Comments on: Indian Consuls Issue Travel Advisory for OCI Card Holders to Avoid Denial of Boarding on Flights to India

By: Lalit

Lalit — Fri, 18 Nov 2022 22:03:04 +0000

I will suggest to get e-visa instead of OCI renewal cumbersome requirements and time in needs 8-10 weeks. For a layman it is impossible to get OCI card where the requirements are so threatening, 6 pages of OCI Misc. Services checklist.

By: Purush Bilimoria

Purush Bilimoria — Wed, 25 Mar 2020 20:51:43 +0000

I too was planning on getting to Indian before June 20th 2020 deadline as my OCI was issued in Delhi OCI cell there) and even the renewal process takes a few weeks I will stay on until the deal is done. But now with lockdowns, coronavirus shutdowns of borders and flights, there is no guarantee we will be allowed into India any time in near the future : this is so unpredictable and chaotic. Has any moves been made to extend this deadline to end of December? Could someone work on it and pressure the Government of India? Send petition to Indian Consulates in the US and elsewhere ?

By: PK

PK — Fri, 31 Jan 2020 02:58:58 +0000

No doubt it is very complicated process to re-issue of OCI for new passport. Same time it is time consuming and have risk of losing the passport as well.

By the way the rule of OCI with old passport is valid / relaxed till June 30, 2020. I am planning to travel on June 20th , 2020 and like to return on July 6th, 2020. Is It ok to carry my kid old passport with OCI stamped and new passport ?

Do you think airline allow to board and Indian immigration will allow to enter and will be no issue while I am getting back? Please suggest.

By: Philip

Philip — Fri, 10 Jan 2020 14:37:25 +0000

In reply to Anuj. It’s not renewal of OCI that people are complaining about. It’s the nightmare process involved in getting it renewed. Govt. of India should make it easy for applicants instead of sticking to archaic rules from our colonial past. Come on India the world has moved ahead and don’t get left behind!!

By: PP

PP — Thu, 02 Jan 2020 03:22:57 +0000

Hi Is there a lawsuit filed on Qatar airways (worst ever airways) They denied the ticket to my son .This was in Texas Dec-2019. Our beloved government changes the rules for OCI in November and all other airlines were fine except for Qatar in Texas.we carried older passport and new passport as well.

By: TA

TA — Wed, 25 Dec 2019 17:53:45 +0000

The travel alone is stressful and now the new OCI regulations and alerts/advice/circular causing more havoc on Indians who have OCI cards and not without notice. If the current Govt makes it so easy to get an eVISA in 2-4 days cheaper and faster than renewing the OCI when a new passport is issued. I beg to differ from many – why does it take 2-4 months to get a OCI renewal when it is says LIFELONG? Compare this to an eVisa which takes only 2-4 days.

After hearing the comments made by our PM during his Houston visit stating travel to India will be made easier and not complicated. I understand the reasons for OCI card applications for first timers, but why so complicated on renewals. As I see one has to be visit CKGS website which directs to Indian Gov website and then back to CKGS and then more restrictions one package per Application.
Personally I do not see an advantage for me on having OCI compared to getting eVISA.

By: SS

SS — Mon, 16 Dec 2019 18:58:18 +0000

Qatar airways at Dallas TX airport (DFW) denied boarding pass as my 6 year old’s OCI was not renewed. Her OCI had expired passport number and no particulars were changed from her expired passport to new passport. We carried her expired and new US passports but the Qatar representative said it no longer works and the rule was enforced a week ago. I spoke to customer care about the enforcement of such rules and they are reluctant to give details. It was a shock to all of us. If you are planning to travel, please get a e-visa which you will get in 3 days if you haven’t renewed OCI. Hope this helps someone and avoid the mess when you travel with young kids.

By: Minushree Panigrahy

Minushree Panigrahy — Thu, 12 Dec 2019 12:12:54 +0000

How about the rule of below 20 year old….harassing parents of young kids. This is so ridiculous.

By: Anuj

Anuj — Thu, 12 Dec 2019 03:17:23 +0000

I see nothing wrong with requiring a reissue of OCI for kids every 5 years since their appearance changes. I got OCI for my daughter when she was 6 months. Now she does not look the same. It will not make sense for her to use the same OCI card when she turns say 35. For this very reason passport too has to be renewed every 5 years for kids and every 10 years for adults. Every ID has a validity- the green card too has to be renewed every 10 years. Why are people complaining only about having to renew the OCI?

By: indianeagle

indianeagle — Wed, 11 Dec 2019 15:06:48 +0000

In reply to Chandra. It is strongly recommended that you check with the Indian consul or embassy.