How to acquire a 10-year, multiple-entry Indian visa for Americans

[Holly Ernst]

Hello,

I've been to India three different times within 2013 and 2014. While visiting the country, countless individuals I've met (even people in Nepal) have told me that Americans can get a 10-year multiple-entry tourist visa. In fact, an American sitting next to me on a plane to Dharamsala even showed me his valid, 10-year visa. The dates looked recent to me, beginning some time in 2014.

This man told me that getting a 10-year visa required his applying in person at an Indian embassy in America. He told me his visa had been easy to acquire. Nevertheless, I want to make sure that, if I do spend all that money returning to the States to apply, I will be granted a longer-term (2015-) visa like all these other people have. I would not understand why I could not get one when so many other Americans have been successful in doing so.

When I have applied on line, I've seen no reference to a 10-year visa. On the form, the tourist-visa limit appears to be six months. Please enlighten me about how this process works. I'd be grateful if you could help me straighten out my confusion.

Thanks much,
Holly

[jaisula]

update

Hello,

This man told me that getting a 10-year visa required his applying in person at an Indian embassy in America. He told me his visa had been easy to acquire. Nevertheless, I want to make sure that, if I do spend all that money returning to the States to apply, I will be granted a longer-term (2015-) visa like all these other people have.

Hi Holly, have you been able to get it? If yes, would you mind sharing how? I'm in the same situation you once were.

Kind regards,
Kamil

[navidad]

based on CKGS website: 'With effect from 15 April 2015, the single available category of Tourist Visa available to be applied by a US national will be a 10 year, multiple entries Tourist Visa, with a fee of US$ 100.
The Period of stay for each visit is maximum upto six months from the date of entry and Visa validity could be upto ten years. Validity of Tourist Visa commences from the date of visa issue. Tourist Visa is generally issued with multiple entry endorsement.'

Check their website.

Hi Holly, have you been able to get it? If yes, would you mind sharing how? I'm in the same situation you once were.

Kind regards,
Kamil

[jaisula]

based on CKGS website: 'With effect from 15 April 2015, the single available category of Tourist Visa available to be applied by a US national will be a 10 year, multiple entries Tourist Visa, with a fee of US$ 100.
The Period of stay for each visit is maximum upto six months from the date of entry and Visa validity could be upto ten years. Validity of Tourist Visa commences from the date of visa issue. Tourist Visa is generally issued with multiple entry endorsement.'

Check their website.

I did that even before I asked my question. They require that you are a current RESIDENT (meaning that you CURRENTLY live in the States and can prove it, proof = house lease, or utility bill, or a state id from the state you're applying in). It sounds like Holly was not in the States at the time, neither am I now. That's why I asked to see whether she was able to bypass this stupid rule or had to return to the States.