India tourist VISA application query.?

Question

My boyfriend is an American native. I'm an Indian national. We intend to get married in December. We met each other on the net 3 years ago. Both our familes are very much open to our marriage. He has just started filling the 5yr multiple India tourist visa application form and it asks for "purpose of visit / object of journey". Should we mention: (A) Engagement, Marriage & tourism / vacation; (B) Tourism / vacation ?

Initially we had planned to meet and get engaged in May. However due to work leave reasons we may have to cram them both in the month of December. Also, if he mentions purpose of vist only as "Engagement & Marriage" can will still visit places within India on that visa?

THANK YOU!

Answer 1

Thankfully, I lived in DC and when I applied to come here to India.  I asked what type of visa to apply for there.  They told me to apply for a visitor’s visa (only good for 6 months) and to put down marriage as the reason on the application.  There shouldn’t be any problems getting the visa.  I put my husband’s address here in India on the visa application.  I was planning to stay here in India so I applied for a spouse visa after we got married.  I don’t know where you are planning to live.  That would make a difference in which type of visa your fiancé should apply for.  I didn’t want to have to leave the country after 6 months but if you are planning to go to the US then it would be a big issue.  

I would go ahead and put the real reason he is coming on the visa application.  There is plenty of time for you to make sure that the application is accepted.  I think it highly unlikely that he would be rejected.  When it comes to US citizens there is not generally any problem getting Visa anywhere in the world.  I have been abroad many times and have many friends that travel continuously.  I have never known anyone to be rejected so try not to be too worried about that.  

If for some reason it should get rejected then you can always meet up in Nepal or some neighboring country that it would be easy for you to get to and get married there.  Not good from a family point of view (attending the wedding) but like I said, I don’t think it will be an issue.  

If you should want to play it safe, I think there is no harm in putting tourism as the reason on the application.  American’s are a little crazy anyway, who would be surprised if they came for vacation and got married while here:-).  One thing to keep in mind, if you are planning to go to US is that it is easier and more expedient to go as a fiance rather then a spouse.  Just FYI.

Answer 2

Just list it as tourism.  He is not going there for work reasons like governmental or business which they could be concerned about depending on his field and who he would be meeting with.  Otherwise, I don't think they care about the engagement so tourism is sufficient.