Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI)

[aryaman]

OCI Application: 19th April 2013 (in person @ London)
OCI acknowledgement :19th April 2013
OCI documents printed : 10th May 2013
OCI dispatched from MOIA(OCI) Delhi : 14th May 2013
OCI documents Recd London : 20th May 2013
OCI card and U Visa collected : Not Yet

Can anybody guide me that I need to carry only British Passport and printed report from OCI site.

Also do I need to go around 11:00 to submit the above and 4:00 to collect?

Yes just your British Passport and a printed copy of your online OCI status report needs to be submitted. The documents can be submitted anytime between 08:30 - 12:00 hrs.
The OCI card and the passport will be ready for collection the same day between 16:30-17:00 hrs.

[pgandhi1]

Hi

Has anyone from Birmingham recently received their oci? I applied on 7 March and so far nothing has changed in my status. can Birmingham people please share their time lines

Thanks alot

[dba_kkk]

OCI Application: 19th April 2013 (in person @ London)
OCI acknowledgement :19th April 2013
OCI Documents Scanned : 1st May 2013
OCI granted : 9th May 2013
OCI documents printed : 10th May 2013
OCI dispatched from Delhi : 14th May 2013
OCI documents Recd London : 20TH MAY 2013
OCI card and U Visa collected : Not Yet

thinking of sending my passports by post

Just to avoid all the hassle for getting there early and waiting whole day

[vij_sp_1980]

OCI Application(infant kid): 21st May 2013 (in person @ HCI London)
OCI documents printed : 11th June 2013
OCI dispatched from Delhi : 17th June 2013
OCI documents Recd London : 18th June 2013

Thanks to everyone in this forum for the support and valuable advices.

[Nadeshka]

Anyone else unable to check the status of their application? The old website seems to have gone and the new one here http://passport.gov.in/oci/statusEnqury is claiming I haven't made an applicattion at all (previously my application did come up though wasn't acknowledged).
I applied on the 18th April - hard to believe they can't open an envelope in over a month!

[smatt]

Anyone else unable to check the status of their application? The old website seems to have gone and the new one here http://passport.gov.in/oci/statusEnqury is claiming I haven't made an applicattion at all (previously my application did come up though wasn't acknowledged).
I applied on the 18th April - hard to believe they can't open an envelope in over a month!

Same problem with me applied on 27 March

[VishalG]

Hi london7

Congrats on getting your OCI, Can you pleas share your time lines as there are not enough people here who share timelines and applied in Birmigham.

Thanks

[vmat]

Hi all
Applied 15th March (post- birmingham)
Family of 4
Acknowledged 9th April
New website says documents printing under process.
No mention about scanning or registration
Called them a few times - same answer - keep checking website

[man2012]

OCI Application: 19th April 2013 (in person @ London)
OCI acknowledgement :19th April 2013
OCI documents printed : 10th May 2013
OCI dispatched from MOIA(OCI) Delhi : 14th May 2013
OCI documents Recd London : 20th May 2013
OCI card and U Visa collected : Not Yet

Can anybody guide me that I need to carry only British Passport and printed report from OCI site.

Also do I need to go around 11:00 to submit the above and 4:00 to collect?

Yes just your British Passport and a printed copy of your online OCI status report needs to be submitted. The documents can be submitted anytime between 08:30 - 12:00 hrs.
The OCI card and the passport will be ready for collection the same day between 16:30-17:00 hrs.

Thanks Aryaman... I submitted yesterday and will collect today evening.

[Ctzn2013]

I am planning to submit my OCI application at HCI London on Tuesday (for 2 adults and 1 child). Can someone advise me if 2 copies of printed application form need to be submitted along with 2 copies of proofs? Also for a minor, do I have to submit his birth certificate or our marriage certificate?

[J.sohi]

Hi.
Postal application to London 28/03/2013.
Acknowledgement 16/05/2013.

A long anxious wait...... Finally the acknowledgement.

What happens next? Will I receive a letter or have to keep looking at the status? And after that do I have to send all the family members passports to Indian embassy?

Senthil

Hello
I applied for oci on 5th april postal application to hci london.still waiting for to be acknowelged.can anyone plz let me know how long it can be.thanks in advance
Sohi

[venga_pal]

OCI Application: 02 March 2013 (Postal to London)
Royal mail tracking confirmed delivery on : 05 March 2013.
After a long wait... and a number of emails, I was informed on 23April2013 that my application was received at the embassy but misplaced (lost with in) I was asked to come in person to re-submit, which I did on 25 April 2013 (Note that I had to prepare all documentation again)
OCI acknowledgement :25 April 2013
OCI Documents Scanned : 06 May 2013
OCI granted : 15 May 2013
OCI documents printed : 16 May 2013
OCI dispatched from Delhi : 20 May 2013
OCI documents Recd London : 23 MAY 2013
OCI card and U Visa collected : 27 MAY 2013.

After the re-submission everything went pretty smooth. I shouldnt have applied by Post in the first place. Anyway I have learnt my lessons. I have lost atleast 200 pounds (the postal order fees, additional travel etc) on top of a day-off and 8 weeks due to thier negligence.

Also unfortunately our grandfather passed away on 08May13. They cannot expedite the application and will not provide any help with urgent visa even if it is their mistake in the first place. Had they not misplaced my application, we would have been able to attend his last rituals. I am exteremly frustrated by the way they are working. Now that I got my OCI... I am making my arrangements for the travel to India.
I would appreciate if some one could provide thoughts on how and whom to lodge a formal complaint.

If you are unsure whether to Post or to go in person, My suggestion would be to apply in person. I think the 'inconvinience for one day' is worth it from my experience. You will atleast know then that your application is with them and is acknowledged.

I have had a conversation with one of the staff during collection. He mentioned, I am not the only one who had gone through this. Apparantely misplacement of applications happens very regularly.

I have now done with the process. Thanks Manish etc for your kind replies. I wish good luck for everyone in the process.

Kind regards,
Venga_pal

[destiniation_london]

OCI Application: 02 March 2013 (Postal to London)
Royal mail tracking confirmed delivery on : 05 March 2013.
After a long wait... and a number of emails, I was informed on 23April2013 that my application was received at the embassy but misplaced (lost with in) I was asked to come in person to re-submit, which I did on 25 April 2013 (Note that I had to prepare all documentation again)
OCI acknowledgement :25 April 2013
OCI Documents Scanned : 06 May 2013
OCI granted : 15 May 2013
OCI documents printed : 16 May 2013
OCI dispatched from Delhi : 20 May 2013
OCI documents Recd London : 23 MAY 2013
OCI card and U Visa collected : 27 MAY 2013.

After the re-submission everything went pretty smooth. I shouldnt have applied by Post in the first place. Anyway I have learnt my lessons. I have lost atleast 200 pounds (the postal order fees, additional travel etc) on top of a day-off and 8 weeks due to thier negligence.

Also unfortunately our grandfather passed away on 08May13. They cannot expedite the application and will not provide any help with urgent visa even if it is their mistake in the first place. Had they not misplaced my application, we would have been able to attend his last rituals. I am exteremly frustrated by the way they are working. Now that I got my OCI... I am making my arrangements for the travel to India.
I would appreciate if some one could provide thoughts on how and whom to lodge a formal complaint.

If you are unsure whether to Post or to go in person, My suggestion would be to apply in person. I think the 'inconvinience for one day' is worth it from my experience. You will atleast know then that your application is with them and is acknowledged.

I have had a conversation with one of the staff during collection. He mentioned, I am not the only one who had gone through this. Apparantely misplacement of applications happens very regularly.

I have now done with the process. Thanks Manish etc for your kind replies. I wish good luck for everyone in the process.

Kind regards,
Venga_pal

What about your surrender certificate, you must have supplied the original with the post so did they accept the copy when doing in-person

[venga_pal]

Yes! They had to accept a copy, I guess.

They have attested a colour copy ( Luckily I kept one) and said I could use it for future purposes.

Kind regards,
venga_pal

[destiniation_london]

Yes! They had to accept a copy, I guess.

They have attested a colour copy ( Luckily I kept one) and said I could use it for future purposes.

Kind regards,
venga_pal

Good, this is insanely ineffeciency from them...I know in-person appointments are better and quicker but what about the people like me who lives in northern Ireland and coming to London just for this would be too expensive and not to mention loss of work and salary.

[insomniac]

Reading these posts just makes me glad that I grit my teeth and went and stood outside HCI at 7am.

Sorry to hear your experiences - shocking but not sadly not surprising.

I read somewhere that NI residents could submit OCI applications in Dublin. Not great, but beats coming down to London. Plus I'm sure the queues are shorter!

[Manish21]

Hi Venu

thats great every thing sorted now... sorry to hear about your experience

cheers
M

OCI Application: 02 March 2013 (Postal to London)
Royal mail tracking confirmed delivery on : 05 March 2013.
After a long wait... and a number of emails, I was informed on 23April2013 that my application was received at the embassy but misplaced (lost with in) I was asked to come in person to re-submit, which I did on 25 April 2013 (Note that I had to prepare all documentation again)
OCI acknowledgement :25 April 2013
OCI Documents Scanned : 06 May 2013
OCI granted : 15 May 2013
OCI documents printed : 16 May 2013
OCI dispatched from Delhi : 20 May 2013
OCI documents Recd London : 23 MAY 2013
OCI card and U Visa collected : 27 MAY 2013.

After the re-submission everything went pretty smooth. I shouldnt have applied by Post in the first place. Anyway I have learnt my lessons. I have lost atleast 200 pounds (the postal order fees, additional travel etc) on top of a day-off and 8 weeks due to thier negligence.

Also unfortunately our grandfather passed away on 08May13. They cannot expedite the application and will not provide any help with urgent visa even if it is their mistake in the first place. Had they not misplaced my application, we would have been able to attend his last rituals. I am exteremly frustrated by the way they are working. Now that I got my OCI... I am making my arrangements for the travel to India.
I would appreciate if some one could provide thoughts on how and whom to lodge a formal complaint.

If you are unsure whether to Post or to go in person, My suggestion would be to apply in person. I think the 'inconvinience for one day' is worth it from my experience. You will atleast know then that your application is with them and is acknowledged.

I have had a conversation with one of the staff during collection. He mentioned, I am not the only one who had gone through this. Apparantely misplacement of applications happens very regularly.

I have now done with the process. Thanks Manish etc for your kind replies. I wish good luck for everyone in the process.

Kind regards,
Venga_pal

[Manish21]

I finally received my OCI thorough post, Good Luck to every one who all are in same boat. Thanks for your help and support.

Cheers Manish

My Timeline ( all together 11.5 weeks in Total for Postal application)

OCI Application: 04-Mar-2013 (Postal, London)
Received In London HCI: 5-Mar-2013
OCI acknowledgement : 12-Apr-2013
Return of Original surrender certificate: 16-Apr-2013
OCI Photo/Signature Scanned : 25-Apr-2013
OCI granted : 03-May- 2013
Printed : 06- May- 2013
Dispatched -09-May-2013
Received at London : 14-May-2013
Passport sent through Post : 15-May-2013
Passport Received at HCI : 16-May-2013
Passport Recived with OCI at home: 25-May-2013

[destiniation_london]

I finally received my OCI thorough post, Good Luck to every one who all are in same boat. Thanks for your help and support.

Cheers Manish

My Timeline ( all together 11.5 weeks in Total for Postal application)

OCI Application: 04-Mar-2013 (Postal, London)
Received In London HCI: 5-Mar-2013
OCI acknowledgement : 12-Apr-2013
Return of Original surrender certificate: 16-Apr-2013
OCI Photo/Signature Scanned : 25-Apr-2013
OCI granted : 03-May- 2013
Printed : 06- May- 2013
Dispatched -09-May-2013
Received at London : 14-May-2013
Passport sent through Post : 15-May-2013
Passport Received at HCI : 16-May-2013
Passport Recived with OCI at home: 25-May-2013

Manish - can you tell me what sort of envelope (special delivery next day - grey ones???) did you sent to get your surrender certificate back

[Manish21]

Hi , I sent grey next day delivery envelope with my application for surrender certificate return.

Cheers

I finally received my OCI thorough post, Good Luck to every one who all are in same boat. Thanks for your help and support.

Cheers Manish

My Timeline ( all together 11.5 weeks in Total for Postal application)

OCI Application: 04-Mar-2013 (Postal, London)
Received In London HCI: 5-Mar-2013
OCI acknowledgement : 12-Apr-2013
Return of Original surrender certificate: 16-Apr-2013
OCI Photo/Signature Scanned : 25-Apr-2013
OCI granted : 03-May- 2013
Printed : 06- May- 2013
Dispatched -09-May-2013
Received at London : 14-May-2013
Passport sent through Post : 15-May-2013
Passport Received at HCI : 16-May-2013
Passport Recived with OCI at home: 25-May-2013

Manish - can you tell me what sort of envelope (special delivery next day - grey ones???) did you sent to get your surrender certificate back

[venga_pal]

Thanks for the thoughts guys.

Any further thoughts on... whom and how to lodge a formal complaint are very much appreciated.
I dont want anyone else to go through the same experience as I did. I hope (only a hope) that their control systems will be reviewed/tightened, if we take it to the big boss's notice. I just want to do my BIT.

They didnt answer my email about the complaint.

Kind regards,
Venu.

[Showy]

I applied in person at Birmingham for myself and parents, current status online is:

Date Of Acknowledgment 12-MAR-2013 (In Person)
Registration Status at Mission BIRMINGHAM
OCI- Number
Documents Printing Status UNDER-PROCESS On

All the other statuses seem to have been removed!!!! and nearly 3 months now...still waiting..

I also want to apply for my wife and children but thought it would be better to wait till mine was completed....also thinking of applying via post to HCI London now, seems like the process is much quicker..

[papiaroy]

I have applied OCI in person at CGI Birmingham on 4th April. Online status shows Printing under process.
Can anyone who has just got his or her OCI from Birmingham share the timeline? Then we can have a fair idea what is the backlog there.
Thanks
Papia

[mano7878]

I applied in person at Birmingham for myself on 9 th April . The status is as below.
It looks like CGI Birmingham process times are very slow when compared to HCI London.


Date Of Acknowledgment 09-APR-2013 (In Person)
Registration Status at Mission BIRMINGHAM
OCI- Number
Documents Printing Status UNDER-PROCESS On

[papiaroy]

Exactly I too get the same message as yours. Printing- Under Process . No mention of OCI being granted at Mission or documents scanned.