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HOME > IMPORTANT NEWS & NOTICES
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August 06, 2010
Relocation of premises for Consulate General of India, Melbourne.
| The Consulate General of India, Melbourne will be relocating from their current office premises at 1/15 Munro Street, Coburg to 344 St Kilda Road, St Kilda on 01 September 2010. To accommodate this move, the Consulate will be closed for all Consular and Visa processing activities on 30 and 31 August 2010. Applicants are here by requested to note there will be an increase in processing time for their applications due to these non-working days. |
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July 07, 2010
Renunciation / Surrender Certificate Guidelines
The renunciation / surrender certificate procedure and fee structure is based on the date, the Person of Indian Origin, has acquired Australian/Foreign Citizenship.
Please review the detail checklist on www.vfs-in-au.net on the effective date.
| If the Date of Australian / Foreign Citizenship is on or before 31-May -2010 |
If the Date of Australian / Foreign Citizenship is after 31- May - 2010 |
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| If the Indian Passport is not cancelled or is lost/damaged and not in possession ( the applicant will need to provide a statutory declaration attested by a JP):
For OCI/PIO/VISA Applications $25 cancellation fee is payable and a cancellation certificate will be issued along with the requested service. . If the Indian Passport is cancelled the applicant will need to submit a photocopy proof of the bio page of the cancelled passport and no cancellation fee will be applicable. |
If the Indian Passport is not cancelled or is lost/damaged and not in possession ( the applicant will need to provide a statutory declaration attested by a JP): For OCI/PIO/VISA Application $273 is payable along with the submission of the OCI/PIO/VISA application and the surrender certificate will be issued along with the requested service. If the surrender certificate is already acquired only a copy of the same needs to be submitted and no additional fee will be applicable. |
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June 21, 2010
Employment Visa Update:
- Who Can Apply?
Employment visas are issued to AUSTRALIAN PASSPORT HOLDERS or AUSTRALIAN RESIDENTS (provided the period of residence in Australia is for more than 2 years and subject to the conditions hereunder: Employment visa’s can be applied for upto 6 months, upto 1 year and up to 5 year. Please review the checklist on www.vfs-in-au.net
- The applicant is a highly skilled/skilled and qualified professional or person who is being engaged or appointed by a company, organization, industry, or undertaking, etc. in India on contract or employment basis at a senior level, skilled position such as technical expert, senior executive, or in a managerial position, etc.
- Employment Visa would not be considered for jobs for which large number of qualified Indian Nationals are available. Furthermore, Employment Visa application would not be considered at all for routine, ordinary or secretarial/clerical jobs.
- The salary of the applicant proposed to be employed should not be less than US$ 25,000 per annum.
- The applicant should be coming for employment in companies registered in India.
- The applicant will have to comply with all other requirements like payment of tax liabilities etc.
- The applicant must submit proof of his/her employment or contract or engagement by the company/organization, etc. in India
- The applicant must submit documentary proof of his educational qualifications and professional expertise – “ Resume copy”.
- Other categories of applicants eligible for Employment visa
The following categories of applicants may also be eligible for Employment visa subject to the fulfillment of the general conditions mentioned above.
- Applicants coming to India as consultants on contract, for which the Indian company pays a fixed remuneration, (may not be in the form of monthly salary).
- Foreign artists engaged to conduct regular performances for the duration of the employment contract given by Hotels, Clubs, and other organizations.
- Foreign nationals who are coming to India to take up employment as coaches.
- Foreign sportsmen who are given a contract for a specified period by the Indian Clubs/organizations.
- Self-employed foreign nationals coming to India for providing engineering, medical, accounting, legal or such other highly skilled services in their capacity as independent consultants.
- Foreign language teachers/interpreters.
- Specialist Chefs.
- Foreign nationals visiting India for voluntary work with NGOs.
- Duration of Employment Visa
An Employment Visa will be valid for entry and stay into India within the period of its validity unless specified otherwise and subject to conditions specified. Validity of an Employment visa will be as under:-
- A foreign technician/expert coming to India in pursuance of a bilateral agreement between the Government of India and a foreign government, or in pursuance of a collaboration agreement that has been approved by the Government of India, may be granted an Employment visa for the duration of the agreement, or for a period of five years, whichever is less with multiple entry facilities.
- A foreigner coming to India for employment not covered in (i) above (and also other than those being employed in IT software and IT enabled sectors) may be granted Employment visa with a validity up to two years or the term of assignment, whichever is less with multiple entry facility.
- In the case of highly skilled/skilled foreign personnel being employed in the IT software and IT enabled sectors, the Missions/Posts may grant visa with validity up to 3 years or the term of assignment, whichever is less with multiple entry facility.
- In case of Employment Visa issued for a period of 180 days or less, registration is not required with FRRO/FRO. The Missions/Posts may issue multiple entry Employment Visas for a period of 180 days or less.
- However, if the Employment visa is valid for a period of more than 180 days, Employment-visa holder must register with the FRRO/FRO concerned within 14 days of arrival. Further extension could be given by authorities in India.
- Visa to family members of a foreigner granted Employment visa.
Family members/dependants of a foreigner who is granted Employment visa shall be granted `Entry' visa provided the family members are otherwise eligible for grant of such a Visa. Its validity shall be co-terminus with the validity of the visa of the principal visa holder or for such shorter period as may be considered necessary by the Indian Mission.
In the case of applicants from China, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and foreign nationals of Pak origin (Pakistan nationals not eligible for employment visa) prior clearance of Government of India would be required to issue an Employment Visa.
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May 26, 2010
Indian Community Welfare Fund levy effective June 1st 2010:
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With effect from 1st June 2010, an additional fee of $2/- is to be paid towards Indian Community Welfare Fund per passport/ visa/ consular service per person. Applications received at VFS offices across Australia after this date will be subject to the ICWF levy.
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May 26, 2010
Tourist Visa Update
Who Can Apply?
A tourist visa can only be granted to a foreigner (other than a person of Indian origin) who does not have a residence or occupation in India and whose sole objective of visiting India is recreation, sight seeing, casual visit to meet friends and relatives etc . No other activity is permissible on a tourist visa. A tourist visa may be issued normally for six months with multiple entries and is non extendable and non convertible. The duration of the visa is the sole discretion of the Authority.
Foreigners applying for voluntary work in NGO’s must apply for an employment visa.
Neighborhood Country visits: Some foreign nationals holding tourist visas, after initial entry into India, plan to visit another country largely on account of neighborhood tourism and need to reenter India within 60 days, before finally exiting. Such persons may be permitted up to three entries (need based) subject to submission of a detailed itinerary. Once such a foreign national exits the country after availing the facility of three entries (within the visa validity period or stay stipulation period of 180 days) there shall be a gap of two months from the date of final exit before re-entry into India again on a tourist visa.
Re-Entry Permit: In case a visit to India is required within 2 months period of an existing travel to India on an existing tourist visa, special permission of the Mission/Post would be required. After processing such cases an endorsement would be made on passport permitting two to three entries depending on the itinerary and supporting documents submitted by the applicant. A fee equivalent of A$25 would be chargeable for granting such permission. This service can be availed directly at the, High Commission of India in Canberra/Consulate General of India in Sydney/Melbourne. In all such cases the applicant should register with the Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (FRRO) with in 14 days of arrival. All Tourist visas are non extendable and non convertible Immigration Authorities in India may also grant such re-entry permit to persons of Indian origin in emergency cases.
No Restrictions: The restriction of a two month gap for re-entering India does not apply to foreign nationals holding any other type of visa or PIO or OCI holders.
If an applicant applies for Tourist visa with in one month of expiry of previous visa, the processing would take longer i.e. up to 45 days.
Tourist visa can also be issued for a period of 5 years to the nationals of France, Germany, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Belgium, Finland, Spain, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Mexico but stay at each visit in India should not exceed 180 days. Tourist visas are non-extendable and non-convertible. A 10 year tourist visa is available to US Nationals only.
The visas are not issued from the future date to match applicant’s itinerary for inward and outwards journey to/from India and are effective from the date of issue.
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May 26, 2010
Business Visa Update
Who Can Apply?
Business Visa: Eligibility Criteria.
Australian National
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Non - Australian National but residing in Australia for 2 years of more. If the above eligibility criteria cannot be met, the applicant needs to visit a Visa Application Centre in person for scheduling an interview to be conducted by the High Commission/ Consulate prior to the acceptance of the application. Interview appointments are available between 10.0 am – 12.0 noon only.
For Emergency/Urgent Business Visa Applications, applicants/representative must visit a Visa Application centre where the case will be presented to the High Commission/Consulate for urgent processing/issuance of Visa. If approved applicants/representative will be informed and an Emergency fee will be applicable. Urgent issued Visas can be given for a short validity with limited number of entries.
Business Visas are normally granted for up to 6 months but for certain applicants it is for minimum period of 1 year. Applicants are required to provide a letter/ invitation from the Indian company / trade partner or alternatively a letter from the Australian company (the employer) explaining the purpose of the visit. 5 year business visas can be issued to CEOs, entrepreneurs and businessmen who have Joint Venture/MOU or similar long-term business commitments in India requiring frequent visits over extended periods.
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May 25, 2010
Specific Nationality Criteria changes
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Pakistani nationals and dual nationals of Pakistan are eligible for Entry Visa and Business Visa Only.
Ex Pakistani nationals not holding dual nationality of Pakistan may apply for any Visa category.
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May 25, 2010
Entry Visa Update
Who Can Apply?
Persons of Indian Origin, their spouses and dependant children would only be eligible for an entry visa and NOT for a tourist visa. An Entry Visa is given to those of India origin visiting India for tourism or other non-business related purposes. Members of the family of a person employed in India are also eligible for Entry visa. In the latter case, documents establishing the employment of the spouse along with a copy of his/her Employment visa must be attached. In addition, an Entry Visa should be applied for if the purpose of visit is not covered by any other type of visa listed. Please note the visa is valid beginning on the day it is issued.
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May 05, 2010
Import and use of Satellite Phones into India.
As per existing guidelines issued by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Inmarsat Satphones excluding BGAN system can be used the Government, Corporate Houses, members of the Mountaineering Expedition and other such categories with prior permission from DoT.
Thuraya Satellite service is not permitted in India. Any one using any telephonic device including Satphone unauthorisedly violates provisions of Indian Telegraph Act, 1855 and hence liable for punishment under the said Act. Satellite phones brought to India without permission of DoT would be confiscated till the time the holder of the Satellite phone is able to produce a license issued by the DoT.
(N.Dorjee Khangserpa)
Second Secretary (Consular)
03.04.2010 |
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April 22, 2010
Changes in Requirements for a Conference Visa (Government / Ministry related Conferences).
Conference visa:
As per revised procedure for issue of Conference visa (CV) for attending International Conference/Seminar/Workshop etc in India, the following documents are needed for processing CV:
Letter of invitation: Letters of invitation from the organizer of the conference in India as well as from the organization in Australia which nominated the applicant to attend the conference. An invitation to attend a conference/seminar/workshop being organized in India by a Ministry/Department of the Government of India, State Governments, Public Sector Undertakings, Central Educational Institutions, Public Funded University or an organization owned and controlled by the Government of India or State Government, UN or its specialized agencies and reputed NGOs. For business conferences please apply for Business Visa.
Ministry of Home Affairs clearance: A clearance letter from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.
Ministry of External Affairs clearance: A clearance letter from the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India.
State Govt./UT clearance: A clearance letter from the State Government/Union Territories.
Nodal Ministry clearance: A clearance letter from the Ministry that holds jurisdiction over the conference. For example, an education conference needs a clearance letter from the Ministry of Human Resources Development.
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April 14, 2010
Impromptu Holiday Notification
The High Commission of India in Australia and the Consulate General in Sydney and Melbourne have declared 14th April 2010 as a holiday due to Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Jayanti.
The India Passport and Visa Service Centres will continue to remain open to accept applications. Processing times for applications submitted prior to, or during this week will be impacted and will take an extra working day for the Authority (the High Commission of India and the Consulate General in Sydney and Melbourne)
Applicants are advised to plan their travel in accordance.
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April 02, 2010
Tourist Visa on Arrival: High Commission of India- Notice
Tourist Visa on Arrival is available to applicants of five countries, namely Finland, Japan, Luxembourg, New Zealand and Singapore.
Tourist Visa on Arrival would be valid for 30 days with a single entry and would be available only at airports at Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata.
Tourist Visa on Arrival is allowed for a maximum of two times in a calendar year, with a minimum gap of two months between each visit.
A fee of US$60/-or equivalent in Indian rupees would be charged from each of the applicants including children.
It should be noted that the Tourist Visa on Arrival should not be resorted to as a matter of routine. It is only for applicants of these countries, who are unable to apply for a regular visa at an Indian Mission due to some reason. As far as possible, the usual Tourist Visa should be applied for.
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April 01, 2010
Number of Entries for cruise ship passenger: High Commission of India- Notice
| Cruise ship passengers who are likely to visit more than two ports in India are advised to obtain multi entry visa.
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March 31, 2010
Re-entry Permit
| According to information contained in MHA’s FAQ on Tourist visa, in addition to Mission /Posts, immigration authorities may also issue re-entry permit to multiple entry tourist visa holders on production of relevant documents such as itinerary and ticket bookings etc.
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February 24, 2010
Employment Visa Advisory
Update on Eligibility Criteria
Employment visas are issued to AUSTRALIAN PASSPORT HOLDERS or AUSTRALIAN RESIDENTS (provided the period of residence in Australia is for more than 2 years) for a period up to 6 months initially. Employment visa can be considered if the person has a contract in India with an Indian organization.
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Has been posted / deployed to work in India for short/long term by the parent company based in Australia. Extensions, if required, can be granted by the concerned authorities in India (MHA/ State Governments/ FROs). Applicants are required to provide proof of employment, i.e. copies of contract and the terms & conditions with the company in India & Australia.
Spouses and children accompanying the applicant are granted entry visas on request for the duration of the assignment.
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February 24, 2010
Business Visa Advisory
Update on Eligibility Criteria
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Australian National or |
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Non-Australian national but residing in Australia for 2 or more years. If the above Eligibility criteria cannot be met, the applicant needs to visit a Visa Application Centre in person for scheduling an interview to be conducted by the High Commission/ Consulate prior to the acceptance of the application. Interview appointments are available between 10.0 am – 12.0 noon only. |
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February 15, 2010
Tourist Visa Advisory
"This is for information that there should be a gap of at least 2 months between two visits to India on a Tourist Visa".
In case of requirement to visit India within 2 months, permission should be sought from the High Commission of India (for applicants from Australian Capital Territory, Queensland, Northern Territory and Western Australia) / Consulate General of India- Sydney (for applicants from New South Wales and South Australia) / Consulate General of India – Melbourne (for applicants from Victoria and Tasmania) .
This should be done directly without going through the India Passport & Visa Services Centre where permission is accorded by respective mission in such cases, registration with the local FRRO/FRO would be required within 14 days of arrival in India .
The re-entry permit will be granted on discretionary basis by the Mission, and on the basis of exact itinerary submitted by the applicant. A Fee of $25 will be applicable.
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