[Sam Kapasi]

Hi there,

Just doing a little research for a friend.

I know we have some non-Indians on this forum, some of who are living in India permanently.
I would like to know some details. My questions are not only addressed to the non-Indians but also to those that know more about these things than I do and those who have colleagues who are non-Indian and stand a better chance of answering my questions.
Thanks in advance for your help.

Work Permits:
1) In India - do we have a system of a work permit, or do we just have work visas issued by Indian consulates that are abroad?
2) If you apply for a work visa, showing employment by Company A, do you need to re-apply for a visa if you change jobs to Company B? I mean, do you need to fly back to your country and fly back in with a new visa?
3) What are the general tenures of work visas?

Driving License:
1) If one has a valid European driving license, can one drive in India? If yes, are there any restrictions on how long you can drive with your European license?

2) If no, then does one need an international driving license made from their country before driving here? Does that work here?

How does a foreigner that intends to live here for a long period drive a car here?

Please do help me with what you know, thanks.

[snaronikar]

@Sam: I feel you can pm Thad E Ginathom as he is from UK and had shifted to India (Chennai). Maybe he will be helpful to you.

[ajmat]

Work Permits:
1) In India - do we have a system of a work permit, or do we just have work visas issued by Indian consulates that are abroad?

Work visa unless one holds a PIO -

2) If you apply for a work visa, showing employment by Company A, do you need to re-apply for a visa if you change jobs to Company B? I mean, do you need to fly back to your country and fly back in with a new visa?

No idea on this

3) What are the general tenures of work visas?

I think it is annual or two years..depends on the mood!

Driving License:
1) If one has a valid European driving license, can one drive in India? If yes, are there any restrictions on how long you can drive with your European license?

Yes for one year

2) If no, then does one need an international driving license made from their country before driving here? Does that work here?

It would be safer but the original licence will do

[akshat]

Regarding the query for work visa renewal : Yes one has to get a fresh working visa if one changes his/her company. Many of my foreigner friends had a lot of problem when they wanted to switch jobs.

[The Matrix]

If you apply for a work visa, showing employment by Company A, do you need to re-apply for a visa if you change jobs to Company B?

It depends on whether the work visa permits him to work for that particular employer and any employer in India.

[Sam Kapasi]

Originally Posted by ajmat

Work visa unless one holds a PIO

Well the person is not of IO at all. So that is out of the question.

Thanks for the other replies.

[Sam Kapasi]

Originally Posted by Sam Kapasi

1) If one has a valid European driving license, can one drive in India? If yes, are there any restrictions on how long you can drive with your European license?

Originally Posted by ajmat

Yes for one year

What happens beyond that one year?

How does a person that does not have an Indian passport get an Indian driving license?

[amohit]

uhhh...
do we need passport to get DL...I thought all that is needed is $$$

Regards,

[esteem_lover]

Originally Posted by Sam Kapasi

What happens beyond that one year?

How does a person that does not have an Indian passport get an Indian driving license?

The first year is allowed for a person on a temporary assignment. Beyond that , that person would be required to apply for a regular indian license. Remember the column "Nationality:" in all our application forms ?

[Sam Kapasi]

Originally Posted by esteem_lover

The first year is allowed for a person on a temporary assignment. Beyond that , that person would be required to apply for a regular indian license. Remember the column "Nationality:" in all our application forms ?

So this answers my question.

You say that a foreigner can apply for an Indian driving license.

Here is my dilemma. I travel often and am fond of Indian history and monuments. Often I get involved in controversies while entering these destinations. You see, it is common to have a ticket of Rs.10/- for an Indian and Rs.200/- for a foreigner. I obviously buy a Rs.10/- ticket and inevitably am stopped at the gate. For some reason they think I am not Indian.
Being Indian, on travel in India, I do not carry my passport and therefore furnish my driver's license to prove that I am Indian.

How can a foreigner have an Indian driving license? Are you sure of this fact?

[Bass&Trouble]

Originally Posted by Sam Kapasi

You see, it is common to have a ticket of Rs.10/- for an Indian and Rs.200/- for a foreigner. I obviously buy a Rs.10/- ticket and inevitably am stopped at the gate. For some reason they think I am not Indian.

Sam, lets face it. You need to wear pants more often.

[esteem_lover]

A foreigner living in india cannot get a permanent DL unless he becomes a permanent resident first. But he can get a Indian driving license after some hogwash tests.

here is a link to a similar discussion
Indian Driving Test & Driving License - Page 2 - India Travel Forum | IndiaMike.com

[sbasak]

How can a foreigner have an Indian driving license? Are you sure of this fact?

If Indians can have USA/UK driving licenses, then why not a foreigner can get Indian license?

[esteem_lover]

Just checked the application for DL in TN, states that 'if non-indian citizen, passport or other travel documents' to be enclosed.

here is the link
Forms in use

[2theMax]

Originally Posted by Sam Kapasi

How can a foreigner have an Indian driving license? Are you sure of this fact?

I believe thay are issued driving permits valid till their work permits or visa, thats how i was issued a belgian driving license in 2000, i had to surrender my IDL original and they issued me a belgian license for 2 years, i did collect my Indian driving license back when i returned.

hope it helps