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Visiting India as a British Pakistani - getting a visa

Mo.

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Anyone have any experience of this? (successful or otherwise)

Been invited to a wedding next year. I am British born and bred, but of Pakistani origin and have told this will make it difficult for me to get a visa. Probably doesn't help that I've made a few trips to Pakistan in the last couple of years.
 
:91:

I have had friends who's wives are Indians and who are themselves Brit or American nationalities and have been trying for a decade atleast to get a visa but have failed and given up.

Good luck!
 
Anyone have any experience of this? (successful or otherwise)

Been invited to a wedding next year. I am British born and bred, but of Pakistani origin and have told this will make it difficult for me to get a visa. Probably doesn't help that I've made a few trips to Pakistan in the last couple of years.

If you are not dual national then its fine. If you are dual national don't bother to apply
 
My friend plays for Worcestershire and they recently were touring India but he was reduced a visa as he is of Pak origin
 
There have been a few.

See this thread.

http://www.pakpassion.net/ppforum/showthread.php?139935-Any-Pakistanis-here-been-to-India

However post Nov 2008 it's a real pain in the rear end for you guys. Massively time consuming and no guarantees at the end of it.

Going for work is a bit easier because you have work to back you up. Going socially is a lottery unfortunately.

Pretty much. Someone I know goes to India regularly for work etc and has no issues with visas but anyone else eg someone with an Indian spouse or friends etc have all given up now.
 
A couple of years ago I went to Indian consulate in New York City to acquire an Indian visitor Visa to follow an India Pak cricket game.

While I was walking towards the visa counter, I was intercepted by two pre-visa application screeners.

I was asked what nationality are you? "American" I replied.

Do you have any relationship with Pakistan? I said yes, my parents were born in Pakistan and I am a dual citizen.

Guess what I was told when my American passport was given back to me?

"You need to go a Pakistan consulate - denounce your dual Pakistani citizenship - bring us back a notarized copy of an official letter from the govt of Pakistan that you have denounced your citizenship AND ONLY THEN we may CONSIDER taking your application."

I said, "I am an American citizen who wants to travel to India to follow an India Pak cricket game"

In response to which, I was given a piece of paper that had this official policy which was something like this.

"If you, your father, your grand father, your grand mother (grand father's wife), your mother, your mother's mother, your mother's father, your spouse, your spouse's mother, your spouse's grand mother, your spouse's father or your spouse's grand father" was born in Pakistan, OR was born before 1947 in a part of India that is now Pakistan or Kashmir, then you are subject to bring a notarized copy of an official letter from the govt of Pakistan that you have no relationship to Pakistani citizenship."

I returned the paper to him and replied: "Mein tumharay visay pe pehshaab karta hoon"

Posted a few months ago.

I think you will need to apply on your Pakistani passport - in which you need a sponsor from India - or denounce your Pakistani citizenship and take your chance to get a visa on your English Passport.
 
Posted a few months ago.

I think you will need to apply on your Pakistani passport - in which you need a sponsor from India - or denounce your Pakistani citizenship and take your chance to get a visa on your English Passport.

I like the "pehshaab" bit here :akhtar
 
I only have one passport/citizenship. I am British. but of Pakistani origin (parents born there)


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Apparently if your name is Wasim Akram, being a Pakistani national virtually guarantee's you a visa without any questions being asked.
 
India should atleast make the tourist visa process easier for Pakistanis who are Minorities (non-muslim), but I understand that they cannot do so, since one rule applies to the whole country and all its citizens (whether first-class or second). :danish
 
Mate not worth applying and wasting money on the application. Unfortunately you not going to get the visa , wouldn't advise on wasting the 98 odd quid. Couple of Brit Pakistanis wanted to go to India (neighbours)....consulate took their money and next day said NO.
 
"If you, your father, your grand father, your grand mother (grand father's wife), your mother, your mother's mother, your mother's father, your spouse, your spouse's mother, your spouse's grand mother, your spouse's father or your spouse's grand father" was born in Pakistan, OR was born before 1947 in a part of India that is now Pakistan or Kashmir, then you are subject to bring a notarized copy of an official letter from the govt of Pakistan that you have no relationship to Pakistani citizenship."
If somebody, born outside Pakistan (perhaps parents also born outside Pakistan), was to apply without saying anything about their Pakistani ancestory, how would the Indian visa issuing authority find out?

Question:
Do non-Pakistani heritage American's, Brits, Germans, Arabs etc. have to prove their parents. grandparents, spouse's grandparents ancestory not being Pakistani when applying for an Indian visa?

I doubt it. In which case, there's your answer.
 
A few years ago, a friend who was born in the UK, with parents also born in the UK (but since deceased), obtained an Indian visa without any problems.

He's never applied for, nor held, a Pakistani passport (-although his parents did). I think he simply stated his, and his parents birthplace as the UK, with his grandparents birthplace as "British India", along with either simply picking the name of an Indian city or claiming he didn't know where in British India since they passed away before he was born.
 
I have an Australian passport and Australians now get visa on arrival in India.

https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/tvoa.html

It does say that people with Pakistani origin need to apply for visa but If i rock up there how would they even know I have Pakistani origin when its visa on arrival and you don't need to fill in any forms?
 
Some embarrassing people here. Why visit somewhere where clearly you and your kind aren't wanted?
 
Anyone have any experience of this? (successful or otherwise)

Been invited to a wedding next year. I am British born and bred, but of Pakistani origin and have told this will make it difficult for me to get a visa. Probably doesn't help that I've made a few trips to Pakistan in the last couple of years.
You should apply now, it'll take a year to get and they may even ask you to come to India house to check you are not a terrorist. I've been to India in 1998 applied in the morning, got the visa in afternoon (I'm British Pakistani). I applied in 2011 with two business sponsors but only wrote down I was going to Delhi. After 12 weeks wait I requested my passport back. I applied in 2013 again only mentioning Delhi and after 16 weeks and two good sponsor letters I got my visa and travelled there and back no problem. I applied again in 2014 and a year later I am still waiting. But I guess it's got something to do with travel to contentious area like Andaman Islands for diving. I think it depends on where you go and who your sponsors are. Might even be a good idea to apply for a business visa.
 
I only have one passport/citizenship. I am British. but of Pakistani origin (parents born there)


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Same here. You won't get it. Don't bother. Unless you can apply for a business visa with business contacts.
 
Some embarrassing people here. Why visit somewhere where clearly you and your kind aren't wanted?

Many people want to trace their roots and visit their ancestral homes. Nothing embarrassing about that.
 
I only have one passport/citizenship. I am British. but of Pakistani origin (parents born there)


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Well apply and wait.You can ask the ones who invited you to sponsor you.
I have an Australian passport and Australians now get visa on arrival in India.

https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/tvoa.html

It does say that people with Pakistani origin need to apply for visa but If i rock up there how would they even know I have Pakistani origin when its visa on arrival and you don't need to fill in any forms?
You will look Pakistani?Your name will sound Pakistani.They will check through the database your family passport etc etc.
 
Posted a few months ago.

I think you will need to apply on your Pakistani passport - in which you need a sponsor from India - or denounce your Pakistani citizenship and take your chance to get a visa on your English Passport.
No one asked you to come to India.Its you who went asking for a Visa.
 
You should apply now, it'll take a year to get and they may even ask you to come to India house to check you are not a terrorist. I've been to India in 1998 applied in the morning, got the visa in afternoon (I'm British Pakistani). I applied in 2011 with two business sponsors but only wrote down I was going to Delhi. After 12 weeks wait I requested my passport back. I applied in 2013 again only mentioning Delhi and after 16 weeks and two good sponsor letters I got my visa and travelled there and back no problem. I applied again in 2014 and a year later I am still waiting. But I guess it's got something to do with travel to contentious area like Andaman Islands for diving. I think it depends on where you go and who your sponsors are. Might even be a good idea to apply for a business visa.

getting a visa to go andaman is notourisly heard regardless of nationality
 
Getting a visa as a British Indian can be a pain in the butt, so I can only imagine what it must be like if you're a British Pakistani :)). They ask so many stupid and pointless questions on the application form. On top of that the staff at the High commision of India are rude! One of the biggest reasons I avoid going to India as much as I can is because of the visa process.
 
Last month I was asked to visit India to hire skilled labour for my company. Dont know if I would have faced problems, and wasnt too eager to find out so I opted out and sent an Arab colleague instead.
 
Last month I was asked to visit India to hire skilled labour for my company. Dont know if I would have faced problems, and wasnt too eager to find out so I opted out and sent an Arab colleague instead.

Not to mention my Arab collegue wasnt too excited about visiting India, and upon return didnt have alot of nice things to say about the place. Probably would have said the same things had he visited Pakistan.
 
Getting a visa as a British Indian can be a pain in the butt, so I can only imagine what it must be like if you're a British Pakistani :)). They ask so many stupid and pointless questions on the application form. On top of that the staff at the High commision of India are rude! One of the biggest reasons I avoid going to India as much as I can is because of the visa process.

You will soon have Visa on arrival.Now you have e application for your visa.If your parents were Indian citizens at any point in time you can get a OCI.
 
getting a visa to go andaman is notourisly heard regardless of nationality

Yes I realise that now. Looking back, my application said Andaman Islands and dharmsala. So both were problematic. I can face annoying questions if after 12-16 weeks I get a visa but to not hear anything after 18 months is really irritating as Indian friends just can fathom how difficult it is. I was asked for an essay on previous trips to China which I provided and that was the last I heard. But I'd still go there, again and again. I've only had positive memories from Indian people. I guess sometimes as Pakistanis we are too susceptible to state propaganda. More people to people contact is very important.
 
Yes I realise that now. Looking back, my application said Andaman Islands and dharmsala. So both were problematic. I can face annoying questions if after 12-16 weeks I get a visa but to not hear anything after 18 months is really irritating as Indian friends just can fathom how difficult it is. I was asked for an essay on previous trips to China which I provided and that was the last I heard. But I'd still go there, again and again. I've only had positive memories from Indian people. I guess sometimes as Pakistanis we are too susceptible to state propaganda. More people to people contact is very important.

my gf is pakistani. also i think its difficult cos the government r notoriusly difficult. even getting a visa as an indian is hard, they ask so many questions its ridculous. and quietalot of personal stuff too.
 
Why do Pakistanis want to go to the enemy nation, who would detain them upon arrival. Forget that, their fellow countrymen won't even respect u because you are Pakistanis. Just look as some in this thread (specially those who keep saying "who is asking u to come") and you would know what I mean.
 
Why do Pakistanis want to go to the enemy nation, who would detain them upon arrival. Forget that, their fellow countrymen won't even respect u because you are Pakistanis. Just look as some in this thread (specially those who keep saying "who is asking u to come") and you would know what I mean.

I always hear amazing things about Goa and it's shacks
Really sounds lovely

Is it easier to get the bus through Lahore than to fly out from the uk
 
Why do Pakistanis want to go to the enemy nation, who would detain them upon arrival. Forget that, their fellow countrymen won't even respect u because you are Pakistanis. Just look as some in this thread (specially those who keep saying "who is asking u to come") and you would know what I mean.

Who said that? You must be seeing things.
 
Oh great, so CJ posts stay and mine get deleted?

Anyway I have nothing to offer in this thread so you can delete this as well.
 
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Why do Pakistanis want to go to the enemy nation, who would detain them upon arrival. Forget that, their fellow countrymen won't even respect u because you are Pakistanis. Just look as some in this thread (specially those who keep saying "who is asking u to come") and you would know what I mean.

I think it depends on who you are and how much you annoy authorities. I've never had any trouble in India but I know plenty of my Pakistani friends are never short of negative stuff about India. A country they've never visited. You won't get detained with the right visa unless you go there trying to make trouble.
 
My papers are almost complete for Kashmir (Jammu) ... Just the visa left; though it is difficult but luckily one of my uncles is a high public authority there, and usually speeds up things; otherwise gaining a visa is almost impossible. They torture you big time.

I live in UK, but have a EU passport - yet India give you stress. Trick is, to say your grandparents or great grand parents are origins of India apparently lol.
 
My papers are almost complete for Kashmir (Jammu) ... Just the visa left; though it is difficult but luckily one of my uncles is a high public authority there, and usually speeds up things; otherwise gaining a visa is almost impossible. They torture you big time.

I live in UK, but have a EU passport - yet India give you stress. Trick is, to say your grandparents or great grand parents are origins of India apparently lol.

Doesnt work anymore as they now look into whether they stayed in India or migrated to Pakistan.

But as you said if you have a credible person in India taking your responsibility it makes things easier.
 
Posted a few months ago.

I think you will need to apply on your Pakistani passport - in which you need a sponsor from India - or denounce your Pakistani citizenship and take your chance to get a visa on your English Passport.

honestly I salute to your deeds
 
India should atleast make the tourist visa process easier for Pakistanis who are Minorities (non-muslim), but I understand that they cannot do so, since one rule applies to the whole country and all its citizens (whether first-class or second). :danish

at the same time living in a country & loving its worst enemy, how much more rights you want from Pakistan.

you are the:facepalm: poster even at your best
 
Doesn't this fall under any discriminatory laws?

Let us tarnish all with the same brush.....this blinkered view from this country is despicable.
 
It runs both ways. I know many Indians who were denied a visa to Pakistan. Some of them were visiting faculty at various Pakistani universities.
 
Doesn't this fall under any discriminatory laws?

Let us tarnish all with the same brush.....this blinkered view from this country is despicable.

What discrimination?Every country has the sovereign right to deny any other citizen entry into its territory.And most Indians are happy that the country is trying to be safe rather than sorry post the Mumbai attacks and Headley issue.
 
It runs both ways. I know many Indians who were denied a visa to Pakistan. Some of them were visiting faculty at various Pakistani universities.

EVerything at the diplomatic level is based on reciprocity.
 
I feel like I am visiting India every time I log on to PP so don't really feel like I'm missing out at all.
 
is there on arrival visa for Canadians? does it mean all Canadian passport holder can visit India any time?
I dont know about UK.
 
Getting a visa as a British Indian can be a pain in the butt, so I can only imagine what it must be like if you're a British Pakistani :)). They ask so many stupid and pointless questions on the application form. On top of that the staff at the High commision of India are rude! One of the biggest reasons I avoid going to India as much as I can is because of the visa process.

The last time I went was in 2012, just say you are going to visit a certain temple to worship certain god. If you attempt to get visa for your entire family, they'll usually reject either the mom or dad. If you say you are going to visit temples, you are getting a visa. None of my relatives ever had issues going to India.
 
Nope, you gotta apply in Canada before going there.

so the approval of visa will be known before booking the flights i guess.
Canadian passport has birth place which will be pakistan, in that case, i dont think there is any hope of getting indian visa.

Two of my Pakistani co-workers are keen to visit India, I hope they get the visa.
 
just FYI : It is really hard to even renew indian passport, leave alone visa. I am married and my wife has canadian passport. It was time to renew of my indian passport. I cant believe what Indian consulate in Brampton did to me.
I got my canadian PR based on my local indian marriage certificate.
When I apply for passport, they declined my local indian marriage certificate and gave me two option, either verify this certificate in new delhi or get passport as non married person.
I settle with second option so i am married as Canadian law but not as Indian passport.
I can screw somebody's life in India now . haha

But trust me, they gave me really hard time and multiple appointments to verify my all docs.
seriously screwed up BABUs there.
 
just FYI : It is really hard to even renew indian passport, leave alone visa. I am married and my wife has canadian passport. It was time to renew of my indian passport. I cant believe what Indian consulate in Brampton did to me.
I got my canadian PR based on my local indian marriage certificate.
When I apply for passport, they declined my local indian marriage certificate and gave me two option, either verify this certificate in new delhi or get passport as non married person.
I settle with second option so i am married as Canadian law but not as Indian passport.
I can screw somebody's life in India now . haha

But trust me, they gave me really hard time and multiple appointments to verify my all docs.
seriously screwed up BABUs there.

When did this happen?
 
What discrimination?Every country has the sovereign right to deny any other citizen entry into its territory.And most Indians are happy that the country is trying to be safe rather than sorry post the Mumbai attacks and Headley issue.

And Sharukh makes a film and dance about getting stopped in the U.S for being called a Khan

The double standards are immense
 
David Headley fiasco really screwed guys like you.

Not really, it actually shows how screwed up India is.

As 1 poster has already said why go to a country like India, there are so many better places to go.
 
And by helping us become a nuclear power? And by being one of the most grounded and humble individuals?

In your cuckooland he may be a nuclear physicist and a formal doctorate, but in reality he is a missile technologist, at best..who though his sycophancy and cunning is known as a scientist and nuclear man of india. Grounded and humble? lol. One of the most power hungry charlatan president india has seen.
 
Not really, it actually shows how screwed up India is.

As 1 poster has already said why go to a country like India, there are so many better places to go.

Ummm..How does the David Headley fiasco show how screwed up India is?
 
In your cuckooland he may be a nuclear physicist and a formal doctorate, but in reality he is a missile technologist, at best..who though his sycophancy and cunning is known as a scientist and nuclear man of india. Grounded and humble? lol. One of the most power hungry charlatan president india has seen.
I cant believe you are saying this about APJ KALAM...he is one of the best president ever we have produced...he is role model for most of the indians ,it seems you dnt know much about him
 
I cant believe you are saying this about APJ KALAM...he is one of the best president ever we have produced...he is role model for most of the indians ,it seems you dnt know much about him

If you like that guy and think he is a role model, then you clearly dont know much about him.
 
I cant believe you are saying this about APJ KALAM...he is one of the best president ever we have produced...he is role model for most of the indians ,it seems you dnt know much about him
Yeah APJ is easily among the greatest role models India had after Independence .It would have been far better if he had become President instead of the useless P Patil

Such a humble and nice man.A rarity among our politicians
 
Ummm..How does the David Headley fiasco show how screwed up India is?

Errm use your brain. If 1 person apparently can screw it up 99% others it shows how screwed up the mindset is - those in power with these ridiculous rules and protocol.

But I don't buy this headley fiasco anyway, this visa game has been playing for decades and decades before his case.

All I say is just avoid the country if they don't want you there. There world doesnt revolve around India and dont understand the obsession some have with it.
 
Errm use your brain. If 1 person apparently can screw it up 99% others it shows how screwed up the mindset is - those in power with these ridiculous rules and protocol.

But I don't buy this headley fiasco anyway, this visa game has been playing for decades and decades before his case.

All I say is just avoid the country if they don't want you there. There world doesnt revolve around India and dont understand the obsession some have with it.

I don't buy your argument either of only 1 person (Headley) being the bad apple and other 99% are innocent and suffer due to India's rigid visa policies.

If it was true why would Muslims in Pakistan be banned from changing their religion in Pakistan and why are Non-Muslim citizens banned from holding positions of power like President, PM, etc. in Pakistan?

If only 1% of the population supports terror and apartheid, the other 99% would defeat them easily, but that is not what we see in effect in Pakistan.
 
If you like that guy and think he is a role model, then you clearly dont know much about him.

Not leaving Kalam also?

Kalam was a colleague of my father in the early 90s when he was working in bangalore..... my father said..even back then he used to be in the lab 24/7 and was hard worker and very easily approachable person. Most of them thought he was weird ..that he has no family and spends so much time on his passion. But everybody respected him..and suggestions were taken from him and more often that not it was followed !

I would like to know basis of your statements...or you just making random statements?
 
I don't buy your argument either of only 1 person (Headley) being the bad apple and other 99% are innocent and suffer due to India's rigid visa policies.

If it was true why would Muslims in Pakistan be banned from changing their religion in Pakistan and why are Non-Muslim citizens banned from holding positions of power like President, PM, etc. in Pakistan?

If only 1% of the population supports terror and apartheid, the other 99% would defeat them easily, but that is not what we see in effect in Pakistan.

Sorry to say I really don't care what people like you with an agenda have to say. I have friends from minority religion and thankfully they don't think like you with a victim mentality mindset.

If you want to do something then think positive instead of pointing fingers at others all the time.

And no doubt the Pakistan system is a shambles and some of the most stupid laws like the blasphemy law which I always criticise and needs to be got rid asap.

But those with an agenda will never be satisfied no matter what you do.
 
Sorry to say I really don't care what people like you with an agenda have to say. I have friends from minority religion and thankfully they don't think like you with a victim mentality mindset.

If you want to do something then think positive instead of pointing fingers at others all the time.

And no doubt the Pakistan system is a shambles and some of the most stupid laws like the blasphemy law which I always criticise and needs to be got rid asap.

But those with an agenda will never be satisfied no matter what you do.

As a Pakistani, I personally suffer from India's rigid visa policies as well, but it is disingenuous to expect India to treat Pakistani citizens differently, when we are operating as an Apartheid State.
 
As a Pakistani, I personally suffer from India's rigid visa policies as well, but it is disingenuous to expect India to treat Pakistani citizens differently, when we are operating as an Apartheid State.

Like I said its completely pointless debating with people that have an agenda. And I have seen enough of your posts to know that by now.

Maybe one day you will see the mirror and reflect on yourself and get rid of the victim mentality you suffer from, but looks unlikely.
 
Not leaving Kalam also?

Kalam was a colleague of my father in the early 90s when he was working in bangalore..... my father said..even back then he used to be in the lab 24/7 and was hard worker and very easily approachable person. Most of them thought he was weird ..that he has no family and spends so much time on his passion. But everybody respected him..and suggestions were taken from him and more often that not it was followed !

I would like to know basis of your statements...or you just making random statements?

What has he done as a nuclear scientist. How is even qualified on this area. He has worked with DRDO and ISRO, but when did he work on nuclear physics? Then how the hell is he the one to to talk about the nuclear yield during pokhran tests. How the hell did this guy become known as the missile man? Which one of his missiles have been successful? He is the Salman Khan of Indian science. Just like Bhai can do no bad, apj clown can never be wrong. And his megalomania is well known in delhi circles. The clown got a hut created in raisina hill and called it the thinking hut. Was created with huge expenses only later to be demolished during Patil's tenure. The clown wanted to become the president again, but when he found no support after meeting political parties, then claimed that he does not want to run for the post. Go to his native village rameshwaram and see how he is selling stuff using his name. But if India can have the scumbags Indira Gandhi and Ataj Bihari Vajpayee as bharat ratnas, then another scum like Kalam the clown is not surprising.
 
Like I said its completely pointless debating with people that have an agenda. And I have seen enough of your posts to know that by now.

Maybe one day you will see the mirror and reflect on yourself and get rid of the victim mentality you suffer from, but looks unlikely.

He doesn't have a victim mentality he is quite purposeful and attack minded towards his target. Victims are victims of circumstance, this is another breed who will stay on point like a pit bull, even bans won't stop this sort.
 
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