Two people who i know and will arrive in Goa next week,were issued 3 month visa's this week.

There will be an anouncement next month re Tourist visa's from the Mha here in India,and we have been told that the max stay will be cut to 90 days.Now whether that's a 3 month visa or a 90 day restriction on 6 month one's we will find out then.There are arguements still going on between different departments in the Indian government,especialy regarding the drop in foreign exchange because of the 2 month rule and the restrictions on Visa's.It could be that the 90 day's will be enforced but the 2 month rule abandoned.

John

we have been told that the max stay will be cut to 90 days.

Who told you this John? we havent heard/read anything about it here? its all very confusing

chilly

Yes it is very confusing Chilly and not fair on people.
People just want to know whats going on but there doesnt seem to be any clarification anywhere.

If you manage to evade the cops while there,I'm assuming you would get stopped at the airport when leaving. But what would they do?

Have to say that my understanding of the issue of visas is - when filling in the visa form you are asked when you plan to enter India/Goa and when you are due to return to the U.K. If your travel dates are within 3 months you will be issued with a 3 month visa - if your travel dates take you over 3 months then you will be issued with a 6 month visa.

I know people who have applied for and paid for 6 month visa's but have been given 3 months Split. Not sure about the departure date,where i apply i don't have to put it on the form so not sure about the UK.
Chilly by next season it will be down to 90 days,that's just my personal opinion based on the way things are going.
As far as "laws" and "warnings" and "official statements" are concerned,come on you know as well as i do this is India!!
I think your in denial. They are shooting themselves in the foot,they will never ever get what they want "high end tourists" look at the place!!
Thailand is buzzing with tourists from all over Asia..Japan,China ect, Goa will never have that.
I'm sure if i was in the UK planning my winters holiday i would be a bit concerned and worried knowing to well that the Indian government could change their mind on a whim.
Next season will show the damage that has been done.

I think your in denial.

Spaldy, there isnt any reason for me to be in denial, as i dont even need a visa.... I know they could change the rules to 90 days, all i am saying is they havent YET.

Chilly

I guess everything will become a bit clearer once people start applying for Visas for next season.

I would imagine there will be a lot less people applying next season.

hey are shooting themselves in the foot,they will never ever get what they want "high end tourists" look at the place!!

Spaldy, you are right. They all go to Thailand..... while Goa get's left 'the dregs'.

If they are from the Uk and going to Thailand as a tourist then they are only permitted a stay of up to 30 days. So perhaps a 90 day one for India isn't so bad after all. Thailand is a great place but a holiday there costs more than one to Goa- perhaps more than a lot of people can afford( or want to pay). Food and drink costs are low( but not as low as they used to be) but accomodation and flight prices are more expensive.
Re the 3 month visas- we haven't heard directly from any member that they were issued with one so perhaps there is a reason why a few seem to have been issued. Have they only recently left India? Do they "stay" in Goa?
For those who wish to travel within 2 months then follow what it says here. Hopefully most will get the permission. It has been a fiasco, with little thought put in to how it would effect those who had already booked. I do feel sorry for those who don't come on to forums like this as it would appear that TOs were slow to alert their holidaymakers.
Finally, for most folks who go on onlyone holiday to India a year then there is no change. Even here, the negative views are from very few members. They are just more vocal and persistant.

while Goa get's left 'the dregs'.

Thanks very much Big Neil !

Chilly

I think Big Neil was referring to what the Goan Government thinks of British tourists Chilly.

I was.

Have to say that my understanding of the issue of visas is - when filling in the visa form you are asked when you plan to enter India/Goa and when you are due to return to the U.K. If your travel dates are within 3 months you will be issued with a 3 month visa - if your travel dates take you over 3 months then you will be issued with a 6 month visa

Split I guess that would be ideal for your own personal situation ie you probably want to go end Oct/early Nov and return early to late March, so it would make sense to issue you with a 6 month Visa.

However, what about people who want to go for 2 or 3 weeks in November, return to the UK, and fly back out to Goa perhaps in March. What happens then, are they supposed to apply for 2 separate Visas and pay twice then youve got to be out of India for a fully two months before returning, and others are saying you cant apply for another Visa until your current one has been invalid for a month.

Makes it all a bit confusing and needs to be clarified.

My interpretation is if theyre going to start issuing 3 months Visas then thats what everyone will get. Basically your maximum stay in Goa will be 3 months and then back to the UK. Hardly worth all the hassle of reapplying and costing you more money again.

Good point Gemma.

I literally just Booked my hol yesterday, madness and I have left it late to get the visa! Now I have applied online and worried I have filled incorrectly or put the wrong bits in like single entry and how long I want visa for etc. Last year I did the written application and had no probs got visa back very quickly, just worried as go a week 2moro and don't want any probs with re submitting and not havin enough time to apply again with leavin on he 7th march,
this is for both me and my partner

any thoughts??

For anyone who's thinking of having a late break to Goa and lives in the birmingham area my cousin took her visa forms into the birmingham visa centre on tuesday morning told to come back yesterday friday to collect which she did it took 20 mins on tuesday with no appointment and 5 mins friday to collect and she also was given the 6 month visa hope this can help someone...

Wowser fast reply!! I'm from Liverpool but chose the Birmingham centre because Manchester said it took longer, this won't be a problem will it being out of the region, I went to birmingham last year

Jaynesastar..There was a gentleman on the door asking where /which region you come from..

http://goindia.about.com/b/2010/02/27/implementation-of-new-indian-tourist-visa-rules.htm