Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI)

[mdk123]

updated re: spouse oci application

OCI Timeline for Application of 1 adult. Spouse Application
VFS Center: London Goswell
Application Date: 13th Nov 2018
Date of acknowledgement: 14th Nov 2018
Original docs Received: 27th Nov
Documents Printing Status: 27/12/2018
Dispatched From NEW DELHI: 28/12/2018
Document received At London : 28/12/18
PASSPORT SUBMITTED IN PERSON:
PASSPORT AND OCI DOCUMENT RECEIVED:

6 weeks from acknowledgement to arrival at London

[satishdesai]

I recently renewed my wife’s passport and applied for transfer of OCI and was charged £59.48 by Birmingham VFS. I also wrote to the High Commission in Birmingham and was told that there should only be one Courier envelope charge of £14.80. I have obtained a refund from VFS. I urge anybody who has been charged for two Courier envelopes should apply to VFS and obtain a refund of £14.80.

The person to contact at Birmingham VFS is xxxxxx (xxxxx@vfsglobal.com).

Also please write to the Indian Consulate that the customer should also have the option to use a cheaper Royal Mail Special Delivery envelope alternative.
Regards.

Satish

According to the VFS website it should be £21 + any operational fees. So how much did you pay in the end? £21 + £14.80 (for courier fee)?

My daughters passport expires next year, so I will be in the same position unfortunately. Hoping not to get fleeced again

I paid £44.68 in the end:

Embassy Fee £18.00
Consular Surcharge £ 3.00
VFS Fee £7.44
SMS Charges £1.44
Courier Charges £14.80

Birmingham VFS does not allow the use of Royal Mail Special Envelope which is a lot cheaper. Instead they try and charge you for two courier envelopes of £14.80 each (£29.60).

[jfrusc]

I recently renewed my wife’s passport and applied for transfer of OCI and was charged £59.48 by Birmingham VFS. I also wrote to the High Commission in Birmingham and was told that there should only be one Courier envelope charge of £14.80. I have obtained a refund from VFS. I urge anybody who has been charged for two Courier envelopes should apply to VFS and obtain a refund of £14.80.

The person to contact at Birmingham VFS is xxxxxx (xxxxx@vfsglobal.com).

Also please write to the Indian Consulate that the customer should also have the option to use a cheaper Royal Mail Special Delivery envelope alternative.
Regards.

Satish

According to the VFS website it should be £21 + any operational fees. So how much did you pay in the end? £21 + £14.80 (for courier fee)?

My daughters passport expires next year, so I will be in the same position unfortunately. Hoping not to get fleeced again

I paid £44.68 in the end:

Embassy Fee £18.00
Consular Surcharge £ 3.00
VFS Fee £7.44
SMS Charges £1.44
Courier Charges £14.80

Birmingham VFS does not allow the use of Royal Mail Special Envelope which is a lot cheaper. Instead they try and charge you for two courier envelopes of £14.80 each (£29.60).

That's annoying. More then double the £21 they suggest.

Thanks for sharing your costs.

[satishdesai]

I recently renewed my wife’s passport and applied for transfer of OCI and was charged £59.48 by Birmingham VFS. I also wrote to the High Commission in Birmingham and was told that there should only be one Courier envelope charge of £14.80. I have obtained a refund from VFS. I urge anybody who has been charged for two Courier envelopes should apply to VFS and obtain a refund of £14.80.

The person to contact at Birmingham VFS is xxxxxx (xxxxx@vfsglobal.com).

Also please write to the Indian Consulate that the customer should also have the option to use a cheaper Royal Mail Special Delivery envelope alternative.
Regards.

Satish

According to the VFS website it should be £21 + any operational fees. So how much did you pay in the end? £21 + £14.80 (for courier fee)?

My daughters passport expires next year, so I will be in the same position unfortunately. Hoping not to get fleeced again

I paid £44.68 in the end:

Embassy Fee £18.00
Consular Surcharge £ 3.00
VFS Fee £7.44
SMS Charges £1.44
Courier Charges £14.80

Birmingham VFS does not allow the use of Royal Mail Special Envelope which is a lot cheaper. Instead they try and charge you for two courier envelopes of £14.80 each (£29.60).

That's annoying. More then double the £21 they suggest.

Thanks for sharing your costs.

Unfortunately, you have no option with children under the age of 20 as you have to obtain a new OCI each time the passport is renewed.

My advice to adults is not to transfer the OCI upon renewal of the passport.

[Vish15]

I would like to share my experience about OCI application at London Goswell Road.
It was straight forward submission took about 20mins with appointment. Appointment was for 10.45 but called at 11.30.
OCI Application - 1 infant and 1 child (registered as British under section 3(1)) both parents indian
VFS Centre: Goswell Road, London
Application Date: 27/11/2018
Date of acknowledgement: 28/11/2018
Original docs Received: 05/12/2018
Documents Printing Status: PROCESSED ON 19/12/2018
Dispatched From New Delhi: ?
Document received at London : ?
Passport submitted in person: ?
Passport and OCI card received: ?

I will update you when everything comes through.

Final Update
Dispatch From New Delhi: 20/12/18
Document received at London :20/12/18
Passport Submitted in Person: 21/12/18 (At Goswell Road)
Passport and OCI card received: 29/12/18

Hope this helps others as it helped me.

[jfrusc]

According to the VFS website it should be £21 + any operational fees. So how much did you pay in the end? £21 + £14.80 (for courier fee)?

My daughters passport expires next year, so I will be in the same position unfortunately. Hoping not to get fleeced again

I paid £44.68 in the end:

Embassy Fee £18.00
Consular Surcharge £ 3.00
VFS Fee £7.44
SMS Charges £1.44
Courier Charges £14.80

Birmingham VFS does not allow the use of Royal Mail Special Envelope which is a lot cheaper. Instead they try and charge you for two courier envelopes of £14.80 each (£29.60).

That's annoying. More then double the £21 they suggest.

Thanks for sharing your costs.

Unfortunately, you have no option with children under the age of 20 as you have to obtain a new OCI each time the passport is renewed.

My advice to adults is not to transfer the OCI upon renewal of the passport.

Yes I know you have to for kids

The VFS agent actually queried if I wanted to wait with my Daughters application as her passport is due for renewal next year.

This is going to get expensive at this rate :/

[mohan_uk]

OCI Timeline for my daughter.

Type : Minor Application
Delivery Service : DX
VFS centre : VFS Goswell, London

Timeline
Application date: 22 Nov 2018
Date of acknowledgement: 26 Nov 2018
Original docs received: 28 Nov 2018
Documents Printing Status: Processed On: 19 Dec 2018
Dispatched From MOIA (OCI ) NEW DELHI: 19 Dec 2018
Document received At London: 19 Dec 2018
PASSPORT SUBMITTED IN PERSON at VFS: 20 Dec 2018
Passport & OCI documents received: 28 Dec 2018

[mdk123]

updated re: spouse oci application

OCI Timeline for Application of 1 adult. Spouse Application
VFS Center: London Goswell
Application Date: 13th Nov 2018
Date of acknowledgement: 14th Nov 2018
Original docs Received: 27th Nov
Documents Printing Status: 27/12/2018
Dispatched From NEW DELHI: 28/12/2018
Document received At London : 28/12/18
PASSPORT SUBMITTED IN PERSON: 31/12/18 passport submitted in person at vfs goswell rod
PASSPORT AND OCI DOCUMENT RECEIVED:

6 weeks from acknowledgement to arrival at London

[jfrusc]

updated re: spouse oci application

OCI Timeline for Application of 1 adult. Spouse Application
VFS Center: London Goswell
Application Date: 13th Nov 2018
Date of acknowledgement: 14th Nov 2018
Original docs Received: 27th Nov
Documents Printing Status: 27/12/2018
Dispatched From NEW DELHI: 28/12/2018
Document received At London : 28/12/18
PASSPORT SUBMITTED IN PERSON: 31/12/18 passport submitted in person at vfs goswell rod
PASSPORT AND OCI DOCUMENT RECEIVED:

6 weeks from acknowledgement to arrival at London

Looks like my wifes application wasn't the exception. They appear to have sped up processing of spouse applications to be almost as fast as normal Indian Origin applications

[uk2oci]

Here is the time tracking for my OCI application. Hope it helps other members and wishing the very best.

OCI Timeline for Application of 1 adult + 1 child
VFS Center: Hounslow London
Application Date: 28th Nov 2018
Date of acknowledgement: 29th Nov 2018
Original docs Received: 30th Nov 2018
Documents Printing Status: 24/12/2018
Dispatched From NEW DELHI: 24/12/2018
Document received At London : 24/12/18
PASSPORT SUBMITTED IN PERSON: 27/12/18 passport submitted in person at VFS Hounslow, London
PASSPORT AND OCI DOCUMENT RECEIVED: 03/01/2019

Overall end 2 end, it took around 37 days.

[bbreddy]

HI All,

I submitted original passport for OCI printing (after online status changed to "Document received At London").

But they haven't given me any confirmation that they received the passport and special delivery envelope.

Is this normal?

[jfrusc]

HI All,

I submitted original passport for OCI printing (after online status changed to "Document received At London").

But they haven't given me any confirmation that they received the passport and special delivery envelope.

Is this normal?

Yes. I submitted passports twice (once for myself and kids, once for my wife). The online status page never changed, nor did I receive any other confirmation.

On both occasions the passports and OCI were returned a week later. If it takes longer then that, perhaps call them, but otherwise I wouldn't worry.

[mdk123]

updated re: spouse oci application

OCI Timeline for Application of 1 adult. Spouse Application
VFS Center: London Goswell
Application Date: 13th Nov 2018
Date of acknowledgement: 14th Nov 2018
Original docs Received: 27th Nov
Documents Printing Status: 27/12/2018
Dispatched From NEW DELHI: 28/12/2018
Document received At London : 28/12/18
PASSPORT SUBMITTED IN PERSON: 31/12/18 passport submitted in person at vfs goswell rod
PASSPORT AND OCI DOCUMENT RECEIVED: 7/1/19

6 weeks from acknowledgement to arrival at London

[bbreddy]

OCI Timeline for Application of 1 child
VFS Center: VFS Goswell Rd, London
Application Date: 10/12/2018
Date of acknowledgement: 11/12/2018
Original docs Received: 17/12/2018
Documents Printing Status: 03/01/2019
Dispatched From NEW DELHI: 03/01/2019
Document received At London : 03/01/2019
PASSPORT SUBMITTED IN PERSON: 04/01/2019 passport submitted in person at VFS Goswell Rd, London
PASSPORT AND OCI DOCUMENT RECEIVED: 10/01/2019

[Jedi001]

OCI Timeline for Application of 2 Adults + 2 kids
VFS Center: VFS Hounslow, London
Application Date: 11/01/2019
Date of acknowledgement: 11/01/2019
Original docs Received: 15/01/2019
Documents Printing Status: Under Process
Dispatched From NEW DELHI:
Document received At London :
PASSPORT SUBMITTED IN PERSON:
PASSPORT AND OCI DOCUMENT RECEIVED:

[spartanking_007]

Dear All,

Can someone please confirm if you have received a text and email confirming that the application(OCI) has been processed and dispatched via DX/Royal Mail. This is after the submission of the British Passport when the status updated as Processed and received at London.

When was the passport and OCI delivered after we receive the email or Text from VFS.

I am not able to find the tracking record based on the tracking provided by VFS either on the DX website or Royal Mail.

Thanks

[nikitpatel]

Dear All,

Can someone please confirm if you have received a text and email confirming that the application(OCI) has been processed and dispatched via DX/Royal Mail. This is after the submission of the British Passport when the status updated as Processed and received at London.

When was the passport and OCI delivered after we receive the email or Text from VFS.

I am not able to find the tracking record based on the tracking provided by VFS either on the DX website or Royal Mail.

Thanks

Hi I am in same situation like you, did you received any email now as your post is 6 days old. I submitted mine before 2 days but have not received any email regarding dispatch. Let me know if you have received any information. Thanks

[nikitpatel]

OCI Timeline for Application of 2 Adults + 2 kids
VFS Center: VFS Hounslow, London
Application Date: 11/01/2019
Date of acknowledgement: 11/01/2019
Original docs Received: 15/01/2019
Documents Printing Status: Under Process
Dispatched From NEW DELHI:
Document received At London :
PASSPORT SUBMITTED IN PERSON:
PASSPORT AND OCI DOCUMENT RECEIVED:

Did you checked the status as my acknowledgement date is 3 days before you. I submitted passport before 2 days waiting for delivery.

Thanks

[Jedi001]

OCI Timeline for Application of 2 Adults + 2 kids
VFS Center: VFS Hounslow, LondonDod you
Application Date: 11/01/2019
Date of acknowledgement: 11/01/2019
Original docs Received: 15/01/2019
Documents Printing Status: Under Process
Dispatched From NEW DELHI:
Document received At London :
PASSPORT SUBMITTED IN PERSON:
PASSPORT AND OCI DOCUMENT RECEIVED:

Did you checked the status as my acknowledgement date is 3 days before you. I submitted passport before 2 days waiting for delivery.

Thanks

Status still showing as "Under Process". Did you apply for your whole family or just for yourself? Pretty good turn around time to be honest.

[nikitpatel]

OCI Timeline for Application of 2 Adults + 2 kids
VFS Center: VFS Hounslow, LondonDod you
Application Date: 11/01/2019
Date of acknowledgement: 11/01/2019
Original docs Received: 15/01/2019
Documents Printing Status: Under Process
Dispatched From NEW DELHI:
Document received At London :
PASSPORT SUBMITTED IN PERSON:
PASSPORT AND OCI DOCUMENT RECEIVED:

Did you checked the status as my acknowledgement date is 3 days before you. I submitted passport before 2 days waiting for delivery.

Thanks

Status still showing as "Under Process". Did you apply for your whole family or just for yourself? Pretty good turn around time to be honest.

I applied for my daughter only n from Cardiff on 3rd jan but was acknowledged london on 8th. I hope passport n oci delivers next week as I'm flying on 14th fingers crossed. Yours should not take long now as you've applied from Hounslow it should take less days than anywhere else.

Thanak

[nikitpatel]

Dear All,

Can someone please confirm if you have received a text and email confirming that the application(OCI) has been processed and dispatched via DX/Royal Mail. This is after the submission of the British Passport when the status updated as Processed and received at London.

When was the passport and OCI delivered after we receive the email or Text from VFS.

I am not able to find the tracking record based on the tracking provided by VFS either on the DX website or Royal Mail.

Thanks

Just to confirm they just sent me a text that your application has been successfully processed and will be dispatched via Dx/Royalmail. This is after I submitted passport.

Thanks

[Jedi001]

OCI Timeline for Application of 2 Adults + 2 kids
VFS Center: VFS Hounslow, LondonDod you
Application Date: 11/01/2019
Date of acknowledgement: 11/01/2019
Original docs Received: 15/01/2019
Documents Printing Status: PROCESSED
Dispatched From NEW DELHI: 4th Feb 2019
Document received At London : 4th Feb 2019
PASSPORT SUBMITTED IN PERSON: Going to go when I get time this week
PASSPORT AND OCI DOCUMENT RECEIVED:

[annpgeorge]

Hi all,
The last time I applied for son's OCI was before it was outsourced to VFS so apologies if my questions have already been asked here. It they have, I'd appreciate being re-directed to the post. I've gone through the VFS procedure and had some doubts. I still haven't applied for his passport renewal - I am just trying to plan ahead - I have found that applying for a child's British passport is so much easier than the OCI!

My son's background is - his first British passport expires in Jan 2020 and we plan on traveling to India this July (return in Sept). Due to the requirement of needing 6 months beyond return to the UK, I plan on renewing his British passport before we leave which means he needs a renewed OCI as well so I need to start the process early on.

1. As we reside in the SE of London, we could go the Hounslow or Goswell office - which office do you recommend based on your experience?

2. About the application procedure, what I understand is that

• I will need to make an online application for OCI Misc services

• Print the submitted the form

• Make an appointment (Or can I just walk in?) to submit the printed application and supporting documents (originals + copies of old passport, OCI document, new passport)

• Wait for the status report to show that the application has been approved and returned to London.

• Print the online status and along with required documents, go back to the VFS office in person (again do I need an appointment?) OR can I just send the online status and supporting documents by recorded mail to the VFS office (I remember sending some self attested documents by post for his first OCI but not sure when in the process that was hence this question)

- Update: I don't remember going to the embassy for my son's application at all although I did when daughter's OCI got renewed so a bit confused now if all can be done by post or not?

• Wait for return of passport and OCI by post

3. I noticed a lot of posts mentioning that they were made to buy two SD envelopes in the centre itself - is that still the case? What are "all other operational charges" they have mentioned on their page? Can one pay by card?

4. On the whole, what is the general turn around from submission of documents for renewal to receiving it finally? After going a few pages of timelines, I noticed it is about 4-6 weeks even if they say 7-10 days on their website for the misc. service due to new passport.

5. Any other "formalities" not mentioned on the VFS website that I should be aware of?

6. At anytime during the visits to the VFS office, does my 4 year old need to be with me?
Thanks in advance.
Ann

[Jedi001]

OCI Timeline for Application of 2 Adults + 2 kids
VFS Center: VFS Hounslow, LondonDod you
Application Date: 11/01/2019
Date of acknowledgement: 11/01/2019
Original docs Received: 15/01/2019
Documents Printing Status: PROCESSED
Dispatched From NEW DELHI: 4th Feb 2019
Document received At London : 4th Feb 2019
PASSPORT SUBMITTED IN PERSON: 15/02/2019 (finally got sometime to go and submit passport and OCI status page), took about 30 odd mins which includes wait time and submission.
PASSPORT AND OCI DOCUMENT RECEIVED:

[anirban_paul]

OCI Timeline for Application of 1 adult
VFS Center: Hounslow London
Application Date: 27/2/2019
Date of acknowledgement: 28/2/2019
Original docs Received:
Documents Printing Status:
Dispatched From NEW DELHI:
Document received At London :
PASSPORT SUBMITTED IN PERSON:
PASSPORT AND OCI DOCUMENT RECEIVED: