(Image source from: economictimes.indiatimes.com)

Around 16 Indian-Americans experienced miserable moments at the John F Kennedy airport on Sunday as they were not carrying their old passports along with the new passport and the valid OCI card. The Indian-Americans are said headed to New Delhi from the US and as the Air India which is a national carrier was not able to process their boarding passes as they were not carrying their old passports which were canceled, said officials.

The new temporary rules were made where in the passengers were requested to carry their old rejected passports whose number is mentioned in their Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) card.

The OCI card gives lifelong visa to the card holder and under its provisions, the individuals below 20 years and above 50 years of age has to renew their OCI cards each time they get their passports renewed. Though the provisions were extended till June 30, 2020, the OCI cardholders were asked to carry their old passports with them in order to fly to India.

The passengers were allowed to board the Air India only after an email was written to Air India by Chakravorty at the JFK Airport just minutes before the scheduled take off.

"I believe there are 16 Air India passengers who are not carrying their old passports. However, they are carrying valid US passports and valid OCI cards. You may please allow for boarding the aircraft. Indian immigration will allow them to enter the country," as written by Chakravorty wrote in the email.

People not being completely aware of the provisions regarding the OCI card leads to increase in the problems being faced by the India-Americans for their journey to India in the recent weeks.

By Shrithika Kushangi