in the next few weeks. And I was also unhappy that you have to use Travisa. We also have to get permits to enter Sikkim, which I haven't yet figured out.

I've used Travisa before, when I had to get multiple visas, but I did have a choice then! Can't help with Sikkim, I'm afraid.

I don't remember needing any reason. I know would have written, "I love India and plan on returning as often as possible" if they had insisted on a reason!

My hubby has a 10 yr one but I think it is a business one so that is no help to you sorry!

Thurs I don't know about it taking longer just because you were born in the UK. I was born in the UK but travel on an Australian passport & live in the US!! I got my visa within a week last Sept

Travisa was what we had to use for the visa also & I have to say it was no problem at all. Very efficient & they sent emails letting me know what stage my application was at.

Thanks jules - that's encouraging! I usually like to travel on my UK passport, but not possible this trip. Oh well, one less to carry!

Kathie - did you get your visa yet?

My visa in in process. I'll try to remember to post when it gets here.

Thursdays, I received an email from travisa today telling me my visa has been processed by the consulate and was mailed back to me by travisa today. While I have not yet laid eyes on the visa, from their email, it appears the 10 year visa was granted.

I have to say, I've been very impressed with travisa's service. You can track your application online, and they email regularly to tell you where it stands.

Thanks very much, Kathie! That's good news, plus it reminds me to actually apply for mine.

Thursdays, our passports with the ten year visas arrived today. The visa does take a full page. By the way, when you renew your passport, you send in your new passport and old passport to travisa and they will have the 10 year visa transfered into your new passport. I'll be doing that in two years.

Great! I'm off to Washington next weekend - I'll send it in when I get back.

Fed Ex'ed the application today - that was a lot of questions. If I'd thought about it I could have taken it to Washington with me and saved the cost of one Fed Ex delivery.

A-MAZING!

Monday: I Fed Ex'ed my application to Travisa in Washington
Tuesday: Travisa acknowledged receipt
Wednesday: Travisa delivered my application to the Embassy
Thursday: Travisa emails that they have my passport, with visa, back

How's that for speedy turn-round?

Yes, Travisa was great! I'm glad you got your visa.

Did you get the 10 year visa?