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Mar 16, 2010
No Indian visa on arrival - just sent back
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I FLEW to Mumbai last Tuesday to visit my Indian friend. My last trip to India was two years ago when also I went to Mumbai to visit him.
When I bought the air ticket, the travel agent told me I could apply for a tourist visa on arrival, instead of applying to the Indian Embassy as I had done before. At the airport check-in counter, the officer asked me if I had brought two photos of myself to go with the visa application. Since I had not, I was advised to take instant photos at the airport, which I did.
On arrival at Mumbai airport, I was given a visa application form to complete. I was then interviewed for 25 minutes, asked the purpose of my visit, details of my Indian friend, how long I had known him, whether I had any business dealings with him and so on.
During the interview, I felt the officer was trying to find any business link between me and my friend, and any business element in my trip. I told the officer I just came to visit my friend and the only business was introducing him to some spare parts suppliers when he visited Singapore.
Two other Singaporeans were also interviewed for their visa application and I had to wait another 30 minutes before their interviews were completed. They were asked similar questions. After that, the two immigration officers took our passports.
We waited another hour and then two airline ground staff appeared and told us we had not been issued with a visa and they had to send us back on the next plane. No reason was given.
Shocked, we asked to see a higher authority to appeal, but were told the officer who interviewed me was the most senior officer and he refused to see us. We were then sent back on the return flight.
I am totally dismayed at this experience. I believe the Indian authorities introduced the visa-on-arrival scheme to make travel more convenient. Unfortunately, those who administer it on the ground can make it a nightmare for visitors. I do not know why the immigration officer rejected our applications. Perhaps visiting a friend is not considered tourism and so does not qualify for a tourist visa on arrival.
I advise Singaporeans to get a visa in Singapore before they visit India.
Joseph Sin
No Indian visa on arrival - just sent back
<!-- by line --><!-- end by line -->
<!-- end left side bar --><!-- story content : start -->
I FLEW to Mumbai last Tuesday to visit my Indian friend. My last trip to India was two years ago when also I went to Mumbai to visit him.
When I bought the air ticket, the travel agent told me I could apply for a tourist visa on arrival, instead of applying to the Indian Embassy as I had done before. At the airport check-in counter, the officer asked me if I had brought two photos of myself to go with the visa application. Since I had not, I was advised to take instant photos at the airport, which I did.
On arrival at Mumbai airport, I was given a visa application form to complete. I was then interviewed for 25 minutes, asked the purpose of my visit, details of my Indian friend, how long I had known him, whether I had any business dealings with him and so on.
During the interview, I felt the officer was trying to find any business link between me and my friend, and any business element in my trip. I told the officer I just came to visit my friend and the only business was introducing him to some spare parts suppliers when he visited Singapore.
Two other Singaporeans were also interviewed for their visa application and I had to wait another 30 minutes before their interviews were completed. They were asked similar questions. After that, the two immigration officers took our passports.
We waited another hour and then two airline ground staff appeared and told us we had not been issued with a visa and they had to send us back on the next plane. No reason was given.
Shocked, we asked to see a higher authority to appeal, but were told the officer who interviewed me was the most senior officer and he refused to see us. We were then sent back on the return flight.
I am totally dismayed at this experience. I believe the Indian authorities introduced the visa-on-arrival scheme to make travel more convenient. Unfortunately, those who administer it on the ground can make it a nightmare for visitors. I do not know why the immigration officer rejected our applications. Perhaps visiting a friend is not considered tourism and so does not qualify for a tourist visa on arrival.
I advise Singaporeans to get a visa in Singapore before they visit India.
Joseph Sin
