Change of Plans

[IndigoLove 0]

The more you think you have life figured out, the more it'll show you that you don't. We had planned to file for my Indian husband's visa while I resided in the USA. We have now changed our plans and I plan to go to India, indefinitely, to live with him, enjoy our marriage, and eventually file for DCF before we move back here after a year or two. My question is this, if someone on the forum has experience and can offer me some guidance. What type of visa do I need to properly enter India as the spouse of an Indian citizen without immediate plans of returning? At this point I am not going to need a work visa, so would it be the "Entry (x) Visa" that I need?

This won't be my first trip to India, and I'm excited at this prospect. I just want to be sure all the bases are covered. Any help would be appreciated.

[trinket 30]

Yes you would need Entry Visa, both for the purpose of living in India and also applying for DCF later on. You can't apply for DCF if you are on tourist visa.

Make sure though that you do keep your residency in USA while you are living in India, something like an open bank account or a valid driving license; as these would be needed when you apply for DCF later on.

Best wishes(F)

[IndigoLove 0]

Thank you so much. If anyone else can think of anything I need to know, please holler! Much appreciated.

[ELW 5]

A PIO card is the way to go! Any spouse of a citizen (or former citizen) of India is eligible. It is a 15-year multiple-entry visa with no time constraints. You could even stay the whole 15 years! Check out your nearest Indian Consulate site for details, here is the San Francisco one:

PIO Card, SF Indian Consulate

Pick "Consular Services" link on the left side of the page, then pick Person of Indian Origin card.

You may fall deeply in love with India and never want to return (like I felt).

Edited January 5, 2011 by ELW

[IndigoLove 0]

Well, I am born American. My husband is Indian, so I don't think the PIO applies in my situation, correct?

[ELW 5]

Did you read the site? A SPOUSE of an Indian citizen is eligible! So YES, even if you were born US Citizen you can get the PIO card because you are married to an Indian. I'm going to get my PIO card soon, too!

PS One requirement is you two have to be married for at least a year, that cuts down on fraud cases. In case you want to go to India before you've been married a year, then you can get an Entry visa and apply for a PIO card while still in India, as soon as the one year marriage requirement is fulfilled.

Edited January 5, 2011 by ELW

[IndigoLove 0]

All of this stuff can get a little confusing/overwhelming. We've been married 1 1/2 years, so we're covered for the PIO. In reading the entry visa info, its a little unclear to me. The maximum length of the visa I can get is 5 years, but then it says no stay can be over 6 months. Am I misreading this? I'm going to check further in the PIO. How long is the processing time and do I use it instead of a visa or do I still have to obtain some kind of visa? Oh blah, I'm just confusing myself.

[IndigoLove 0]

Ah I think I got it. PIO wouldn't be a bad option, although I understand I can also apply for one after entering India on an entry visa.

[ELW 5]

I've read tons of these last few years so I'm the expert here.

You are eligible for a PIO card. They will send you a card. That is like a visa for 15 years. No need to get any seperate visa or do any sort of application or pay any other fee for 15 years. Just bring your US Passport and PIO card and hop on a flight to India!

SF Consulate says PIO card processing takes 15 working days.

Recently the rules changed regarding tourist visas for India (and it seems like this applies to Entry visas also, from what you've read), because of terrorist activities. Even if the visa length is 5-15 years, you have to leave the country after 6 months and they will not let you return for at least 2 months. No such rule for PIO card, you can stay as long as you like! Also, it looks like Entry visas are only issued to people of Indian origin.

[IndigoLove 0]

Ok, let's see if my wee brain is processing this. I could also enter India under an Entry Visa and then apply for the PIO while in India, correct? The having to return in 6 months and blah blah blah obviously isn't an option.

[ELW 5]

Yes you could do that, but why? Apply for a PIO card NOW and then no troubles!

Here is a post I found of a native citizen of America getting a PIO card through his Indian-national wife, you might be able to find more recent ones if you search online:

PIO Card Experience

PIO card timeline for US citizen spouse, Houston Consulate

Hi all,

I sent my docs to the Houston Consulate on 10/10 (they arrived on 10/13), and I received my shiny new PIO card yesterday (11/13). That's pretty much in line with the four weeks processing time stated on the website. Here's what I included:

Documents included per the CGI-Houston website:

• Application in duplicate (both with original signatures)

• Notarized copies of:

-- My birth certificate

-- Wife’s Indian passport (all pages)

-- My US passport (all pages)

-- Marriage certificate

• Four passport sized photographs

• Money order for $385 ($365 fee + $20 courier charge)

Additional documents (not notarized):

• For validation of my wife’s current address:

-- Copy of bank passbook main page

-- Copy of credit card bill

-- If needed, her mobile number in India is +91 ***** *****

• For validation of my current address:

-- Copy of driver’s license

-- Copy of electric bill

-- Copy of cable TV/broadband bill

I sent a cover letter including the above with the intention of making it as simple as possible for the person processing the package -- who knows if it helped, but it made me feel better about it...

My wife is in India (we're still doing the US visa stuff), and they did call her to confirm some details, but they didn't call the two references I provided on the application. I started the process just after our one-year anniversary, as they turned us down when we tried last fall just after the marriage.

Cheers,

Curt