Does US spouse of Indian passport holder need visa?

[fabulous02 1]

My husband who is a USC, and his parents and siblings (all USCs) are all going to India with me for a traditional wedding ceremony. I know that his family will need to get tourist visas for India, but just today I read the following:

Per requirements of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, persons of Indian origin, his/her spouse and dependent children will be granted only an Entry visa and should not apply for a Tourist visa.

I received my green card but I still have my Indian passport and I'm a person of Indian origin, so will my husband not be required to apply for a tourist visa to visit India? If yes, how does that work for multiple visits?

Thanks in advance....

[^_^ 5,021]

he needs an entry visa

[fabulous02 1]

he needs an entry visa

What exactly is an entry visa? Do we need to do anything for it prior to leaving US?

[bszoom42 0]

What exactly is an entry visa? Do we need to do anything for it prior to leaving US?

My understanding is that it is applied for just like a tourist visa.

[hrithikjc100 0]

Its just the way to earn more money in visa. Before there were giving Tourist visa which used to be valid for 10yrs at a cost of $160.. Now they offer a entry permit which is valid for 6mons at a cost of $130. Entry permit's six months start from the day you applied, unlike the tourist visa. So apply about 2 weeks before you guys tend to leave US. I did the same thing. I applied this week as ill be leaving in 1st week of august.

[trinket 30]

My husband who is a USC, and his parents and siblings (all USCs) are all going to India with me for a traditional wedding ceremony. I know that his family will need to get tourist visas for India, but just today I read the following:

Per requirements of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, persons of Indian origin, his/her spouse and dependent children will be granted only an Entry visa and should not apply for a Tourist visa.

I received my green card but I still have my Indian passport and I'm a person of Indian origin, so will my husband not be required to apply for a tourist visa to visit India? If yes, how does that work for multiple visits?

Thanks in advance....

Not sure when you guys would be traveling but if you have enough time in hand before your travel dates, you should look into PIO (person of Indian origin). Being married to an Indian he is eligible for it. PIO is valid for 15 yeras.

Also once you get your US citizenship (if you ever plan for) look into OCI (overseas citizenship of India) when the time comes.

Best wishes

[fabulous02 1]

Not sure when you guys would be traveling but if you have enough time in hand before your travel dates, you should look into PIO (person of Indian origin). Being married to an Indian he is eligible for it. PIO is valid for 15 yeras.

Also once you get your US citizenship (if you ever plan for) look into OCI (overseas citizenship of India) when the time comes.

Best wishes

Thanks for all your input. I have some follow-up questions:

1. I will be leaving in mid September and my husband will leave a month after. Since I will not be with him when he enters India, does that change anything?

2. Can my husband still apply for a tourist visa and enter India on that visa? He thinks that may be an easier route so I wanted to know if he is eligible for a tourist visa.

3. How much time does it take for the PIO card to come? What all forms, documents need to be submitted? I couldn't find too much info on the site.

Thank you guys...

[trinket 30]

Thanks for all your input. I have some follow-up questions:

1. I will be leaving in mid September and my husband will leave a month after. Since I will not be with him when he enters India, does that change anything?

2. Can my husband still apply for a tourist visa and enter India on that visa? He thinks that may be an easier route so I wanted to know if he is eligible for a tourist visa.

3. How much time does it take for the PIO card to come? What all forms, documents need to be submitted? I couldn't find too much info on the site.

Thank you guys...

1) Your husband can enter and leave India as he pleases, you don't have to be with him at Indian POE.

2) I am not sure about the recent rule changes, so may be he isn't allowed to apply for tourist visa as he is married to an Indian citizen. In 2008 my husband applied for entry visa and it took only 10 days time (including the time where he forgot to attach an utility bill). They were really good about it, they emailed my husband asking for the utility bill and all he had to do was send a scan copy of it.

3) About how much time it takes for PIO, here is the timing from New York Consulate General website. Just type in PIO on search bar at that site and you will get other informations too.

Here is the list of all the q&a about PIO from the same website. Now if you do plan about applying for it, make sure you apply with the right consulate general which comes under your jurisdiction.

[Vijay 0]

Any idea what happens if the US citizen already has a valid 10 year tourist visa prior to this new requirement?. Is that tourist visa now invalid and every time my wife travels with me, she has to get a Entry visa?. Seems like they just keep coming up with new rules every few months.

[DanielParul 50]

Daniel is the USC and he has a 10 year valid tourist visa that he has used 2 times before to come see me in India. Does he need to get a different visa now? What kind of visa would our son need?

[^_^ 5,021]

Daniel is the USC and he has a 10 year valid tourist visa that he has used 2 times before to come see me in India. Does he need to get a different visa now? What kind of visa would our son need?

If he has the 10 year, he's good for now. Once it expires he will have to get Entry visa or apply PIO.

(of course, indian govt changes laws frequently so who knows)

btw if any indian citizens here take US citizenship dont forget to "surrender" your indian passport for a fee.. new rule

[fabulous02 1]

If he has the 10 year, he's good for now. Once it expires he will have to get Entry visa or apply PIO.

(of course, indian govt changes laws frequently so who knows)

btw if any indian citizens here take US citizenship dont forget to "surrender" your indian passport for a fee.. new rule

So that means as of now, my husband can no longer apply for a 10 year tourist visa and be done with it? Damn these new laws Out of the two options that he has - entry visa and PIO card, what is a better option? He won't be leaving for India before mid October, so we should have time to apply for a PIO card. Even for the entry visa, he needs to apply and receive it before he leaves US, correct?

[^_^ 5,021]

Out of the two options that he has - entry visa and PIO card, what is a better option? He won't be leaving for India before mid October, so we should have time to apply for a PIO card.

pio is much more flexible, but also more expensive to apply. its really up to you. i will be doing this for my mom soon and ive decided to drop by the consulate generals office in NY for a day and get the entry visa done (same day processing if you show up in person) and then apply for PIO by mail. taht way if theres an emergency she can go on her entry visa while waiting for the babus in new delhi to process the PIO application.

Even for the entry visa, he needs to apply and receive it before he leaves US, correct?

yes.

[sachinky 465]

So from the sound of it, it's best to just have my husband, the USC, apply for a PIO. We'll be married one year this August and I think he'll be eligible for it then.

Thanks for this 'entry visa' tip--had no idea!

Edited July 7, 2010 by sachinky

[^_^ 5,021]

So from the sound of it, it's best to just have my husband, the USC, apply for a PIO. We'll be married for one year this August and I think he'll be eligible for it then.

Thanks for this 'entry visa' tip--had no idea!

keep checking the site for updates.. the laws are changing a lot.