Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI)

apk123 · Post by **apk123** » Wed Feb 25, 2015 7:16 am

The new VFS website details the process for OCI application. Seems like they have gone live with OCI service. Does anyone know if I should be applying at HCI or VFS now?

emuser · Post by **emuser** » Wed Feb 25, 2015 8:49 am

Thanks a lot z18runway... with the url u gave, I am able to chk the status,..

the url I post was working 3-4 days ago... may be they changed the url slightly...

samkma · Post by **samkma** » Wed Feb 25, 2015 1:04 pm

apk123 wrote:The new VFS website details the process for OCI application. Seems like they have gone live with OCI service. Does anyone know if I should be applying at HCI or VFS now?

VFS has not gone live, just information posted before hand, which is good compared to HCI.
Applying directly sounds a better option till its available because:
1. You cannot send postal applications with VFS
2. There is a service charge of £7.94 per application
3. Return of passports must have seperate return SD envelopes - So 2 & 3 its going to cost to you more money.
4. Its not clear but I presume you will have to give your British passport when applying - so you are stuck in case of emergency travel etc.

varunadas · Post by **varunadas** » Wed Feb 25, 2015 3:19 pm

The fee is £7.44 per application.

You are right that VFS force you to provide individual envelopes for each passport even if it is a family application. It is a bit ridiculous but they say it is for security reasons

There will be an additional delay in OCI processing because of the middleman involved.

With HCI if there was an emergency you could speak to staff over there and they will process as an exception - this is lost with VFS.

I dropped an email to the HIgh Commissioner (I know he will not bother to respond) that the process is being handled in a unprofessional manner. Online appointment system has been taken down so you cannot book further for HCI appointments - tomorrow and day after forcing everybody to use VFS. Given that HCI will save money by outsourcing it should have been cost neutral for applicants but as it is with anything in this country - applicants have to suffer for the change.

z18runway · Post by **z18runway** » Wed Feb 25, 2015 5:58 pm

DELETED POST

aragon · Post by **aragon** » Thu Feb 26, 2015 10:28 am

Please find below OCI timelines for my kids application (2 kids)

Registration Mission : London
Application Method to HCI : In Person
Application made On : 28-01-2015
Date Of Acknowledgement (on website) : 28-01-2015
Documents Printing Status : Processed 18-02-2015
Dispatched From MOIA (OCI ) NEW DELHI On : 19-02-2015
OCI Document received At HCI On : 20-02-2015
Passport sent Via Royal mail On : 23-02-2015
Passport Received by HCI On : 24-02-2015
OCI stamped passports received On : 26-02-2015

Both of their British Passport got U sticker inside. Also, I only sent 1 return envelope for both of their passports and they used it to send all passports and OCI booklets in it.

rajesh9pl · Post by **rajesh9pl** » Thu Feb 26, 2015 11:29 am

Updates
Application made in Person to HCI London (2 Adults) : 27 Jan 2015
Received by HCI : 27 Jan 2015
Date Of Acknowledgement (on website) : 27 Jan 2015
Registration Status at Mission : London
Documents Printing Status : PROCESSED on 17-FEB-2015
Dispatched From MOIA (OCI) NEW DELHI On : 18-FEB-2015
Document received At LONDON On : 19-FEB-2015
Passport sent to LONDON Via Royal mail SD : 20-FEB-2015
Passport Received by HCI LONDON : 23-FEB-2015
OCI stamped passport received : 26-FEB-2015

They have sent a booklet (They call it Certificate of Registration) which is similar to our Indian passport and British passport contains a 'U' Visa sticker with validity LIFELONG and number of entries MULTIPLE.

Noticed signaure and seal of issuing authority is missing from both Passport and Booklet for me, its their on spouse OCI. I have sent them an email, lets see what they say. I have sent email to info.london@hcilondon.in, please let me know if you think I should have used some other email ID or contact differently.

This marks the end of my journey of immigtaion. It started exactly 10 years ago when I created my ID on Thu Feb 03, 2005 on this forum. This forum has been great source of information, help and support. Thank you all for all your help. Cheers!

dks100 · Post by **dks100** » Thu Feb 26, 2015 12:56 pm

Status Changed

dks100 · Post by **dks100** » Thu Feb 26, 2015 1:12 pm

dks100 wrote:Status Update
Registration Mission : Birmingham
Application Method to HCI : Post
Application made On : 12-01-2015 (2A + 1C)
Application Received by HCI On : 13-01-2015 (RM Tracking)
Date Of Acknowledgement (on website) : 20-01-2015
Original Documents Received On : 22-01-2015
Documents Printing Status/Processed On : 26-02-2015
Dispatched From MOIA (OCI ) New Delhi On :
OCI Documents Received at HCI On :
Passport Sent to HCI On :
Passport Received by HCI On :
OCI Stamped Passport Received On :

Yesterday I sent them e mail querying about status of my OCI and they replied today that normally it takes 10 - 12 weeks. When checked today I found that status is changed.

It looks like they are not updating website on time as this processing might have been done few days back and now they will manipulate further processing date.

Generally London is taking one and half months (Sometimes 1 month - Check the timeline of 'rajesh9pl') whereas Birmigham is taking minimum 2 and half months after web acknowledgement as appears from previous posting in this forum.

It does not make sense that New Delhi will process OCI application faster for those submitted at London although Web acknowledgement dates are same or later compared to OCI application submitted at Birmingham.

Rnivasub · Post by **Rnivasub** » Thu Feb 26, 2015 1:16 pm

I am not able to check the status.the page has not been working for me for the past 2 days.can somebody help me?
Thanks.

dks100 · Post by **dks100** » Thu Feb 26, 2015 1:18 pm

Rnivasub wrote:I am not able to check the status.the page has not been working for me for the past 2 days.can somebody help me?
Thanks.

Use the following link

http://passport.gov.in/oci/statusEnqury

dreamer645 · Post by **dreamer645** » Thu Feb 26, 2015 6:14 pm

Hi,

Quick question:

- Could i combine fees and just make one postal order? I am applying by post.
- Myself, wife and son (3 x £175)

I can't find anything on the website.

Thanks

neo.kap · Post by **neo.kap** » Thu Feb 26, 2015 11:29 pm

I will be applying for OCI along with minor born in UK(British by birth)?

What documents I need to submit for minor who is applying on the basis of parents indian origin.

samkma · Post by **samkma** » Fri Feb 27, 2015 9:14 am

dreamer645 wrote:Hi,
Quick question:
- Could i combine fees and just make one postal order? I am applying by post.
- Myself, wife and son (3 x £175)
I can't find anything on the website.
Thanks

You can but there is a £250 Max Value limit on Postal Order. So it's better £175 x 3 You pay £12.50 fee per PO.

rajesh9pl · Post by **rajesh9pl** » Fri Feb 27, 2015 1:29 pm

They replied saying I can come to their reception anytime between 10AM to 12PM on any working day. I went there this morning and got it done in 10 minutes. I am glad she apologised before handing over signed and sealed OCI. This time, I entered their office from Reception area, very quite and uncrowded.

rajesh9pl wrote:Updates
Application made in Person to HCI London (2 Adults) : 27 Jan 2015
Received by HCI : 27 Jan 2015
Date Of Acknowledgement (on website) : 27 Jan 2015
Registration Status at Mission : London
Documents Printing Status : PROCESSED on 17-FEB-2015
Dispatched From MOIA (OCI) NEW DELHI On : 18-FEB-2015
Document received At LONDON On : 19-FEB-2015
Passport sent to LONDON Via Royal mail SD : 20-FEB-2015
Passport Received by HCI LONDON : 23-FEB-2015
OCI stamped passport received : 26-FEB-2015

They have sent a booklet (They call it Certificate of Registration) which is similar to our Indian passport and British passport contains a 'U' Visa sticker with validity LIFELONG and number of entries MULTIPLE.

Noticed signaure and seal of issuing authority is missing from both Passport and Booklet for me, its their on spouse OCI. I have sent them an email, lets see what they say. I have sent email to info.london@hcilondon.in, please let me know if you think I should have used some other email ID or contact differently.

This marks the end of my journey of immigtaion. It started exactly 10 years ago when I created my ID on Thu Feb 03, 2005 on this forum. This forum has been great source of information, help and support. Thank you all for all your help. Cheers!

dreamer645 · Post by **dreamer645** » Fri Feb 27, 2015 6:00 pm

samkma wrote:
dreamer645 wrote:Hi,
Quick question:
- Could i combine fees and just make one postal order? I am applying by post.
- Myself, wife and son (3 x £175)
I can't find anything on the website.
Thanks
You can but there is a £250 Max Value limit on Postal Order. So it's better £175 x 3 You pay £12.50 fee per PO.

Silly me..Thanks
I didn't realize there was a limit on postal order....

Cheers

rajasekhar_you · Post by **rajasekhar_you** » Fri Feb 27, 2015 10:08 pm

I am also not able to check the status of OCI.
this link is not working from 2-3 days. http://passport.gov.in/oci/statusEnqury

where to check the status?? and i called the customer care, they are telling to check on the website as they also dont know the status??

z18runway · Post by **z18runway** » Sun Mar 01, 2015 5:21 pm

rajasekhar_you wrote:I am also not able to check the status of OCI.
this link is not working from 2-3 days. http://passport.gov.in/oci/statusEnqury

where to check the status?? and i called the customer care, they are telling to check on the website as they also dont know the status??

the link you have given is active, i just checked mine.

emuser · Post by **emuser** » Mon Mar 02, 2015 10:31 am

Application made in Person to HCI London(1 Adult) : 30 Jan 2015
Received by HCI : 30 Jan 2015
Originals verified and returned : 30 Jan 2015
Date Of Acknowledgement (on website) : 06 Feb 2015
Registration Status at Mission : London
Documents Printing Status : PROCESSED on 27-FEB-2015
Dispatched From MOIA (OCI) NEW DELHI On : 02 Mar 2015
Document received At LONDON On : Awaiting
Passport sent to LONDON Via Royal mail SD : Awaiting
Passport Received by HCI LONDON : Awaiting
OCI stamped passport received : Awaiting

emuser · Post by **emuser** » Mon Mar 02, 2015 10:33 am

rajasekhar_you, the link is working, I just checked my status.

passport.gov.in/oci/statusEnqury

if you look the url closley the word enquiry is mis-spelt in the url. Just copy paste the above url it should work.

rajasekhar_you · Post by **rajasekhar_you** » Mon Mar 02, 2015 11:26 am

yes the link works. thanks. actually i could only see the "Get Status" button on a big screen. on my laptop, i could not see and could not click the "Get Status " button.

Thanks. My baby OCI is now ready...all happies, now we can go for a long trip to India.

smlink3din · Post by **smlink3din** » Mon Mar 02, 2015 11:52 am

Final Update

smlink3din wrote: Application made in Person to HCI Birmingham(2 Adults) : 23 Dec 2014
Received by HCI : 23 Dec 2014
Originals verified and returned : 23 Dec 2014
Date Of Acknowledgement (on website) : 23 Dec 2014
Registration Status at Mission : BIRMINGHAM
Documents Printing Status : PROCESSED On 10-FEB-2015
Dispatched From MOIA (OCI) NEW DELHI On : 11-FEB-2015
Document received At BIRMINGHAM On : 17-FEB-2015
Passport sent to BIRMINGHAM Via Royal mail SD : 17-FEB-2015
Passport Received by HCI BIRMINGHAM : 18-FEB-2015
OCI stamped passport received : 28-FEB-2015

varunadas · Post by **varunadas** » Mon Mar 02, 2015 10:35 pm

Has anybody been to one of the VFS Centres for OCI ? It seems after paying an additional fees of £7.44 they are forcing people to use different envelopes for a family application - else threatening to send by normal post.

ak1031 · Post by **ak1031** » Tue Mar 03, 2015 10:14 am

I just came back after applying at Goswell Road VFS centre so I thought those who are stuck in a similar situation to let them know. I had booked an appointment for 5th March in Feb and the OCI application page allowed me to make a booking without letting me know that the process is being outsourced to VFS from 2nd. I got an email on Friday asking me to rebook at a VFS location convenient to me. I asked them for Goswell road but today I got their reply that they have booked me at Hounslow centre. I had called VFS yesterday on 02036958996 and they told me that I can just walk in for OCI. The online appointment system started working yesterday but the first appointment was for 17th Mar, so I decided to just queue up today.

I reached the centre at 8 and was third in queue for OCI. They had 3 counters and the process was faster and better than High Commission. They started letting people in a few minutes after 8, they called me to counter at half eight and I was done by 9. They did charge me £14.8 per person for sending the documents securely. Though if you can get your own royal mail envelope, they should be able to accept that (I didnt ask the lady at the counter but on phone they had confirmed this). So I guess it was &14.8, 6.2 (for VFS fees) and 1.4 (for SMS/Email) extra per person for the convenience.

Also there is no need to send passport for sticker, they will just send OCI booklet by post or we can collect it when its ready.

They just took British photo page copy, surrender certificate and naturalisation certificate for us and birth certificate and british photo page for our son.

Application made in Person to VFS Goswell road (2 Adults + 1 Child) : 3 Mar 2015
Received by HCI :
Originals verified and returned :
Date Of Acknowledgement (on website) :
Registration Status at Mission :
Documents Printing Status :
Dispatched From MOIA (OCI) NEW DELHI On :
Document received On :
OCI stamped passport received :

manimaran · Post by **manimaran** » Tue Mar 03, 2015 11:10 am

Hi ak1031,

Could you please let us know if you went alone or with your family to apply for OCI ?

Thanks,
Mani

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