Hi
Has anybody try to get the indian visa in Teheran?

Any advice?

Let us know

thank you very much

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From Italy heading East by Vespa September 2012

I went to the Embassy in Tehran in September 2010 to ask for a waiver for the 3 months "outside-India-til-new-entry" rule that there was at the time (now, I don't know how/if it applies).

The Embassy has a small courtyard on the right side of the building, sort of Consular section, where there are a few counters -or holes on the wall-with dark glasses. You, as the rest of the "cattle" coming to apply for a visa or whatever other procedure, have to queue and wait in the courtyard under a canopy which is a kind detail (shade) when it's damn hot in Tehran. Then, someone may talk you from behind the counter or just make you wait veeeery long, while you may chit-chat with the rest of the cattle (not cows, those are sacred, but any other regular cattle).

We only got this answer: you to to Madrid, you do it in [the Indian Embassy in] Madrid. They missed the "go and f*ck you, but we could infer it.

I cannot tell you about visa application in Tehran, but I've been to the visa sections of the Indian Embassies in Geneva, Madrid and Tehran. All had the same attitude, but different facilities. Pure Indian bureacracy. It will help you to find your real karma, as to how much patiente you can have and how low you can get to achieve your goal. I've got a lot of patience, have applied for some visas (2 months for an Iranian visa), but India reached my karma. I found it was closer (to their eyes) to a mussel than I had thought.

Doable but disgusting. Good luck.

Esteban

PS: Sorry if I sound bitter. Others may disent. This is only based in my personal experience, after dealing with more bureacracy in India with the same damn waiver. With no exception, a disgusting experience. Glad if any had a great time, I'm not saying that it won't happen... but I'm sure it's rare.

Wow it sounds like a real funny nightmare :-)

We heard some rumors that it might be possible to obtain in 6-7 working days...

Let see how our hunting will go ...

I'll keep you posted...

Thanks

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From Italy heading East by Vespa September 2012

Well, maybe I made a too terrible picture (and a little satiric, don't mean to offend anyone with relatives working in the Indian Administration!), but Indian bureaucracy is certainly hard, as you may have heard.

Our application in Geneva was not that hard... but a friendly woman in the information desk said: "no way you tell them you go overland. Listen, you book a flight, bring the reservation and apply for the visa. Later, you cancel it and go by car, but that's another story. If you mention the car they will want too much information and it will be a hassle". She was definitely an outsider... and very nice.

And so we did, just for you to consider that option. I don't know if it should be done like that, since we could not get to India by car (remained in Iran).

Good luck,

Esteban

We applied (Canadian and Italian) for our Indian visa in Tehran and it was a drawn out painful process. During our multiple visits to the Indian embassy we met numerous other people travelling with mostly the same experience so we thought it would be helpful to share here for those considering.

This is how went for us

October 30th - we delivered the documents (copy passport, copy of iranian visa and entry stamp, 2 pictures, form that they will give you in the embassy, letter of introduction from your embassy, printed form you fill online at this address indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/ , air plane ticket or if you are travelling overland the itinerary of your journey and details like plate number and CDP number).
After delivering the documents the not really polite girl at the desk (who you will barely see thanks to the reflective glass) will tell you to come back after 5-7 days. All your documents apparently has to be sent in the indian embassy of your country by fax.
We had to pay 40.000 rials per person.

November 7th - we came back to see if our documents were ready and we were told that there have been no response from our embassies and we were told to phone the indian embaxsy in our countries.
The same day we called and were told that nothing had been recieved until that day.

November 8th - Back to the embassy and after putting some pressure and not being so polite we were given the documents and told to proceed with the step 2 in the VFA office (20 minutes walking from the embassy).
Once in the VFA office we were able to pay 584.000 rials each and had the receipt given to us and were told to pick up the passports with visa after 7 days (Nov 15th). At this point you have to give your passport to them.

We tryed to have it earlier cause our iranian visa was about to expire. We went back after 3 days and then each day asking if it was ready. They kept saying maybe tomorrow and to come back, and in the end we recieved our passports back after 6 days (Nov 14), and then we only got it that day after waiting 5 hours and asking ++times, trying to explain our situation.

We also met a couple where it took a month. Would recommend phoning your Indian embassy in your home country after 2 or 3 days to see if they actually received your documents.
Make sure to fill the form online completely... may seem silly but even if your father does not have a previous nationaly you have to fill in the box with his only nationality! The same for the "visible identification marks" don't put "none" but the eye color or your hair color.
Check the date of the indian holiday and iranian holiday (friday and saturday is closed but check on the web site of indian embassy in teheran for the holidays they are closed for).
Working hours at the embassy are 10 - 12.

When we first started we didn't realize how long it would take so it caused us some stress due to using up so much of our time in Iran, we travelled during the first part when you still have your passport. Then took a bus back to Tehran for the second part when they take your passport, then felt stuck in the city.

Hope this is helpful if you have any question just ask we will try to reply asap.

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From Italy heading East by Vespa September 2012

I have a bit of the same problem. Not sure where I should apply for a new Indian visa. Mine expires on december 12 and I'm currently in Istanbul. I think I will just try Ankara, if that doesn't work I try Teheran and Islamabad if all the others fail.

Sorry to hear that. Then it was as bad as it looked... I hope it didn't mean to waste Iran, which is an absolutely wonderful place with great people.

After this big hint which may predispose/influence your later view of India, which is an amazing place, although not for everyone (myself included), if for any reason is not your cup of tea, I could only say this: enjoy Nepal, you won't be disappointed!

In Ankara they promised Indian visa in just three days. You can deal directly with embassy without filling electronic form in web! They want copies of your driving license and carnet.

There's a consulate in Istanbul. Going to try there tomorrow. It's only open from 10:00 till 11:30. I need to get dollars and print and copy all my documents before 10:00. Hope I can manage that. This city is soo big!

Well, after a hectic morning of racing through Istanbul to print, copy and get dollars I'm left with empty hands.

I could not apply for an Indian visa because I won't be in India until January. They will only issue a visa if you going there within a month. Going to try Ankara next week.

The people were nice though and spoke very good English. And you only need passport, 2 passphotos (50mm:50mm), copy of passport and bank statement and of application form and fax form. The last two you can get there.

Well, at least I have all my paperwork for the visa sorted out now...

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Http://www.amsterdamsingapore.com

Applied at the embassy in Ankara this morning. Friendly people, good English. Needed: copy of driving licence, copy of passport and visas, copy of registration papers vehicle, passphotos, passport, bank statement, application form. Didn't need a copy of carnet.

I adjusted my itinerary a bit so it says I will be in India within the month. Costs were $58. I payed with a $50 note and a $20. The guy grabbed a calculator to calculate the difference between 70 and 58 and them gave me only 10 back. Didn't care/got my visa. I can pick it up on Thursday

Edit 11/30/12: Got it

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Http://www.amsterdamsingapore.com