Foreign travel and visa agents in Chandigarh asked to submit documents within 4 weeks

“All the foreign travel/visa agents operating in the jurisdiction of UT Chandigarh shall provide their complete antecedent as prescribed in performa attached in writing to the office of Sub Divisional Magistrate of the concerned area for the purpose of information and verification of antecedents of their owners or operators or managers within four weeks from issuance of this order and those travel agents who are intended to operate shall get their antecedent verified within 4 weeks of starting of their business,” Singh said.

Chandigarh Deputy Commissioner Singh said some travel agents were allegedly cheating people on the pretext of the pretext of arranging their visas or managing their affairs related to sending them abroad and other related activities. The officer said some travel agents publish “misleading advertisements in leading newspapers and dupe the innocent people of UT Chandigarh and neighbouring states” and “after some time, they close their offices and run away from the city”.

“The unlawful and fraudulent activities of these travel agents can cause danger to human life, health or safety of general public. And whereas Vinay Pratap Singh, District Magistrate, Chandigarh, is of the opinion that some steps are warranted to keep a check upon the illegal activities of such travel agents so as to avoid any harm to the life, health and safety of the general public,” it said.

Singh said a travel agent is a person involved in “arranging, managing, or conducting affairs relating to sending persons abroad, or which arise out of the affairs of persons sent to a foreign country, except for carrying out the business of recruitment being governed under the Emigration Act, 1983 (Central Act 31 of 1983)”.

According to the order, it also includes those involved in processing applications for or related to the grant of passport or visa, or acting as an agent for a company, firm or bodies or entities for selling air travel tickets, and providing means of transportation for travel to a foreign country by land or sea.

They also provide consultancy visa services or guidance to those who want to go abroad to acquire education, go on a pleasure trip, get medical treatment, arrange cultural entertainment or musical shows, spread or preach religious ideas, and participate in sports tournaments or events. The order also included coaching institutes for the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), ticketing agents, and general agents.

“The SDM office shall maintain a record of travel agents operating in their jurisdiction. The SDM and SDPO of the concerned area shall ensure compliance of these orders by regular checking of travel agents operating in their respective jurisdictions,” said the order.

The Chandigarh police said they have received several complaints of fraud by immigration firms and travel agents who lure people in the name of sending them abroad in the past as well.