Getting visas should not be a problem, right? Wrong!!! There are several countries we are visiting that require a visa but they can be obtained onboard. The visa for India must be obtained prior to sailing. We were amazed at all the requirements for an India visa.
A minimum of 40 calendar days must be allowed for processing which begins when the visa company receives our application. Otherwise we are subjected to a $65.00 rush fee. The documents must be received no earlier than 3 months prior to departure date.
The visa application form is only available on the internet and asks for the usual information plus, fathers and mothers name, where we will visit in India and for how long, information from our passports, and two references. We also sign that we are not going to start a business in India.
Even though we sent information from our passports, we had to send the passports, plus two official and recent passport pictures and a clear copy of our drivers license.
The cost for two people was $254.00. We also had to send $21.00 for the return shipment.
We thought we would just stay on the boat when it docks in India. That doesn't work, you have to have the visa even if you stay on the boat!!
Our plans are coming together for the departure on January 4th. We have been told we will have cell phone and computer service. Our mail can be forwarded to some specific ports, but we don't have all that information yet.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
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