Is it possible to apply for and extend an Indian tourist visa whilst in Mumbai, India?

Is it possible to apply for and extend an Indian tourist visa whilst in Mumbai, India? - Side view of young Asian guys walking on platform painted with white and red stripes along shabby stone building with striped white and red roof on daytime

We will be staying on an e-tourist visa in India starting next week and would like to extend our stay.

Is it possible to apply for a full tourist visa from within India? If so, how?



Best Answer

No

Normal tourist visas can only be gotten by handing an application into an "Indian Visa Application Center (IVAC) or directly to [an] Indian Mission." These facilities are all found abroad, you don't find them within India. Moreover, for your visa to be valid it also needs an entry stamp from an Indian border official. The only way to acquire such a stamp is to enter India from the outside.

So, unfortunately, it's not possible to get a new tourist visa while still in India.

Also:

You cannot extend an Indian E-Visa and although confirmation of the visa is generated when the online application is made the visa itself is issued and starts when the applicant enters India via one of the airports listed so it is not possible to apply for an E-Visa from within India.

Source. Emphasis mine.

You would have needed to apply for normal tourist visas before leaving your home country. These applications have to be printed out and physically submitted to an actual Indian Mission or IVAC. These visas can have a duration of up to six months. Unfortunately, if you're traveling in less than a week, you might not have time to do this. I've found that the processing time for these can be anything from two to ten office days. (Sometimes more, if they want to question you, etc.)

However, you could contact the Indian foreign mission serving your area, explain the situation and ask if it's possible to get six or three month tourist visas issued on a short notice.

Another option: When your e-visa is up, you could travel up to Kathmandu (or even down to Colombo or basically any country you'd like) and get new visas from there, then return to India. Please note, though, that this will not work for citizens of Afghanistan, China, Iran, Pakistan, Iraq or Sudan, or stateless people. Such travelers are required to observe a two month gap between visits to India. However, all other nationals can return immediately once a new visa is granted. I did this in 2012. My six month tourist visa was about to expire, so I flew down to Colombo from Chennai. I immediately applied for a new six month tourist visa, and I had it after about seven office days, if I recall correctly. I then returned to India, after around ten days in Sri Lanka.

Yes, such a trip seems like a waste, and it's frustrating that this is the way it is, but unfortunately, those are the rules, and there's really nothing else to do. And if you do it, you can enjoy the experience of the neigbouring country while waiting for your visas.




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Can Indian tourist visa be extended in India?

You cannot extend an Indian e-Visa and it is not possible to apply for and then use an e-Visa from within India.

How do I renew my Indian visa in India?

e-FRRO is online FRRO/FRO Service delivery mechanism for foreigners without requirement of visiting FRRO/FRO Office. Who needs to apply for e-FRRO? All foreigners who desire Visa and Immigration related services in India viz. Registration, Visa Extension, Visa Conversion, Exit Permit etc need to apply for e-FRRO.

What happens if you overstay tourist visa in India?

To put it simply, over staying in India beyond the visa date can lead to fine, an imprisonment of up to 5 years and even banishment from entering the country again. $500 penalty if overstay is for more than a period of 2 years. $400 penalty is overstay is between 91 days to 2 years.

How can I stay in India longer than 6 months?

Those who have visas that are valid for more than 6 months and who are registered with the Foreign Regional Registration Office (FRRO) may extend their permission to stay in India whilst in the country.



How to Extend Indian Visa While Visiting India| Visa Conversion to OCI | Exit Permit | FRRO India




More answers regarding is it possible to apply for and extend an Indian tourist visa whilst in Mumbai, India?

Answer 2

I suggest that you go to an FRRO. I'm sure there is a way because the maximum stay within the country is 6 months only. They will stamp it in the embassy so there is no need to go out of the country if ever.

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