Air India flight from India to USA

[sach_nyc]

Hey guys,

Was anybody who was in india with any expired documents (like re-entry permit) able to take Airindia flight to USA in phase 1 and phase 2. I did not know about phase 1 but when I tried to book in phase 2 as soon as I saw alert from US Mission in india, they were all booked because they were all gone in just few hours.

Point is my re-entry permit of 1 year is expiring on next month on 17th June.

Has anybody with expired re-entry permit was allowed to board these flights? I think i will be in some trouble if there are no flights before 17th June and my re-entry permit expires.

Sach

[R78]

The right to admittance lies with CBP (if within a reasonable time, considering these extraordinary times).....that's assuming you can get a flight, come to the Port of Entry, then plead your case.

Airlines will almost not let you board the flight with an expired document as they can be fined by CBP (terms of carriage).

Also, AIR INDIA has made it very clear that only US Citizens, Permanent residents, OCI card holders and those holding a visa for atleast one year will be allowed to purchase these tickets.

[sach_nyc]

The right to admittance lies with CBP (if within a reasonable time, considering these extraordinary times).....that's assuming you can get a flight, come to the Port of Entry, then plead your case.

Airlines will almost not let you board the flight with an expired document as they can be fined by CBP (terms of carriage).

Also, AIR INDIA has made it very clear that only US Citizens, Permanent residents, OCI card holders and those holding a visa for atleast one year will be allowed to purchase these tickets.

How is Air India handling Re-entry permits? My green card is obviously not expired. I am sure there are people trying to get these flights since march and they have expired docs

[sach_nyc]

I talked to Air India and they said I should have a letter from US embassy to allow boarding after expiration of re-entry permit but when I emailed US embassy I got automated reply with a highlighted point : The embassy and consulates cannot verify passengers wishing to depart on Air India flights"

[R78]

How is Air India handling Re-entry permits?
>>> Exactly the same way as they would with other documents. Look for the issue / expiration date.

My green card is obviously not expired.
>>> Your Permanent Resident Card becomes technically invalid for reentry into the United States if you are absent from the United States for 1 year or more. That's why re-entry or returning resident permits are to be applied for & approved before you begin your travel to the US.

A re-entry permit, tells the CBP officer to consider you for admittance in almost all cases, is not an issues unless you have other disqualifying reasons.
CBP officers have some flexibility in admitting people based on internal memo's considering the Covid situation. However, it is a big risk to travel using your green card & expired re-entry permit (when in fact you know it is technically invalid).

Why can't you apply for an SB-1 (returning resident visa) at the US consulate when it opens and then travel ?

US Embassies / Consulates won't issue special letters to people. You file a form (in your case SB-1) and upon approval travel to the US.
This is no different than being a US citizen with an expired passport in India. They need to file and get an emergency passport before boarding a plane.

[sach_nyc]

Why can't you apply for an SB-1 (returning resident visa) at the US consulate when it opens and then travel ?

US Embassies / Consulates won't issue special letters to people. You file a form (in your case SB-1) and upon approval travel to the US.
This is no different than being a US citizen with an expired passport in India. They need to file and get an emergency passport before boarding a plane.

I have read online that SB-1 takes lot of time and is lot of trouble. many people here have described it as "high bar". It looks like subjective and depends on consular officer while obtaining emergency passport is not subjective.

[similarbmk]

Unfortunately, getting from one country to another with expired documents is impossible. The customs officers will not let you through, so you must renew your documents or make new ones. I try to do my documents on time to avoid such problems. I fly quite often and have never had any problems with documents. I started to fly private planes more often because it saves me a lot of time. Moreover, I use a private jet charter cost estimator to determine the flight cost in advance. When traveling by private plane, I clear customs faster.