Visa confusion leads to airport drama

From time to time, various Governments announce ease of visa facilities, including issue on arrival at entry points in their country.

Do not take these announcements for granted if you do not want to undergo the suffering and mental agony that I experienced recently at the Heathrow International Airport in London.

It would be advisable to check with the airline concerned in advance and perhaps even with the concerned High Commission or Embassy to ensure that the changes in visa regulations have been communicated to airport and airline officials.

I am New Zealand passport holder. I had booked on Virgin Atlantic flight VA300 from Heathrow to Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi on January 31, 2010.

I checked in at the Electronic check-in counter and proceeded for security and other pre-flight formalities.

I did not obtain a visitor visa in advance, since I had read a news item that all New Zealand passport holders will be given visitor visas on arrival in India on payment of $US60 with effect from January 1, 2010.

But I was told at Heathrow that I cannot board the flight since I did not have a visa.

I told an official at the immigration counter about the new Indian Government directive.

He said he had no information and that he would not be able to verify from the Indian High Commission in London since it was a Sunday.

“You can rebook you flight for tomorrow (February 1),” he said.

I was aghast at this suggestion because, apart from having to pay an additional charge of £120 plus excess fare, I stood to lose on all my flight and rail reservations and other bookings already made in India.

My husband Pradeep had already arrived in New Delhi from New Zealand and was looking forward to my visit.

I then approached another official at Virgin Atlantic, who insisted that I should apply for a visitor visa at the Indian High Commission the next day and that there was no guarantee it would be issued immediately.

He was rude and did not want to listen to me about the new directive.

“We do not have any communication from the Indian Government or the Indian High Commission and hence I cannot help you,” he said.

I booked a seat on another flight the next day but continued my efforts to travel on the same day (January 31).

This time I was successful, but not before a helpful official and my son in New Zealand searched for the relevant information on the Indian High Commission website to determine that I was speaking the truth.

“You are the first passenger travelling to India mentioning this new visa facility announced by the Indian Government,” she said.

I am not sure of the procedures to follow when such change in rules happens.  

Three hours of anguish and convincing helped me to board the flight.

The situation at the New Delhi International Airport was different.

A poster at the arrival lounge directed New Zealand passport holders (and nationals of Finland, Japan, Luxemburg and Singapore) where to go to obtain their visas.

The officials were efficient and professional.

I do not understand why the Indian High Commission in UK did not take steps to inform the concerned officials about the new visa facility.

I also do not understand why ordinary passengers like me should suffer for someone else’s mistake.

Suman Kapoor is Indian Newslink correspondent based in Hamilton. She is due to return to New Zealand later this month. Email: sumankapoor2002@yahoo.com