I found this forum helpful in my recently concluded OCI application so thought I would return the favour and summarise my experience:
My Timeline
Online application submitted: 31/10/2023
Document submission date at VFS Goswell London: 20/11/2023
Application Acknowledgment: 21/11/2023 (status enquiry said under process from no record found, no emails received)
Original Docs received: 23/11/2023 (via Royal Mail Special Delivery)
OCI application status page changes: 12/12/2023 Document printing/Processed/OCI number displayed
OCI Card received: 14/12/2023 (via Royal Mail Special Delivery)
Some points from my experience:
- After my online submission I only had just over a week before I was going overseas. I decided to arranged my VFS appointment for my return as (a) I was not sure whether they would keep my passport or (b) how long originals would be kept. I need not have worried as they did not keep my passport and the originals were returned on the third working day after my appointment. So I could have made my appointment before I went overseas.
- My application was with Root Indian as grandparent. I had not photocopied my parent or grandparent passport nor uploaded these documents in my online submission as the guidelines did not explicitly require these. As I had these passports with me, the VFS agent took photocopies which helped my as I did not have change for the copy machine at the VFS centre. I was not however asked to upload these documents online.
- The only originals retained were my birth certificate and the parent birth certificate with the Root grandparent named on it.
- I had two large "up to 500g" Royal Mail Special Delivery silver envelopes addressed to myself choosing to use these rather than pay for the VFS envelopes. Two originals would have weighed less than 100g so I could have had a lower weight "up to 100g" envelope which would have been cheaper. Also Royal Mail do a half size envelope which is sufficient for the second envelope used to post the OCI card. The VFS enveloped are Do Not Bend envelopes with cardboard backing and if your originals are delicate I would recommend paying the extra to use them (I think £15 vs £8) for the return of the originals as the Royal Mail envelopes are plastic bag style which are robust but not bend-proof....for the OCI card I think the smaller Royal Mail Special delivery envelope is fine as the booklet is as sturdy as a passport.
- I had a self-written self employment letter together with a copy of the self employment pages of my most recent tax return as my Proof of Employment. I did point out to the VFS agent where the tax return stated my profession, my turnover, etc. so the details in my letter could be verified against the tax return.
- In the VFS centre there was a display screen which stated it was necessary to have a photo with a white background. The guidance I had read said the background needed to be off white or grey so this was a slight anomaly. As it happened mine was a very light grey and had been accepted on my online upload. I had two 2x2" photos but only one was needed. The centre also takes photos (for a fee) if you don't take one with you.
- Before my appointment I had wondered whether I needed to get my (and my parent) birth certificate apostilled as the guidelines published by HCI mentioned it. However I had the originals and my birth was registered at the time and it was clear they were originals with seal of the relevant registry offices. I was born overseas, not in the UK and the country of my birth did not offer an apostille service but some other legal certification. I decided to go ahead with the appointment with the originals as they were. At the appointment the VFS agent looked carefully at the birth certificates but no mention was made of the need to apostille the birth certificates.
- My VFS appointment was at 8.30am. I was seen at 9am and out by 9.30am. I did get a small SMS service fee charge taken but did receive any SMS notifications or emails after my appointment. However, I was overall happy as the VFS agent I encountered was helpful in making physical submission of documents really quite straightforward and efficient.
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