India - Immigration officers asking for proof of hotel booking?

I've recently heard reports of some U.S. citizens I know being asked for proof of hotel booking with a confirmation number when arriving on tourist visas at Chennai airport.

Before anyone says it, I know Indians have to put up with this sort of thing when they travel abroad, etc. However, it strikes me as a rather odd request in light of the fact that this is not explicitly mentioned as an entry requirement anywhere, it is not a field on the entry card and many smaller Indian hotels (especially those catering to budget travelers) are hardly organized enough to fiddle with formalities like "confirmation numbers." I'm not sure what happens if you staying with friends or family.

Anyway, they were given a rather hard time about this and directed to the immigration office to place a phone call to the hotel to obtain a "confirmation number" from them. Was this someone having a bad day, a shakedown attempt, business as usual or perhaps all three? I've certainly never heard of anything like this happening in Southeast Asia (to Americans, at least) and never encountered it myself in India.

I dare say the officer'd run into people either on a mileage run, or working on a tourist visa and taking short trips to SIN / BKK and returning ..

I dare say the officer'd run into people either on a mileage run, or working on a tourist visa and taking short trips to SIN / BKK and returning ..

this would be my guess as well....also, with 15th august around the corner, i wouldn't be surprised if the officers are being told to be more careful than they normally are....

They are asking this information to identify / find visa abuse.

One of my friend traveling to India (Mumbai) on tourist visa was grilled by immigration officer when he told that he is staying at Hilton. Immigration officer said "How can you stay in Hilton while on your own....". Later he warned him to use right visa next time and let him go. He was in fact on business trip traveling on tourist visa.

And why can't you stay in a hilton when you're on holiday, even at the rather inflated rates the hiltons at BOM provide? Where did the officer want your friend to stay, on a sheet of cardboard on the pavements?

They are asking this information to identify / find visa abuse.

One of my friend traveling to India (Mumbai) on tourist visa was grilled by immigration officer when he told that he is staying at Hilton. Immigration officer said "How can you stay in Hilton while on your own....". Later he warned him to use right visa next time and let him go. He was in fact on business trip traveling on tourist visa.

this makes no sense whatsoever....why can't your friend stay at the hilton????what difference does it make if he is on a personal or business visit????

this makes no sense whatsoever....why can't your friend stay at the hilton????what difference does it make if he is on a personal or business visit????

Maybe he's working on the principle that the hilton, starwood etc properties in mumbai are $300 or more a night and "desis" aren't likely to spend their own money (rather than a corporate expense account) to stay at a place like that, and would hunt for a cheaper hotel. He might even be right, for most people.

yeah - trying for a random date in september the Hilton Mumbai International Airport is INR 10K ++ .. that'd be like $222 ++.