Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI)

[N_W_G]

Thanks ncoder.
Keeping my finger crossed.
Any idea how long does the Tourist Visa take ? I heard India Tourist Visa is processed in 3 to 4 days. Is that correct ?

Hi cracker1234 - did you finally choose to apply for the tourist visa? I may be in a similar boat later next month so wondering how long the paper visa process takes so I can plan accordingly.

Thanks in advance!

[saket512]

Checked again today and it shows as processed on 25th January for all 4 members.

Date Of Acknowledgment 04-JAN-2022
Registration Status at Mission LONDON
Documents Printing Status PROCESSED On 25-JAN-2022

A long journey finally coming to end now... from visa applications, visa renewals, ILR applications, Citizenship applications, passport surrender, and finally OCI card...

Thanks to everyone who have been sharing and guiding on this forum all these years.

Hi All,

Here is my timeline for OCI application(so far)...

Date of Application: 3rd Jan 2022 (for a family of 4)
Place of Application: London (Hounslow)
Date of Acknowledgment: 4th January
Supporting documents return date: 11th January (DX courier)
Current status: UNDER PROCESS

Fingers crossed now.

Regards
Saket

[cracker1234]

Thanks ncoder.
Keeping my finger crossed.
Any idea how long does the Tourist Visa take ? I heard India Tourist Visa is processed in 3 to 4 days. Is that correct ?

Hi cracker1234 - did you finally choose to apply for the tourist visa? I may be in a similar boat later next month so wondering how long the paper visa process takes so I can plan accordingly.

Thanks in advance!

Not yet mate. still on the same page. Any idea about the processing time of India Tourist Visa please let me know?
Anyone who might have applied recently, please respond. TIA

[RRaman_Vrin]

Recently went to the London VFS last week, and they recommend doing it 10-15 days in advance of travel . I also may need to do this if the OCI doesn't come in time for my planned travel.

Anyone know how long the OCI is taking for applications made in mid/end Jan 2022?

Hope that helps.

[N_W_G]

Recently went to the London VFS last week, and they recommend doing it 10-15 days in advance of travel . I also may need to do this if the OCI doesn't come in time for my planned travel.

Anyone know how long the OCI is taking for applications made in mid/end Jan 2022?

Hope that helps.

I recognize this is an OCI thread and not a visa thread but since most people are concerned about timing - I applied for my minor son's OCI today at the VFS Goswell centre and asked about tourist visa turnaround times. Was told 3-5 working days (which is shorter than what was told to RRaman_Vrin but as always, it's better to assume it takes longer!). I haven't actually applied for the tourist visa for my son since his OCI should come in well in time for our trip to India in April. However, I will be applying for a tourist visa in March for myself once I have surrendered my Indian passport

[Venki8]

Checked again today and it shows as processed on 25th January for all 4 members.

Date Of Acknowledgment 04-JAN-2022
Registration Status at Mission LONDON
Documents Printing Status PROCESSED On 25-JAN-2022

A long journey finally coming to end now... from visa applications, visa renewals, ILR applications, Citizenship applications, passport surrender, and finally OCI card...

Thanks to everyone who have been sharing and guiding on this forum all these years.

Hi All,

Here is my timeline for OCI application(so far)...

Date of Application: 3rd Jan 2022 (for a family of 4)
Place of Application: London (Hounslow)
Date of Acknowledgment: 4th January
Supporting documents return date: 11th January (DX courier)
Current status: UNDER PROCESS

Fingers crossed now.

Regards
Saket

Have you received your oci now?

[nmd]

Hi,

I have a British marriage certificate. Do I need to get is notarised as well? Thanks.

[RRaman_Vrin]

Recently went to the London VFS last week, and they recommend doing it 10-15 days in advance of travel . I also may need to do this if the OCI doesn't come in time for my planned travel.

Anyone know how long the OCI is taking for applications made in mid/end Jan 2022?

Hope that helps.

I recognize this is an OCI thread and not a visa thread but since most people are concerned about timing - I applied for my minor son's OCI today at the VFS Goswell centre and asked about tourist visa turnaround times. Was told 3-5 working days (which is shorter than what was told to RRaman_Vrin but as always, it's better to assume it takes longer!). I haven't actually applied for the tourist visa for my son since his OCI should come in well in time for our trip to India in April. However, I will be applying for a tourist visa in March for myself once I have surrendered my Indian passport

Thanks NWG - Yes they said 4-6 weeks for OCI - maybe more.
And 10-15 days when i went and asked about Tourist Visa. Good to know it is much quicker now.

My OCI Timelime for VFS Goswell is as follows for anyone who finds this helpful -

Application Date - 27 Jan 2022
Date of Acknowledgement - 28 Jan 2022
Received Document Originals back - 01 Feb 2022
OCI Application Status - Under Process

I have a flight for 12 March so am hoping it comes by then as that is exactly 6 weeks.

Has anyone's taken much longer than that?
Thanks

[ATHILL]

Anybody applied for OCI from belfast? I ended up travelling to belfast to apply for it for my 2 kids. Applied on 24th Jan but the status shows as acknowledgment date 01-FEB-22! is this a common thing with belfast appointments?

[indianmember2013]

Application applied - 7th Jan 2022 ( Cardiff )
Application acknowledged - 13th Jan 2022
Application processed - 03 Feb 2022
OCI printing - 03 Feb 2022
Despatched from Indian city and received in London -TBC
OCI delivery to applicant - STILL WAITING

[ps1234]

Recently went to the London VFS last week, and they recommend doing it 10-15 days in advance of travel . I also may need to do this if the OCI doesn't come in time for my planned travel.

Anyone know how long the OCI is taking for applications made in mid/end Jan 2022?

Hope that helps.

I recognize this is an OCI thread and not a visa thread but since most people are concerned about timing - I applied for my minor son's OCI today at the VFS Goswell centre and asked about tourist visa turnaround times. Was told 3-5 working days (which is shorter than what was told to RRaman_Vrin but as always, it's better to assume it takes longer!). I haven't actually applied for the tourist visa for my son since his OCI should come in well in time for our trip to India in April. However, I will be applying for a tourist visa in March for myself once I have surrendered my Indian passport

Realise this is an OCI thread - but - I applied for my tourist visa yesterday with my surrender certificate and was told that I do not need a surrender certificate for application of a 1-mth tourist visa. The doc checklist asks for it but the VFS ladies on 2 counters (my wife and I on 1 counter each) returned the photocopies of surrender certificate saying it is not required for a tourist visa.

SO, you can apply for a tourist visa without waiting for the surrender certificate. The date on the visa will be valid from the date you have indicated on the tourist visa form.

[Kumar11]

Hi , do we need to submit the original British passport on the day of appointment.? Or is it just they verify and give it back to us? Thanks

[N_W_G]

Realise this is an OCI thread - but - I applied for my tourist visa yesterday with my surrender certificate and was told that I do not need a surrender certificate for application of a 1-mth tourist visa. The doc checklist asks for it but the VFS ladies on 2 counters (my wife and I on 1 counter each) returned the photocopies of surrender certificate saying it is not required for a tourist visa.

SO, you can apply for a tourist visa without waiting for the surrender certificate. The date on the visa will be valid from the date you have indicated on the tourist visa form.

Interesting, thanks ps1234! Not in a hurry on my side for the visa so I will apply post the surrender certificate anyway.

[bookerw100]

Hi , do we need to submit the original British passport on the day of appointment.? Or is it just they verify and give it back to us? Thanks

YEs, You have to submit your original British passport as well. I got mine back within 4 days.

[Kumar11]

Thank you so much for the reply .

[RRaman_Vrin]

Hi , do we need to submit the original British passport on the day of appointment.? Or is it just they verify and give it back to us? Thanks

I did not have to at the VFS London centre. If you are applying with a past indian passport and surrender certificate they do not take the original british passport anymore but just verify and give it back immediately.
Not sure what the case if you apply on the basis of a parent of indian origin.

[Kumar11]

I have surrendered my Indian passport . I cannot submit my British passport as I need it for a verification in an interview. Not sure what to do.

[RRaman_Vrin]

I have surrendered my Indian passport . I cannot submit my British passport as I need it for a verification in an interview. Not sure what to do.

Take an attested copy which you can submit. They do not take your original British passport at vfs london - I didn’t have to give them mine . You can give your vfs centre a call to double check if you like. Hope that helps

[Kumar11]

Thanks for the reply . I have booked my appointment in Vfs Manchester . Have sent an email to them regarding this . Tried calling them . Can’t get through . Will keep trying .

[kumar84]

Hi @Kumar11,
Did you book the appointment yesterday/today? Did you find slots? I could not find any slots.

[Kumar11]

Hi @Kumar11,
Did you book the appointment yesterday/today? Did you find slots? I could not find any slots.

Hi , I booked it around 10 days back .

[kumar84]

Thanks for quick response.

Any advice what time I check for slots for new or cancelled one. I try checking during the day but don't seem to find any.

Hoping to find any early cancellation slots if possible.

[Kumar11]

Thanks for quick response.

Any advice what time I check for slots for new or cancelled one. I try checking during the day but don't seem to find any.

Hoping to find any early cancellation slots if possible.

I booked it around 8.30 pm . Many appointments were available that time . So mostly they update around 8 pm. Thanks

[Jessica_Ji]

I applied under Spouse Based Category for OCI card . My timeline of OCI application is as follows:

Application Date:07-Dec-2021
VFS Center: VFS Hounslow (London)
Date of acknowledgment: 08-Dec-2021
Original docs received: Yes
Status: (as of 09 - Feb 2022) UNDER PROCESS

Does anyone have any idea how much longer it will take as we're meant to be attending a memorial in India on 23rd - Feb 2022

Thanks

[bookerw100]

I applied under Spouse Based Category for OCI card . My timeline of OCI application is as follows:

Application Date:07-Dec-2021
VFS Center: VFS Hounslow (London)
Date of acknowledgment: 08-Dec-2021
Original docs received: Yes
Status: (as of 09 - Feb 2022) UNDER PROCESS

Does anyone have any idea how much longer it will take as we're meant to be attending a memorial in India on 23rd - Feb 2022

Thanks

That seems to be longer than expected as normally they say around 6 weeks, although it does say here https://www.hcilondon.gov.in/page/oci-card/ that spouse cases can take longer.
Contact inf.london@mea,gov.in and say you need to attend a memorial and need it by 23rd Feb. Another option you could do is apply for a tourist visa as that comes in days rather then weeks. good luck