Got British passport and PIO card many years ago. (Originally had Indian passport). On 27 Dec 2017, applied for PIO to OCI conversion online, and got a file number generated. Was on vacation last week. Contacted VFS London today and they said they will not entertain any more PIO to OCI conversion, a...

Any thoughts at all, anyone ?! Does anyone know how long is PIO taking these days ? HCI London says 18 days, but I am not sure. I am preferring PIO to OCI because of the shorter processing times, however, I dont want to be stuck without the ability to travel to India on short notice if needed. Hence...

When you submit your application for PIO card in person at London Indian High Commission, do they (Indian embassy) hold on to your (British) passport for the entire duration, thereby preventing you from any travel during this time ? I hope not, and I know it is only 18 working days, but wanted to co...

While surrending the Indian passport (that has become invalid), do I also need to surrender the older (cancelled) Indian passport(s) ? Or, do I need to only surrender the last one ? Also, I suppose I dont need to make an appointment to surrender the passport ? is it just walk-in, assuming I have all...

Thanks again to everyone for the replies. Much appreciated.

Regards

Thanks for the response, everyone. Any idea how long the PIO / OCI card process takes these days ? That might help me make a decision. If I want peace of mind, there doesnt seem to be much difference cost-wise. A PIO card (£215) followed by OCI (£18) would cost a total of £233. A 6-month "en...

Apologies if it is the wrong forum. I got naturalized as a British citizen couple of weeks ago, and have now applied for a British passport. My British passport should hopefully arrive in the next few weeks, after which I guess I am supposed to surrender my Indian passport. I am not clear on the pro...

Thanks republique. What does "last year" mean tho ? The last 12 months from the date my application was received by the Home Office ? Are business trips outside the UK treated any differently ? this seems to be implied here : http://www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/britishcitizenship/eligibility/...

Hi All ! I have been in the UK on Work permit since Jan 2002. I got my I.L.R in Feb 2006. I have generally stayed in the UK except for vacations totalling no more than 5 weeks per year. I did step outside the UK for 3 weeks in August 2008 and 2 weeks in Dec 2008. However, I have been abroad since th...

If you have a U.S green card, you can visit Switzerland alone without a visa.

John : Thanks for your response. My intentions ? I really dont know myself. Generally speaking I dont like commitments, and I dont like to make very long term decisions. I dont think I will ever "intend" to settle down anywhere. I lived almost a decade in America and absolutely loved it th...

Thanks Wanderer. I dont think its that simple. I did check with the company that manages pensions for all of us at the company I work for, and they said my country of domicile appears to be India, even tho I live and work here in U.K I do want to clarify this thru the proper legal channel tho. I hav...

I am not clear on how Inland Revenue defines domicile . In my case I am a U.K permanent resident but still hold my Indian passport and the only home I own is in India. So I suppose my country of domicile is India since I was born and lived a good 20 years there as well. But once I get my British pas...

Thanks for all your help, ppron747, basis and olisun. ppron747, The links you mentioned and the one I posted both refer to examples of merchant seamen. In this era of globalization, an IT managers's job is not dissimilar to merchant seaman in terms of travel. What is residence anyway ? Does it mean ...

I have an interesting question that some of you experts out there hopefully can answer. I got my I.L.R this month on Feb 01 2006. I have lived in the U.K the whole of the last 4 years, with rare vacation trips abroad. I still work for the same company. However, this year it looks like I will have to...

Thanks Raina. I carried originals of all my work permits except my oldest one (2002). I could not find the original of my oldest work permit. To be on the safe side, it would be advisable to carry originals, at least your current work permit.

My first post here. Just wanted to narrate my positive I.L.R experience on 1st Feb this year. My work permit started on Mar 01 2002 so I was eligible to apply for PR on 1 Feb 2006. To make things a bit complicated my company was sending me abroad on a business trip on 4th Feb for the whole month of ...