US Embassy website carries complaints about visa rule changes

New Delhi, Dec 23(PTI) In an unusual move, the US
Embassy here 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 here said.
Observing that the revised regulations primarily
affect travelers 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 travelers 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India after stays of up to 180 days are no longer in effect.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 (FRO)
and the procedures and requirements for registration can be
complex, it added.
It also advised travelers 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. PTI PYK