Going to India on visitor VISA with intent of applying OCI

[sunny1407]

Hello everyone,

I have tried searching for answers to this on the forum but could not get definitive answer so would be grateful if someone throws some light on this.

I have just quit my job and want to go to India for a year or so. I have recently been naturalised and have now got my british passport and am going to London (Goswell Road) office to surrender my Indian passport and get the surrender certificate. From what I see on these forums, it should not be more than 3-5 days from Goswell Road. Is that right?

Further I plan to go to India within a month or 2, now I wanted to know if I go to India on Visitor Visa (6 month or 5 year) with only one way ticket and if questioned about return, explain that I intend to apply for OCI while in India. Is that acceptable or something which is frowned about by authorities there and will cause problems.

I am more likely to get the OCI here but just in case have to go early.

Also about the long term 5 year VISA, does it require you to return to UK within 6 month or you can stay over 6 months if you register with FRRO?

Any help appreciated.

[ban.s]

Re Surrender Certificate - 3-5 days at VFS Goswell Road is correct

5 year multiple extry long term x visa will allow to stay more than 6 months and you need to register with FRRO if the stay exceeds 180 days.

[sunny1407]

Re Surrender Certificate - 3-5 days at VFS Goswell Road is correct

5 year multiple extry long term x visa will allow to stay more than 6 months and you need to register with FRRO if the stay exceeds 180 days.

Thanks ban.s, so assuming if I go with the 5 year visa with one way ticket and if questioned, I can simply say that I plan to stay more than 6 months and will register with FRRO and also plan to apply OCI

What do you think if I do the same with normal 6 month visitor visa, i.e. just say I plan to apply for OCI if questioned about one way ticket, will that cause any problems?

[ban.s]

also see similar discussion

http://www.immigrationboards.com/viewtopic.php?t=143494

[sunny1407]

also see similar discussion

http://www.immigrationboards.com/viewtopic.php?t=143494

I saw that one earlier and the reason for me asking again on the matter of visitior visa and one way ticket as it doesn't confirm whether it is something frowned upon or it will be ok if I explain that I intend to apply for OCI in India.

Also whether it will be ok if it was a 5 year long term visa and if questioned I explain that I plan to stay over 6 months and also apply for OCI there

[ban.s]

if someone is travelling on a visitor visa then immigration officer will / can / may ask for return plan. they may not even ask anything. (my friends travelled last month on visitor visa whilst their OCI was under process - no questions asked at Mumbai arrival). i personally don't think there is too much to worry. i can speak for myself - immigration in india is quite easy experience these days than it used to be in 10/15 years ago.

[sunny1407]

if someone is travelling on a visitor visa then immigration officer will / can / may ask for return plan. they may not even ask anything. (my friends travelled last month on visitor visa whilst their OCI was under process - no questions asked at Mumbai arrival). i personally don't think there is too much to worry. i can speak for myself - immigration in india is quite easy experience these days than it used to be in 10/15 years ago.

Thanks again ban.s, thats quite reassuring although I will still try to get the OCI sorted here before hand but just in case.

[sunny1407]

Hello again,

I have just managed to get my OCI Online application filled in (part a + part b). I noticed that I had to fill in my employer's address in part b. I am in the middle of resigning from my job, and most likely will be out of that job when that application is being processed.

I was just wondering if that will cause any problems with my application. I assume they don't actually contact the employer and its more a formal record keeping task. Even if I was unemployed now, I could have still filled in last employer's details I guess?

Any help appreciated.