Overseas Citizen of India cardholders in the UK are not facing any major problems while travelling to the country. However, there has been major confusion created owing to reports about OCI cardholders facing trouble in America. The individuals in America are confused because adequate awareness has not been created among the diaspora about recent enforcement of a rule on renewal, a prominent Indian-American has said in a petition to the Indian Ambassador.
As a result, a large number of Indian-Americans are being forced to cancel their trips to India. In many cases they have been forced to return mid-way from places like Dubai and several airlines are refusing to board passengers on a flight to India whose passport numbers do not match with the ones on their OCI card, said Prem Bhandari, chairman of Jaipur Foot USA in a statement to The Firstpost.
"Airlines and immigration officials cite a recent advisory issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Civil Aviation and demand that passengers below 20 years of age and above 50 years of age need to have their OCI cards renewed after the renewal of their passports. This has resulted in many passengers being turned back from the airports," Bhandari said.
OCI, a major facility for members of the Indian diaspora, brings them at par with non-Resident Indians in financial, economic and educational fields except in the acquisition of agricultural or plantation properties.
It gives them free multiple entry, multi-purpose life-long visa to visit India. OCI cardholders are also exempted from reporting to police authorities for any length of stay in India. However, under the existing rules, OCI cardholders below the age of 20 years and above the age of 50 years need to have their OCI cards renewed after the renewal of their passports.
