OCI sticker

[indocan]

As per notice on most Embassy websites, the Government has done away with U-visa OCI sticker this year.

People who recently obtained OCI can you confirm if they are still pasting the OCI sticker in foreign passport? They still ask for foreign passport for OCI match up so I am wondering if they continue to put visa sticker in passport.

[milli]

As per notice on most Embassy websites, the Government has done away with U-visa OCI sticker this year.

People who recently obtained OCI can you confirm if they are still pasting the OCI sticker in foreign passport? They still ask for foreign passport for OCI match up so I am wondering if they continue to put visa sticker in passport.

They still do and you still need the OCI reissued unless the applicant is 21 to 49 years of age.

[indocan]

They still do and you still need the OCI reissued unless the applicant is 21 to 49 years of age.

Thanks; did you get your OCI recently?

But makes no sense why GoI is still putting visa sticker when they did away with it.

[milli]

Thanks; did you get your OCI recently?

But makes no sense why GoI is still putting visa sticker when they did away with it.

In May

[zkm]

As per notice on most Embassy websites, the Government has done away with U-visa OCI sticker this year.

People who recently obtained OCI can you confirm if they are still pasting the OCI sticker in foreign passport? They still ask for foreign passport for OCI match up so I am wondering if they continue to put visa sticker in passport.

I just received OCI cards for my daughters today (September 28th) from the Houston office. There was no U sticker on either passport, which had confused me as my OCI card (registered a few years ago) had a U sticker.

[indocan]

I just received OCI cards for my daughters today (September 28th) from the Houston office. There was no U sticker on either passport, which had confused me as my OCI card (registered a few years ago) had a U sticker.

That's strange because I know someone who picked up his mom's passport & OCI card just 2 days ago from Toronto. They affixed the OCI visa sticker in his mom's passport. I saw the OCI visa in his mom's passport.

[bibble]

That's strange because I know someone who picked up his mom's passport & OCI card just 2 days ago from Toronto. They affixed the OCI visa sticker in his mom's passport. I saw the OCI visa in his mom's passport.

My wife received her OCI today and there is no U Visa sticker in it. The strange part is OCI booklet does not mention "lifelong" on page with picture on it, however, there is this line printed on Pg 3 "Grant of multiple entry, multi-purpose life long visa to visit India". I assume this should be OK but not sure how US Officials view this, no Visa sticker but just a booklet with no mention of expiry of the OCI Card. We will know soon.

[indocan]

I got my daughter's OCI today. They affixed the U-visa sticker in her passport.

[wayward]

My wife received her OCI today and there is no U Visa sticker in it. The strange part is OCI booklet does not mention "lifelong" on page with picture on it, however, there is this line printed on Pg 3 "Grant of multiple entry, multi-purpose life long visa to visit India". I assume this should be OK but not sure how US Officials view this, no Visa sticker but just a booklet with no mention of expiry of the OCI Card. We will know soon.

How does saying "Grant of multiple entry, multi-purpose life long visa to visit India" help. Eligible for visa means visa has to be there somewhere?? Or is it granted? By virtue of what? Wheres the proof?
Does anybody know what is to be really expected? I got OCI for myself, wife and infant child in August from Chicago consulate.

Neither the US passport nor the OCI booklet has the U-Visa sticker. There isn't simply anything to suggest those as valid entry authorization to FOREIGN OFFICIALS. Indian immigration may recognize it- once you get to India. Not sure how other countries' officials understand it.

[bibble]

Apparently this is what is expected. From CKGS OCI Page -

<quote>
Vide circular No. 26011/06/2015-OCI dated 29th January, 2015 of Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, all immigration authorities in India will not insist on production of the foreign passport containing the 'U' Visa Sticker in the case of OCI Cardholders while they enter / exit India and the immigration clearance will be granted based on production of the 'OCI CARD ONLY'.
<\quote>

I agree Indian Officials are probably directed on this new procedure but not sure how do other countries view this. Heck, even Airlines insist on seeing your Visa before letting you board their plane. My daughter got US Passport with U Visa sticker in it from NY Consulate in Aug, while my wife got no U Visa sticker from CGI Chicago in Sep. Absurd but expected, depends on the mood of the official dispensing OCI that day. Anyone has any experience travelling to India with OCI Card only?

[visak]

Existing U visa stock at consulates has to be exhausted, until then they will place U visa sticker for OCI. That is why you are seeing some consulates are affixing U visa sticker and some not.
Having U visa sticker or not in passport has nothing to do with your travel on OCI. You would need OCI card, current passport and passport that was valid when OCI card was issued and it's number is on OCI card.

[bibble]

Existing U visa stock at consulates has to be exhausted, until then they will place U visa sticker for OCI. That is why you are seeing some consulates are affixing U visa sticker and some not.
Having U visa sticker or not in passport has nothing to do with your travel on OCI. You would need OCI card, current passport and passport that was valid when OCI card was issued and it's number is on OCI card.

Here is an instance - We walk up to Airline counter in US and present our US Passports & OCI Cards and they check on the "Visa" to see if we should be even allowed to board the plane. 2 Passports have U Visa sticker in it but 1 Passport does not. Agreed that "OCI CARD ONLY" should legally be OK, however, how does an airline employee view this? This is the reason I am asking if anyone has traveled recently with no U Visa sticker but OCI Card only? Instead of speculating I would be satisfied to hear someone's experience.

Also, just because you have a stock of Visa stickers sitting in your Consulate does not mean you stick them when they are legally not required anymore; this creates confusion as it goes contrary to the law. Shred them instead!

[wayward]

Here is an instance - We walk up to Airline counter in US and present our US Passports & OCI Cards and they check on the "Visa" to see if we should be even allowed to board the plane. 2 Passports have U Visa sticker in it but 1 Passport does not. Agreed that "OCI CARD ONLY" should legally be OK, however, how does an airline employee view this? This is the reason I am asking if anyone has traveled recently with no U Visa sticker but OCI Card only? Instead of speculating I would be satisfied to hear someone's experience.

Also, just because you have a stock of Visa stickers sitting in your Consulate does not mean you stick them when they are legally not required anymore; this creates confusion as it goes contrary to the law. Shred them instead!

I totally agree with you. I am very interested to know this answer as well. We have a trip coming up in November with layovers in Europe. Earlier when the kids had PIO, they would stamp it "Holder of this card is entitled to visa free entry". Now there is nothing. Talk about convincing airline employees/immigration guys of different continents.

I guess at the end of the day, the bottom-line is..their work culture will not change... they stamp when they do, they don't when they don't. I guess they believe they dont owe you any explanation.

[indocan]

I traveled from Canada to India just 2 months ago in August with a brief stopover in Belgium.

My OCI U-visa sticker is in my old expired passport. Although I was carrying my expired passport with me, I presented only my current valid passport and OCI booklet (referencing the old passport number) to the airline and immigration check post in India. I did not present my old passport containing U-visa sticker as I wanted to see if anyone would ask to see it. Neither the airline staff (in Canada or Belgium) nor the immigration officer in India asked to see the old passport containing U-visa. I was granted clearance based on the OCI card only.

As far as the airlines are concerned, their staff usually have to refer to IATA's database in order to determine entry requirements for the final destination country. Following is what it says if the traveler's final destination is India:

The following are exempt from holding a visa:
Holders of an Overseas Citizen of India Card or Booklet.
Holders of a Person of Indian Origin (PIO) Card.
U visas are no longer issued to those who have been granted Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) status. Passengers with OCI status will not be required to show a "U" visa. Passengers who have renewed their passport since obtaining OCI status are also not required to travel with their original passport. Furthermore, Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) Cards are no longer being issued. PIO cards currently in circulation are considered to have the same status as an OCI card/booklet. Those with PIO status are advised to convert their PIO status to OCI status.