Visa - Change of purpose - from student to tourist

[rom_ran]

Hi everybody,

I got following problem and I'm glad about any advise. I'm a Swiss National and I entered India based on a student visa in January 2010. I registred at the Foreign Nationals' Regional Office in Hyderabad and got a residental permit till 10th May 2010 (end of semester of my university). However, my student visa is valid till November 2010 (one year visa), only the residental permit expires on 10th May. Now, I would like to transfer my student visa into a tourist visa, because I'd like to go travelling in Nepal and India till the end of May. Is such a change of purpose possible? Which agency do I have to approach? Is it perhaps possible to get a tourist visa at the indian embassy in Kathmandu to re-enter to India?

Best, Roman

[curtdfw]

Visas are generally not convertible from one type to another. If you leave India to a country like Nepal, which has often been used for 'visa runs', you may not be able to return.

If you have a multiple entry visa, is it possible to get your RP renewed? That would be the simplest thing, I think. Some traveling while on your student visa is not unusual, but be certain that there are no restrictions on your re-entry if you leave the country.