Applying for an Indian visa in Lahore
 

Hi it's Bryn on Tom's account.

We are currently in Teheran and really enjoying Iran, next onto Pakistan then India. I'm hoping to spend a while in india and the standard 6 month visa starts ticking as soon as it's in your passport so I've been hoping I can get the visa in Lahore. I know Pakistan and India aren't the best of friends but wasn't forecasting any issues.

Has any one recently got their Indian visa in Pakistan? Any major issues? Maybe I should hedge my bets and wait the week to get it in Tehran?

Any thoughts or comments more than welcome,

Happy riding
Bryn

Hi Bryn,
Iran is fascinating, I am glad you are enjoying it. Please make sure to spend a few days in the Caspian area and have lots of Caviar.
There isnt any Indian Consulate in Lahore so you would have to apply for the visa in the Indian High Commission in Islamabad. I would suggest to get it wherever you can manage.
Have a nice trip.
Omar

Hi Bryn,

We came through Pakistan in September and had to apply for India Visas in Islamabad as Omie suggests. You're only option as far as i know. It took 5 working days (no express option as i recall) so effectively it takes a week and cost us 40 euros each for a 2 or 3 month visa. Getting into the diplomatic zone in Islamabad is bit of a hassle, best get a cab and get there in the morning, as they close the visa section at 1pm and it can take up to an hour or so to get through the 'departure lounge' for a compulsory bus round the zone. It was all very straight forward so not to worry.

The idea of spending a week in islamabad (although there a couple of great places to eat) probably isn't ideal but....

Hope that helps. Just so you know once you've got the visa, you are allowed on the toll road to Lahore as long as your bike is over 500cc, despite people telling you that you need a permit. Just rock up, tell them the engine size and on you go. It's twice as quick as the GT road but you'll be so desperate to get down to Lahore you won't mind!

Good luck!

Indian Visa
 

Told you Bryan, it's much better to get the visa in Tehran! Much less problems when I read these quotes. In fact it's really easy to get the visa in Tehran, it's just taking one week, like everywhere else...

Good luck mate!

Cheers
Thierry

PS: We leave Esfahan tomorrow and head towards Shiraz. Takes two days. We'll camp somwhere on the road.

Hi Bobduro,
This is Tom on Tom's account ;)
Thanks for the details on how to get the visa in Islamabad. Bryn took Thierry's advise and got the visa sorted in Tehran. My Indian visa is good through end of Jan., so I will need to apply for a new one in Jan. at the latest.

I carry a second passport from my business travel. Any idea if that could work for applying for the Indian visa in Islamabad? Or would the missing Pak visa (which is in my first passport) cause any issues at the Pak/Ind border if I'd present my second one?

Greetings, BigTom