Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI)

[keshgrover]

Dear friends,
I recently surrendered my Indian passport at HCI London and will be looking to apply for OCI in the new year. What documents do I need to furnish along with the OCI application and fee. I know that HCI website has information on this but I find it there description has room for confusion so just wanted to check with people on this forum.

Many thanks in advance

Sid

Hi Sid,

Long time no see. Well I hope you are enjoying the new red one. Please stay in touch. And visit us on General Immigration Board.

[sidster007]

Hey Kesh,

Thanks for your kind message. Hope all's well at your end? I do monitor the posts on the naturalization timeline every now and then as its become a bit of a habit (similar to facebook) ...I really hope you and your uncle get your approvals before Christmas...it will just take a load of your mind.

I have to admit that it is quite a nice feeling to have the shiny new red passport in hand although I felt kind of sad to give up my Indian one. I really cannot understand why the Indian government does not allow dual nationality. They don't even have to do anything to implement it.

Good luck with your naturalization app.

Cheers

Sid

[sidster007]

Friends,

Can anyone who recently applied for OCI please let me know what documents you submitted along with your application?
Am thinking of now applying next week.

Cheers

Sid

Dear friends,
I recently surrendered my Indian passport at HCI London and will be looking to apply for OCI in the new year. What documents do I need to furnish along with the OCI application and fee. I know that HCI website has information on this but I find it there description has room for confusion so just wanted to check with people on this forum.

Many thanks in advance

Sid

Hi Sid,

Long time no see. Well I hope you are enjoying the new red one. Please stay in touch. And visit us on General Immigration Board.

[keshgrover]

Hi Sid,

There is another thread on the forum (link given below) might help you with your question.

http://www.immigrationboards.com/viewtopic.php?t=45103

Regards

[KUMARVK]

Hi ,

I will be applying OCI in next couple of days at HCI london

I have noticed phot sizes are mentioned differenly

1) As per online applicaion it was mentioned 35mmX 35 mm phtotos
(FORM XIX/part- a==> Affix your photo of size 35X35 mm)

2) As per http://www.cgibirmingham.org/OCI_alt.htm
(The photograph should measure 35 mm x 35 mm without border.)

3) AS per HCI london website it is mentioned 51mmX51mm.
(http://hcilondon.in/oci.php
Photographs: Two photographs [51x51mm, (WITH 80% COVERAGE BY FACE) should be pasted & signed at the respective boxes provided in the form. Two additional photographs must be attached in small envelope separately. Photographs should be of light colour background (not white) with front pose, both shoulders and both ears visible.
)

Can someone advice.

[llNicell]

Hi ,

I will be applying OCI in next couple of days at HCI london

I have noticed phot sizes are mentioned differenly

1) As per online applicaion it was mentioned 35mmX 35 mm phtotos
(FORM XIX/part- a==> Affix your photo of size 35X35 mm)

2) As per http://www.cgibirmingham.org/OCI_alt.htm
(The photograph should measure 35 mm x 35 mm without border.)

3) AS per HCI london website it is mentioned 51mmX51mm.
(http://hcilondon.in/oci.php
Photographs: Two photographs [51x51mm, (WITH 80% COVERAGE BY FACE) should be pasted & signed at the respective boxes provided in the form. Two additional photographs must be attached in small envelope separately. Photographs should be of light colour background (not white) with front pose, both shoulders and both ears visible.
)

Can someone advice.

This is a very common issue of correct photo size. I submitted my OCI with 35x35mm photo and 70% face cover so that both shoulders are also visible.
I had a talk with HCI person who was collecting forms at window about this issue. She told that they are aware of this problem and they had accepted UK size also but some times Delhi office do not accept photos and ask to re-submit correct size photos. Many times it is based on the perception of individuals dealing with your application in Delhi.

The safest way is to get 35x35mm photo from Snappy Snaps. Please note that if you tell Snappy Snaps about 80% face cover, both shoulders visible and photo size 35x35mm, it is bit difficult to comply all however with 70% face cover it is possible to get an acceptable photo for OCI. I know it is a pain in the neck but you have to do it for getting OCI on time & without any hassle

[msbabu]

Hi

I applied for my OCI in sept 1st week, it got acknowledged end of October after applying for SC, and still under process. Is there anyone in the forum who is in same state. Is there something we can do to fasten the process, a call to hci has resulted in saying that there is a backlog. any ideas .... or experiences .....

[punjabi boy]

Hi

I applied for my OCI in sept 1st week, it got acknowledged end of October after applying for SC, and still under process. Is there anyone in the forum who is in same state. Is there something we can do to fasten the process, a call to hci has resulted in saying that there is a backlog. any ideas .... or experiences .....

I spoke to someone who applied beginning OCT.....status read "ACKNOWLEDGED"...however applications submitted and acknowledged after hers were reading "PHOTO SCANNED".....Dont underwstand it personally....looks as though they are not being done in order.....then mine was done in 16 days....baffling

[rakh]

reply to all queries:

I applied on 5th oct by post . still waiting to receive the surrender certificate. I have enclosed a self addresed envelope(with app. stamp) also. They only ask for active passport, not a passport which has already been cancelled by HCI. they don't send the passport back, therefore you should photocopy the passport before sending. Yes, you need to send postal order not banker's draft. You don't need to attest the photocopies.

I hope I have answered all your queries.

Applied on 12.10.09 for surrender certificate with the following documents
Orginal Indian Passport
Photocopy of Indian passport
Photocopy of Bristish Passport
Photocopy of naturalization certificate
Crossed postal order for £90
Recorded self addressed return envelope

cheers

Applied on 12.10.09 for surrender certificate
Recieved on 26.10.09
Applied OCI 26.10.09

hi all
a quick update, after trying for couple of days, finally today i was able to get through OCI officer, but with no good results, i could not get any information from them, as they kept saying we have too many applications, please call back after few days

I have submited application on 26thOct by post with a photocopy of surrender certificate

its really painful and frustrating..after trying for days and in the end you get no proper answer

cheers

Hi
my application was acknowledged on 17/11/2009, after that there is no change in status, please could anyone provide clues, what should be the best way forward , i am trying to contact on 02076323074, is this correct no?
cheers

[punjabi boy]

Applied on 12.10.09 for surrender certificate with the following documents
Orginal Indian Passport
Photocopy of Indian passport
Photocopy of Bristish Passport
Photocopy of naturalization certificate
Crossed postal order for £90
Recorded self addressed return envelope

cheers

Applied on 12.10.09 for surrender certificate
Recieved on 26.10.09
Applied OCI 26.10.09

hi all
a quick update, after trying for couple of days, finally today i was able to get through OCI officer, but with no good results, i could not get any information from them, as they kept saying we have too many applications, please call back after few days

I have submited application on 26thOct by post with a photocopy of surrender certificate

its really painful and frustrating..after trying for days and in the end you get no proper answer

cheers

Hi
my application was acknowledged on 17/11/2009, after that there is no change in status, please could anyone provide clues, what should be the best way forward , i am trying to contact on 02076323074, is this correct no?
cheers

Today i spoke to someone who applied over 4 months ago. not heard a thing....how does one contact them? She has tried calling and calling but no answer. Think she has lost the 165 pounds? Application WAS acknowledged. but no email no phone call nothing.

[rakh]

Applied on 12.10.09 for surrender certificate
Recieved on 26.10.09
Applied OCI 26.10.09

hi all
a quick update, after trying for couple of days, finally today i was able to get through OCI officer, but with no good results, i could not get any information from them, as they kept saying we have too many applications, please call back after few days

I have submited application on 26thOct by post with a photocopy of surrender certificate

its really painful and frustrating..after trying for days and in the end you get no proper answer

cheers

Hi
my application was acknowledged on 17/11/2009, after that there is no change in status, please could anyone provide clues, what should be the best way forward , i am trying to contact on 02076323074, is this correct no?
cheers

Today i spoke to someone who applied over 4 months ago. not heard a thing....how does one contact them? She has tried calling and calling but no answer. Think she has lost the 165 pounds? Application WAS acknowledged. but no email no phone call nothing.

many thanks for heads up, does this mean going to HCI will be of any help? if yes please anyone can provide the procedure and timings to go

cheers

[punjabi boy]

Hi when checking my friend's OCI status using her FILE NUMBER it just says ACKNOWLEDGED, no picture has been scanned or anything. Nothing more than ACKNOWLEDGED. We have tried calling and no answer. Her emails are never replied to and she is now beginning to think HCI LONDON have taken the 165 pounds and she will get nothing. When she went to HCI LONDON today she was told there was a backlog. However the officer did not even look up the FILE NUMBER and just made a blanket statement.
Waiting some 4 months with no reply is a bit much.

One interestub==ing thing was if the FILE NUMBER digits are moved up or down close to her number there are applications which have been GRANTED some time ago....Anyone can help her on this?

[rakh]

many thnaks for update, i just checked today and mine is moved to next status
Photo/Signature Scanned On 16-DEC-2009

cheers

[punjabi boy]

many thnaks for update, i just checked today and mine is moved to next status
Photo/Signature Scanned On 16-DEC-2009

cheers

Does anyone know is the picture scanned in UK London or in DElhi?....

[gkh]

I got my SC yesterday... will be applying for OCI today...

Applied for SC on 02/12/2009
Received by Embassy on 03/12/2009
Recieved SC on 16/12/2009

[gkh]

many thnaks for update, i just checked today and mine is moved to next status
Photo/Signature Scanned On 16-DEC-2009

cheers

When did you send/submit your application?

[rakh]

many thnaks for update, i just checked today and mine is moved to next status
Photo/Signature Scanned On 16-DEC-2009

cheers

When did you send/submit your application?

hi
i sent my application end October and it was acknowledged on 17-11-2009

cheers

[chakku71]

I got my SC yesterday... will be applying for OCI today...

Applied for SC on 02/12/2009
Received by Embassy on 03/12/2009
Recieved SC on 16/12/2009

Can we not apply for surrender certiificate and OCI at one go attaching the fee as well as the application forms for both?

[asterix09]

Hello,

It appears that the govt of India has issued a new directive where if an individual is in India on a multiple entry long-term tourist visa and has stayed for over 90 days, the individual needs to take a 2 month "time-out" before returning. This is applicable to all foreign visitors incl those of Indian origin.

Can anyone confirm that this rule does not apply to PIO/OCI card holders.

Thank you.

[rakh]

many thnaks for update, i just checked today and mine is moved to next status
Photo/Signature Scanned On 16-DEC-2009

cheers

When did you send/submit your application?

hi
i sent my application end October and it was acknowledged on 17-11-2009

cheers

hi all,

please can someone tell me what documents i need to send to get my approved OCI booklet by post. to my understanding following docs are reqd

1. Original British Passport
2. Self address Envelope
3. Post office receipt of OCI Application
4. Photocopy of OCI application
5. Photo Copy of surrender certificate

is these documents sufficient, please let me know if anything i have missed?

cheers

[yatri09]

many thnaks for update, i just checked today and mine is moved to next status
Photo/Signature Scanned On 16-DEC-2009

cheers

When did you send/submit your application?

hi
i sent my application end October and it was acknowledged on 17-11-2009

cheers

hi all,

please can someone tell me what documents i need to send to get my approved OCI booklet by post. to my understanding following docs are reqd

1. Original British Passport
2. Self address Envelope
3. Post office receipt of OCI Application
4. Photocopy of OCI application
5. Photo Copy of surrender certificate

is these documents sufficient, please let me know if anything i have missed?

cheers

what is the time line of your oci appplication so far?

[yatri09]

When did you send/submit your application?

hi
i sent my application end October and it was acknowledged on 17-11-2009

cheers

hi all,

please can someone tell me what documents i need to send to get my approved OCI booklet by post. to my understanding following docs are reqd

1. Original British Passport
2. Self address Envelope
3. Post office receipt of OCI Application
4. Photocopy of OCI application
5. Photo Copy of surrender certificate

is these documents sufficient, please let me know if anything i have missed?

cheers

what is the time line of your oci appplication so far?

my application was acknowledged on 27-11-2009 but still it is under process!!

[rakh]

[
what is the time line of your oci appplication so far?[/quote]
my application was acknowledged on 27-11-2009 but still it is under process!![/quote]
hi
i think there is big queue at HCI, following are my timelines so far

Date Of Acknowledgment 17-NOV-2009
Registration Status UnderProcess
Photo/Signature Scanned On 16-DEC-2009

cheers

[yatri09]

[
what is the time line of your oci appplication so far?

my application was acknowledged on 27-11-2009 but still it is under process!![/quote]
hi
i think there is big queue at HCI, following are my timelines so far

Date Of Acknowledgment 17-NOV-2009
Registration Status UnderProcess
Photo/Signature Scanned On 16-DEC-2009

cheers[/quote]

thanks for the update, By the way did you send the application by post? Is the photo/signature scan being done at HCI? Does the Big queue means even if the applications are acknowledged the HCI is not starting the process immediately? Are the applications stuck in HCI and not being sent to Delhi for registration due to hug backlog or some other reson? Too many questions and so little info or update about the applications neither from HCI London or from the online equiry page

[rakh]

[
what is the time line of your oci appplication so far?

my application was acknowledged on 27-11-2009 but still it is under process!!

hi
i think there is big queue at HCI, following are my timelines so far

Date Of Acknowledgment 17-NOV-2009
Registration Status UnderProcess
Photo/Signature Scanned On 16-DEC-2009

cheers[/quote]

thanks for the update, By the way did you send the application by post? Is the photo/signature scan being done at HCI? Does the Big queue means even if the applications are acknowledged the HCI is not starting the process immediately? Are the applications stuck in HCI and not being sent to Delhi for registration due to hug backlog or some other reson? Too many questions and so little info or update about the applications neither from HCI London or from the online equiry page[/quote]
hi
i have no clues how HCI works...i got a chance to speak to them in nov before my application was acknowleged and that's the answer i got "Huge Backlog" thats it

cheers