Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI)

Very straight forward. First, apply for the surrender certificate at Vfs. Once you have that in hand, apply for OCI.

thanks shajacksha... i am still confused ...so where does it online bit comes in .. are you saying ...
1)do register online ..part a
2) print off the application where i need to fill part b by hand and send that to vfs along with all the required docs
3) they will send the SC to my address
4) taking the sc & go to hci and apply for oci...

is that what you are saying .....
is there any format for surrender indian passport ?

wp112010 wrote:thanks shajacksha... i am still confused ...so where does it online bit comes in .. are you saying ...
1)do register online ..part a
2) print off the application where i need to fill part b by hand and send that to vfs along with all the required docs
3) they will send the SC to my address
4) taking the sc & go to hci and apply for oci...

is that what you are saying .....
is there any format for surrender indian passport ?

I think you are mixing up the two process:

The Surrender Certificate is your first step.
You will have to first surrender your Indian passport at any of the VFS office and obtain the Surrender Certificate, before you can apply for OCI, look at the link below for further details on the procedure.

http://in.vfsglobal.co.uk/surenderind_pass.html

thanks krish.venugopal...i know i am confused terribly...
where is that online bit coming in ..where i have to register
https://passport.gov.in/oci/OnlineOCIRegistrationG.jsp

these online register , vfs and hci ..these 3 are confusing me ...also any format for surrendering passports ?

wp112010 wrote:thanks shajacksha... i am still confused ...so where does it online bit comes in .. are you saying ...
1)do register online ..part a
2) print off the application where i need to fill part b by hand and send that to vfs along with all the required docs
3) they will send the SC to my address
4) taking the sc & go to hci and apply for oci...

is that what you are saying .....
is there any format for surrender indian passport ?

No, first and foremost, you need to have your Indian passport surrendered. This is done through VFS global. You can download the form (it's only one page, very quick) and send it to Hayes, Middlesex (You can see all the info http://in.vfsglobal.co.uk/surenderind_pass.html.

Then you need to wait for them to post your Surrender Certificate along with your Indian passport (which will be cut in the corners and stamped with "Acquired British/Foreign Nationality")

Once you have got that, you can register online for OCI (link which you gave) - this application is NOT done through VFS, but through one of the Indian consulates (London, Birmingham, Edinburgh)

wp112010 wrote:thanks krish.venugopal...i know i am confused terribly...
where is that online bit coming in ..where i have to register
https://passport.gov.in/oci/OnlineOCIRegistrationG.jsp

these online register , vfs and hci ..these 3 are confusing me ...also any format for surrendering passports ?

Sorry I just saw the later posts.

You need to surrender your Indian Passport FIRST (nothing to do with OCI application). the way you do this is NOT by registering online - it is done by filling in a form which you download and fill in BY HAND.

And then you wait for the certificate to be posted to you (make sure you include an SDE in the application so they can use it to send it to you)

It is THEN you can register online for your OCI application and proceed further with the OCI application.

YOU NEED TO SURRENDER YOUR INDIAN PASSPORT BEFORE DOING ANYTHING ABOUT OCI.

Thanks modasu...you are a star...sorry it took sometime for me to understand this process....Thanks again

Now that I have got the Surrender Certificate in hand, I am now onto the next step, i.e. applying for OCI. Have a few questions:
1. First I have to register myself for OCI at the site https://passport.gov.in/oci/OnlineOCIRegistrationG.jsp - there's one question there that confuses me a bit... "Previous nationality" - surely this is India?
2. Do I click the SUBMIT button once I have filled out this form?
3. The form mentions Part-B - where is this? Will this appear once I have submitted Part-A?
4. The form also states "Completed application in Part-A and Part-B are to be submitted to the appropriate office." - does this mean we need to print out Part-A also? I thought we just submit this online?
5. Finally, it seems all documentation is required in a set of two. Does this apply to these forms Part-A and Part-B also?

Sorry if these points are fairly obvious to some of you, but I just wanted to make sure I follow the correct procedure, hence these questions.

Thank you in advance.

in-london wrote:Now that I have got the Surrender Certificate in hand, I am now onto the next step, i.e. applying for OCI. Have a few questions:
1. First I have to register myself for OCI at the site https://passport.gov.in/oci/OnlineOCIRegistrationG.jsp - there's one question there that confuses me a bit... "Previous nationality" - surely this is India?
2. Do I click the SUBMIT button once I have filled out this form?
3. The form mentions Part-B - where is this? Will this appear once I have submitted Part-A?
4. The form also states "Completed application in Part-A and Part-B are to be submitted to the appropriate office." - does this mean we need to print out Part-A also? I thought we just submit this online?
5. Finally, it seems all documentation is required in a set of two. Does this apply to these forms Part-A and Part-B also?

Sorry if these points are fairly obvious to some of you, but I just wanted to make sure I follow the correct procedure, hence these questions.

Thank you in advance.

1) If you were previously Indian and are now British, then yes you need to state that your previous nationality was Indian. (For example, I didn't answer that question since I was born in the UK, so I have always been British)
2) Yes
3) Part B will automatically print out along with Part A when you click submit. Make sure you have your printer on and have several sheets in it.
4) Yes you need to submit Part A as well as B, they will both print together like I mentioned.
5) Yes it does. You will need ALL the documentation in TWO copies. This includes Part A + B of the form. So make sure you print two copies (or one, then photocopy it), then all the supporting documents (x 2, self-attested) which each of the two copies of the form. Part A is the part where you will have the square to stick your photo on.

modasu - Thank you very much. That's very clear!

I would be thankful if someone can help me on this as I have tried calling up the Indian Consulate in Edinburgh but I have not been succesfull in getting through to discuss my situation.
I have submitted my Indian Passport and I am awaiting to receive the surrender certificate,
My child who was born in UK has already has the British Passport 1 year ago, my child didnt have an Indian passport as she was born after I and my wife received the ILR.
Now can I apply for the child's OCI card along with my application, my wife still holds the Indian Passport.
Another main point is that I have not done a name change on my wife's passport after our marriage, and I have not applied for any PIO for my child as we have not travelled to India in the meantime, any guidance as how to proceed would be highly appreciated.

Regards,

HI,
I HAVE APPLIED FOR OCI ON THE 4 OF OCTOBER 2010,AND I REGUARLY CHECK ON THE ONLINE ENQUIRY FORM TO SEE IF THE PROCESS IS COMPLETED,BUT ALWAYS IT SAYS "UNDER PROCESS".iT HAS BEEN 5 MONTHS NOW,I VE SENT AN EMAIL AND TRIED ON DIFFERNT NUMBERS TO CONTACT THEM,BUT THEIR IS NO REPLY AND THEY DON'T PICK UP THE PHONE,MY DAUGHTER HAS RECIEVED HERS ON jANUARY,AND ME ,MY HUSBAND AND MY SON ARE YET TO RECIEVE,pLS ADVICE ON WHAT I CAN DO

carryon wrote: Now can I apply for the child's OCI card along with my application, my wife still holds the Indian Passport.

As long as one of the parent is a foreign national, you in this instance, you can apply for you child OCI along with your application.

ELBIN007 wrote:HI,
I HAVE APPLIED FOR OCI ON THE 4 OF OCTOBER 2010,AND I REGUARLY CHECK ON THE ONLINE ENQUIRY FORM TO SEE IF THE PROCESS IS COMPLETED,BUT ALWAYS IT SAYS "UNDER PROCESS".iT HAS BEEN 5 MONTHS NOW,I VE SENT AN EMAIL AND TRIED ON DIFFERNT NUMBERS TO CONTACT THEM,BUT THEIR IS NO REPLY AND THEY DON'T PICK UP THE PHONE,MY DAUGHTER HAS RECIEVED HERS ON jANUARY,AND ME ,MY HUSBAND AND MY SON ARE YET TO RECIEVE,pLS ADVICE ON WHAT I CAN DO

Has your photo/signature been scanned? Did you apply in London?

shajacksha wrote:

carryon wrote: Now can I apply for the child's OCI card along with my application, my wife still holds the Indian Passport.

As long as one of the parent is a foreign national, you in this instance, you can apply for you child OCI along with your application.

Thank you for your advice, have a good day

modasu wrote:

ELBIN007 wrote:HI,
I HAVE APPLIED FOR OCI ON THE 4 OF OCTOBER 2010,AND I REGUARLY CHECK ON THE ONLINE ENQUIRY FORM TO SEE IF THE PROCESS IS COMPLETED,BUT ALWAYS IT SAYS "UNDER PROCESS".iT HAS BEEN 5 MONTHS NOW,I VE SENT AN EMAIL AND TRIED ON DIFFERNT NUMBERS TO CONTACT THEM,BUT THEIR IS NO REPLY AND THEY DON'T PICK UP THE PHONE,MY DAUGHTER HAS RECIEVED HERS ON jANUARY,AND ME ,MY HUSBAND AND MY SON ARE YET TO RECIEVE,pLS ADVICE ON WHAT I CAN DO

Has your photo/signature been scanned? Did you apply in London?

YES,IT SAYS PHOTO/SIGNATURE SCANNED ON 29 NOV 2010,AND I APPLIED IN LONDON PASSPORT OFFICE.

ELBIN007 wrote:

modasu wrote:

ELBIN007 wrote:HI,
I HAVE APPLIED FOR OCI ON THE 4 OF OCTOBER 2010,AND I REGUARLY CHECK ON THE ONLINE ENQUIRY FORM TO SEE IF THE PROCESS IS COMPLETED,BUT ALWAYS IT SAYS "UNDER PROCESS".iT HAS BEEN 5 MONTHS NOW,I VE SENT AN EMAIL AND TRIED ON DIFFERNT NUMBERS TO CONTACT THEM,BUT THEIR IS NO REPLY AND THEY DON'T PICK UP THE PHONE,MY DAUGHTER HAS RECIEVED HERS ON jANUARY,AND ME ,MY HUSBAND AND MY SON ARE YET TO RECIEVE,pLS ADVICE ON WHAT I CAN DO

Has your photo/signature been scanned? Did you apply in London?

YES,IT SAYS PHOTO/SIGNATURE SCANNED ON 29 NOV 2010,AND I APPLIED IN LONDON PASSPORT OFFICE.

It could be because your photo was rejected. I remember reading something about it on the HCI website. If the photo is rejected, you have to send another one.

modasu wrote:

ELBIN007 wrote:

modasu wrote:

ELBIN007 wrote:HI,
I HAVE APPLIED FOR OCI ON THE 4 OF OCTOBER 2010,AND I REGUARLY CHECK ON THE ONLINE ENQUIRY FORM TO SEE IF THE PROCESS IS COMPLETED,BUT ALWAYS IT SAYS "UNDER PROCESS".iT HAS BEEN 5 MONTHS NOW,I VE SENT AN EMAIL AND TRIED ON DIFFERNT NUMBERS TO CONTACT THEM,BUT THEIR IS NO REPLY AND THEY DON'T PICK UP THE PHONE,MY DAUGHTER HAS RECIEVED HERS ON jANUARY,AND ME ,MY HUSBAND AND MY SON ARE YET TO RECIEVE,pLS ADVICE ON WHAT I CAN DO

Has your photo/signature been scanned? Did you apply in London?

YES,IT SAYS PHOTO/SIGNATURE SCANNED ON 29 NOV 2010,AND I APPLIED IN LONDON PASSPORT OFFICE.

It could be because your photo was rejected. I remember reading something about it on the HCI website. If the photo is rejected, you have to send another one.

HOW DO I KNOW IF IT IS REJECTED,BECAUSE ON THE ONLINE ENQUIRY IT SAYS SCANNED,AND ALSO MY DAUGHTER HAS RECIEVED HERS,IS THEIR ANY WAY I CAN CONTACT THEM

Hello,

I have applied for myself and my family on 07/04/2011 at HCI London in person. The status says following for all of the reference numbers:

Photo/Signature Scanned On 08-APR-2011
Registration Status Granted On 08-APR-2011
Documents Printing Status NOT PRINTED
Documents Dispatched to Concerned Mission/Office on NOT DISPATCHED
Documents Received at LONDON NOT YET

The photos were as per the requirements. In fact my wife used the same set of photographs for indian visa application a few days after the OCI application. She was granted indian visa without any problems.

I tried calling the HCI london. But nobody picks up the phone at their end. I have not yet received any replies to the emails I have sent to them.

We fill in our email address as part of the application form. Why can they not notify us with the status/issues with the applications? Can they not afford to drop an email for the GBP 167 they charge us?

Anybody, who is in similar situation, I'd like to know how you are proceeding with this. I'd also like to hear from anybody applied on 7th Apr or around that date with successful applications.

Thank you for reading this lengthy rambling.

ELBIN007 wrote:

modasu wrote:

ELBIN007 wrote:

modasu wrote:Has your photo/signature been scanned? Did you apply in London?

YES,IT SAYS PHOTO/SIGNATURE SCANNED ON 29 NOV 2010,AND I APPLIED IN LONDON PASSPORT OFFICE.

It could be because your photo was rejected. I remember reading something about it on the HCI website. If the photo is rejected, you have to send another one.

HOW DO I KNOW IF IT IS REJECTED,BECAUSE ON THE ONLINE ENQUIRY IT SAYS SCANNED,AND ALSO MY DAUGHTER HAS RECIEVED HERS,IS THEIR ANY WAY I CAN CONTACT THEM

Email: shettybn@nic.in.

You usually get a response the same day or day after. (I did anyway)

Why are you typing in capitals?

sachin_4646 wrote:Hello,

I have applied for myself and my family on 07/04/2011 at HCI London in person. The status says following for all of the reference numbers:

Photo/Signature Scanned On 08-APR-2011
Registration Status Granted On 08-APR-2011
Documents Printing Status NOT PRINTED
Documents Dispatched to Concerned Mission/Office on NOT DISPATCHED
Documents Received at LONDON NOT YET

The photos were as per the requirements. In fact my wife used the same set of photographs for indian visa application a few days after the OCI application. She was granted indian visa without any problems.

I tried calling the HCI london. But nobody picks up the phone at their end. I have not yet received any replies to the emails I have sent to them.

We fill in our email address as part of the application form. Why can they not notify us with the status/issues with the applications? Can they not afford to drop an email for the GBP 167 they charge us?

Anybody, who is in similar situation, I'd like to know how you are proceeding with this. I'd also like to hear from anybody applied on 7th Apr or around that date with successful applications.

Thank you for reading this lengthy rambling.

Hi,

In a similar situation:

Date Of Acknowledgment 11-APR-2011
Photo/Signature Scanned On 12-APR-2011
Registration Status Granted On 12-APR-2011
Documents Printing Status NOT PRINTED
Documents Dispatched to Concerned Mission/Office on NOT DISPATCHED
Documents Received at LONDON NOT YET

I was also a bit concerned, it now looks like there is a delay in processing times... I shall wait for a week more and then try and email them on the email provided by modasu.
Modasu - thanks mate... very helpful there.

Cheers

Thanks krish. Keep us updated with the progress.

Please accept my apologies. I made a typo in the email address.

It's: shettybn@nic.in

Mine is not printed too. Usually following the recent timeliness it should be printed in a day or two. Fingers crossed. Let us keep updated on the progress. My cousin did it from Chennai and he got it in a week or so recently.

I saw in a USA post, application from Houston was granted on 23mar but printed on 14apr. Since all OCI are processed in Delhi I suspect there is a delay. But if anyone other than us three applied during April and got it printed, then we should be a bit concerned.

sachin_4646 wrote:Thanks krish. Keep us updated with the progress.

Hi,

Checked this morning, looks like things are speeding up, my document status is now printed..

Date Of Acknowledgment 11-APR-2011
Photo/Signature Scanned On 12-APR-2011
Registration Status Granted On 12-APR-2011
Documents Printing Status PRINTED
Documents Printed On 21-APR-2011
Documents Dispatched to Concerned Mission/Office on NOT DISPATCHED
Documents Received at LONDON NOT YET

Now waiting for the rest of the process...

Cheers