Jot18

37 minutes ago, musicalm said:

What did you end up doing, @allotherstaken?

 

This is a good question. I haven't applied for the e-visa yet as our travel plans have shifted out a bit, but will be doing so in the next month or so.

 

I am not sure what the answer is. I think I would have to go with the 'no' answer for 'Have you ever visited India before'? because I think only non-Indian citizens would 'visit' India, and if you were formerly an Indian citizen (like my wife), you would not be 'visiting' India when going to India. But I might be misinterpreting this. I don't think I could pick any of those visa categories as that is not correct for my application.

 

@Mike E and @Jot18 - Do you have any guidance on this question?

 

Also, do I need to have travel tickets purchased before applying for the e-visa? Since they ask for an arrival date (or can it be an estimate)?

 

Thanks

If you haven't had any previous visa for India then the answer is no. You don't need travel tickets for evisa ...it could be any date in the future 4 months. I just applied for my son's visa and it was issued under 12 hours...

4 hours ago, Akipog said:

My husband just got an interview scheduled for his US citizenship and has travel planned of March of next year. To renounce Indian citizenship/passport it says you have to have the US passport. Can he still travel on his Indian passport or is that considered a penalty even if he hasn't received a US passport yet and just got his citizenship? Depending on the interview decision, maybe we will just need to expedite it or apply to make sure it arrives before his trip. Just bouncing off ideas here, thanks!

Once you become a US citizen, you can't use the Indian PP. 

There is no specific template. Just write a affidavit stating why you didn't renew it. And get it notarized. Dont ever send your PP to Indian Consulate without the renunciation forms.

4 hours ago, musicalm said:

 

Thanks a lot for the quick response.

 

We were planning to apply for the certificate of renunciation and then OCI after we get back.

 

However, can we apply for a tourist visa without applying for the certificate of renunciation of Indian citizenship (since I read somewhere that you need to show proof of cancelled Indian passport to apply for a visa? My wife's Indian passport is not physically cancelled)

 

Also, are there any disadvantages to applying for a tourist e-visa over a regular tourist visa?

For regular visa you don't need to carry additional paper which you get with evisa... regular visa is stamped on the passport itself and requires you to send the passport. You can apply for renunciation concurrently with regular visa. I don't rmbr uploading renunciation with evisa but I highly recommend that you apply for renunciation when you apply for evisa. Once your wife returns, apply for OCI.

3 hours ago, Khan1231 said:

 Can someone pls confirm that just submitting stamp saying canceled due to acquiring foreigner cotizenship worked to get oci or u had to reapply and submit renunciation certificate 

If you have passport with that stamp then it's sufficient. You need either passport or the certificate.

11 hours ago, trinket said:

Hello, 

I am filling out the renunciation application on VFS global. I am a little confused on what does this option mean? 

What kind of stamp are they talking about? 

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks. 

If your passport doesn't have the stamp which says "cancelled due to acquiring foreign nationality" then you must chose the option without the stamp.

19 hours ago, AKN2 said:

Hello VJ family!

Can someone please tell me the exact address of Bangalore VAC dropbox for passport drop-off? Google is showing me 2 different locations - one at Gopalan Innovation Mall (JP Nagar) and the other at Prestige Atrium (Central Street) - and now I'm confused. 

Would really appreciate some help here.

Thanks a lot!!!

Here is the official list from US embassy website: https://www.ustraveldocs.com/in/en/drop-off-locations

19 hours ago, Immi_Matter said:

Where can I find this on OCI site? Can you please share. Thanks!

https://www.cgisf.gov.in/page/FAQs-R/#:~:text=A%3A A person of Indian,of acquisition of foreign citizenship.&text=A%3A A copy of your,documents while applying for renunciation.

17 hours ago, faithful12 said:

Hello, 

Looking for info on renunciation of Indian citizenship. I will do my Oath on June 21, 2023. 

- Do I apply US passport first? Yes you need to send copies of the US PP and fill the US PP number several times during the application process.

- How long does the renunciation process take? It takes about 3-4 weeks if everything is correct on the application.

- Do I need to apply for kids separately or is it included in our application ? You will need to apply for kids also if they held Indian PP. You don't need citizenship certificate for kids, your certificate will work for the kids aswell.

- What is the process and fees for renunciation? Fees are about $193 excluding shipping or other charges.

https://services.vfsglobal.com/usa/en/ind/apply-for-renunciation

 

 

Any advice appreciated. 

 

Thanks in advance! 

 

 

 

 

 

17 hours ago, Rin R said:

Hi,

 

I am not sure where I need to post this one.

 

I need to get a OCI card. 

I am currently a US Citizen, formerly born in India. I did my schooling/college in India before coming to US via immigration. 

 

But I don't have a Indian passport (possibly lost). Can I still apply for OCI card if I don't have the Indian passport in my possession?

 

Thank you

 

Yes, you can still apply if you can produce the documents listed below. You must also get renunciation certificate again if you lost your previous one.

14 hours ago, Immi_Matter said:

Hi @Jot18 Thank you for detailed steps on OCI. I became a US citizen recently. 

 

Can I apply for OCI a few days after submitting renunciation application?  Wondering if I need renunciation certificate copy for OCI application. 

What was the processing time for your citizenship renunciation and OCI?

You need to wait until you get certificate back. Because you need to attach renunciation certificate copy. I became US citizen back in 2015 and got the tourist visa. I only applied for OCI in 2020 because of the visa ban. I applied for my uncle recently beginning of oct and he just got his OCI 2 days ago.

13 hours ago, SandyR said:

We had our interview on June 17.  Status changed from Administrative Processing to Issued on June 22.  We have not received any tracking info.  Does anyone know if there is tracking info or does the passport just show up one day?  Not sure if the current status of the passport means it was picked up from embassy or awaiting pickup.  Does anyone have any insight?  Thanks much.

This is the status when put in passport tracking:  

Passport Status :

Passport has been received from the consular section, and is currently being processed for delivery

Your passport has been picked up by courier. It'll usually get delivered in 2-3 days & if you had opted for pick up, you'll receive another email. 

3 hours ago, nastra30 said:

You don't need I-797C to renew your Indian passport. You renew your Indian passport based on your Indian citizenship and not based on some US document.

That is partially incorrect. If anyone is renewing their passport in the USA, they must provide a proof for valid status in the US. Below is copy pasted from their renewal checklist.

Mandatory: VALID STATUS IN THE USA: Please submit the below documents as applicable, in Color – copy & Notarized (with Stamp and Notary signature;

- Valid Green Card,

- Valid Visa,

- EAD

- Valid I-797A Approval Notice,

- Valid Work permit/Study Permit, OR

- Recently expired Visa or I-797A Approval notice together with I-797C Receipt Notice for filing of a request for extension

before the expiry of Visa or I-797A. Notarized copy of proof of extension, If your B1/B2 is expired and have a receipt for

extension of stay or an approval for extension of stay.

- Notarized hotel bill - If the customer on L1/L3 staying in a hotel for a project for the past couple of months and don’t have

the address proof or state ID.

7 hours ago, Nitha said:

Anyone renewed US passport and got the old passport back? My husband renewed his passport and got the new one in mail 2 weeks ago. But didn't receive old passport which  has the OCI visa stamped .What should we do now? Can we get a new stamp on the new passport?

Yes, in most cases, we will return the old, canceled passport to you. The old passport may be sent separately from your new passport. We recommend keeping your old passport in a safe place as it is considered proof of your U.S. citizenship.

Read #8 https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/passport-help/faqs.html#:~:text=Yes%2C in most cases%2C we,proof of your U.S. citizenship.

Do you have a visa? Because the OCI is a separate booklet unless you got issued years ago when it used to look like a visa sticker.

46 minutes ago, ImminentImmigrant said:

Thanks for the quick reply. You're right, might as well just mail it in.

Could I ask you a follow-up question? The document checklist mentions needing to fill up and sign a renunciation certificate myself, and links to an online form on the VFS portal. Unfortunately, the link has expired. I have found a couple of variations of this form floating around, but they all look user-made. Would you know of any official "renunciation form" that needs to be filled?

The exact text, "TWO DULY FILLED AND SIGNED RENUNCIATION CERTIFICATE - ORIGINAL"

 

I believe that one is the one you fill up on govt of India website. Then you receive an email with an attachment for the form.

39 minutes ago, ImminentImmigrant said:

Is there any advantage to submitting a renunciation application in person at the Indian consulate, vs mailing in the documents? I happen to leave near the embassy in Houston so have that option, but wondering if it will actually speed things up or not.

The only thing I think you can gain is like a day or two in shipping. I don't think you can directly deal with the consulate. You have to go through VFS unless things are different for Houston.

2 hours ago, newvisa said:

In some places I have read doctors in India take a look at private parts and other cases it is not mentioned.

 

What exactly happened in your experience  ?

We came here in 2007 and not sure what's the case now. Back then they did check out privates. I was a kid back then.

23 hours ago, Blindian8793 said:

Hi,

I can't seem to find this information anywhere, so I decided to ask here.

 

Here's the situation:

I am a USC,  engaged to an Indian citizen living currently in Chennai (we began dating when he was in the US on the last leg of his student visa,  unsuccessfully being able to secure an H1B twice). We are looking to get married in India this year in the fall  so that we can finally begin the process of starting the CR1 visa process ( thanks to covid, we couldn't do so any earlier).  K1 is not an option because we would prefer that he continue to stay employed with our current employer so that he can just transfer to the States without losing seniority.

 

What we need to know is, if I am to get the tourist e Visa, would I be able to travel and  legally marry him without issue?  Will there need to be some special designation during my application process for the Tourist visa?  Or is there something else that I need to consider in order to enter India with the intent to marry?

 

The sooner we can get this information the better will be able to start the actual marriage and ceremony planning.

 

 

Thanks in advance!! 

 

You are more than welcome to marry on EVisa. However that's valid for 30 days only and I don't that can be extended so it'd be hard get all the paperwork done under 30 days due to wait times. My marriage certificate took 2+ weeks and that was few weeks before Covid started in India in 2020. You should apply for regular tourist visa through VFS.

7 hours ago, DRAS said:

Hi my fiancé is trying to get the PCC from a Passport center and they were asking for "Invitation letter from us or equal documents" - we filed for K1 visa which is now at NVC so we don't have an invitation letter (packet 3/4?) yet.

Can anyone help?

Normally they don't ask for anything for PCC. Did you choose the correct format when you applied on Indian PP website? I think it's called something like immigration other than citizenship....At most places for PCC, you have to go RPO and some can be done at Seva Kendra

1 hour ago, mmdude said:

Thank you so much Ashish. Can you point me to OCI / Government of India website that clarifies this?

I could not find any written confirmation. 

Previous statement is incorrect regarding the child by Ashish https://www.cgisf.gov.in/news_letter_detail/?id=30

7 hours ago, G_One said:

Thanks for the info...

Does it help in getting the Renunciation Document quickly if we take an appointment at the VFS Chicago office ? Did you send your uncle's documents by post for Renunciation ?

Yes we sent it by post on 1st Nov and rec'd acknowledgement email like 3 days ago. The visa application was also by mail and it took exactly 7 business days to get issued.

15 hours ago, G_One said:

 

"he rec'd his passport in 7 business days"  -- Which passport did he receive, the Cancelled Indian passport ?

 

My US passport as per the passport website says I will be getting in next 2 days so thats hopefully gets resolved soon.

But the regular 6 Months, 1 yr, 5 yr entry Visa is still not open for people of Indian Origin (Ex Indian passport holders) you mean ? 

except for emergency situations ?

I believe regular visas opened on Nov 15 but not the original 5 yr/10yr visas that were issued prior to Covid. My uncle hasn't recd cancelled Indian passport yet. Only recd US passport with visa. The renunciation is done through VFS and emergency visa application is sent directly to consulate.

5 hours ago, G_One said:

How would I get both the Documents together ? Do you mean I should apply for both the documents together (ie Entry Visa (of 1 yr or 5 yr multiple entry with 180 days of stay, not tourist visa) and Renunciation certificate) ? 

Entry visa is issued for 1 year and requires a real emergency for family member in India or if you are visiting spouse then just attach marriage certificate and a letter why you are going. I applied for my uncle and he rec'd his passport in 7 business days but his renunciation is still under process. It took VFS 2+ weeks to just send acknowledgement email for Renunciation. We applied for Renunciation and attached the payment receipt when we sent application for emergency visa. 

49 minutes ago, Tathastu said:

 

This is my conundrum. Wasn't aware about the Renunciation certificate being a necessary step for visa approval. I have just applied for this via SF consulate (notoriously slow), can't rely on them to process the certificate in time for me to apply for the entry visa. I wasn't aware you can apply for x visa at the same time. Can you please point me in the right direction to get this started? Also, my travel is in mid December, can I still apply for this category/ x/emergency visa? Thanks in advance!

X visa and entry visa is same I believe. I applied for my uncle last week. He had doctors note so you do need some kind of medical note for family member in India to qualify. His category on the visa sticker said x visa and when we applied we followed instructions for emergency visa. Just attach a medical note from someone family member from India and attach the receipt of the renunciation.

1 hour ago, G_One said:

 

Can we travel once we get the Indian Tourist/Visit Visa, without the Renunciation document (if it is applied and in process) ? 

If you apply for tourist/visitor visa, you will most likely get both documents together. However if you apply for emergency visa aka x-visa then just apply together and attach the payment receipt of Renunciation with visa application. That's what I did with my uncle's application. VFS hasn't even sent the acknowledgement email yet but he got his passport yday and went to India today. I'll let you once he reach India. You are not reqd to carry renunciation certificate while traveling.