Does an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) have right of entry and exit like a citizen ?
The Constitution of India does not allow holding Indian citizenship and citizenship of a foreign country simultaneously. Based on the recommendation of the High Level committee on Indian Diaspora, the Government of India decided to grant Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) commonly known as 'dual citizenship'. Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) of certain category as has been specified in the Brochure who migrated from India and acquired citizenship of a foreign country other than Pakistan and Bangladesh, are eligible for grant of OCI as long as their home countries allow dual citizenship in some form or the other under their local laws.
I traveled to Bombay with a travel document (US passport) and the OCI registartion document issued by Indian Govt. The Life Long visa sticker was on my expired US passport, which was not with me; and that I did not believe a citizen in any description had to have a visa with a Govt. Document and Birth right.
The airline allowed me to board the plane with the Govt document to reach India. However, at arrival on Bombay airport the office of the inspector of Police would state that OCI registration did not mean anything if I did not have the Life Long Visa on the passport, even if it was an expired passport. The inspector, however offered me to produce a fax copy of the life long visa, lying in the US, to issue me a transit visa for $40 (US) before the next days flight some 24 hours later, and detaining me in transit during that period.
If the officials can not recognize their own Govt. Issued OCI document, why would they depend on a fax copy of Visa from overseas. And I did not want to be detained in transit area feeding my blood to mosquitos there after traveling for 12 hours from the Pacific Rim. So, I allowed them to put me back in the same flight, I arrived in, to my freedom with an US passport. I got my expired passport by courier, and traveled back to India four days later. The immigration in Bombay had one look at my expired passport and let me exit to the city after Customs clearance.
The question that arises out of this incident: does the OCI define one a Citizen ? If it does not, then why one is called Overseas Citizen of India. Shouldn't it be appropriate to be called expensive visa for NRIs. Probably not, because it would not sell to NRIs.
India has progressed in many ways, but still has a long way to go to be part of Globalized countries.
It is suggested that one makes sure he has visa to go India regardless what is interpreted from Indian Govt. Document.
- 1 point
Replies
India OCI is a real JOKE
I have no doubt in my mind that India will NEVER and ever become a super power. Look at the stupid forms and copies and original document they want for OCI registration.
This country is still a joke. The only one thing missing from the list is your death certificate and your first urine sample and shit.
One of friends is applying for this stupid status; The horror stories he is sharing with us is unbelievable. Common India. You may write software for rest of the world. But you are useless and your country is still in stone age.
LOL
When we applied in London,
When we applied in London, there were issues with photographs we submitted. They had no clue as to why they rejected. But, otherwise OCI is great to possess. And the name they gave to it is simply GREAT to say the least. It is given in the lines of NRI, i guess. When there is so much of sentiment attached to it at the time of relinquishing Indian citizenship, the name is a great relief to call those still a citizen of india but 'Overseas'.
I have come across so many who couldn't grasp this OCI idea and got confused it being 'dual'. The country about which some trying to criticise here should realise that India is nothing but its people. People who have been away from India cannot reform themselves to get any better (except money) in appreciating/understanding the rules/ssytems in place, should shut their mouths before passing any comments like that.
Somebody, i'm sure who couldn't have predicted his own future(going back to his childhood days and try remembering how pathetic he might think it was) to come away to whatever land he loves/lives at the moment, is predicting India's future now. What a shame!!
Why you are blaming India
You stupid...Dont you feel shame...born n brought up in india..when this country feed you enough to become young....You moved to different country and started blaming your country..You @ssh0les..You will not find place even in hell...Dont worry in hell they will welcome you and grant you hell passport..you idiot
Sirr Thankx a ton for
Sirr
Thankx a ton for sharing your doubt with us. I agree with you, the country is still a joke coz unfortunately ppl like u were a part of it. I would personally like to thank you for dropping the idea of acquiring OCI. Actually, you did a favor to my country India coz u don't even deserve to be called a citizen of India in any way. So, thank you very much and now it would be a lot better if you start thinking about your life rather than criticizing others.
P.S.- Its not for you but for all of those who consider themselves as proud Indians.
JAI HIND!!!!
Re: India OCI is a real JOKE
Sirr
Thankx a ton for sharing your doubt with us. I agree with you, the country is still a joke coz unfortunately ppl like u were a part of it. I would personally like to thank you for dropping the idea of acquiring OCI. Actually, you did a favor to my country India coz u don't even deserve to be called a citizen of India in any way. So, thank you very much and now it would be a lot better if you start thinking about your life rather than criticizing others.
P.S.- Its not for you but for all of those who consider themselves as proud Indians.
JAI HIND!!!!
OCI
Wow, you are hurting many peoples emotions when you say that.
OCI is probably the best thing which ever happened to the people like you and me. You have a choice of paying $ 75,- for six months or some $3-400,- for life. If the Indian government made it cheaper and easier for you and you do not like it then just ignore it and apply for visa every time you go back home. Personally I do not want to stand in the Q everytime and spending more than half a day for obtaining visa and spending a lot of money. And just imagine if you do not have the Indian Commission in the city where you live. So do not forget to add the travelling time, parking fee and the gas money.
In the first place the person who travelled from the US to India without any documents began his journey which ended the way it should have. I guess it was only the US pride and unwillingness to pay $40,-. Besides this person was smart enough to spend 1000s of $$$ on the flight ticket, wasting huge amount of time on the flights and layover in Europe, and then again spend 1000s of $$ for the return flight.
The whites ill treat us many a times, at the US or the European airports we have to undergo extra survaillance because of our color. And then when we make mistakes like leaving behind the expired passport with the OCI Sticker, we start blaming the laws of the country. If you forget your US passport and try to enter the US and then tell the experience here.
You mean that you do not have to follow rules and regulations in the US or what? You can behave you deem fit in the US? Come on give me a break.
Anil
You idiot
You f**** idiot....eat your sh**....may be you will have some sense of what the f*** you are talking about
oci
the necessity of the forms are to make sure that no citizen of pakistan, bangladesh, nepal, afghanistan and sri lanka obtain oci or pio. this is purely for the safety reason. every country has the right to obtain as much information as possible. u just have to look at the US requirements when you apply for the visa never mind the citizenship. they require documents and names of your entire family, grand parents, great and great great great grand parents. it always easy to critise india and that too by their own citizens. no one is asking you to visit india. doesn,t matter whether india is in stone age or iron age but it is better for india to keep you lot of the country.
Ur the joke
So are you! most propably you and your country are a joke.
Remember you are very much
Remember you are very much part of that bloody India and your attitude does show why India still lagging behind. If they ask urine sample yes you got to provide them. if you have problem with rules dont bother applying. Stop talking non sense on web. My experience with OCI application was quite good. As long as you follow instructions and provide documaentation requested, It couldnt be simpler.I am happy with immigration back home when I went India with OCI.
HAHA so true! I photocopied
HAHA so true!
I photocopied duplicates of my asshole just in case they asked for that!
Disagree
Are you guys Illiterate not to have harnessed the power of internet to know the details. First read the stuff carefully and blame yourself before blaming the country, the economy and thousand other people for your mistake.
Agree with "Disagree"
Yes, I agree, the information is given quite clearly in the first few google results itself, as well as in OCI information packet. One has to have the expired passport with the U-visa sticker to enter India, even if they have the OCI registration card.
The Indian government position also is that it is not true "dual citizenship" but aims to give its holders 99% of the most commonly required benefits. Ironically, if it were "true" dual citizenship, only US and few EU citizens would have been able to take advantage of it because other countries of the world DO NOT allow dual citizenship.
Before those first two jackasses start spewing shit from their mouths, would they care to think what would happen if they had tried to enter the US without a visa? They would probably be tasered and thrown in Guantanamo for 5 years (given their skin color.)
Part of the problem with Indian bureaucracy is our own doing, in trying to take advantage of the system and commit fraud. A senior IPS officer once said to me that we pride ourselves on our 6000 year old civilization. But actually, thats 6000 years of time that our society had to devise new and ingenious ways of abusing the system for our own benefit.
Agree with Senorita and the first poster.
Senorita,
The term "Overseas Citizen of India" is a misnomer (I am trying to be polite here). OCI is more like a green card in the US (cannot vote, lifelong entry, work-permit, can't work for the govt. etc.). See the following excerpts from the website of US Embassy (New Delhi) and Indian Embassy (Washington). It is ironic that the US Embassy is more truthful about the OCI than the Indian Embassy!
Quote:
Despite mischaracterizations to the contrary, neither the PIO nor OCI program provide the holder with Indian citizenship. Thus, an American citizen who obtains a PIO Card or an OCI Card remains only a U.S. citizen, and does not become a dual U.S.-Indian citizen. For more information on this issue, please read our information on dual nationality.
Source:
http://newdelhi.usembassy.gov/acsindvisas.html
The Indian government recently launched a program called "Overseas Citizens of India" or "OCI". This program often has been mischaracterized as "dual nationality" or "dual citizenship." However, a person who holds an OCI Card in reality is granted an Indian visa, not Indian citizenship. Thus, an American citizen who obtains OCI status remains a citizen only of the United States. The OCI Card is a special visa which grants the holder the right to indefinitely visit, study or work in India, and also the right to own most types of property in India (excluding certain agricultural and plantation properties). A holder of an OCI card also need not register with local police/immigration authorities, unlike other holders of Indian visas. An OCI holder, however, does not receive an Indian passport, and has no other political rights in India, including the right to vote or eligibility for government employment.
Source:
http://newdelhi.usembassy.gov/acsdualnation.html
The Constitution of India does not allow holding Indian citizenship and citizenship of a foreign country simultaneously. Based on the recommendation of the High Level committee on Indian Diaspora, the Government of India decided to grant Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) commonly known as ‘Dual Citizenship’.
Source: http://www.indianembassy.org/consular/Overseas_Citizen/OCI.html
OCI
The OCI card holders (Senorita) should have taken time to see what it means to them, than jumping on to a journey to India with the OCI document (card). This is not a Passport in the first place, but a lifelong visa.
The documents clearly also show that the person should carry the visa sticker on the passport. Once your original passport (USA) expires, you can have a new visa sticker on your new passport at a minimum charge or carry your old passport on which the visa sticker is attached.
For what happened to Senorita, it is your fault only. Since you could afford to go back to U.S and make your India trip again with your old passport, you opted for that. What about those who cannot do it?
A little appreciation has to be given to the Inspector of Police who was ready to let you in to the country with a faxed copy of your visa, he could have simply refused you entry without the original visa and ask you to be deported!!!
Does an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) have right of entry and
I have just returned to USA after going through exactly the same scenario as Senorita.
I have the following comments:
[1] The GoI/MEA designed the OCI document to look like a passport. This is misleading.
[2] The GoI/MEA did not place prominent cautions anywhere about the fact that the OCI document is not a visa. The OCI document
itself does not warn about the potential misunderstanding. At BOM, I was shown a clipping from some obscure document
mentioning the fact that the OCI booklet is not a visa. Just this small clarification was clipped out and it was not apparent from
which document or publication it was clipped.
[3] I travelled as OCI in 2006. I had my son's US passport renewed a couple of months back. I did not remember that my
son's old passport had the visa. Due to [1] and [2] above, I took it for granted that the OCI booklet was the visa.
[4] Here comes the REAL problem. Due to [1] and [2] above, airline staff at the trip origin airport do not know about this
complication. When asked about my son's visa, I produced the OCI booklet and was allowed to proceed. The same thing
happened in London. This seems even more odd considering the fact that the airline had to spend more money in putting us in
a flight to London, because my records show that my BOM to LHR segment is still unused. So the failure of airline staff to spot
the absence of a proper visa actually leads the airline to lose more money and they should do something about it.
OCI a great document !!!
Goodmorning to all of you,
I would like to share a great feeling I had going back to India last month with my OCI card with a family of 4. We had an excellent service at the Chennai Airport (a counter exculsively reserved for OCI's and PIO's) 5 persons before us instead of 200 in the other counters!!! After 12 hours of flight it was a great feeling to be treated that way ;o) The officer incharge was determined to treat us properly and quickly and took into consideration the fact that we had a long journey from Europe. Our paper work got settled for all four of us in just 7 minutes with a smile and this at 1.30 AM ... incredible but TRUE.
The website dedicated for this purposed maintained by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in coordination with the Indian Embassy in Paris was very helpfull to get the documenments processed in 4 months time.
It is very easy to critisize a system (a nation of 1 billion inhabitants) when we have been used to a comfortable westernized system which caters the needs of some millions. Being a regular visitor to India and to some other African countries, I should admit that India is changing but the pace at which improvements can be made depends upon us (so called expats all over the world) and citizens of India living there who have to accept change....
So let us be patient and open our eyes and ears to hear and look at the improvements acheived by Indians there and abroad in the last couple of years.
OCI - A great step
Clearly the first couple of posters criticizing the OCI are bunch of stupid idiots. They don't take the time or effort to understand the rules of OCI. The Indian official tried to be understanding and offered you an alternative, you criticized even that.
Had the reverse happened, you think the nationals in US would have been understanding? Whose fault is it that you didn't take the time to understand the rules? You'll take the time to dot the i's and cross the t's had it been US issued documents/rules, but when its Indian, you make stupid mistakes and blame the system, morons!!!
I think the OCI is a great step offered to ex-Indian citizens. Myself I'm thinking if its worth giving up my Indian citizenship in the first place.
Question on Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI)
Hello,
Myself and my wife is Indian citizens holding Indian passport.
My Son was borned in California and he is 7 yeas old, having US Passport.
First we applied PIO card for him and was issued on 05-APR-06.
After that we applied Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) card for him and was issued on 12-OCT-2006 and the 'U' sticker was attached in his expired USA passport.
Date of Acknowledgement : 06-OCT-2006
Registration Status : Granted on 11-OCT-2006
Photo/Signature : Scanned on 11-OCT-2006
Document Printing Status : PRINTED
Document Printed on : 12-OCT-2006
Document Dispatched From Delhi on : 13-OCT-2006
Document Received at SAN FRANCISCO on: 20-OCT-2006
'U' Sticker Date of Issue : 12-OCT-2006
So my son is holding PIO Card, OCI Booklet, 'U' sticker in expired USA Passport and the current USA Passport.
Now we are planning our trip to India.
My Questions:-
1) The OCI sticker applied on his expired US Passport. Is it required to transfer 'U' sticker from his expired US passport to current US passport? (OR) Can he travel to India without transfer the 'U' from his expired US Passport to current US passport?
2) Can he travel to India without any issue?
3) Is his PIO card still valid? Can he use PIO card at the time of port of entry in India?
4) What are all the documents he has to show at the time of port of entry in India?
5) On behalf of my son, do I need to contact Indian embassy at the time of port of entry in India?
Thanks
MG
OCI
Hello
My experience at the Chennai Airport this summer was the following.
My passport on which the OCI Visa stamp was affixed intially by the Indian Embassy expired in April 2008. When I renewed my French Passport, I SPECIFICALLY requested the French Authorities to give me back my old passport on which the permanent OCI Visa stamp was affixed.
I was therefore in possession of the following documents when I went to India :
1 My brand new French Passport
2 My old French Passport with the OCI Visa Stamp (valid visa LIFELONG with multiple entries)
3 My blue OCI document.
I simply stuck together the cover (last page) of new passport with the first cover page of the old passport so as to make it one document.
I showed the Visa page to the Immigration official along with my OCI blue document and that's it.
I guess that it's not necessary to show the PIO card and complicate things. You can carry them just in case you have any questions raised. Otherwise the OCI document with both passeports attached should enable you to enter our country without any hastles.
Above all once you land go directly to the OCI reserved counter and you should, with a "broad smile" on your face get your documents processed quickly.
Good luck and don't hesitate to post here once again should you need any additional clarifications.
Shiva
OCI
Hello MG,
As Shiva indicated attching the old passport with the new passport is a good idea.
Here are two some of the FAQ related to your sitvation from MHA.NIC.IN
21. Will the PIO card be honored till the time it is valid even after
acquisition of an OCI?
No. PIO card will have to be surrendered to the Indian Mission/Post/MHA for grant of OCI registration certificate and an OCI ‘U’ visa sticker.
Based on this the PIO card needs to be surrendered and it looks like for some reason this didn't happen to your PIO card.
(FAQs) on OCI MiscellaneousServices
16. Whether OCI documents have to be re-issued each time a new
passport is taken?
OCI registration certificate and visa have got to be re-issued each time a new passport is issued up to the completion of 20 years of age and once after completion of 50 years of age.
Re-issuance of OCI registration certificate and visa is not mandatory, each time a new passport is issued between 21-50 years of age. However, if the applicant wishes to obtain new set of OCI documents, he/she can apply for the same.
Accprding to the above your son's OCI registration certificate and the U Visa sticker needs to be reissued. I recommend you to check with the indian consulate as the above is only based on the FAQ fromthe MHA site. I do not have any real time experience accompanying a kid.
Hope this helps!
VS
I am planning to give up my
I am planning to give up my indian citizhenship and taking the OCI. is it a wise decision to give up the indian citizehnship. Shall we get it back the indian citizhenship after some times? and is it easy?
John
Post by John
1. How can you just give up your Indian Citizenship and take OCI?
To be eligble to become an OCI, one has to be a foreign national.
The moment one becomes a foreign national, he ceases to be an Indian Citizen and by rule, one is supposed to be returning his/her Indian Passport to the concerned Indian Mission (In many cases it is not being done and the person continue holding holding on to the Indian passport till it expires.). The passport issued to you is the property of the Government.
So basically if only you are a foreign national (in which case you are not an Indian Citizen), you are eligible to become an OCI. No question of giving up your Indian Citizenship
The other question:
Shall we get it back the Indian Citizhenship after some times?
Yes. As per the provisions of section 5(1) (g) of the Citizenship Act, 1955, a person who is registered as OCI for 5 years and is residing in India for 1 year out of the above 5 years, is eligible to apply for Indian Citizenship.
OCI ?
GENTS / LADIES, I GAVE UP WHOLE FAMILY'S INDIAN PASSPORT TO GET PASSPORTS OF COUNTRY WE LIVE IN. I HAVE BEEN HOLDING A PIO, A DISTINCT FACILITY NOT GENERALLY KNOWN IN OTHER COUNTRIES WHERE DUAL CITIZENSHIP IS NOT GRANTED [SINGAPORE].
I AM AT GOLF CURCUIT, MINGLE A LOT WITH OTHER NATIONALITIES. THEY ONLY APPRECIATE PIO / OCI WHICH NOT ONLY PROVIDES PRIVILEDGES TO EX-INDIANS OR THEIR DESCENDANTS, IF A COPY OF SAME IS SUBMITTED APPLYING FOR VISAs OF APARTHIED LIKE COUNTRIES, VISA PROCESS BECOMES FASTER.
WE'R ABOUT TO GET OCI [SURRENDER PIO - SOMEWHERE IN BLOG MENTIONS THAT THEY ARE HOLDING OCI & PIO BOTH WHICH ISN'T CORRECT AND CAN PUT THEM IN INCONVENIENCES LATER] AND I BELIEVE ITS GREAT.
JUST CARRY YOUR OLD PASSPORTS THE WAY YOU DO WHEN VISA OF US/ SCHENZEN, OTHERS IS VALID BUT PASSPORTS ARE RENEWED IN NEW BOOKLETS. AFTERALL OCI IS NOT CITIZENSHIP, PITY ON THOSE WHO FLY TO THE MOTHERLAND WITHOUT UNDERSTANDING THAT OCI IS ONLY A GREAT FACILITY FOR EX-INDIANS NOT A RETURN TO INDIAN PASSPORT EVEN THOUGH ITS OF SAME COLOR- BLUE. LIVE FOR 1 YEAR IN INDIA, GET BACK YOUR INDIAN PASSPORT BACK ! WHERE ELSE YOU GET THIS?
VANDE MATARAM.
CAN ANY ONE CLARIFY THIS???
Can any one tell me if it is true that an OCI is not allowed to work in India while PIO Card holders and other foreign nationals are allowed to? (Am not talking of government jobs)
I was going through the following link and wonder if it is right?
http://us.rediff.com/news/2007/oct/31sikka.htm
The OCI website does not specifically say anything on this, but talks about parity with NRIs. Myself a Canadian Citizen and a OCI card holder and intend to work/ do business in India.
Does anyone read the forms they fill
I just got my OCI and the process was smooth I followed the instructions started the application online collected the documents requested and sent them in. The instructions were clear as are the instructions for travel - YOU NEED THE U VISA EVEN IF THE PASSPORT IT IS STAMPED IN IS EXPIRED just carry both passports(this is the case for any Visa). To think the document labeled Certificate of Registration is a travel document because it is sized like a passport is about as smart as thinking your drivers license is a green card.
But if you read the reason for the creation of the OCI its not for travel purposes get a 10 year visa and save a fortune - the purpose of the OCI is to fix the shortcomings of the PIO which was a glorified general purpose 15 year visa with a nice name for those wanting to reduce their guilt about giving up citizenship of their birth country for the citizenship of the country they live in. These people realized to function efficiently specifically financially and professionally it was a wise decision. OCI gives the holders the legal footing to carry out financial and real estate transactions in India. The OCI is for anyone who has tried to carry out a property transaction in India and is not an Indian Citizen. The OCI is recognized on par with Indian Citizenship and most government offices dealing with property and business recognize it just have all the papers U visa and the certificate and current passport. The OCI is an acceptance by the Govt of India that the success of India lies in it being a financial power and globalization of it economy puts it on the world map. It also recognizes that a tremendous amount of the globalization came from investments by NRI's and ex NRI's. The OCI gives the ex NRI the legal backing to invest in India and reduces their risk
So lets stop bashing India or singing its praises but recognize the fact the country has grown in leaps and bounds - travel has been simplified and walking through customs and immigration is as smooth as the most developed countries in the world and that has all happened in the last 10 years. Yes the forms are the same as 15 years ago but now the officials actually assist you rather then stand at the gate to grab you and open all your luggage.
The OCI is not a green card its actually the reverse a green card is a work permit that requires you to stay in the US be gone for 180 days and you lose it. The green card recognizes you as an ALIEN allowed to stay in the US. The OCI recognizes your Indian origin and lets you keep not just your social ties but also you financial ties even when you are physically absent. The only similarity is they both don't let you vote (which is how a democratic people decide to rule themselves) but for different reasons the green card because it excludes you from being a citizen even though you are actively contributing and interacting with society you are not allowed to rule, the OCI on the other hand excludes you from ruling yourself as it is a status for people who are not active in the society. Countries that offer true dual citizenship should have a required check box I suffer from multiple personality syndrome, how can you possibly have allegiance to 2 countries what if they go to war. I think the OCI is a beautiful balance India actually surprised me when it was offered
So to the first post does it allow right of entry and exit to India - Yes if you carry the right documents - let an Indian try coming back to India without Indian passport and they will probably get a worse welcome
Is it a "dual citizenship" - no
Is it a expensive travel document for NRI's no NRI's are Indians they need an Indian passport to travel. The OCI is for non Indians of Indian origin and travel is a very secondary benifit
So to the first post it is a good idea to check if you have the appropriate documents before you travel, READ
You idiot
To the writer of "India OCI is a real JOKE"
WTF Dude...You f*** idiot...if you have so much hatred against India and Indian policies, rules, and regulations....why the hell did you get OCI, why the hell would you go to visit India?.....What is it that you want to get?.....Eat some s**t (if possible your own)....may be you will come to your senses.
OCI
WITH ALL THESE COMMENTS AND SHARING THE VIEWS BY BOTH OCI HOLDER AND NON HOLDER, I AM STILL NOT CLEAR FOR 2 THINGS WHICH IS NOT YER CLERIFIED BY MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS UNDER WHICH THIS SUBJECT FALL.
1- WHETHER OCI HOLDER CAN STAY IN INDIA AS LONG AS HE WISHES?
2-IS THERE ANY CLEARANCE REQUIRED BY OCI HOLDER WHEN RETURNING FROM INDIA TO HIS COUNTRY OF CITIZEN AFTER MORE THAN ONE YEAR OF STAY LIKE POLICE/INCOMETAX CLEARANCE?
DESPITE REATED QUESTIONS POSTED ON EMAILS TO BOTH EMBASSIES AND GOVERNMENT OF INDIA NO ONE HAS YET ANSWERED AFTER 90 EMAILS. CAN THIS BE CLERIFIED BY NOW?
THANKS....
Deportation
All comments in this case are valid and acceptable. It is our mistake not to have read and brought the right documents with us when we travel to India. My question is a simple one- if one has an O. C. I. Registration card and a valid foreign passport, is deportation the only option available to Indian immigration authorities? Who should be deported- an ordinary overseas Indian or a criminal/ terrorist with a track record or at least a police record? Anyone in his right judgment would agree that an Indian born citizen ahould be treated better. There can be options like visa on arrival; keeping the passport and O.C.I. card as security; or even temorary detention till a visa can be arranged. To me deportation should be the last resort in such cases looking at the time and money spent on travel, the hassles from booking a ticket to actually go through various formalities before boarding a flight.
This deportation issue needs to be addresed immediately by the Indian immigration authorities. Otherwise, it clearly looks like a vindictive and high-handed way of treating overseas Indian citizens and smacks of a style that can be compared only to the times when all facilities like computers and database were not available. After all,, the immigration authorities at the counters take so much time to enter data into their database when someone approaches them at immigration in airports. Can they not check there to see if the applicant is bona fide? If s/he has entered India before? What is the track record of such a person?
This I think is the least they should do before processing such cases where a traveller has two documents (passport and OCI registration card) and not the third (the U sticker stating lifelong visa)
I hope there is some sanity in this forum and people do not just get abusive. Some guys have really suffered this humiliation of being deported from the airport and this needs a sympathetic understanding.
Could those who have been deported respond please? It would be interesting to take the immigration department on over this issue.
Similar experience
I have just returned from Kolkata. I flew London Heathrow-Dubai-Kolkata. When I arrived in Kolkata I had with me my British passport and my OCI booklet. However, the OCI sticker was in my old expired passport which I did not carry with me. I was told that I would be deported.
However, after a lengthy discussion and persuasion from my father the immigration officer agreed to issue me a temporary air hostess visa. They asked that I dhl my old passport to Kolkata in less than 72 hours. They took my valid British passport and was told that as soon as my old passport arrived I was to register at the FRRO and show the correct sticker. Only then would I be given my valid passport back. At great expense, I flew a DHL courier from London to Kolkata with the documents and did as requested.
The experience was scary and I felt unnecessarily bureacratic. The OCI booklet does not say that it is invalid without the sticker. Indeed the 3rd page says that it grants the user life long visa into India. I was told by the immigration officer that this happens often and that people are regularly deported. Something should be done about this!!
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