Comments on: End of the Month Deadline for India Business Visa Holders

By: Mathieu

Mathieu — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 18:38:00 +0000

Hello all, anymore news on the situation? I just got to know about it yesterday and I am on a 1 year business visa…

By: Lee

Lee — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 08:43:03 +0000

Don, I was able to leave India on the 11th without problems.

By: Don

Don — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 06:02:19 +0000

I am in India on a Business Visa. My father have a company incorporated here and I am a designated director of this company. I understand that company directors are eligible for Business Visa: “Foreign nationals who are partners in the Business and/or functioning as Directors in the company.” I am leaving India next week. Will I face any problem leaving or re-entering India? Is there any other registration formalities required? Thanks!

By: Chris Devonshire-Ellis

Chris Devonshire-Ellis — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 00:20:42 +0000

It’s not clear Lee, however our experience the past three weeks suggests you should be ok. But please take with you supporting documentation just in case. I should point out that even if you are not being paid in India, if however you are receiving renumeration for your time being spent there – then you are de facto employed in India and are in breach of visa and employment regulations. – Chris

By: Lee

Lee — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:26:33 +0000

I have a multi-entry visa to do attend meetings and track the progress of an project for a NGO. I do not earn any money in India. I am still in India and wondering if I should just leave as I usually would via the airport? Or do I need to go to the Immigration office to get anything for exiting the country? If I leave and need to come back, can I use the same visa?

By: Chris Devonshire-Ellis

Chris Devonshire-Ellis — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 16:38:29 +0000

Tom; are you being paid to work in India? If you are, then technically you’re breaking the law. If you’re challenged over your visa status, they could ask you to leave. Anke, it seems as you’re not working, you’ll be OK. However, even then you really ought to be on a tourist visa rather than a business one, and again if challenged, could face problems. The government has not been very clear about many of these issues, however now we are beyond the deadline so it’ll be interesting to see how they enforce it. In both of your cases, I’d be inclined to be aware you could face challenges and to be prepared for that.

By: Anke

Anke — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 17:48:03 +0000

I completed my consultancy work recently and just staying on until February without doing anything. Have a B Visa. Is that ok? Anke

By: Tom

Tom — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 16:19:34 +0000

Chris – I work with a French NGO and am here for several months at a time to track the progress on a project. The NGO has no office in India so there’s no Indian organisation to employ me. At the moment I have a multi year business visa. Will that continue to work? If not, how would I apply for a business visa if there is no Indian organisation to employ me?

By: Chris Devonshire-Ellis

Chris Devonshire-Ellis — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:16:27 +0000

There are several areas open to question I would agree. Sabrina, it sounds as if you are a case for requiring an employment visa. I think you need to look at getting that. Barbara, you seem to be OK, for the immediate period, however if your company is starting its business now and you are to be based in India and are working here for that company, you too will need to obtain an employment visa. If you need assistance contact Dezan Shira & Associates at india@dezshira.com. Thanks – Chris

By: Barbara

Barbara — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 04:22:40 +0000

What about people who are just about to finish establishing a business but only start business in the next few weeks? I have received B Visa beginning of the year which is still valid until March next year. The Company I have formed just got ready and its planned to start business now. Can I still rely on the B Visa?