OCI Booklet a "must have" at Airports
Apr 14, 2017, 11:24 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 152
OCI Booklet a "must have" at Airports
Arrived in Hyderabad via British Airways and upon presentation of my passport with the U visa sticker the agent asked for my OCI booklet. I was under the impression that this is no longer required and a U visa sticker should suffice. I told the agent I do not have it but he persisted and asked me to stay at the airport and visit the FRRO office when it opens. After pleading with the officer for a long time he let me go but told me next time I must have it or else I will not be permitted entry into India.
Apr 14, 2017, 12:36 pm
#3
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http://www.cgisf.org/notice/display/135
Had to google.
This is for foreign nationals of Indian origin.
Had to google.
This is for foreign nationals of Indian origin.
Apr 14, 2017, 7:36 pm
#4
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I've made three trips to India in the last 18 months and produced only my OCI booklet and the new passport on which there was no "U" visa. The "U" visa is in my expired US passport which was not required.
Apr 14, 2017, 10:50 pm
#5
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Apr 15, 2017, 11:13 am
#6
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 39
You got it the other way around, it is the booklet that is required and not the lifelong U visa sticker . See this Consulate General of India Houston notification on dispensing with the "U" Visa sticker.
I've made three trips to India in the last 18 months and produced only my OCI booklet and the new passport on which there was no "U" visa. The "U" visa is in my expired US passport which was not required.
I've made three trips to India in the last 18 months and produced only my OCI booklet and the new passport on which there was no "U" visa. The "U" visa is in my expired US passport which was not required.
Apr 15, 2017, 11:49 am
#7
Join Date: Sep 2016
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I had the BOI webpage printed out in case http://boi.gov.in/content/overseas-c...oci-cardholder
OCI card holders shall now be given Immigration clearance on the strength of their valid forign [sic] passport and OCI Registration Certificate (OCI booklet, popularly known as OCI card)
Apr 17, 2017, 10:11 am
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 152
My bad. It seems I was mistaken because there was a lot of confusion back in 2012-2013 with a lot of conflicting circulars. Going forward I will carry my OCI booklet although it still doesnt explain why my valid passport with official U visa was not enough. What is the point of such sticker in my passport when it has 0 importance?
Apr 17, 2017, 1:14 pm
#9
Join Date: Sep 2016
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Apr 30, 2017, 6:15 pm
#10
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,203
a) What's the point of having multiple entry visa if you cant return to cremate parent upom her death just because you happen to visit her few weeks before in hospital? (It does not affect national security in any way)
b) Whats the point of your lifelong OCI visa if they require re-issued after age 50 upon expiry of foreign passport (Ucche Din to remove this most idiotic requirement have not come yet - Its a nazanal sekuriti issue for which nation is willing to wait 7-9 years until foreign passport renews)
c) Whats the point of maintaining official govt websites (Home Ministry, Finance Ministry and External Affairs Ministry) claiming OCI to be on par with NRI in financial matters and then not allow OCI to exchange old notes?
If you expect or trust Indian bureaucratic machinery to do something sensible consistently, problem is with you.
(/rant)
PS: For the last two times, immigration officer has declined to see my OCI booklet. (exactly same words both times - "Everything is in computer"). Guess they are only interested if they think you may not have it because then they can indulge in power trip.
May 5, 2017, 2:34 pm
#11
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About the OCI booklet, I always ask the immigration officer, just for fun, what the rule is regarding the booklet. I say for fun because, there is yet to be one consistent answer.
The only piece of good advice that I have gotten, and heed, is to keep both the passport stamp and the booklet handy. I present them both to the immigration officer (as I ask the question).
FYI, according to the last gent I spoke to in BOM, a month ago, I am only required to have one or the other, doesn't matter which one.
May 7, 2017, 2:45 pm
#12
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Any guidance on which method to convert PIO to OCI would be faster/easier?
Within India. (As resident)
Out of India. (Probably USA)
Within India. (As resident)
Out of India. (Probably USA)
May 7, 2017, 6:27 pm
#13
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,203
Is this restriction back on? I thought it was removed a few years ago after that fellow Headly got caught.
About the OCI booklet, I always ask the immigration officer, just for fun, what the rule is regarding the booklet. I say for fun because, there is yet to be one consistent answer.
The only piece of good advice that I have gotten, and heed, is to keep both the passport stamp and the booklet handy. I present them both to the immigration officer (as I ask the question).
FYI, according to the last gent I spoke to in BOM, a month ago, I am only required to have one or the other, doesn't matter which one.
About the OCI booklet, I always ask the immigration officer, just for fun, what the rule is regarding the booklet. I say for fun because, there is yet to be one consistent answer.
The only piece of good advice that I have gotten, and heed, is to keep both the passport stamp and the booklet handy. I present them both to the immigration officer (as I ask the question).
FYI, according to the last gent I spoke to in BOM, a month ago, I am only required to have one or the other, doesn't matter which one.
Yes, I do the same quiz of immigration officer. He is invariablly interested in only item that I dont show and loses interest as son as he realize that he cant harrass me. Only thing consistent about Indian bureaucracy is that it is inconsistent. Your advice to carry all is indeed prudent.