British passport for British citizen child born in India

[SriVidhu]

hi Ram,
No update on this yet. When I called them this week, they said the application is still with Delhi team, performing the checks.Not sure what that means. They also mentioned that they would remind the Delhi team to speed up the process!
So waiting..

[SriVidhu]

hi All,
I received an email from British High Commision Delhi to submit Pregnancy photos,Sibling passport copy and Marriage photos. I sent these over the weekend. Does anyone know what happens next or how long it takes from this point?

Thanks,
Siva

[rambo123]

Hi Siva,
Any update on your passport yet? I applied on March first week, still waiting for passport

Thanks,
-Ram

hi All,
I received an email from British High Commision Delhi to submit Pregnancy photos,Sibling passport copy and Marriage photos. I sent these over the weekend. Does anyone know what happens next or how long it takes from this point?

Thanks,
Siva

[SriVidhu]

hi Ram,
Received an email and call today to attend the interview in local VFS along with my son.
Not sure how long would it take to get the passport after the interview. If anyone knows about tentative timelines for getting the passport after interview, could you please share with me.

Also please let me the documents that I need to carry for the interview.

Thanks,
Siva

[rambo123]

That's good Siva. I think its about 3-4 weeks after interview to receive passport.

you can read this post http://www.immigrationboards.com/britis ... l#p1177199

Please keep us updated. Thanks

hi Ram,
Received an email and call today to attend the interview in local VFS along with my son.
Not sure how long would it take to get the passport after the interview. If anyone knows about tentative timelines for getting the passport after interview, could you please share with me.

Also please let me the documents that I need to carry for the interview.

Thanks,
Siva

[SriVidhu]

Many thanks for the information Rambo123.
I'll plan accordingly and shall keep you posted on any updates.

Thanks and Kind regards,
Siva

[SriVidhu]

hi,
I have interview regarding my son's passport soon.
Does anyone know if parents only/one of the parent can attend or should we go along with my son ( for whom the passport is applied

Thanks,
Siva

[rambo123]

Is there a option to attend passport interview from UK? or do we have to go local VFS where we applied passport from?

[gre.bm691]

Hi guys

My son born in India still awaits for his passport. I applied from within UK whilst my child was in India with his mother. Had a few hiccups on the way. Here is my timeline:

08-03-2016: Application made using check and send service
27-04-2016: Got email saying that my form was incorrectly filled. I disputed it as I had used check and send service. They they clarified that the form I filled up was for local applications. I should have used overseas application form, They wanted me to apply from India but I told them I am acting as applicant and my countersignatory is also here. They agreed that I could collect all the docuemnts from India (residency proofs) and submit it here at the Liverpool office.

Note- Took them 1.5months to tell me that the application type was wrong. I wasnt ask to make a fresh application. Just asked to fill up OVS application form. They didnt charge me.

19-05-05-2016- I get email that the payment was partial (OVS applications are more expensive). They also asked me to send my old indian passport. I made the payment immediately. I tried to clarify that at the time of conception I was a British Citizen, but they asked for my cancelled Indian passport anyway.

Note- Again, it takes them almost a month to tell me this. They asked for a docuemnt that is not part of the requirement!

10-08-2016: Wife was called in India and was asked to attend interview. Wife made it clear that I am in the UK and they said it was fine if she attended with the child.

17-08-2016: Interview done today. I will start chasing this up now from here.

I am even contemplating writing out a complaint to the higher authorities as the application has been delayed due to their poor check service (One of the passport helpline operator even agreed that its a mistake on the post office part and they should have pointed it out to me.)

My wife's spouse visa expires in a month's time. I so hope that we can get my son's passport by then as she has to appy from within the UK.

Can anyone suggest how long does it take after the interview is complete to get the passport?

[rambo123]

Hi,

I applied on 1st March, still waiting for interview. Can please share what they ask in the interview?

Thanks

Hi guys

My son born in India still awaits for his passport. I applied from within UK whilst my child was in India with his mother. Had a few hiccups on the way. Here is my timeline:

08-03-2016: Application made using check and send service
27-04-2016: Got email saying that my form was incorrectly filled. I disputed it as I had used check and send service. They they clarified that the form I filled up was for local applications. I should have used overseas application form, They wanted me to apply from India but I told them I am acting as applicant and my countersignatory is also here. They agreed that I could collect all the docuemnts from India (residency proofs) and submit it here at the Liverpool office.

Note- Took them 1.5months to tell me that the application type was wrong. I wasnt ask to make a fresh application. Just asked to fill up OVS application form. They didnt charge me.

19-05-05-2016- I get email that the payment was partial (OVS applications are more expensive). They also asked me to send my old indian passport. I made the payment immediately. I tried to clarify that at the time of conception I was a British Citizen, but they asked for my cancelled Indian passport anyway.

Note- Again, it takes them almost a month to tell me this. They asked for a docuemnt that is not part of the requirement!

10-08-2016: Wife was called in India and was asked to attend interview. Wife made it clear that I am in the UK and they said it was fine if she attended with the child.

17-08-2016: Interview done today. I will start chasing this up now from here.

I am even contemplating writing out a complaint to the higher authorities as the application has been delayed due to their poor check service (One of the passport helpline operator even agreed that its a mistake on the post office part and they should have pointed it out to me.)

My wife's spouse visa expires in a month's time. I so hope that we can get my son's passport by then as she has to appy from within the UK.

Can anyone suggest how long does it take after the interview is complete to get the passport?

[gre.bm691]

Very general questions. This is as per my wife as I didnt attend the interview:
- When did you get married? What is the immigration history of your husband? What was the nationality of your husband at the time of marriage?
- Was delivery natural? What hospital? Which authority issued the birth certificate?
- Where was husband when child was born? Why was your husband not with you?
- Where does your husband work? Where do you live in UK?
- Who was the countersignatory? Have you ever met him? How long does your husband know him for?
- Why did you decide to have the child in India?
- When did you first arrive in the UK?
- How many visits have you made to India since you first arrived in the UK?

- The funniest question ever: Where was your husband when the child was conceived? My wife burst out laughing and said "with me ":)

Nothing to panic about for genuine cases. Good luck

[SriVidhu]

hi ,
I've also attended interview for my son on 11Aug16.Questions were similar to what you have mentioned .
They said that I can expect passport in 3-4 weeks from the date of interview.

Does anyone know what should be the next steps once the passport is received, in order to fly to UK.
Should we take any additional letter from anyone?

Thanks,
Siva

[gre.bm691]

Finally an update in my case. Got a response from Liverpool office that passport application has been successful. They have said that the passport shall be sent to the local VFS center that could take 5-15 working days.
Could anyone give a practical ETA once the application is successful?

@SriVindhu, you will then need to get an exit visa which is obtained from the FRRO, Mumbai or local Police commissioner office. I dont know the exact procedure (Ibelieve you need to fill the form online: https://indianfrro.gov.in/frro/)but one of my relatives traveled to Mumbai to get it. They got it the same day. I am trying to find more information as to how to get it from the local commissioner's office.

[SriVidhu]

Congratulations gre.bm691 and thanks for sharing the information on exit permit. I'm still waiting to hear on passport ( interviewed on 11Aug16) !!

By the way regarding exit permit-
I called FRRO ( Hyderabad) office and they asked me to approach either FRRO or local commisioner of police office to obtain the exit permit. Steps are as follows ( from what they mentioned)
Once you receive the British passport for the little one-
1.Fill the online application form -
http://boi.gov.in/content/online-registration
select the second option/link

2.Submit the application and take it to local police commissioner office and submit the application.
You would need to take the little one to the office ( thats what they mentioned when i went to the local police commissioner office in vijayawada)
Documents required-
1.Kids UK passport
2.Air tickets ( including for kid)
3.Passport of parents ( whoever is accompanying the kid on the way back to UK)
4.Address proof in India ( as provided in the application) such as utility bill etc
5.application fee of ( USD 80)

They said the whole process may take 2-5 days ( it also includes police checks at local address)

I shall update as I hear anything on this.

[SriVidhu]

Also here is the link to local FRRO offices
http://boi.gov.in/content/online-registration

http://boi.gov.in/content/frro-contact-list

[gre.bm691]

thanks SriVidhu
It will be Hyderabad in my case.

Please do let me know whatever route you choose and how long will it take. My relative got it the same day from FRRO.
My problem is I might not even have 2-3days. Depending on when the passport arrives, we will need to arrange travel ASAP as my wife's visa expires on 15th Sep.

[SriVidhu]

hi ,
Finally an update on my son's passport.
I called up the Liverpool office today and they said the passport was printed on 31Aug16 and it would be sent by DHL courier.

Does anyone know how long it takes to reach VFS and when can we collect from there?
Any information on this would be helpful . Thank you.

[gre.bm691]

Same boat SriVindhu.
I got an update on 26th Aug saying that the passport has been issued. My local MP was given a tracking number for my application saying that it was DHL tracking number. Turns out, its not!
Been chasing the passport office and they say that its an internal tracking number the one that I ahve been given and that the DHL tracking number is not coming up on the system.

Written to Liverpool office. Hoping for the best!

[gre.bm691]

SriVindhu,
Try getting the tracking number from the passport helpline. I got mine and have tracked the passport.
My son's passport was picked on 31st Jul from UK and has been received by New Delhi today. So your situation would probably be the same.

Anyone aware how long does the New Delhi High comission sit on it before they send it out the local VFS? I am not sure what courier service will they use to send it off.

Thanks. Getting there.

[SriVidhu]

Thanks gre.bm691.
I just called the liverpool passport helpline team and they have given a tracking number saying its the DHL one. However seems its not the DHL. Do you know if this can be tracked from any other internal courier URL?
IF so could you please share.

By the way you mentioned that it was picked on 31st JUl. I hope its 31Aug?

Thanks.

[gre.bm691]

I had the exact same problem. The number they must have provided would be of the format 00000000xxxxxxx? That is their reference number for DHL and not the tracking number.

Call them again. Tell them you are looking for either the waybill or piece identifier number. The waybill number is a 10 digit number. The piece identifier number begins with alphabets (JDXXXXXXXXXXX)

I got this by calling the passport helpline and not liverpool office.

[SriVidhu]

Thanks. Its been helpful. I called the passport helpline and they have given the weybill no: 6XXXXXXXXX
( 10 digits). Seems the passport has been delivered to NewDelhi this morning. Do you or anyone know when it would be sent to local VFS and when can we collect it?

Thanks .

[gre.bm691]

So my wife visited the local VFS center yesterday and was told that the passport could be available today. She visited them again today and was told its still not available (blaming the Ganesh festival for delays).

We really dont have any time as we have already booked the tickets for 14th Sep. I am unsure how long will the Exit permit take. Without the passport I am not even able to fill the online form.

I have written to the local MP and also to the Hyderabad VFS today. Hopefully, we will get it tomorrow!

Any information about the exit permit- how long does it take, what do we do after applying online etc.?

Also, what other documents are needed? I am told that she will need a no objection letter from myself. Someone has even suggested that I need a no-objection letter from the British Embassy. Can someone confirm? Surely thats not a requirement! Why would British Embassy object to a citizen returning to the country?

[SriVidhu]

When you said your wife visited the VFS Hyderabad office, did you get any intimation from Delhi that passport has been sent to local VFS and can be collected? Please let me know , which would help me to reach out to VFS in Hyderabad. Also if you have any contact number to call VFS , please share.

I also did not receive any information from Delhi office, to collect the passport from local VFS.

Regarding exit permit - It needs to be applied online and submit the scanned documents online and then book an appointment with the local FRRO office. You/Yourwife along with kid ( parent who is travelling with kid) needs to visit local FRRO on the date of appointment .

Here are the documents to be provided-
List of Mandatory documents :
1.Photo: Applicant's photo.
2.Residence proof: Form C copy from Hotel or Lodge/ Electricity bill/ Landline/ Telephone /Municipal Bill of the landlord in case of staying in a house of relative or friend along with a letter and photo-id card of the landlord. In case of rented accommodation copy of Lease and Licence agreement (1st and last page and page containing its validity).
3.Passport and Visa: Parents passport & visa copy (Photo Page, Page Indicating Validity, Page Bearing arrival Stamp of Indian Immigration, Visa with endorsement.).
4.Birth Certificate: Birth certificate of child.

List of non-mandatory/ conditional documents :
1.Travel ticket: Travel ticket.
2.Passport: Infants new passport or Emergency travel document issued by the concerned Indian mission.
3.Others: if document type is not in the list.

[gre.bm691]

Thanks for info.
No we didn't get any info from Delhi. We started chasing up as we r getting desperate. There is no phone number only email address. My wife was called today from vfs to collect the passport! So looks like we r getting it today.

I would say wait for a day or two for a call from vfs. If nothing, email vfs.
All the best