Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI)

[Oliver77]

Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) is a form of citizenship available to people of Indian origin living abroad. It grants certain privileges, such as lifelong visa-free travel to India, but does not include voting rights or eligibility for public office. status aims to foster connections between the Indian diaspora and their homeland while facilitating travel and engagement with India. [sso id](https://ssoportal.co/)

[Alcatraz]

Dear team,

I have been reading about HCI London articles posted by members and done some research as well. I have reached to below conclusion but would like to understand if it makes sense to others or have experienced it.

Applying for RC with SC together (with SC receipt as proof)delays the process as RC is issued by MHA and they have to look up for SC in the system before issuing RC. SC gets issued by HCI London / Consulates.

Hence it makes more sense to wait for SC and then apply for RC so that MHA doesn't have to manually look up for SC before issuing RC.


RC = Renunciation Certifcate
SC = Surrender Certificate

Thanks !

[indianbritish1234]

This could be true. But there are advantages in applying for both these together, mainly the fact that you can do both these applications on the same day. If you live in a city that requires you to travel to VFS centres, it would make sense to finish both these applications on the same day, even if it means a potential slow processing of RC.

I did both the same day and I got my RC in roughly 3 months. I don’t know how long it might have taken if I applied for RC after receiving my SC.

Dear team,

I have been reading about HCI London articles posted by members and done some research as well. I have reached to below conclusion but would like to understand if it makes sense to others or have experienced it.

Applying for RC with SC together (with SC receipt as proof)delays the process as RC is issued by MHA and they have to look up for SC in the system before issuing RC. SC gets issued by HCI London / Consulates.

Hence it makes more sense to wait for SC and then apply for RC so that MHA doesn't have to manually look up for SC before issuing RC.


RC = Renunciation Certifcate
SC = Surrender Certificate

Thanks !

[crazytester]

Appointment date: 19/04/2024
Appointment location: Leicester (CGI Birmingham)
Acknowledgement: 23/04/2024
Passport & Original Surrender Certificate received back: N/A, I didn’t submit any originals.
Processed on: 29/05/2024
OCI Card received: Pending (DX Courier)

[awesomeagni]

Hi All,

Looking for some guidance regarding OCI application form.
I am applying for OCI on the basis of "APPLYING ON OWN INDIAN ORIGIN- FORMER INDIAN PASSPORT HOLDER"

Following are my queries:
1. Is there any template for the employment proof to be submitted?
2. Are payslips required to be uploaded as well?
2. I am currently in the process of uploading documents. However, I do not see a category to upload documents like 'Naturalization certificate', 'Surrender certificate', etc.
Can anyone please suggest/advise which category/categories should 'Naturalization certificate', 'Surrender certificate', etc be uploaded to?
I have already uploaded my current passport and the renunciated/surrendered passport.

Any help/guidance would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

[crazytester]

Hi All,

Looking for some guidance regarding OCI application form.
I am applying for OCI on the basis of "APPLYING ON OWN INDIAN ORIGIN- FORMER INDIAN PASSPORT HOLDER"

Following are my queries:
1. Is there any template for the employment proof to be submitted?
I submitted a letter from HR that contains details such as my name, designation, start date, company information including contact number, and a brief description of my responsibilities in the current role.

2. Are payslips required to be uploaded as well?
Not required.

2. I am currently in the process of uploading documents. However, I do not see a category to upload
documents like 'Naturalization certificate', 'Surrender certificate', etc.

I merged the naturalisation certificate and passport into one PDF and uploaded it to the passport section. Similarly, I have uploaded the Indian passport, surrender, and renunciation documents to the Indian origin section. You can upload files to other categories if you cannot find one that matches your document.

Can anyone please suggest/advise which category/categories should 'Naturalization certificate', 'Surrender certificate', etc be uploaded to?
I have already uploaded my current passport and the renunciated/surrendered passport.

Any help/guidance would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

[awesomeagni]

Hi All,

Looking for some guidance regarding OCI application form.
I am applying for OCI on the basis of "APPLYING ON OWN INDIAN ORIGIN- FORMER INDIAN PASSPORT HOLDER"

Following are my queries:
1. Is there any template for the employment proof to be submitted?
I submitted a letter from HR that contains details such as my name, designation, start date, company information including contact number, and a brief description of my responsibilities in the current role.

2. Are payslips required to be uploaded as well?
Not required.

2. I am currently in the process of uploading documents. However, I do not see a category to upload
documents like 'Naturalization certificate', 'Surrender certificate', etc.

I merged the naturalisation certificate and passport into one PDF and uploaded it to the passport section. Similarly, I have uploaded the Indian passport, surrender, and renunciation documents to the Indian origin section. You can upload files to other categories if you cannot find one that matches your document.

Can anyone please suggest/advise which category/categories should 'Naturalization certificate', 'Surrender certificate', etc be uploaded to?
I have already uploaded my current passport and the renunciated/surrendered passport.

Any help/guidance would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Thank you @crazytester

[rlobo]

Hi All,

Can someone tell me where you are tracking the RC status?

I had submitted the online form, made an appointment at VFS Goswell and submitted all hard copies and received a receipt on 20th March.
When I now check the status (7th April) at https://indiancitizenshiponline.nic.in/Renounce , the site basically tells me to go submit the documents.

I'm confused. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
many thanks!

Hi Rlobo,

That's quite normal, rest assured, you are looking at the correct website. The site normally takes days, sometimes weeks to update the current status of your application. Give it may be few more days and check again. I wouldn't be surprised if its still the same as now.

RonV

Very much appreciate the reassurance, @RonV! Huge relief that I don't have to re-do everything for RC.

Hello all, does anyone have knowledge of current timelines for RC? It's 2 months and 10 days since I applied for mine, and no sign of it yet. Application status says "Application Received" . Many thanks in advance.

[Alcatraz]

You normally receive the RC in 3 months time. It is average time reported in forum. Did you apply after receiving SC or with SC receipt ?

Hi All,

Can someone tell me where you are tracking the RC status?

I had submitted the online form, made an appointment at VFS Goswell and submitted all hard copies and received a receipt on 20th March.
When I now check the status (7th April) at https://indiancitizenshiponline.nic.in/Renounce , the site basically tells me to go submit the documents.

I'm confused. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
many thanks!

Hi Rlobo,

That's quite normal, rest assured, you are looking at the correct website. The site normally takes days, sometimes weeks to update the current status of your application. Give it may be few more days and check again. I wouldn't be surprised if its still the same as now.

RonV

Very much appreciate the reassurance, @RonV! Huge relief that I don't have to re-do everything for RC.

Hello all, does anyone have knowledge of current timelines for RC? It's 2 months and 10 days since I applied for mine, and no sign of it yet. Application status says "Application Received" . Many thanks in advance.

[crazytester]

Appointment date: 19/04/2024
Appointment location: Leicester (CGI Birmingham)
Acknowledgement: 23/04/2024
Passport & Original Surrender Certificate received back: N/A, I didn’t submit any originals.
Processed on: 29/05/2024
OCI Card received: 07/06/2024

[MM85]

Hi. Does anyone know how to track the progress of an application for OCI after it is submitted at VFS? Staff at VFS centre attached a sticker to receipt with two codes at the end of my appointment four days ago. One is the file reference number from the online submission, the other is four letters / date / four numbers / two numbers. I have looked at the VFS website and the government OCI page, but neither accepts these codes. Simply states No Record Found. All previous posts on this forum show next day acknowledgement. Should I be worried about the application and my original documents?

[coolguy_83]

Hi, The file reference number of your application and passport number is required for tracking the status of the OCI application.

[MombasaKenya1974]

OCI application on the basis of Indian roots (Mother)

Submission of documents: Friday 26th April
Acknowledgement: Monday 29th April
Message from DX: Tuesday 30th April
Original documents returned: Wednesday 1st May
Email received from High Commission in London requesting my mother's name change affidavit (my birth certificate had her maiden name while her Indian Passport had our family surname): 22nd May
Affidavit sent: 24th May
Another email received requesting that affidavit be attested by the Indian Mission where my mum lives: 24th May
Attested affidavit sent: 4th June
OCI Document Processed: 6th June
No messages from DX (they made 3 delivery attempts and never sent me a message or left a calling card- only found out when I tracked it using the consignment number on the receipt from VFS):
OCI finally received: 17th June

Sometimes DX Express are rubbish - they don't always notify you of attempts to deliver! Use the tracking number provided by VFS on your receipt as soon as it shows as being processed.

[coolguy_83]

OCI for child (Mother Indian citizen, Father naturalised UK citizen)

Appointment date: 17/05/2024
Appointment location: VFS Belfast
Acknowledgement: 21/05/2024
Passport & Original Surrender Certificate received back: 24/05/2024
Processed on: 11/06/2024
OCI Card received: Waiting

Could you please suggest when I can expect the Oci card ? I am tracking royal mail special delivery. It has not been posted yet.

Thanks

[crazytester]

OCI for child (Mother Indian citizen, Father naturalised UK citizen)

Appointment date: 17/05/2024
Appointment location: VFS Belfast
Acknowledgement: 21/05/2024
Passport & Original Surrender Certificate received back: 24/05/2024
Processed on: 11/06/2024
OCI Card received: Waiting

Could you please suggest when I can expect the Oci card ? I am tracking royal mail special delivery. It has not been posted yet.

Thanks

I believe the expected timeline is around 8-10 working days after the status update. Mine took 10 days recently.

[Kavin11]

Hi. Does anyone know how to track the progress of an application for OCI after it is submitted at VFS? Staff at VFS centre attached a sticker to receipt with two codes at the end of my appointment four days ago. One is the file reference number from the online submission, the other is four letters / date / four numbers / two numbers. I have looked at the VFS website and the government OCI page, but neither accepts these codes. Simply states No Record Found. All previous posts on this forum show next day acknowledgement. Should I be worried about the application and my original documents?

The codes you mentioned should ideally work, but it sometimes takes a few days for the system to update. Since it's been only four days, I suggest waiting a bit longer before getting too worried. If there's no progress in a few more days, consider contacting VFS directly for clarification. Meanwhile, keep your receipt and all communication handy in case you need to follow up.

[stuart90]

OCI application on the basis of Indian roots (Mother)

Submission of documents: Friday 26th April
Acknowledgement: Monday 29th April
Message from DX: Tuesday 30th April
Original documents returned: Wednesday 1st May
Email received from High Commission in London requesting my mother's name change affidavit (my birth certificate had her maiden name while her Indian Passport had our family surname): 22nd May
Affidavit sent: 24th May
Another email received requesting that affidavit be attested by the Indian Mission where my mum lives: 24th May
Attested affidavit sent: 4th June
OCI Document Processed: 6th June
No messages from DX (they made 3 delivery attempts and never sent me a message or left a calling card- only found out when I tracked it using the consignment number on the receipt from VFS):
OCI finally received: 17th June

Sometimes DX Express are rubbish - they don't always notify you of attempts to deliver! Use the tracking number provided by VFS on your receipt as soon as it shows as being processed.

The OCI application process can be complex, as shown by the detailed timeline provided. It's crucial to track your consignment using the number from VFS, as DX Express may not always notify you of delivery attempts. Despite challenges, persistence and careful tracking ensure successful document receipt.

[sanwne]

OCI for Naturalised UK citizen

Appointment date: 27/03/2024 (OCI+Renunciation Submitted on the same day)
Appointment location: VFS Goswell
Passport & Original Surrender Certificate received back: 04/04/2024
Renunciation Certificate Received Date: 21/06/2024 (Slip inside the envelop to send the scan copy of his certificate to oci.london@mea.gov.in)
Processed on: 21/06/2024
OCI Card received: 27/06/2024

[stuart90]

The Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) scheme strengthens the bond between India and its diaspora, offering a lifelong visa, property ownership rights, and access to educational and economic opportunities. It's a significant step in recognizing the contributions and maintaining connections with Indians globally. [Web link removed by moderator

[pogotosh]

Hi,

I am about to apply for OCI for my daughter. My wife and I are both naturalised UK citizens and have had OCI for several years now.

Just wanted to quick confirm in terms of the documents required for a minor as it isn't clear from the website. We have uploaded the following documents online and will be taking them for the appointment. Could you please let us know if this is adequate

1. UK Passport for Minor
2. OCI for Father and Mother
3. Birth Certificate for Minor
4. Minor's Current Indian Visa ( we had to apply for one at short notice earlier in the year owing to family emergency)

Can you please let me know if this is adequate or if anything else is required? Could you also let me know if they collect the passport of the applicant at the time of the appointment. We are due to travel soon and hence wanted to check whether to schedule the appointment after we return.

[Deliaz]

Many people on this forum have kindly shared that they have applied for OCI with the receipt of Renunciation application. Once the Renunciation certificate arrives, they have emailed it to the concerned party.

Is it better to go with this approach or wait until I receive the RC and then apply for OCI?

[ilrtier1]

Hi,
I am 44 years old, I renewed my British passport last month. I have an OCI card. I booked for a trip to India in 4 weeks time. Based on the information in OCI miscellaneous services, I need to reissue my OCI. But looking at the time required, I don't think it is possible to get new OCI in 4 weeks, even if I apply today. Would it be a wise decision to apply for OCI and wait for 4 weeks? Or can I try for e visa only this time and when coming back from India, I can apply for new OCI. I plan to stay in India for only 2 weeks. Is there any problems for visiting India on a e tourist visa for 2 weeks? If entry stamp is on the passport, would it be easy for exit? Any advice and help would be very much appreciated. Thank you

[ncoder]

Many people on this forum have kindly shared that they have applied for OCI with the receipt of Renunciation application. Once the Renunciation certificate arrives, they have emailed it to the concerned party.

Is it better to go with this approach or wait until I receive the RC and then apply for OCI?

I have just done that. My OCI has been processed and waiting for delivery.

[Deliaz]

I have just done that. My OCI has been processed and waiting for delivery.

Sorry, my question is did you apply for OCI after you received your Renunciation certificate?

[ncoder]

I have just done that. My OCI has been processed and waiting for delivery.

Sorry, my question is did you apply for OCI after you received your Renunciation certificate?

No, I applied for OCI with the receipt of Renunciation and then emailed it to them when the certificate arrived. OCI was then processed within a day of me emailing them.