Gay Pride March, Delhi

Hundreds, if not a couple thousand as predicted, gathered in downtown Delhi near Connaught Place to march for...pride! So refreshing to see the outpouring from the expected and not-so-expected sectors of an overwhelmingly conservative society. The march went on without a hitch, and people gathered on either side to watch the spectacle. I am humbled by the courage of those brave enough to be open and out in India, a country that can at times seem mind-numbingly rigid.

India Employment Visa and the FRRO

I have been traveling back and forth between India and the US since 2003 on a Tourist Visa, but the process(es) surrounding an employment visa are much more complicated. Hope this helps some of you.

Step 1: Obtaining a Visa from the Indian Embassy

Indian Consulates/Embassies do not process visas themselves - they outsource the process to a company called Travisa. Don't deal with the the Embassy at all, go to this website for a list of things you will need for an application: Travisa

There you will find details for all of the following needed articles:

1. Passport valid up to 6 months with at least 2 empty pages
2. India Visa Application Form (download from the website)
3. 2 recent passport photos (2" x 2")
4. Proof of residential address in the US (official letter or copy of DL)
5. Copy of Birth Certificate
6. Appointment Letter (company should provide this)
   
7. Contract (company should provide this)
8. Resume
9. Company/Organization Registration with Indian govt.
10. Tax Liability Letter (company should provide this)
    
11. Justification Letter (company should provide this)
    

Either send this all in the mail directly to Travisa, or go in person to one of their offices.

Step 2: Registering with the FRRO (done on arrival)

You must register and get FRRO approval if your Employment Visa is valid for more than 180 days (no matter how long your stay may be). If you do not get this, you will not be able to leave the country (you will have to obtain an exit visa). You must register within 14 days of arrival or you will be fined Rs.1,300/-. If you are getting paid and need to set up a bank account in India, you will need an FRRO form regardless of your length of stay. The items needed for this document can be found here: FRRO

There you will find that you need the following:

1. Application form (found on the website or at the office - you will need 3 copies and you must print them out on green paper!)
2. Photocopy of your passport and visa
3. 4 passport photographs (note: bring your own glue to attach them, the office will probably be out and you will have to leave to buy a glue stick and lose your place in the line)
   
4. Details of residence in India (note: this has to be official, and if it is a lease you will need a copy of your landlord's photo id with a signature to corroborate the signature on the lease)
5. HIV test from WHO recognized organization if you are staying longer than 1 year (ages 15-60)
6. Terms and conditions of appointments and copies of contracts and agreements (originals and copies)
   
7. Undertaking from the concerned Indian company (template provided, you will need original with a stamp and signature on company letterhead)

If you are setting up a bank account, ICIC and ING have the lowest fares in terms of transferring money from Indian to US accounts. I hope this helps someone out there have an easier time than I did, get your company to help you!