IndiaCulture, faith and volunteering
Explore the five recorded questions, answers and sources for this pathway.
Entry Visa X-3 is for those coming to join the Auroville Foundation, the Missionaries of Charity, the Aurobindo Ashram in Puducherry or similar approved organisations.
X-3 For those coming to join - Auroville Foundation or Missionaries of Charity or Aurobindo Ashram, Puducherry or similar approved organizations
Supporting hosts named by MHA for X-3 include the Auroville Foundation; temples (for true and spiritual training, with a letter of recommendation from the Temple authorities); and Buddhist monasteries/Buddhist organisations for charity work, which must duly sponsor the monk.
(3) Foreign nationals coming to join Auroville Foundation shall be issued X-3 visa under one of the following three categories:
(6) Foreign nationals coming to join temples for true and spiritual training may be granted multiple entry ‘X-3’ Visa for appropriate duration on production of a letter of recommendation from the Temple authorities concerned.
(7) Foreign Buddhist monks coming to India for joining the Buddhist Monasteries/ other Buddhist organizations for charity work, may be granted multiple entry ‘X-3’ Visa for a period of one year subject to the condition that he/she is duly sponsored by the Buddhist Monastery/ Buddhist organization that he/she proposes to join.
For a long-duration Auroville X-3 visa (five years, three entries a year), the application must be accompanied by a recommendation from the Secretary, Auroville Foundation; for the Missionaries of Charity, Kolkata, a letter of recommendation from the Missionaries of Charity must be produced.
(i) Long duration Visa : X-3 visa will be granted for five years with three entries in a year subject to the condition that the visa application is accompanied by a recommendation from the Secretary, Auroville Foundation.
(5) Foreign nationals coming to join the Missionaries of Charity, Kolkata may be granted multiple entry ‘X-3’ Visa for appropriate duration subject to production of a letter of recommendation from the Missionaries of Charity, Kolkata.
For volunteers coming to the Auroville Foundation to conduct or attend courses or volunteer, a 3-month single-entry, non-extendable X-3 visa may be granted only if the activity is done without any monetary consideration, on the recommendation of the Secretary, Auroville Foundation. The official source does not state whether other X-3 holders may receive salary, pocket money, accommodation, meals or reimbursement, or undertake other work.
(iii) Short duration visa for volunteers : For volunteers coming to Auroville Foundation to conduct a course or impart a training, participate in courses given at Auroville Institutions and to volunteer at institutions and work areas of the Auroville Foundation, if it is done without any monetary consideration, single entry, non-extendable, X-3 visa for a period of 3 months may be granted on a specific recommendation of the Secretary, Auroville Foundation.
Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Puducherry: X-3 for one year with multiple entry, extendable year to year by FRRO Chennai on the Ashram's recommendation up to 5 years from issue. Missionaries of Charity, Kolkata: X-3 renewable by the FRRO up to 5 years from the initial visa; renewal beyond 5 years only with prior MHA approval. The official source does not state whether the host or activity can be changed or whether family can accompany.
(4) Foreign nationals coming to join Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Puducherry, may be granted X- 3 Visa for a period of one year with multiple entry facility. This visa may be extended on year to year basis by FRRO, Chennai on the recommendation of Sri Aurobindo Ashram for a maximum period of 5 years from the date of issue of visa.
The ‘X-3’ visa may be renewed by the FRRO concerned up to a maximum period of 5 years from the date of issue of initial visa. Further renewal beyond 5 years will be granted only with the prior approval of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
These are the answers currently recorded in the catalogue. A missing or partial answer is not an eligibility decision.
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