No Arrival Stamp

Nick-H

The OP needs to exhaust the airport management and FRO/MHA channels before thinking of approaching his embassy. The embassy may help if he finds himself in trouble; as I understand it, he is not yet in trouble.

(Sorry, Haylo... didn't read your previous post properly. You've pretty-much said this)

riddhip26

Thank you all for trying to help.

Here is an update on my adventure: I woke up early and headed back to the airport. I demanded to talk to the airport manager who showed up a hour later. I started talking to him in basic English. He didn't understand a word. [Just saying this to demonstrate how educated the people who work at an international airport are] Then I told him my problem in Gujrati. He said go to the Office of Police Commisioner because all forms one fills out are stored in records there. So my uncle and I headed there. We waited lets say another 5 hours before someone actully talked with us. Another hour went by, and we finally talked with the PA of the commisioner who said I have to write "an application" [a.k. a letter, lol] to the immigration office at the airport and go back there and I should be all set.
So another circle completed. I can bet a million dollars that once I go to the airport, they come up with some other bullshit.
And when I talk to these people, I can actully see their mouth watering and hungry eyes for money. Corrupted B******. I know not all people are like that, it's just the ones I meet. F sake.
The level of my tolerance had gone well below zero atm. I will heed to some of your advice and contact the US embassy. This is absolutely ridiculous.
The reason I came online is because no one in India seems to help. I thought I might as well visit the WWW.
It is a curse to be a citizen of another country when travelling to India.

And of course if a resolution does arrive, I will keep you all updated. No one should be in my position.

sash561

Are you sure about this? How did immigration let you pass this time if you had no departure stamp from your previous stay in india? It can be inferred that you exited the country illegally and thus liable for trouble at the airport itself.

riddhip26

I absolutely have no idea.
I called my family back in America to check on this. They all came with me back then. No one seems to have an departure stamp.

Either we are stupid or these people.

sash561

sorry mate, something doesnt add up. Hope you are not trolling.

Giving you the benefit of the doubt, please follow suggestions given to you by all.

riddhip26

What excatly does trolling mean?
and I am following one of your advice. I am on hold with the US embassy. Hopefully they will help.

sash561

let us know what the embassy folks tell you, good luck

riddhip26

To further prove your point: While I waited at the office of Police Commisioner today, a man working at the office pulls me aside and says your work will be done. You know how the stamp looks like [my grandmothers passport]. It will cost you 10 rupees to get a stamp made like that anywhere in Ahmedabad. I said no thankyou and left. Though it does mean like an easy way out. I will keep in the back of my mind as a last resort.

It is true. If you have money in India, impossible can be made possible.

sash561

I thought you were on hold with us embassy?

Nick-H

You know how PC support people, whatever your problem, ask you to re-boot your machine and call back? The equivalent here is the covering letter. Whatever forms you have filled in correctly, and documents produced as required, it is a great way to get you off their backs for today, at least, "Come back with a covering letter". Be ready with it, and watch the disapointment

riddhip26

the problem is i call. they tell me to wait. then a busy tone comes up.
and ends the call.

just loving my luck

shere

You got no relatives who havelinks with a local MLA, MP or senior police wala? If you do then get them involved, a few phone calls and you will soon be on your way back to USA.

riddhip26

Thats excatly what happened [unfortunately]

I took this letter explaining what the situation was back to the airport along with an printed out iternery of my trip on July 30. The guard at the door took it as an iternery of a travel happening today. So finally I made it inside the airport. I found the immigration police inspector. And handed everything in to him. He told me to sit down. I waited another 30 mins. Another person came and started asking me questions about my life in America. And I ended up telling him about a best friend of mine. This man turned out to be the uncle of my friend. He called him immediately and "ta-dah" i got a stamp of my arrival. He guy even gave me some tea.
So Thank you all here. I am heading back to US tomorrow!

BTW: the US embassy thing: i called him and it just kept ringing. Then it would hang up. I called back a few more times. Then finally some guy picked up who said he will transfer me to the U.S citizen department. I waited and the same guy answered back saying to give him my number, he will have them call me once they are free to do so. I am still waiting.

the moral of this story: check for an arrival stamp everytime you enter a different country. I was ignorant. I learned my lesson. Also, its good to have contacts of all sort and lots of money for bribe in India [pathetic as it may sound].

Glandith

What a story. Thanks for sharing your experience with us.

Glandith

Nick-H

You spent your entire time here trying to get an entry stamp?

Any way, congrats on getting the problem sorted