Indian Visa for US Citizens not holding OCI card traveling to India

Blunder I made.

With the T-visa (Tourist visa) and the ticket to India, which I had from earlier this year, I reached the JFK airport on the morning of November 15th to catch my Air India flight, AI 102.

Staff, at the Air India check-in counter: "Sir, the travel to India on T-visa has been suspended for foreign nationals and those not holding OCI card."

I said: 'Well I have the T visa valid till 2025 and so I shall be allowed.'

Staff: 'No Sir, not allowed'

I go on the Indian consulate's website, found the details, and said to myself: 'I have made a blunder.'

I couldn't have called anyone because 15th November was a Sunday.

One of the Air India staff members reached out to me to change the date of my travel.

Not knowing by when I will be able to fly but having some confidence that it should not be that challenging, I got the date changed to November 20th.

Well, lesson learned, and now the only option was to get the visa.

Monday morning, I visit the Indian consulate and made an emergency request.

I cannot thank the officials at the Indian consulate enough and the visa was issued like a walk in the park.

The sad part of this whole episode is that I had to get another Covid19 test done and for which I paid extra money.

So, you see, how the US, my country of residence, became my layover :).