This isn't a complaint as such, but I would like to know where we stand should the worst happen.
We are due to fly to Goa on 2nd Feb. I booked online through First Choice. As far as I can remember, First Choice does mention when you book that you need a visa for India, but doesn't say how long that visa should be for.
After reading on here and several other places, we ordered our visas through VFS. I got three month tourist visas. We are only there for ten days so three months should be plenty, right? The visa forms are complicated and I spent a lot of time filling them out correctly so I was delighted when we received them. The visas are valid until 28th Feb. We return to the UK on 13th Feb.
Then a couple of days ago our tickets arrived from First Choice. In the boolet they are in it states that a visa valid for a minumum of SIX months is required.
I called First Choice and told them we have three month visas and asked if we would be allowed to fly on them. The man I spoke to said that they follow the embassy guidelines but couldn't give me a definitive answer as to whether we would be allowed to fly on three month visas. In his words "well, it *should* be okay but I can't guarantee". He suggested we contact VFS for guidance, but as I pointed out - as they *issued* the visa it is unlikely that the would give us one that is not valid for our travel dates.
I have since emailed VFS asking them to confirm that we will be allowed to enter India on this visas. I plan to print out their reply - which I assume will be yes - and take it along with us when we check in, just in case FC don't let us fly. I received an automated response saying that I will have a reply within five days.
My husband has also emailed First Choice, to see if we can get some clarification on whether they will allow us to board the plane.
So my question is, if we get to check in and First Choice do not allow us to board, based on our visas, what can we do?
Have you checked the embassy guide lines yourself? What do they say. TOs typically say that a passport should be valid for six months but mamny have no problems when they are for less.
fwh
fwh
Our passports are fine, mine is valid for ten years and my husband's for three. It's the visas that are the issue.
The embassy say that 3 month tourist visas are fine to enter the country (otherwise why would they issue them?!)
The embassy say that 3 month tourist visas are fine to enter the country (otherwise why would they issue them?!)
Have a look here for details. Tourist visas are issued for 3 or 6 months.
http://www.indiavisaheadoffice.co.uk/indian-visas/india-tourist-visitor-visa/indian-tourist-visa.html
fwh
http://www.indiavisaheadoffice.co.uk/indian-visas/india-tourist-visitor-visa/indian-tourist-visa.html
fwh
Yes I know they are three or six month fwh. My issue is not with the visa - I am pretty sure that India will let us enter the country on a three month visa. My issue is with the Tour Operator. If they have some kind of rule that says they will only let you travel if you have a six month visa then we are stuffed - despite the Indian government allowing them.
If First Choice say "no you can't board the plane, our policy is that you must have a six month visa" what do we do then?
If First Choice say "no you can't board the plane, our policy is that you must have a six month visa" what do we do then?
"as far as I remember" is never a good line to start an argument with!
So go to http://www.firstchoice.co.uk/holidays/goa-holidays/ click the Fact File tab and print it off - you did remember correctly and there's your proof!
if the comment had been printed across the bottom of the booking confirmation or tickets it might be an issue at checkin (even though they are wrong) but if it's only in some DIY tourist guide they've cobbled together then the checkin staff won't have seen it anyway.
So go to http://www.firstchoice.co.uk/holidays/goa-holidays/ click the Fact File tab and print it off - you did remember correctly and there's your proof!
if the comment had been printed across the bottom of the booking confirmation or tickets it might be an issue at checkin (even though they are wrong) but if it's only in some DIY tourist guide they've cobbled together then the checkin staff won't have seen it anyway.
Thanks Steve, that's really helpful. We've had a not so helpful reply on email from First Choice which reads:
Thank you for your email regarding your holiday to Goa.
For the latest information of any travel entry and stay requirements, travel restrictions, or visa and travel advice please visit the Foreign Office website at ww.fco.gov.uk/travel or call 0845 850 2829 and visit the Passport Service website at http://www.ips.gov.uk/travel for passport information before booking or travelling. Holders of non-UK passports should always check with their embassy, high commission or consulate before booking. Unfortunately, as visa information is constantly changing we are unable to offer up to date advice.
Thank you for taking the time to contact us. I trust the above clarifies your query however if we can be of any further assistance please do not hesitate to contact me via email or on the telephone number detailed below.
I apologise that I am unable to offer further assistance on this occasion.
Thank you for your email regarding your holiday to Goa.
For the latest information of any travel entry and stay requirements, travel restrictions, or visa and travel advice please visit the Foreign Office website at ww.fco.gov.uk/travel or call 0845 850 2829 and visit the Passport Service website at http://www.ips.gov.uk/travel for passport information before booking or travelling. Holders of non-UK passports should always check with their embassy, high commission or consulate before booking. Unfortunately, as visa information is constantly changing we are unable to offer up to date advice.
Thank you for taking the time to contact us. I trust the above clarifies your query however if we can be of any further assistance please do not hesitate to contact me via email or on the telephone number detailed below.
I apologise that I am unable to offer further assistance on this occasion.
That's actually a very useful reply because they admit they don't know and have changed their advice to just do what the Indian officials say. Print it out, take it with you and the job is sorted!
I wouldn't bother worrying about getting on the aircraft. They are more interested when you check in if you have your passport and tickets. That's it! It would be the border agency when you get to Goa that would be a problem but they embassy generally give you the certain type of visa that is required ie tourist which is either 3 or 6. I have had both 3months and 6months issued before today
Hope this helps
Hope this helps
Ah yes good point Steve!
Jaynesastar thanks
I am not really worried. My husband is beside himself with anxiety though and I am getting the blame for getting the wrong type of visa!
Jaynesastar thanks
I am not really worried. My husband is beside himself with anxiety though and I am getting the blame for getting the wrong type of visa!
I don't know but do visas work like passports do as far as airlines are concerned? By that I mean, for example, even though the country of entry says passport only need be valid 1 week after date of stay, the airline can insist on 6 months, as that is in their t's & c's and refuse to let you fly?
It should say on the visa? tourist? does it not?
Like I said its the border agency/ officials. If you feel you haven't got the right one just go back to the embassy. But im sure you have the right one anyway
Like I said its the border agency/ officials. If you feel you haven't got the right one just go back to the embassy. But im sure you have the right one anyway
I work for the airline as crew and never heard of this. As far as I'm aware from simply going on holiday myself, check in don't check your visa that's not down to them. The terms and conditions are there to guide you.
Excellent! Thanks very much everyone
Do they actually check you've got a visa?
If terms and conditions are there to guide, and are not actually anything you agree to abide by, then the public are going to have a field day when the airline tries to change something!!
OK, as a long time visitor to Goa (already had a 3 week holiday there Nov/Dec 2011& am booked to go back Feb 2011 which will make it 12th time), I'd like to make a few points on this thread.
Jaynesastar
I can assure you (and sunaddict) that check-in staff check the validity of visas for India very very carefully. If all is not OK you will be refused boarding - no question, no argument, no appeal.
Visas are again checked at the boarding gate. People have been denied boarding because of problems with visas - I have seen this happen.
Our flight home in December was delayed as we had to wait for a woman who had flown out on the plane but had been denied entry into Goa (never found out why but assume it must have been visa-related).
The above is not intended to scare Gooorooo.
This very same question has recently beeen asked on the Goa Visa thread (I replied to Hayman74 but that post now seems to have been asked by the OP on this thread).
Here is the reply I posted:
Re sunaddict's question:
I can't speak for First Choice as I usually fly Monarch but as we usually get 6 month visas and use them at the beginning of the season (Nov) and towards the end (Feb/March), there is never 6 months validity on our visas.
Many people use their visas twice.
Hope this helps.
Jaynesastar
I work for the airline as crew and never heard of this. As far as I'm aware from simply going on holiday myself, check in don't check your visa that's not down to them. The terms and conditions are there to guide you.
I wouldn't bother worrying about getting on the aircraft. They are more interested when you check in if you have your passport and tickets. That's it! It would be the border agency when you get to Goa that would be a problem but they embassy generally give you the certain type of visa that is required ie tourist which is either 3 or 6. I have had both 3months and 6months issued before today
I can assure you (and sunaddict) that check-in staff check the validity of visas for India very very carefully. If all is not OK you will be refused boarding - no question, no argument, no appeal.
Visas are again checked at the boarding gate. People have been denied boarding because of problems with visas - I have seen this happen.
Our flight home in December was delayed as we had to wait for a woman who had flown out on the plane but had been denied entry into Goa (never found out why but assume it must have been visa-related).
The above is not intended to scare Gooorooo.
This very same question has recently beeen asked on the Goa Visa thread (I replied to Hayman74 but that post now seems to have been asked by the OP on this thread).
Here is the reply I posted:
Haymans74
They've probably seen this on the VFS website:
Quote:
Tourist Visa
A Tourist Visa is granted to those who would visit India for tourism. Tourist visas may be valid for 6 months to 1 year with single or multiple entries. Irrespective of the duration of validity of visa, on each visit maximum period of stay in India is limited to 6 months (180 days) only. Please note the validity of the visa is effective from the date of issue.
FWIW, I think First Choice have got it wrong.
I think they've either seen the statement above or mixed up the requirement to have 6 months validity on your passport when you apply for a visa with requiring a valid visa to enter India.
Quite a few people have been granted 3 month visas this year and also last year.
If I were you, I'd email VFS and tell them what your Tour Operator says about needing a 6 month visa.
Tell them you've only been granted a 3 month one.
Tell them the dates you are travelling in and out.
Tell them the dates your visas are valid to and from.
Ask them if you will be allowed entry.
When you get a reply, print it off and take it with you to the airport in case you get a numpty on check-in.
Re sunaddict's question:
I don't know but do visas work like passports do as far as airlines are concerned? By that I mean, for example, even though the country of entry says passport only need be valid 1 week after date of stay, the airline can insist on 6 months, as that is in their t's & c's and refuse to let you fly?
I can't speak for First Choice as I usually fly Monarch but as we usually get 6 month visas and use them at the beginning of the season (Nov) and towards the end (Feb/March), there is never 6 months validity on our visas.
Many people use their visas twice.
Hope this helps.
prettypollycat
I know full well the airline check all documentation very carefully, as they can get heavily fined if they let someone fly without the correct docs, and they are refused entry because of it. I was asking tongue in cheek after the reply about it not being the job of check in staff to check them!!
Maybe I didn't make myself very clear with regards to passports/visas validity. I was curious if like passports, the airlines can over rule the entry country's requirements, and insist on their own, like they can with passports.
I know visas don't have to have 6 months left. I was interested as to whether given that the OP was issued a 3 month visa, if, because it is stated on the tickets, the airline can insist on a 6 month visa?
I know full well the airline check all documentation very carefully, as they can get heavily fined if they let someone fly without the correct docs, and they are refused entry because of it. I was asking tongue in cheek after the reply about it not being the job of check in staff to check them!!
Maybe I didn't make myself very clear with regards to passports/visas validity. I was curious if like passports, the airlines can over rule the entry country's requirements, and insist on their own, like they can with passports.
I know visas don't have to have 6 months left. I was interested as to whether given that the OP was issued a 3 month visa, if, because it is stated on the tickets, the airline can insist on a 6 month visa?
Prettypolly sorry to confuse you - I was haymans74, I changed my name to Gooorooo yesterday I know I asked this on the Goa forum, but I was interested to hear what recourse I can take if I am not allowed to board the plane, should that actually happen.
I know I asked this on the Goa forum, but I was interested to hear what recourse I can take if I am not allowed to board the plane, should that actually happen.
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