IMMIGRATION CONTROLS

1. Three years ago, as I was leaving for Japan, the Immigration Officer at Delhi airport noticed a small cut on one page of my passport and would not allow me to board the flight saying the passport has been tempered with - technically correct. I met with the Immigration Head who made an exception to allow me to take the flight but asked me to get a new passport on return which I did.
2. Two years ago, on arrival at Delhi Airport the Immigration Officer looked at me and my passport three times. I asked him if there was a problem? He asked me if it was my passport as I did not look 82 years of age. He let me go and I thanked him for his complement. 3. Last year when taking my flight from Austin, Tx I noticed a sign that persons above 70 yrs did not have to take off shoes for security purposes. So, I asked for that privilege, but security in charge replied it was meant for people above 70 yrs of age. She was shocked when I told her my age. She chatted with me for a few minutes and then told the security guys - 'no security check for him', a rare occurrence in USA.
4. Canada Visit. On one of my visits to Canada, I was asked by a young Immigration girl to step aside. After some scrutiny she let me go. However, I sought to meet with Immigration Head to whom I conveyed my objection of being profiled for a secondary check. His initial response was somewhat hostile and told me that valid visa does not necessarily mean I am entitled to enter the country. I told him that in that case he can send me back. He then cooled down to say I can write down a complaint and gave me a paper for that. I did not do that but reiterated my dissatisfaction. He then told me that the girl was a trainee and hence he will speak to her.
5. In 2008, I visited Philippines, Indonesia, and Singapore for researching Sikh immigrants. My lost stop was in Singapore to attend a seminar on Sikh Studies. I had valid visas for Philippines and Indonesia but had not obtained visa for Singapore as I was going to be there for less than 48 hours. At an earlier time when I was visiting USA, I had been told that I did not need a visa if my stopover was for less than 48 hrs. The Immigration Officer asked me to show him the Singapore visa when I told him that I didn't need one as my stay was short. He asked me to step aside and sent me to the Immigration Head. When he looked at my passport with so many travel stamps, he told me that 'no transit visa' is applicable when a passenger is travelling to USA with that country's valid visa and not for other visits. He was gracious enough to give me a transit via - gratis.

VISA TROUBLES

Indians and specially Sikhs are not welcome (fears about illegal immigration) and getting a tourist visa is a hassle. Once you show that you are rich, visa is issued. In most countries visa is issued for a very specific period based on itinerary. In some Latin American countries, tourist visas must be approved by their Home Depts - a lengthy process. Business visas are easier to get if one has a letter of invitation. Americans are welcome in most countries but not so the Indians. That is why the Communists of Bengal in 1960s had coined the following:
"Yankee go home.But take my son along"
1.Brazil Embassy, New Delhi 2006: The Embassy wanted to know why I was going to Brazil alone? My response: "Who goes to Copacabana beach with wife". Visa was promptly granted.
2. Bolivia Embassy, Buenos Aires 2006: I wanted to visit Bolivia and they do not have embassy in India. I had to apply for visa on arrival in Argentina. The girl at the Embassy was mesmerized by my turban and asked me to just sign on the application form as she would fill in the details and asked me to come in the afternoon to collect my passport with the visa. When I returned later, she was almost in tears as she said "Sir, there are no blank pages in your passport to stamp the visa". So, I had to get a new 10-year passport which Indian Embassy obliged me with - issued in Buenos Aires!
3. Visiting New Zealand 2006. When taking flight from HK to Auckland, NZ Immigration lady inquired about our purpose of visit? My reply: "To spend money". We got a big smile back and were asked to proceed.
4. Ecuador Visa: Because Khalistan Headquarters was first set up in Ecuador, Govt of India had insisted on my getting Police clearance.
5. Schengen Visa 2017: We applied for 4-week visa to Swiss Embassy enclosing my past travels. We were surprised with delight to get a visa for three years.