I was just wondering - how long can one stay on just a 'normal' visit? I am not going to India to work or be a student. I would like to visit a friend for an extended period of time. In most other countries, you are allowed to stay for up to 3 months. Is that also the case for India?
That's actually quite generous! I have travelled to Germany recently, and you are only allowed to stay up to 3 months within a 6 month period.
So Americans can get a 10 year visa but still only stay for six months maximum each visit? I'm not sure I understand how that works. Why wouldn't ten years actually mean ten years?
That's a very good question. I think they do that because it would be irritating to have to get a new visa every time you want to travel, so they give you 10 years off the bat. But you can only stay for a limited time each visit.
I'm also an American interested in an extended stay. This information isnteresting, but confusing as well. I wonder about the requirements for a longer visa period. Just paperwork, a fee, proof of funds? I'm also wondering about the logistics of resetting your six months - how long do you have to stay outside India before re-entering? Cheers, Melanie
Every country has their own immigration rules and this particular rule the one which most of the countries around the world follow. They grant a 5 or 10 year visa but one has to leave the country before he completes 3 months. He/ she doesnot have any restriction about re-entering the country with in the validity of the visa. Same rule does apply for the Indians visiting the United States with a visit(B1/B2) visa. They convenience of such type of visa is that it is multiple entry visa and you donot have to keep reapplying if you plan to visit a certain country over and over again.
