Renunciation of Indian Citizenship - processing timelines

Finally, received Renunciation. Although there was no notification that it was going to be delivered today. The courier just turned up at the door unexpectedly.

Anyways, took awfully long for a simple process.. On to OCI now..

Phew!

Surrender Appt: 6-Jan-24
Surrender Certificate Received: 8-Jan-24
Renunciation appt: 23-Jan-24 at London-Goswell
Renunciation Tracker status: Still asks to submit documents (after 12 business days)
OCI appt: 06-Feb-24 (with renunciation payment proof)
OCI Tracker Status: Under process
Any suggestions on who I should follow up with to find out why renunciation application status hasn’t yet changed to ‘Received’ or ‘Under Process’. Is it with HCI or VFS? Could anyone share the right email address I can write to? Do they respond to emails?
Many thanks in advance.

I would email HCI directly, their email address should be available on their website. I could have shared HCIL email but as you haven't specified which HCI you submitted your application to, hence not sure.

It happened with my Renunciation application as well i.e. the status didn't change for 18 days, I emailed HCIL and the next day the status changed to 'Application Received' but I'm no sure if that was due to my email or it changed itself.

I have sent multiple emails to HCIL in past never had a response. I would not keep my hopes high.

DebOnline wrote: ↑

Sat Feb 10, 2024 6:17 pm

Surrender Appt: 6-Jan-24
Surrender Certificate Received: 8-Jan-24
Renunciation appt: 23-Jan-24 at London-Goswell
Renunciation Tracker status: Still asks to submit documents (after 12 business days)
OCI appt: 06-Feb-24 (with renunciation payment proof)
OCI Tracker Status: Under process
Any suggestions on who I should follow up with to find out why renunciation application status hasn’t yet changed to ‘Received’ or ‘Under Process’. Is it with HCI or VFS? Could anyone share the right email address I can write to? Do they respond to emails?
Many thanks in advance.

Appointment at CGI: 07/12/2023

CGI location: London- VFS Goswell

File Status: Application Received (Its been at this status since more than 2 months now)

Receipt of Renunciation: Still Awaiting

I have emailed them and also put on Twitter but no progress. This is a bit ridiculous as you can’t get your OCI until this arrives.
Reading the thread, feels like Birmingham people are getting it within the time frame but London is in shambles!

I did my renunciation as Goswell as well (not long after yours), I was told it will take around 2 months but in reality it seems to be taking 3 months and then a month after that for OCI.

This whole process does really checks your patience haha!

dsinha wrote: ↑

Sun Feb 11, 2024 9:42 pm

Appointment at CGI: 07/12/2023

CGI location: London- VFS Goswell

File Status: Application Received (Its been at this status since more than 2 months now)

Receipt of Renunciation: Still Awaiting

I have emailed them and also put on Twitter but no progress. This is a bit ridiculous as you can’t get your OCI until this arrives.
Reading the thread, feels like Birmingham people are getting it within the time frame but London is in shambles!

My application status changed to ‘Received’ today after that email went out from me complaining about it…exactly as you said was in your case. Thanks.

learner1947 wrote: ↑

Sat Feb 10, 2024 11:00 pm

I would email HCI directly, their email address should be available on their website. I could have shared HCIL email but as you haven't specified which HCI you submitted your application to, hence not sure.

It happened with my Renunciation application as well i.e. the status didn't change for 18 days, I emailed HCIL and the next day the status changed to 'Application Received' but I'm no sure if that was due to my email or it changed itself.

I have sent multiple emails to HCIL in past never had a response. I would not keep my hopes high.

DebOnline wrote: ↑

Sat Feb 10, 2024 6:17 pm

Surrender Appt: 6-Jan-24
Surrender Certificate Received: 8-Jan-24
Renunciation appt: 23-Jan-24 at London-Goswell
Renunciation Tracker status: Still asks to submit documents (after 12 business days)
OCI appt: 06-Feb-24 (with renunciation payment proof)
OCI Tracker Status: Under process
Any suggestions on who I should follow up with to find out why renunciation application status hasn’t yet changed to ‘Received’ or ‘Under Process’. Is it with HCI or VFS? Could anyone share the right email address I can write to? Do they respond to emails?
Many thanks in advance.

Glad that it worked!

Now the long waiting time starts for the application to get approved. haha!

DebOnline wrote: ↑

Tue Feb 13, 2024 3:28 pm

My application status changed to ‘Received’ today after that email went out from me complaining about it…exactly as you said was in your case. Thanks.

learner1947 wrote: ↑

Sat Feb 10, 2024 11:00 pm

I would email HCI directly, their email address should be available on their website. I could have shared HCIL email but as you haven't specified which HCI you submitted your application to, hence not sure.

It happened with my Renunciation application as well i.e. the status didn't change for 18 days, I emailed HCIL and the next day the status changed to 'Application Received' but I'm no sure if that was due to my email or it changed itself.

I have sent multiple emails to HCIL in past never had a response. I would not keep my hopes high.

DebOnline wrote: ↑

Sat Feb 10, 2024 6:17 pm

Surrender Appt: 6-Jan-24
Surrender Certificate Received: 8-Jan-24
Renunciation appt: 23-Jan-24 at London-Goswell
Renunciation Tracker status: Still asks to submit documents (after 12 business days)
OCI appt: 06-Feb-24 (with renunciation payment proof)
OCI Tracker Status: Under process
Any suggestions on who I should follow up with to find out why renunciation application status hasn’t yet changed to ‘Received’ or ‘Under Process’. Is it with HCI or VFS? Could anyone share the right email address I can write to? Do they respond to emails?
Many thanks in advance.

Hello,
I have an appointment for renunciation this Friday. Please could I enquire whether any of the original documents are retained at the Embassy?
I am intending to apply for an e-visa to travel to India soon, and wanted to make sure that I have all the required documents towards applying for this visa and for the travel.
Kind regards

In my case they kept the surrender certificate but I am not sure what will they keep if you don't have the surrender certificate i.e. if you are doing both surrender and renunciation applications at the same day.

Regarding applying for e-visa for India, they won't keep your British passport, therefore you can apply for an e-visa for India.

nem82 wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 14, 2024 1:36 pm

Hello,
I have an appointment for renunciation this Friday. Please could I enquire whether any of the original documents are retained at the Embassy?
I am intending to apply for an e-visa to travel to India soon, and wanted to make sure that I have all the required documents towards applying for this visa and for the travel.
Kind regards

Not a thing to worry. No original is retained in Renunciation appointment. They retain in OCI appointment though but not your current/valid travel doc i.e. your new foreign passport - they hold back the naturalisation & surrender certificates and the surrendered Indian passport which anyway is not valid anymore for travel. They return them by a max of 2 weeks. Mine came back in 2 days.

Thank you very much for your responses - very helpful.

Kind regards

Hi All,

I got the renunciation certificate and I have applied for the OCI. PFB my timelines.

Online application completed: 18/10/2023
Appointment at CGI: 06/11/2023
Renunciation Certificate CGI location: Birmingham
Follow-On VFS location: Birmingham
Status - Application Received ( The status never changed )
Receipt of Renunciation Certificate: 08/02/2024

3 months and no sign of the renunciation certi! How ridiculous! Why can’t they do both surrender and renunciation together in one go! I mean who will surrender but not renounce? Legally we cannot do just one!
Have been emailing:info.london@mea.gov.in as per their contact page but the email keeps bouncing back saying it has been deactivated! Have tagged MEA on twitter too but no response!

The correct email address is inf.london@mea.gov.in

Please let us know if you are able to get any response from them, I have made several attempts in past but never had a response.

dsinha wrote: ↑

Tue Feb 20, 2024 10:54 pm

3 months and no sign of the renunciation certi! How ridiculous! Why can’t they do both surrender and renunciation together in one go! I mean who will surrender but not renounce? Legally we cannot do just one!
Have been emailing:info.london@mea.gov.in as per their contact page but the email keeps bouncing back saying it has been deactivated! Have tagged MEA on twitter too but no response!

Thanks, it got delivered this time.
Has anyone traveled to India on e-visa while their Renunciation was still under review??

learner1947 wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 21, 2024 9:21 pm

The correct email address is inf.london@mea.gov.in

Please let us know if you are able to get any response from them, I have made several attempts in past but never had a response.

dsinha wrote: ↑

Tue Feb 20, 2024 10:54 pm

3 months and no sign of the renunciation certi! How ridiculous! Why can’t they do both surrender and renunciation together in one go! I mean who will surrender but not renounce? Legally we cannot do just one!
Have been emailing:info.london@mea.gov.in as per their contact page but the email keeps bouncing back saying it has been deactivated! Have tagged MEA on twitter too but no response!

Yes my wife did. We gave a friends address for delivery of renunciation and it got delivered while we were away.

dsinha wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 21, 2024 11:56 pm

Thanks, it got delivered this time.
Has anyone traveled to India on e-visa while their Renunciation was still under review??

learner1947 wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 21, 2024 9:21 pm

The correct email address is inf.london@mea.gov.in

Please let us know if you are able to get any response from them, I have made several attempts in past but never had a response.

dsinha wrote: ↑

Tue Feb 20, 2024 10:54 pm

3 months and no sign of the renunciation certi! How ridiculous! Why can’t they do both surrender and renunciation together in one go! I mean who will surrender but not renounce? Legally we cannot do just one!
Have been emailing:info.london@mea.gov.in as per their contact page but the email keeps bouncing back saying it has been deactivated! Have tagged MEA on twitter too but no response!

nem82 wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 15, 2024 7:10 am

Thank you very much for your responses - very helpful.

Kind regards

Hi, I have applied for Renunciation too this week. If u can kindly give me a link where can I check the status of my application. Thanks

https://indiancitizenshiponline.nic.in/Renounce

HarishShetty wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 23, 2024 1:13 pm

nem82 wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 15, 2024 7:10 am

Thank you very much for your responses - very helpful.

Kind regards

Hi, I have applied for Renunciation too this week. If u can kindly give me a link where can I check the status of my application. Thanks

how did you redirect i.e. via royal mail or DX?

akr2500448 wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 22, 2024 8:24 pm

Yes my wife did. We gave a friends address for delivery of renunciation and it got delivered while we were away.

dsinha wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 21, 2024 11:56 pm

Thanks, it got delivered this time.
Has anyone traveled to India on e-visa while their Renunciation was still under review??

learner1947 wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 21, 2024 9:21 pm

The correct email address is inf.london@mea.gov.in

Please let us know if you are able to get any response from them, I have made several attempts in past but never had a response.

dsinha wrote: ↑

Tue Feb 20, 2024 10:54 pm

3 months and no sign of the renunciation certi! How ridiculous! Why can’t they do both surrender and renunciation together in one go! I mean who will surrender but not renounce? Legally we cannot do just one!
Have been emailing:info.london@mea.gov.in as per their contact page but the email keeps bouncing back saying it has been deactivated! Have tagged MEA on twitter too but no response!

Thanks. The email went through but didn’t get a response. But finally today after 3 months of applying O got the RC delivered!
Now on to OCI!

learner1947 wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 21, 2024 9:21 pm

The correct email address is inf.london@mea.gov.in

Please let us know if you are able to get any response from them, I have made several attempts in past but never had a response.

dsinha wrote: ↑

Tue Feb 20, 2024 10:54 pm

3 months and no sign of the renunciation certi! How ridiculous! Why can’t they do both surrender and renunciation together in one go! I mean who will surrender but not renounce? Legally we cannot do just one!
Have been emailing:info.london@mea.gov.in as per their contact page but the email keeps bouncing back saying it has been deactivated! Have tagged MEA on twitter too but no response!

Hi, can u please share the email id where I can enquire abt the status of my Renunciation application? Submitted on 20th Feb, status still asks to visit Birmingham with documents. If u can please share the email id u used. Also i submitted my OCI application today with renunciation receipt. Once i receive my renunciation certificate which email id should I use to send a copy of RC so that my OCI application goes forward. Thanks in advance.

DebOnline wrote: ↑

Sat Feb 10, 2024 6:17 pm

Surrender Appt: 6-Jan-24
Surrender Certificate Received: 8-Jan-24
Renunciation appt: 23-Jan-24 at London-Goswell
Renunciation Tracker status: Still asks to submit documents (after 12 business days)
OCI appt: 06-Feb-24 (with renunciation payment proof)
OCI Tracker Status: Under process
Any suggestions on who I should follow up with to find out why renunciation application status hasn’t yet changed to ‘Received’ or ‘Under Process’. Is it with HCI or VFS? Could anyone share the right email address I can write to? Do they respond to emails?
Many thanks in advance.

All of that information is available in this thread for you to look at.

HarishShetty wrote: ↑

Wed Mar 13, 2024 10:57 am

Hi, can u please share the email id where I can enquire abt the status of my Renunciation application? Submitted on 20th Feb, status still asks to visit Birmingham with documents. If u can please share the email id u used. Also i submitted my OCI application today with renunciation receipt. Once i receive my renunciation certificate which email id should I use to send a copy of RC so that my OCI application goes forward. Thanks in advance.

DebOnline wrote: ↑

Sat Feb 10, 2024 6:17 pm

Surrender Appt: 6-Jan-24
Surrender Certificate Received: 8-Jan-24
Renunciation appt: 23-Jan-24 at London-Goswell
Renunciation Tracker status: Still asks to submit documents (after 12 business days)
OCI appt: 06-Feb-24 (with renunciation payment proof)
OCI Tracker Status: Under process
Any suggestions on who I should follow up with to find out why renunciation application status hasn’t yet changed to ‘Received’ or ‘Under Process’. Is it with HCI or VFS? Could anyone share the right email address I can write to? Do they respond to emails?
Many thanks in advance.

crazytester wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 16, 2024 10:48 am

Online application completed: 12/12/2023
Appointment at CGI Birmingham: 02/01/2024
Application received status: 03/01/2024
Renunciation certificate: Pending (current status: application received)

Hi, as mentioned by someone else on the thread, did you have to go CGI Birmingham for the counsellor's signature and stamp for declaration and then to VFS Birmingham to submit the application?

Or was it all done at CGI Birmingham office?

Thanks

Online application completed 10/03/24
Appointment at CGI: 11/03/24
CGI location: London
Receipt of Renunciation: pending

The renunciation process estimated time given after submitted form is minimum 2 months for London centre.

And the status on the https://indiancitizenshiponline.nic.in/ website still shows an incorrect status of - " Please take printout of the on-line application and submit it alongwith supporting documents in London office " ?

The customer support staff say it's a technical issue and this application takes time

Also I've been advised that we should wait to receive renunciation cert for 2 months before submitting for OCI ... Has anyone heard about this ?
Some say you can submit with payment receipt proof ... Is this an option?

Yes, the applicant should visit CGI Birmingham for the counsellor signature and then you need to submit the completed form along with the documents at the VFS. You can go to any VFS offices under the CGI Birmingham on the same day without an appointment. My application is still pending, and it's been more than 10 weeks.

SPatel86 wrote: ↑

Tue Mar 19, 2024 11:59 am

crazytester wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 16, 2024 10:48 am

Online application completed: 12/12/2023
Appointment at CGI Birmingham: 02/01/2024
Application received status: 03/01/2024
Renunciation certificate: Pending (current status: application received)

Hi, as mentioned by someone else on the thread, did you have to go CGI Birmingham for the counsellor's signature and stamp for declaration and then to VFS Birmingham to submit the application?

Or was it all done at CGI Birmingham office?

Thanks