US visa rules: Embassy site carries complaints

In an unusual move, the US Embassy in New Delhi has put on its website several complaints emanating from recent changes in visa regulations made by India in the aftermath of the arrest of terror suspect David Headley who was issued multiple-entry visa by the country.

"The US Embassy and Consulates in India have received reports from individuals about inconsistent implementation of the new rules which have not been widely publicized and are subject to change," the US mission in New Delhi said.

Observing that the revised regulations primarily affect travellers who wish to enter India within two months of their last departure from India on tourist visa, the US Embassy said it has received reports about the problem being faced by other visa holders also.

In a bid to tighten visa norms, India recently made changes in travel regulations for foreign passport holders following the arrest in Chicago of two terror suspects American-Pakistani Headley and Canadian-Pakistan Tahawwur Rana who visited India on multiple-entry visa issued at the discretion of the then Indian Counsel General in Chicago.

"To date, these changes have mostly affected tourist (T) visa holders but the US Mission has also received reports pertaining to other visa types," the embassy said, adding initial information indicated that revised norms would mainly affect those who had been in India for more than 90 days before travel abroad or more than 180 days in the past year.

"However, the US mission has received confirmation that foreign passports are now stamped on exit to indicate that the bearer cannot re-enter India within two months of exit unless special permission is obtained from an Indian Embassy, consulate or high commission abroad, regardless of the validity of visa or length of stay in India," the US embassy said.

The embassy also said the travellers have reported being denied re-entry after exiting India for business or family emergencies or for tourist travel to nearby countries even if their initial visit to India was for only a few days and prior guidance and procedures that allowed re-entry to India after stays of up to 180 days are no longer in effect.

Some Americans entering or re-entering India on tourist visas have been instructed at the port of entry to register with the local Foreigners Registration Office and the procedures and requirements for registration can be complex, it added.

It also advised travellers to follow directions as stipulated on their visas regarding registration procedures, irrespective of their visa category.

The embassy also cited on its website some examples of problems Americans have had trying to navigate the recent visa changes which included experience of one American family, visiting India on a ten-year multiple entry tourist visa for several weeks, which had to return briefly to the US to attend a funeral and were not permitted to re-enter India.

Another family from the US, taking a side trip to Sri Lanka from India, was told that they needed to apply for permission at the Indian High Commission in Colombo to re-enter India, according to the US.