Indians in Mexico

Indians in Mexico (Views Expressed are personal)

Mexico,The New Land of Opportunity: 

Mexico is turning in "Land of opportunity".  Mexico city is a home for a large Expat population. I got an opportunity to work for a Telecom company in Mexico.

Preparing for Visa: 

Getting Mexican Visa is a lengthy procedure for Indians. Mexico is too far from India and there are no direct flights. Connecting flights are from Europe and USA. Which requires Transit Visa But Amsterdam allows transit without applying for a Visa. KLM airline via Amsterdam is easy but expensive option for Indians who do not have USA transit visa

People applying for Mexican visa need to appear in person before consular authority. Many Indians use Mexico as a transit route to infiltrate in USA. So Candidates are interrogated for Financial Background and Reasons to Visit Mexico to check for genuine travelers. Mexico is a Top Tourist Destinations in world but not for Indians. Indians do not travel to Mexico as a Tourist unless they are based in USA.

My employer arranged for Permission to work in Mexico. I visited Mexican Embassy, New Delhi for stamping of Entry Visa. The list of required documents is large and you must have all documents in order to get approval. Here is the list as was pasted outside embassy in 2013. Visit the Embassy page at http://embamex.sre.gob.mx/india/index.php/en/consular-section/visas to check current requirements. If everything fine, Entry Visa is processed same day. Work Permit will be processed after arriving in Mexico.

Mexican Business Visa Requirements as printed outside Mexican Embassy, New Delhi  in 2013

Procedure for Spouse Visa are complex. My wife was denied tourist visa and consular office was reluctant to provide reason of rejection. After a lot of search and communication with fellow Indian Expats in Mexico, I got to know that Spouse's dependent visa process will be initiated at Instituto Nacional de Migración (INM), Mexico City. Presidential Elections were held in Mexico and Government was about to change. A very unfortunate thing is that New Government (If different political party gains power) replaces almost all the working staff of Govt. departments. New staff took time to get habitual and clear the accumulated backlog. Elections are held once in six years and unfortunately we had to bear the unnecessary delay in immigration dept. Usually process takes two to three months but in my case it was a little longer.

Spouse Visa Requirements:Lawyer prepares file with relevant documents to present it to INM. Candidates will provide Original Marriage Certificate. Marriage certificate will be translated into Spanish by a authorized Translation Institute in Mexico. INM will issue a authorization letter for candidate. Spouse will submit file with relevant documents to Mexican Embassy in respective country. Here is a list of documents for stamping entry visa.

1. Application form duly filled
2. Authorization Letter from INM
3. Passport with at least six month validity
4. A recent passport-sized photograph (4.5 CM X 3.5 CM) with white background
5. Covering letter given by your organization and duly signed by the competent authority
6. A request Letter from spouse
7. Copy of Personal Bank Statement (last 6 months)-"Copy of Mexico's Bank account" and spouse's bank statement of last six months.
8. Your Passport's Copy
9. Copy of All Visa's of all countries you had visited
10. Your FM3's Copy
11. Your Employment  Certificate from company
12. Flight booking-"Tentative Flight Booking"
13. Visa fee-currency notes of "100" are accepted only

Visa was stamped in the same day.

Life in Mexico:

There were few Indians in Mexico in 2011 when I reached there, but numbers were growing steadily. I heard from a friend that social celebrations like Birthday and anniversary have shifted from home to outdoor big halls. Most Indians were in traditional Textile business in Mexico City but expansion Indian companies brought Techies to Mexico. Many Indian IT and Pharma companies have setup business units in Mexico. Telecom companies bring cheap Indian manpower to work on short term projects.

Indian Women Association of Mexico is a Indian Community Association, they usually brings Indian community together to celebrate festivals. Embassy of India opened Indain Cultural Centre called Gurudev Tagore Indian Cultural Centre. The Cultural Centre offers classes in Yoga, Indian classical dance forms, instrumental music of Sitar, Hindi and Sanskrit, besides Indian cuisine, which are hugely popular. I met many Mexican peoples who had interest in Yoga, mediation and Indian food. There is a Temple, Gurudwara and a Mosque. There were four restaurants providing Indian Food named Dawat, Indian Town, Tandoor and Taj Mahal. Indian groceries are available but expensive.

Safety is of high concern when it is about living in a big city. All metropolitan cities of world have similar stories on providing safe living to peoples. People need to keep vigil and to take precautions while living in Mexico City.

Indians in Bolivia

Bolivia Work Visa for Indians

Bolivia provides 30 day On Arrival Visa to Indians. The Visa can be extended in Bolivia but Type of Visa can not be changed. So if someone want to work in Bolivia and they reach there and take Tourist Visa; in hope of conversion to Work Permit later, it is not happening.

My employer arranged documents to be presented to Bolivian Embassy for Work Visa. Here is a list of Documents that were required in year 2014.

1. Application Form duly filled
2. Working Contract/Letter from Company. Duly Signed and notarized.
3. Ticket Round Trip (Itinerary)
4. Visa Fee 85 US dollar
5. Passport (Validity a tleast for six months)
6. 2 photos  with clear blue background
7. Identity proof, for Applicant outside the India
8. 3 months bank account statement
9. Yellow fever vaccination certificate or receipt
10. Police Clearance Certificate (Duly Signed and authorized)
11. Marriage Certificate (Duly Signed and authorized) if your wife is accompanying
12. Education Certificate (Duly Signed and authorized)

Address of Bolivian Embassy. A-2/7 Ground Floor,Vasant Vihar,110057, New Delhi, India

Phone: +91-11-46060934, Fax: +91-11-46060935.Consular Office Timing: 9:30 -12:30 PMIt is better to talk to them before reaching Embassy.  I submitted my documents in one morning and they told me to collect it on next working day.

Visa processing after Reaching Bolivia

Bolivian Embassy provides Entry Visa to Bolivia which is valid for One month. If person want to stay more and work, then Visa process should be started within 30 days of arrival in Bolivia. The Lawyer from my company helped to prepare all the documents. Here are the process that I had undergone.i) Medical Check upii) Local Police Station Report of my address/character verificationiii) Interpol clearanceiv) Immigration process
Medical takes few hours. Local Police station report takes few days. Interpol clearance takes few hours. Immigration collects passport and takes months to complete the process. But they issues you a letter, showing proof of your legal status in Bolivia. It is mandatory to keep letter with you always to justify your status in Bolivia. My visa was stamped on passport after three months of waiting time.
After Visa stamping the last process is to apply for Cedula de Extrangeros which is a Bolivian ID card. Again, a File has to be prepared, documents to be filled. Application must be put in SEGIP office in 25 working days after stamping of Visa on Passport.  After getting SEGIP card, a Bank account can be opened or a Driver's License can be applied. The delais of process are on website http://www.segip.gob.bo/web/Segip office Address that Process Cedula de Extranjeros in La Paz: Calle Mexico, Edificio Chuquiago, Entre Otero de la Vega y Nicolas Acosta, Timings: 0730~1530, Lunes a Viernes.i) The first process is to register on Segip website. Get a Username and password.ii) In 2nd step, we need to fill our personal particulars as well our Visa particulars.iii) Take the printout of after filling all details and submit the fee in the bank. it was 450 BOB in my case. Take the original Receiptiv) Submit the Documents with original Receipt in the Segip office. v) After Seven days, I collected my Segip Card or Cedula de Extranjero Card.

Police Clearance Certificate (PCC), Haryana

Police Clearance Certificate (PCC), Haryana

PCC can be obtained from Passport office and District Police Office. PCC requirements from Embassy does not mention the source of Certificate. So I believe it is up to applicant to decide which PCC they want to use. PCC from passport office is easy and procedure is similar to applying for a Passport. 

I decided to apply for PCC at local Police Office for ease of process and cost involved. But later I found out that it was not so easy. There are two kinds of PCC one with Photo and other without Photo. The cost difference between two is Rs 300. Certificate with Photo costs 500 Rs while other was for 200 Rs. District's Police Office or SP- Office issues PCC certificates.

I did not knew that a file has to be prepared with many documents in it. I approached to Agent to help me to prepare the file. Here are the documents list.

i) Application Form (Sample is attached)

ii) Affidavit on Rs. 10 stamp paper mentioning Address, Passport Details, DOB, character and country of visit

iii) Two Address proofs duly attested by Notary

iv) OCF (Online Challan form) for payment proof. Payment to be submitted at State Bank of India, Branch

Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) Sample Form

Affidavit and OCF cost me Rs 200. Agents in complex overcharged me for two documents. This kid of loot happens when procedures are not clearly mentioned.

I submitted the form, same day after payment. Officer told me to wait till an inquiry team from Concerned office will contact me for verification.

An Officer from Local Police Station called me for verification. They need two neighbors for address verification. My neighbors helped me out in this situation. Officer completed file and sent back to Security Branch office.

Security Branch issued me Certificate in next morning. Whole process tool 5 working days to complete.

Authorization of PCC for International Visa Process

Authorization means stamping of PCC by relevant authorities to get it accepted by International Agencies like Embassies or InterPol. The first process is to get a forwarding letter by district SDM. Here are the steps.

i) Application Request to SDM office for Forwarding Letter

ii) Initial Check by Dealing Clerk.

iii) Re Authentication from Issuing Department (Security Branch of SP Office)

iv) Stamping and Signature by SDM

It is a two day process. SDM office will issue a letter to Home Department to validate the Certificate. 

In my case it was Haryana Secretariat office in Chandigarh. It is better to reach early to Secretariat. If everything goes fine, officers are available, document can be authenticate the same day. "Under Secretary to Home Department" is given responsibility to sign the documents.

Last process is, authorization from MEA. Details of process are given at below mentioned link.

http://www.mea.gov.in/legalization-of-documents.htm

For any questions or issues, please feel free to comment. I hope the blog is helpful to peoples.

Yellow Fever Vaccination, New Delhi

Yellow Fever Vaccination, New Delhi

I goggled for Yellow Fever Centers in New Delhi and found six centers providing service of vaccination. My friend suggested me to go to MCD Laboratory, Civil Lines, which is close to ISBT, Kashmiri Gate. 

Things looked smooth but there are lot of humps in process. The address of place is confusing. People working opposite the office does not know whereabouts of Vaccination center. I wandered for one hour in the area, passed two times front of it but could not locate it. Town hall is in Chandni Chowk. I do not know how come Town Hall appeared in Address of this center. Name of Alipur Road has changed to Sham Nath marg. Correct and easily approachable Address of place is "Opposite to Gate no. 3 of Vidhansabha metro Station"

The timings mentioned for vaccination was 10:00 AM to 12:00. But Registration should be done at 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM. People reaching there at 11:00 AM were refused for vaccination; and they argued with Doctor for reaching there within prescribed timings. One vaccine is used for five peoples and cost per person is Rs 300. They would not consider you until a batch of five is complete even if you reach there before 10:30 AM. But usually there are loopholes in process in India, it also exists here. If a batch of five is not complete then vaccination could be done but.... I left the phrase for your guess. The Registration thing is not mentioned anywhere on internet. I called to International Inoculation Center, Mandir Marg; they also said the same thing. The Timings for Vaccination at Mandir Marg is 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM but registration start at 9:00 AM and Vaccination is done for first 45 candidates. Anyways I crossed all humps and got the vaccination done for me.

Side Effects of Yellow Fever Vaccination

MCD Office opposite VidhanSabha

Other links to follow:

http://www.airportsindia.org.in/immigration/health.jsp

http://www.boi.gov.in/content/health-regulation

http://61.8.149.18/TPK/YellowFeverVaccination.pdf

A Night at Gurudwara Paonta Sahib

A Night at Gurudwara Paonta Sahib

I heard about Paonta Sahib when I was travelling to Hemkund Sahib. I read about history of Gurudwara on internet, checked location map and routes to reach there. The desire to visit the shrine had grown up and the day came after two and half years later.

Paonta Sahib is in Himachal Pradesh on bank of river Yamuna. Other Side of river is another North Indian State of Uttrakhand.  Bus plying on Chandigarh-Dehradun route passes by Paonta Sahib. It took three hours for State Roadways bus from Sector 43, Chandigarh to reach to Paonta Sahib.  The bus crawled from crowded lanes of Tri-Cities, flew on planes of Haryana,  and lastly; moved quietly on foothills of Himalaya. I was travelling first time on this route. Green forests of Himalaya on both sides of road created mesmerizing feelings. Winter has started, temperature were reducing but day was still pleasant. Heat of sunlight produced warmth in human body.

Magnificent Gurudwara situated on bank of River Yamuna. Building was large enough to accommodate hundreds of pilgrims. I cleaned my hands, face and went for pray in Darbar. Picturesque view of flowing river was beautiful. Food at Langar hall was delicious. Prasada ( Wheat flour Chapatti) served with daal (lentils) , pickle, chai and dessert halwa was yummy and nutritious. I registered for night stay in Gurudwara. Sleeping hall had 12 beds with neat and clean blankets. Six were occupied for that night. My companions came from different parts of India. We talked for some time, shared our experience of journey to other famous Gurudwaras. I slept while listening to other guys. Journey was not so long but it was tiring and I felt low on energy.

I woke up early in Morning. Completed Nitya Karmas, took bath in cold waters, got ready and went for morning prayer in Darbar. Sun was arising and I wanted to welcome the day.  I clicked photos of River, Sun and Gurudwara. Sun arising from Himalayas, Steady flowing water of Yamuna and White carpet like fog; it was charming, beautiful and pleasant view.

Rising Sun. View from Gurudwara Paonta Sahib

River Yamuna, Himalaya Foothills and floating fog in a Morning of December at Gurudwara Paonta Sahib

Gurudwara has historical and spiritual significance of linkage with tenth Guru. Guru Gobind Ji had lived there and compiled verses of Granth Sahib. History written on stone, a museum describing the history of Sikh religion and weapons of Guruji described the importance of place. Kavi Darbar a venue to hold poetry competitions was in backyard of Gurudwara. A temple dedicated to Yamuna Devi showed devotion to river, which brings life to place. 

Stairs in backyard lead to Yamuna Ghat but gate was closed. Entry from inside was not allowed. I used outer path to reach the Yamuna Ghat. A board displayed there mentioned, how unsafe was to take a dip in river. Number of people drowned in that particular place were written yearly. I paid my devotion to temple there. I had my Brunch in langar hall, bought few books and departed for Chandigarh.

Travel Guide: Bus from ISBT, Kashmere Gate depart for Paonta Sahib. Bus from Chandigarh to Dehradun pass from City. Buses from Ambala or Yamunanagr also departs for Paonta Sahib.

Nearest Places: Gurudwara Bhangnani Sahib