Ticket requirements for Entry Visa with intent to stay/PIO card

[IndigoLove 0]

I am an American citizen, my husband is Indian citizen. I will be traveling to India next month on an entry visa with the intention of filing for my PIO after I reach there and intend to live in India indefinitely. Does anyone know if I can purchase a one-way ticket on an Entry Visa or am I required to purchase a round-trip ticket? I don't want to get stuck if I purchase the wrong type of ticket. Thanks.

[^_^ 5,021]

Entry visas are only valid for 6 months. I don't know what happens if you try to POE in India without a return ticket, but it would not be unreasonable of them to question how you plan to keep to the 6 month limit if you don't have a return ticket. You say you plan to file for PIO but you haven't filed until you actually file. They have no reason to let you in based on your word alone.

Here's my advice - check with the Indian consulate and the airline. The Indian consulate has to tell you it's ok to enter India without a return ticket and the airline has to tell you they will let you board without it.

And if it sounds problematic, talk to a desi travel agent and figure out the best way to book a return ticket with the smallest financial penalty for cancelation.

[^_^ 5,021]

Also -- consider researching your question on IndiaMike.com

[IndigoLove 0]

Your thinking is in line with mine. Just trying to convince my husband the savings of the one-way ticket isn't worth potential problems. lol

Entry visas are only valid for 6 months. I don't know what happens if you try to POE in India without a return ticket, but it would not be unreasonable of them to question how you plan to keep to the 6 month limit if you don't have a return ticket. You say you plan to file for PIO but you haven't filed until you actually file. They have no reason to let you in based on your word alone.

Here's my advice - check with the Indian consulate and the airline. The Indian consulate has to tell you it's ok to enter India without a return ticket and the airline has to tell you they will let you board without it.

And if it sounds problematic, talk to a desi travel agent and figure out the best way to book a return ticket with the smallest financial penalty for cancelation.

[ELW 5]

Since you plan to stay in India indefinitely, why not just delay your trip by a month or two and immediately file for PIO card here itself? My husband just got his OCI card, it took only two months exactly and I believe the PIO card is quicker though I'm not sure. In fact I plan to send for my PIO card soon.