Jot18

9 minutes ago, Su_123 said:

Is there a way to expedite OCI? And what is the current processing times for OCI card?

Not possible. The only other way is emergency visa. Currently the processing time is 6-8 weeks for OCI.

58 minutes ago, Kas111 said:

Hello all, 

 

I’m planning to travel to india from US in March this year . My son is an US citizen- he will be 6 months old in March. I’m Indian citizen, with conditional Green card. My question is I read India doesn’t allow foreign nationals on travel visa - current covid restrictions. 
can someone please help on the other available options I can choose to take my son along with me ? OCI card takes longer 

You can apply for emergency visa which is really for emergency purpose...the other option is OCI and it currently takes 6-8 weeks to get OCI. You should hopefully get it by March if you apply now.

46 minutes ago, Anynonmus said:

I keep calling them , they are no answering or replying any email. My consulate is in SF

My consulate is SF as well. I even emailed VFS and they told me to contact Consulate and I contacted them and they never responded. On the consulate website it lists the fees and stated the money order must be made to VFS but VFS had nothing to do with emergency visa. This was while ago.I just ended up applying for OCI last month. Here's the link: https://www.cgisf.gov.in/page/emergency-visa-instructions/

2 hours ago, Anynonmus said:

Hi,

 

We have received the NVC approval-DQ, last year June 1st and till then we are waiting for the interview letter. Our embassy is in Mumbai india. 
 

I am US citizen and I filled petition of my wife. I am thinking to visit india as it is taking long time. I have valid (till December 2028) T-1 tourist visa of India, can I travel on the visa to india? 
 

please help on this.

 

thanks 

Tourists/visitors are banned at this time. Only OCI holders can visit India at the moment.

4 hours ago, N400nov said:

VFS add new customer form is so confusing. Which passport number and it’s expiry, they are asking? Indian or Foreign? Later down they ask “expiration date of most recent Indian passport”. 

I believe in the top one you fill out your current passport info and bottom mentions Indian so do that there.

On 12/31/2020 at 12:00 PM, rmpate8q said:

Questions - 1) where to upload digital copy of the passport picture? 2) does the application with ARN number need to be signed in two places? - there is a spot for signature in two different places as well a spot for the picture to attach.  Thanks in advance!!

For #1 I don't believe you have to upload any pic. Just affix to the application.

#2 are the signature boxes under the photo and one in 2nd page? I would just sign it where ever it asks.

59 minutes ago, N400nov said:

Does all the copies of documents needs to be notarized?

Double check your checklist. It depends on your checklist what needs to be notarized.

55 minutes ago, vkrishn said:

I did OCI for myself and for my daughter in 2018 and 2019 and boy it was the most tiresome process. Need to to go government of India website and it will not work sometimes. If you decide to come back and finish it later it will not find your application so had to do it in one go. 

 

I wish i could get hold of the Einstein who devised this process of going to two different locations and filling up stuff but this has been the most difficult process and paperwork i had to do. 

 

I will be starting OCI in few weeks (once renunciation certificate comes through) for my wife and really not looking forward to it. 

 

I needed a nice chilled Beer after sending an application out last time and expect the same this time as well. 🙂

This one was easy. It took me less than 30 mins for everything. The only trouble I had was at the uploading docs stage as the site wouldn't accept it and had to try it when it was daytime in India due to some server issues.

1 hour ago, chamanlala said:

Hi folks, wanted to know if my parents can travel to India if they took the covid 19 vaccine already? They are health care workers and took the 1st dosage. Will take the 2nd in end of Jan. 
Once they get the 2nd dosage, can they travel to India with valid tourist visa? for proof of shot, they were given a card that shows the batch # (or something like that). 

 

All tourist/visitors are banned at this time. Only OCI holder or indian citizens can travel. There is another few categories that are allowed check the consulate website.

1 hour ago, HunnyBunny said:

Hello everybody,

I am almost at the end of my immigration journey. I just received my US passport yesterday. Now I am trying to go to next level, renunciation of my Indian passport/citizenship. I have been trying to fill the application online with the service provider VFS Global website. I am getting stuck on next page where it says "Add Customer". It's little confusing. The first thing its asking me is Govt Reference Number (ARN). WHERE DO I FIND THIS NUMBER? If anyone is able to help me with this, I would be able to go to next step in my application.  Thank you in advance.

 

https://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/754279-surrender-and-renunciation-of-indian-citizenship-guideupdated-25th-dec-2020/

7 hours ago, Hamilton said:

Thanks for this! Just wondering, how quickly do you have to file to surrender the passport after acquiring US citizenship? Is there some kind of time window? 

Within 3 years otherwise you get penalty.

This is a guide on surrendering your Indian Passport after becoming naturalized US Citizen.

Step 1: Click this Link and click register. After signing up check your email and activate your account and proceed to login.

Step 2: After you have logged in click on the link where it says “Apply for Surrender of Indian Passport - Application for Passport Surrender Certificate After Acquiring Foreign Nationality/Renunciation of Indian Citizenship”, and fill the form. After completing and form, check for corrections and click validate. Then click home and the form will appear on the home page. Print that form.

Step 3: Create an account on VFS website or Login in here. After you have logged in click “Create a new application” and fill out the form. After click proceed, you will have to fill out another form. ARN # is the number you should have got after completing the surrender passport application on govt of India website. I can’t go beyond this step, but I think after paying the fees you are given a checklist to mail with your application and a receipt for your payment. All the different type of checklists required can be found Link under documents required tab.

Note: There is one more additional form that you must fill out based on your checklist. Do not forget to include that. The form can found on the same page as the checklist. Read the checklist thoroughly before mailing.

I hope I cleared all the confusions. If there is anything else that someone would like to add please post below.

This is a guide for OCI application process.

Step 1: Complete the basic questionnaire on this Link for OCI. After completing the questionnaire, it will show you the fees and click proceed. Then it will ask you to make an account for VFS website. After creating the account, check your email and activate the account. After activating the account, you are done with VFS.

Step 2: Go ahead and fill out the application on this Link. After you are done with application, review it then click submit. After that, it will ask you to upload a digital photo and signature. Click “Yes I am ready with the image.” The passport size photo that you will be sending with application must be uploaded here at this step. Also sign your name on a blank piece of paper and scan that as well and upload it at this step. Make sure to crop the signature so its fits in the box. Then, click “I have uploaded successfully” and proceed to complete the questionnaire by clicking “Proceed to Part-B”.

Step 3: After completing the questionnaire, click “Submit” and it will take you to a page where you must upload the mandatory documents in a pdf format. After you are done uploading click “Final Submit” and click “Generate Registration” and save that pdf.
 

Step 4: Go back to VFS website and Login. After logging in, Click “Create New Application” and fill out the form. I strongly recommend using online payment as its instant but it does come with a 3.5% charge. Then click “Add Customer” and fill out the form and submit. OCI Govt Reference Number was given at the end of the OCI application. Then Select the shipping method. I recommend VFS offered courier service as you’ll get the labels right away. Go ahead and put your address on the next page and pay the fees.

Step 5: After paying the fees, you will be given a checklist and receipt number. Make sure you print out the whole document which should be around 7 pages. Read through the checklist thoroughly and sign it then mail your application.

You must apply for renunciation of Indian Citizenship prior to filling out your OCI application.

Note: Do not affix any photos on the application. Just send 2 passport size photos with the application. Do not forget to include a prepaid label or $15 money order/cashier check for the return of your US Passport.

I hope I cleared all the confusions. If there is anything else that someone would like to add please post below

51 minutes ago, chamanlala said:

Does anyone know if its acceptable to take a photo and with a clear background from my phone and upload on the Govt Portal website during OCI process?

I was going to get passport size photos and scan, but its the same as taking a photo from my phone. 
 

Your photo must be same that you upload and send it with application. I recommend walmart  as it's only $7.44+ tax. Just scan that and upload it.

49 minutes ago, chamanlala said:

Hello, did you end up completing the application? if so, did you take passport size photo from your phone or scanned it and uploaded?

I applied for my sister around Nov 17. She took pics at local Walmart and we scanned it and uploaded online. However it was on hold due to some name differences in father's name.

22 hours ago, KCMO said:

OK. so now that i have received my US passport i just checked and found out this 

 

Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) Card

It is informed that CKGS is no longer the service provider for OCI services for the Embassy of India, Washington DC or its Consulates in Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, New York and San Francisco. The new service provider would start operations from 02 November, 2020 the details of which will be provided in due course. Till that time, the OCI services will remain suspended.

In case of any specific queries, please email to fsoci.washington@mea.gov.in

 

 

So i wait till next week and see which agency is going to handle this before beginning. 

 

 

VFS global is going to take over starting Nov 1

5 hours ago, Siddsgal said:

Thanks again!!! 
Maybe you’ll know the answer to this to. Do they make you go to a specific passport office for this clearance certificate? My husband is in Dombivli but when he submitted the PCC application online, they are showing they changed his RPO to one in Mumbai. He went to a local one for his passport so we aren’t sure if cuz he selected he needed this for “immigration other than citizenship” they make you go to a higher up RPO? 

Pcc is done at RPO only. Passport can be applied at local office.

8 hours ago, swissbuttercream said:

I need to apply for Renunciation and OCI, but saw this on the website - anyone know if we should hold off on applying right now?

 

CKGS contract with the Government of India is ending on October 31st, 2020. Thus, applicants only with the compelling reason are requested to contact the Indian Mission/post directly to apply for the Indian Passport, OCI, Renunciation, and Indian Visa.

CKGS website will not allow applicants to fill out any new application, w.e.f. October 14th, 2020 at 5pm EST.

Don't send your passport in middle of the transfer. Wait few weeks/months until they set up clear instructions. VFS global is new provider and will start Nov 2.

https://www.americanbazaaronline.com/2020/10/10/indian-embassy-in-us-changes-visa-services-provider-442712/

On 10/7/2020 at 9:49 AM, swissbuttercream said:

I'd like to know any useful information you can provide about supporting renunciation of US Citizenship as well as getting OCI.

 

https://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/743866-surrender-and-renunciation-of-indian-citizenship-guideupdated-17th-jul-2020/

14 hours ago, Peaceflex said:

According to their Twitter handle

 

The United States Embassy in New Delhi and Consulate in Mumbai remain closed for routine immigrant visa services at this time and are providing only emergency and mission-critical visa services to spouses (IR-1/CR-1) and children (IR-2/CR-2) of U.S. citizens. (1/2)

I believe they also started IR applications.

1 hour ago, orangeJuice19 said:

Hi I have lost my renunciation certificate which I now need in order to file for OCI. What are my options?

 

Thank you!

I applied back in 2015 and lost it as well. I reapplied in July this year and received it in about 2 weeks. I lost my passport as well that had the stamp for renunciation. Do you have passport with a stamp that reads "cancelled after acquiring foreign nationality"? If you have that, then it should work. Read my guide for instructions on applying. If you apply now, you will need to pay the fees and could also have to pay $250 extra if it's been over 3 years. It costed me close to $575 to certificate.

11 hours ago, B & H said:

No. My marriage certificate issued in India 18 years back has my maiden name. It is in English though.

Try sending docs with old name and new name. Include a letter explaining the situation and keep fingers crossed. However I believe name has to be same as it is on the Indian passport.

40 minutes ago, B & H said:

Hi Thank you all for your posts. It’s really helpful.

 

have a question regarding family name change to married name during naturalization. I changed my last name from maiden to married name but no change in first name. My naturalization certificate is printed with new last name. I did not get any other document for name change.

 

Now when I want to apply for Indian citizenship renunciation. They are asking for proof of name change. Not sure how to get that. Any one gone through this situation. Any help is appreciated.

Do you have marriage certificate that has your new name?

50 minutes ago, acha said:

@jot18 Thanks for getting back! hopefully they'll have a better website by then! 😄

You can apply now and I'll try to help if I can. Just post here I check forums on daily basis.

8 hours ago, acha said:

@Jot18 @Prads thanks for all your help!! I finally received my Renunciation Certificate! I wouldnt have been able to do this if it wasnt for your help!!!

I actually had a quick question on OCI thats if you have gone through the process and if you dont mind advising. Did you notarize any of the documents?  The instructions are so bad I can't figure this out. 

Haven't applied OCI yet. I already have 10 yr tourist visa. Will apply at some point and make a guide.

12 hours ago, RunTheRoad said:

@Jot18: I followed your guide, applied on Aug 9 and voila, my renunciation certificate will be delivered today. Just ten days! Thank you so much for this valuable resource. I wish someone would make this a pinned post. Now, to the other dragon: the OCI card. I just looked at their application process and it is so confusing and unclear. Do you have a similar guide for the OCI application too? Or can you point me to where I can find some guidance? Once again, thank you so very much for everything!

No guide for OCI yet but I tried doing the application while ago and it wasn't working due to a glitch on the site and I just gave up. I can try help you with any questions you have. I will apply for OCI at some point and try to make a guide but ATM my 10 year visa is still valid till 2025.