New Zealand's Indian community wants the missing "pilgrims" to catch the next plane home.

In all, 36 Indian nationals who arrived in the country under the guise of being Catholic pilgrims on their way to Sydney for World Youth Day remain on the run.

They say they have been caught up in a New Delhi immigration scam. Three men have so far come forward, claiming they were promised residency in New Zealand.

Indian Association general secretary Veer Khar does not believe the Indian nationals are even Catholics and is not buying their immigration scam story. He says something fishy is going on as many of those on the run have traveled to Tauranga.

Mr Khar says they are trying to stay illegally in the country and the Immigration Service should be doing all it can to catch them. He hopes immigration comes down hard on them and sends them straight back to India, saying they are damaging the reputation of all Indians in New Zealand.

Indian NewsLink Editor Venkat Raman says it is highly likely the pilgrims have been duped by an Indian travel agent, saying he has been covering similar stories for the past three years.

Mr Raman says the missing "pilgrims" should catch the next plane back to India. He says they are extremely naive to think money can buy them residency in New Zealand. He says they should have known they would not be able go to a western country without proper documentation or secure employment.