Obtaining a tourist visa for India in Cyprus

chiangbill



Joined: 21/07/2010
Posts: 137

Message Posted:
05/12/2011 18:47

Well we went to the Indian Embassy in the South today, and we were told they will not issue tourist visa unless you are a resident of the ROC.



We were told that the TRNC is not recognized.



Not finished yet though.

WhiskeyJoe


Joined: 08/11/2011
Posts: 113

Message Posted:
05/12/2011 19:16

got one there last year, the greeks that work in the office are very hostile towards the north, but insist.



good luck

chiangbill



Joined: 21/07/2010
Posts: 137

Message Posted:
05/12/2011 19:24

Hi WhiskeyJoe.



We got past the the Greeks, but don't think you insist the Consulate guy who is Indian!!!!!

kibsolar


Joined: 14/09/2008
Posts: 552

Message Posted:
05/12/2011 19:28

I got one last year as well.. in the beginning they told me that i have to apply in Istanbul.. try to see the indian manager, Explain the situation to him, not the greeks, waggle the head a bit.. and smile.

elko2



Joined: 24/07/2007
Posts: 4400

Message Posted:
05/12/2011 19:33

This is a disgrace. Does anybody have the e.mail address for the foreign ministry of India? We should all write and protest.

ismet

Erkin


Joined: 15/06/2011
Posts: 339

Message Posted:
05/12/2011 20:46

It is not a question of north being recognized by India or not, if India recognized TRNC in the first place, you would not have to go to the south for the visa.



A consulate can only issue a visa for the nationals of that country.



Last year I applied to the US embassy in the south and giot declined and was told to apply via the anex office of the US embassy in Turkish Nicosia, even though it had to go back to the main embassy building in the south for the visa to be issued.

Harold2555



Joined: 19/04/2008
Posts: 1139

Message Posted:
05/12/2011 21:17

Doesn't Logic dictate that if the TRNC is unrecognised then it is because the ROC maintains its claim to sovereignty over the whole island.



Surely then they cannot refuse to cater for the "victims" of the "occupying Turkish invadres" in the North?



Wonder how they would respond to such a proposition if put to them?



Harold

Clarissa2


Joined: 12/06/2009
Posts: 1476

Message Posted:
05/12/2011 21:17

Re: Msgs 1&6,

"A consulate can only issue a visa for the nationals of that country."



Absolutely not. A consulate can issue visas for different nationals, who reside, work, study or visit the country.



The OP can argue that as there is no Indian consulate in TRNC, the nearest consulate for him is in RoC.

So they had no ground to refuse him his visa, especially a short- term tourist one.(I also presume that the OP is a British passport holder).



Agree with Elko, a total disgrace, time to complain!

the2ofus


Joined: 13/02/2008
Posts: 637

Message Posted:
05/12/2011 22:37

we had a similar prob in 2009. We had previously had visas issued in RoC in 2007 and 2008 - in 2009 they refused. Told us we had to apply in Ankara or London. We argued and argued -showed them our previous visa stamps issued by themselves - Vice Consulate came down and said we could apply but unlikely to be granted. They made it so difficult even after they took the applcation and money - we ended up contacting the Indian embassy in London. They said it didn't matter where we lived as long as it was the Embassy closest to us at the time ( makes sense for travellers/backpackers) We went back (to collect our visa) only to be told that they couldn't issue it as permission had been sought from Ankara ! We argued for the best part of a day - They eventually relented and issued it with the smug little t**t of staff saying, in a crowded waiting room, "what do you expect living in stolen houses in a stolen state - why should we help you " !

Complained in writing (also to UK) - no response !

philbailey


Joined: 17/01/2011
Posts: 3534

Message Posted:
05/12/2011 23:11

Msg 1, why not try in Turkey?

as far as I know it is the only country that accepts the TRNC

due to the international community and the EU

Ozangirl


Joined: 03/09/2010
Posts: 145

Message Posted:
05/12/2011 23:32

we also got a visa at the beginning of this year, but not without problems, they was extremely unhelpful, especially the greek bxxch in the main office, she tried to make it as difficult as possible for us. We did get it finally with a lot of going backwards and forwards to the Embassy with more documents and information, it was an Indian guy that actually helped us in the end. We have considered going again next year, but I don't know if I can be bothered with all the hassle of trying to get the visa again, especially if many of you have incurred problems recently.

the2ofus


Joined: 13/02/2008
Posts: 637

Message Posted:
05/12/2011 23:56

I had been talking to friends in UK and Goa - they have all had more probs from last year than previously. It seems that India tightend its Visa process/issuance (following Mumbai attack) EG - they introduced their 2 month rule for those NNs (Non Nationals) with 6 month visas. Whereas previously our friends would go out for week, or so, to renew their visa, just before 6 month expiry date, now they are not allowed re entry following their departure nor are they allowed to apply for new visa before the expiry date of the exisiting one. The process in UK has also become more complicated. It has caused lots of problems all round.

That in no way excuses the arrogant and rude attitude of the staff in the Indian Embassy in RoC !

One of the GC cleaners apologised to us and told us that the Indian staff change every 4 years and the ones that came 2009 were the most unhelpful to visitors that she had ever met - especially those who applied from "the other side". May apply again in 2013 !

Jonholmes


Joined: 08/11/2011
Posts: 184

Message Posted:
06/12/2011 00:18

Although it is wrong in my opinion, you live in a different "country" to the ROC, you cannot expect smiles and thank yous with the present political climate. Why not tell a few porkies that you live that side? I bet the response would be different .

chiangbill



Joined: 21/07/2010
Posts: 137

Message Posted:
06/12/2011 16:43

Has any one else on the boards, been to the Indian Embassy in the South for a visa.



Would love to hear your views.

chiangbill



Joined: 21/07/2010
Posts: 137

Message Posted:
16/12/2011 19:09

We got our Indian Visa's today.

philbailey


Joined: 17/01/2011
Posts: 3534

Message Posted:
16/12/2011 19:11

From where?

chiangbill



Joined: 21/07/2010
Posts: 137

Message Posted:
16/12/2011 19:14

Hi Phil. From the Indian Embassy in Nicosia (South Side)

Erkin


Joined: 15/06/2011
Posts: 339

Message Posted:
16/12/2011 20:37

Folks you all seem to forget that as Mersin 10, all applications have to go through Turkey. Most countries sees as not as TRNC but part of Turkey.



Just because you have British Passports, the embassy is not under any obligations to issue you with a visa.

CarrieRBag



Joined: 23/12/2008
Posts: 1374

Message Posted:
16/12/2011 22:12

Surely it is because you have a BRITISH passport that the BRITISH embassy should help you. The clue is surely in the word British? Othewise why have an embassy?

chiangbill



Joined: 21/07/2010
Posts: 137

Message Posted:
17/12/2011 11:29

The British Embassy din't issue Indian Visa's. The problem was. They knew of course we hold British Passports. The problem is/was they also knew we were from the TRNC. If we had an addresss in the ROC no problems.

elko2



Joined: 24/07/2007
Posts: 4400

Message Posted:
17/12/2011 12:16

I think it was year 2009 when I obtained a visa for India on my Bitish passport. The Greek Cypriot bitch there insisted that I write my address in the original form i.e. with Greek names. I insisted that it is a new street and therefore the Turkish street name was the original one. "Do you want me to invent a new Greek name for it and tell you lies? No way" I said categoricaly. At that point the Indian gentleman watching all this episode stepped in and said its ok, come and collect your visa next week which I did.

ismet

chiangbill



Joined: 21/07/2010
Posts: 137

Message Posted:
17/12/2011 12:55

Hi elko.



Yes in the end it was the Indian consulate who told us to come and re apply for our visa. The young Greek girls was nowhere to be seen on our last 2 visits.

Minter


Joined: 19/03/2009
Posts: 193

Message Posted:
19/12/2011 18:09

My frıends went today to obtaın a vısa and they had no trouble whatsoever, they also saıd that everybody was so very helpful and frıendly.



so maybe thıngs have been sorted out now.

dimpy


Joined: 06/12/2010
Posts: 98

Message Posted:
20/12/2011 13:27

hello how to apply for visa india

plz o5338463030 mr chacha m pancholi

thanks

Agobard


Joined: 20/08/2008
Posts: 271

Message Posted:
20/12/2011 15:34

Message 18: this is an absolutely pointless posting! Visas - for any country - are dealt with by the embassy nearest to where you live so, for people living in Cyprus strangely enough, this is Nicosia. The recognition or otherwise of the TRNC is irrelevant. Nobody has so far suggested that they should get a visa just because they have a British passport. The complaints are concerned with the stupidity and unhelpful behaviour of the Indian Embassy staff. In my view it would be better just to not go to India if this is their attitude towards visitors. There are, after all, other countries where the rats are so big that they wear saddles so go there instead!

elko2



Joined: 24/07/2007
Posts: 4400

Message Posted:
20/12/2011 16:04

Agobard,

Like you I see no relevance of msg. 18 to this thread. Perhaps Erkin will explain himself better so that there may be some relevance.



The Greek Cypriot staff at the embassy could not care less whether we go to India or not, their joy comes from upsetting those that live in TRNC. If they could only reralise that such behaviour, no matter how minute, all help to separate us rather than combine us. I have given up all hope with them and we rather join our strength with Turkey.

ismet