Indian work visa.... DELAYED!
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Indian work visa.... DELAYED!
How long is it taking you all to get your Indian work visa's these days. I put mine in on OCT 1 and still have heard NOTHING! Well, nothing is innaccurate... I've heard that the MHA(Ministry of Homeland Affairs) has been doing supposed background checks for the last 2 months. Is the Indian job market being shut down to expats or am I just a really really unlucky sob??? 
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I hear stuff about difficulty getting work visas, but it's not consistent. The security check routinely takes a couple of months. Indeed, I didn't even put in for my visa until I had the background check and a letter / contract from my employer, so it seems
you're doing something different. If your post is accurate, the delay is not outlandish. Now, if in fact you already have the paperwork from your employer it would seem that your security check is done, and a two month delay for your visa would be outlandish. Using overnight mail on both ends usually gets it done in less than a week.
I say this with the greatest goodwill, but when you finally get over here you're gonna have to take these things with a LOT more equanimity.
How long is it taking you all to get your Indian work visa's these days. I put mine in on OCT 1
I say this with the greatest goodwill, but when you finally get over here you're gonna have to take these things with a LOT more equanimity.
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I do believe that the time for equanimity has come and gone in this matter. And I 100% understand what you mean about having patience in these matters once in country... the key difference being that I would theoretically have a nice paycheck to feed myself with.
I had already completed the background check and received/signed the contract with the company. Even the Visa company has told me that I now hold the record in length of time for work visas and that they've seen a sudden rash of visa delays for pilots trying to go from the US to India...
I had already completed the background check and received/signed the contract with the company. Even the Visa company has told me that I now hold the record in length of time for work visas and that they've seen a sudden rash of visa delays for pilots trying to go from the US to India...
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Even the Visa company has told me that I now hold the record in length of time for work visas
More importantly though, at the present time there could well be a political motive behind the slowdown. If that's so you'd be best off to make another plan now and not wait in the hopes of a positive resolution, as it's unlikely that anyone you're dealing with will have any ability to resolve the problem.
Effectively, you're a hostage to someone who you probably can't contact and who doesn't care in the least whether your visa ever gets issued. Plan accordingly.
Good luck.
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I had already completed the background check and received/signed the contract with the company.
The outfit that handles the visa issuance basically hauls the paperwork into the consulate, gets it approved, and sends the visa to you. Takes one day, normally. If it takes longer somebody is holding it up on purpose, at least in your case.
at the present time there could well be a political motive behind the slowdown
You mentioned a "Visa company". Did you use some agency? I just sent mine in directly to the "third-party" (employed by the consulate) that handles the paperwork. I used New York (live in Ohio). Right now I just started the process of a ninety-day extension in country. It should be "interesting".
Check your pm's.
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Ouch, my sympathies. The visa should be a formality once you have the required security clearance, and your employer in India makes sure all the docs from their side and a copy of the clearance is with your local embassy to match up with your application. I can't speak for the US, but once all this is done, typically it takes from 1 week to 1 month max to issue depending on the competence of the embassy you're dealing with. I do know one guy who got his the same day in Italy by perseverence.
The main determinant of how long it takes is not you, of course - in your case, either someone has screwed up big time in the embassy, or they are under instructions to hold things up for some reason, or they don't have the paperwork they require from the Indian side to complete, ie; your employer hasn't sent on the matching documentation. The only way this will move on is if your employer starts a) screaming at people, or b) talks to the right people there - in Incredible India, everything is possible as expats who have worked there know well. I'm convinced your employer could have you there if they really need you unless the political sh!t has really hit the fan with expat pilots, so ELAC and rotorhead's advice is wise.... Good luck.
The main determinant of how long it takes is not you, of course - in your case, either someone has screwed up big time in the embassy, or they are under instructions to hold things up for some reason, or they don't have the paperwork they require from the Indian side to complete, ie; your employer hasn't sent on the matching documentation. The only way this will move on is if your employer starts a) screaming at people, or b) talks to the right people there - in Incredible India, everything is possible as expats who have worked there know well. I'm convinced your employer could have you there if they really need you unless the political sh!t has really hit the fan with expat pilots, so ELAC and rotorhead's advice is wise.... Good luck.
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hi guys I am also been waiting for that D..m security clearance over 3 months, and to be honest, I strongly believe that they are playing game.
reading the news about jet airways every day, I do not see any hope
especialy those baby Indian pilots which they think with just a little time
on the aircraft they are qualified to fly wide body jet.
Seems like they do not understand that lack of experience and knowledge does not make them qualify to take over the resposibilities.
All you can read in news is they are bitching and crying about the expats
pay, and asking comapy managmet to lay off the expats.
It is some thing about Indian culture, they are so cheap and pessy. Same time so many of them living in this country with good jobs and great incomes. I guess this is the time for us to treat them the way they treat us.
reading the news about jet airways every day, I do not see any hope
especialy those baby Indian pilots which they think with just a little time
on the aircraft they are qualified to fly wide body jet.
Seems like they do not understand that lack of experience and knowledge does not make them qualify to take over the resposibilities.
All you can read in news is they are bitching and crying about the expats
pay, and asking comapy managmet to lay off the expats.
It is some thing about Indian culture, they are so cheap and pessy. Same time so many of them living in this country with good jobs and great incomes. I guess this is the time for us to treat them the way they treat us.
Last edited by sb737; 27th Nov 2008 at 17:05.
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sb737, it is sad that you feel this way. You would be quite surprised to know that the experience level among the average Indian pilot, esp. in Jet Airways there are a number of pilots with a command experience of about 2500 hours plus on the 737 and a total jet experience of about 6000 hours. It is very difficult to define the level of experience to be on a wide body. I agree that the expat pilots, especially those from Europe and USA have come through the training aircraft and commuter route but that is how it is done there. In Asia things are very different as you must know by now. There is no point in grudging us just because the system allows us to get a lot more experience on jets at a younger age. In spite of what you say, if you know the aviation scenario in India, even with the large increase in the number of aircraft operating in India, the incident/accident rate is extremely low. This means that something right is being done here. Also, flying wide bodies is not a greatly superior or difficult task. after all a plane is a plane. It is only a matter of learning about the new aircraft and getting used to it. Aviation is now no more about actual flying as it is about flight management.
You are mistaken if you think that the sole aim of the local pilots is to get the expats out. As in any country one does always hope that the local pilots will progress to the higher fleets as that is generally considered as a career progression route for them. Also it makes great economic sense to the companies as wide body pilots are more expensive to hire than narrow body pilots. The particular problem in Jet happened due to the fact that the management ( that keeps changing once in six months ) refused to honour the upgrade plan that was worked out in conjunction with them.
If you see most of the western countries getting an aviation job for an 'expat' is pretty much out of the question so please do not grudge Indian pilots wanting to progress to the higher fleets. After all I do hope you understand that foreign pilots are only a stop gap measure unlike in countries like Singapore and the Middle East where they have a lack of skilled workforce among their population resulting in a large expat work force there.
You are mistaken if you think that the sole aim of the local pilots is to get the expats out. As in any country one does always hope that the local pilots will progress to the higher fleets as that is generally considered as a career progression route for them. Also it makes great economic sense to the companies as wide body pilots are more expensive to hire than narrow body pilots. The particular problem in Jet happened due to the fact that the management ( that keeps changing once in six months ) refused to honour the upgrade plan that was worked out in conjunction with them.
If you see most of the western countries getting an aviation job for an 'expat' is pretty much out of the question so please do not grudge Indian pilots wanting to progress to the higher fleets. After all I do hope you understand that foreign pilots are only a stop gap measure unlike in countries like Singapore and the Middle East where they have a lack of skilled workforce among their population resulting in a large expat work force there.
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my friend reading your comment still making me wonder why airlines in
India still looking for expat pilots? If there are so many qualified Indian pilots.
Do'nt you think that airlines managment understand that hiring an expat
pilot would cost them more than local one?
My friend in my country there is no shortage of doctor, engineer, computer programer and etc. yet we always welocme the people from
India. We do not cry and bitch about they presence in our country or
saying they are taking our jobs.
India still looking for expat pilots? If there are so many qualified Indian pilots.
Do'nt you think that airlines managment understand that hiring an expat
pilot would cost them more than local one?
My friend in my country there is no shortage of doctor, engineer, computer programer and etc. yet we always welocme the people from
India. We do not cry and bitch about they presence in our country or
saying they are taking our jobs.
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'my friend' I only tried to explain to you the ground realities that are prevalent in this country and in particular in Jet. But if you feel otherwise, you are entitled to hold that idea till kingdom come. That will not change your situation in India. As far as leaving us to our own devices let us all understand one thing. Pilots from abroad have come here not to help Indian aviation but to make money the same as anybody leaving his country would want to do. If at any time things are not working out the way you want them to there is no point grumbling about it. I believe that grumbling will never help. I would look for greener pastures.
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Kri777:
Again your country and your airlines asking for expats. If there is no job
opening and no need for experienced and well qualified piolt, your country and your airlines would not advertise it all over the world.
Again, Do'nt you think that airlines managment are well aware of the cost?
Do,nt you think that Mr. Goyal with all experience which he has in aviation
field understand that?
Please answer my question.
My friend things are not going to work for anyone , specially for you guys, unless you change your mentality and your view.
As one of Jet Airways managment said in an interview today:
" Expat pilots are insurance against Indian pilot (SWIP) which asking for ransom, they (Indian Pilots) must understand that they are not running the company, they only fly the mechines. www.moneycontrol.com
Do you understand what this is mean?
If you do not coperate with your employer , you will be out ,then more jobs for expats.
Forget your nonsence ego.
Good luck
Again your country and your airlines asking for expats. If there is no job
opening and no need for experienced and well qualified piolt, your country and your airlines would not advertise it all over the world.
Again, Do'nt you think that airlines managment are well aware of the cost?
Do,nt you think that Mr. Goyal with all experience which he has in aviation
field understand that?
Please answer my question.
My friend things are not going to work for anyone , specially for you guys, unless you change your mentality and your view.
As one of Jet Airways managment said in an interview today:
" Expat pilots are insurance against Indian pilot (SWIP) which asking for ransom, they (Indian Pilots) must understand that they are not running the company, they only fly the mechines. www.moneycontrol.com
Do you understand what this is mean?
If you do not coperate with your employer , you will be out ,then more jobs for expats.
Forget your nonsence ego.
Good luck
Last edited by sb737; 26th Nov 2008 at 17:31.
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sb737JA have no money left to pay staff.JA could not layoff any staff to cut cost.if JA continue to pay high salaries then it shuts, and all go down.as you knw at this time JA is trying to find excuse to fire you .this excuse is fired from SWIP shoulder.typical management tectics ..........
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some thing about Indian culture, they are so cheap and pessy
sb 737 and be , if you hate India and Indians so much why do you come here ? Nobody cares a **** if you leave.Dont let the door hit you on the way out.
I doubt those "so many Indian immigrants" constantly bitch about how they hate the host country and its people.
Most Indians welcome foreigners but racists like you are not welcome.
As for SOME Indians being rude to foreigners , nothing compared to the skinheads in USA and Europe who KILL others simply because they are a different skin colour. I suggest you go join them since you both have common views.
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i think it not safe anymore better to go home to fly an islander that stay here am be blow away by a bomb
I am 100% sure you will never be attacked by a terrorist in New York , London , Madrid or robbed and murdered in Washington , New York , London or Detroit.
Only those "rotten" Asian and middle eastern countries have terrorists and murders
Again let not the door hit you on the way out. Why wait ? , pack your bags and leave to the utopian west with its pink candy and fair maidens.
To others who may be reading this , I apologise for the harsh tone BUT I am sick of morons who bash my country and its people and stereotype all of us. You would defend your country too I am sure in such a situation.
Last edited by flankerpilot; 7th Dec 2008 at 20:18.
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I think sadly this thread has gone off topic considerably. Plainly put, if an organization needs you urgently they will make sure you get your visa etc etc. If they are dragging their feet then keep looking elsewhere and keep that offer on the backburner. It isn't just India, it's any kind of contract job.
The pace in India has slowed down for hiring not to mention the political overtones as well and the pressure that has been put on the Govt. and the DGCA. The DGCA has ruled that expats can stay only for 3 years or June /July 2010 whichever comes first. That's the official line. Based on that if you get hired now you could only be here for around 18 months anyway. Not to say that DGCA might change the rule or provide an extention.
No guarantee of that. Airlines here are losing their shirts and if the bleeding is not controlled soon,one or more will have to shut their doors. I am not convinced at all that JetAirways or Kingfisher are immune from this. They may be denial (in fact they have been for a long time). For them "Denial" is just
another river in Egypt! That will leave even more Indian pilots (this time qualified/current) looking for employment. The Government will ensure that these pilots are absorbed by the functioning airlines and the expats will be asked to leave. Makes it tough going for the expat pilot.
If you are an expat looking for a 3-10 year position I strongly suggest that you look elsewhere. India will bounce back but it will be another 2-3 years before they start hiring again, and by then many of the Indians will have the hours to fill the Capt positions. F/O slots will be filled by the 6,000 odd unemployed CPL holders. Of those many will have switched careers.
As far as safety is concerned, yes there are obvious issues here. But I don't think one can say with all certainty that there is any place in the world that is completely safe from acts of terrorism.
Many have asked me about my airline, Spicejet. There have been some changes here as well. Our EVP of flight ops, Capt. Dhillon has resigned to pursue other aviation interests. Capt. Jack Ekl our CP has now taken over the EVP position in the interim. While we have not hired any new expats, there are those in the pipeline who were put on hold who might be inducted down the road if the flying picks up again. We have a new CEO, Mr. Sanjay Agarwal who came here from Flightoptions. There has been no talk of any pay reductions as yet. I think Spicejet being smaller and leaner structure wise has lost the least amount in the grand scheme of things. Our expats are not paid while on leave and at any given time 20 or more are on leave. So the company can request an expat to be on leave for an extended period with no cost. Many expats are ok with that b/c we have a bunch over 60 who are retired from other airlines and don't need or want to work 12 months of the year. Our F/O's stay mainly in guest houses which I am sure is a great savings. I am waiting for the Company to argue that given the Mumbai attacks, guest houses are actually safer!!! All things considered, a good atmosphere here even with all the happenings. Still many will leave for greener pastures. For Indian Capts, FlyDubai or Oman Air etc will give them a 50% payraise if not more.
The pace in India has slowed down for hiring not to mention the political overtones as well and the pressure that has been put on the Govt. and the DGCA. The DGCA has ruled that expats can stay only for 3 years or June /July 2010 whichever comes first. That's the official line. Based on that if you get hired now you could only be here for around 18 months anyway. Not to say that DGCA might change the rule or provide an extention.
No guarantee of that. Airlines here are losing their shirts and if the bleeding is not controlled soon,one or more will have to shut their doors. I am not convinced at all that JetAirways or Kingfisher are immune from this. They may be denial (in fact they have been for a long time). For them "Denial" is just
another river in Egypt! That will leave even more Indian pilots (this time qualified/current) looking for employment. The Government will ensure that these pilots are absorbed by the functioning airlines and the expats will be asked to leave. Makes it tough going for the expat pilot.
If you are an expat looking for a 3-10 year position I strongly suggest that you look elsewhere. India will bounce back but it will be another 2-3 years before they start hiring again, and by then many of the Indians will have the hours to fill the Capt positions. F/O slots will be filled by the 6,000 odd unemployed CPL holders. Of those many will have switched careers.
As far as safety is concerned, yes there are obvious issues here. But I don't think one can say with all certainty that there is any place in the world that is completely safe from acts of terrorism.
Many have asked me about my airline, Spicejet. There have been some changes here as well. Our EVP of flight ops, Capt. Dhillon has resigned to pursue other aviation interests. Capt. Jack Ekl our CP has now taken over the EVP position in the interim. While we have not hired any new expats, there are those in the pipeline who were put on hold who might be inducted down the road if the flying picks up again. We have a new CEO, Mr. Sanjay Agarwal who came here from Flightoptions. There has been no talk of any pay reductions as yet. I think Spicejet being smaller and leaner structure wise has lost the least amount in the grand scheme of things. Our expats are not paid while on leave and at any given time 20 or more are on leave. So the company can request an expat to be on leave for an extended period with no cost. Many expats are ok with that b/c we have a bunch over 60 who are retired from other airlines and don't need or want to work 12 months of the year. Our F/O's stay mainly in guest houses which I am sure is a great savings. I am waiting for the Company to argue that given the Mumbai attacks, guest houses are actually safer!!! All things considered, a good atmosphere here even with all the happenings. Still many will leave for greener pastures. For Indian Capts, FlyDubai or Oman Air etc will give them a 50% payraise if not more.
Last edited by Nevrekar; 8th Dec 2008 at 02:30.
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visa? Is that the same as a completed Security check from the DGCA?