Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI)

[pradeap123]

Timeline of New OCI application: Minor Child
Application Date: 08/10/20
VFS Center: Hounslow
Date of acknowledgment: 09/10/20
Original docs Received back: 13/10/20
Documents Printing Status: 29/10/20
Dispatched From New Delhi (OCI): 29/10/20
Document received At London: 29/10/20
Dispatched by VFS: 02/11/20
OCI DOCUMENT RECEIVED: 03/11/20

[sreemtech]

OCI Renewal : Minor Child

Application Date: 03/11/20
VFS Center: Hounslow
Date of acknowledgment: 04/11/20
Documents Printing Status: 04/11/20
Dispatched From MEA (OCI): 04/11/20
Document received At London: 04/11/20

Original docs Received : 06/11/20
OCI DOCUMENT RECEIVED: 06/11/20

[Crazy_Londoner]

Timeline of New OCI application: ADULT

Application Date: 14/10/20
VFS Center: Goswell Road
Date of acknowledgment: 15/10/20
Original docs Received back: 21/10/20
Documents Printing Status: 04/11/20
Dispatched From New Delhi (OCI): 04/11/20
Document received At London: 04/11/20
Dispatched by VFS: 06/11/20
OCI DOCUMENT RECEIVED: 06/11/20

[Rimas15]

It has become a nightmare to get appointments on VFS website. Here in Belfast they are open only on Mon Wed Fri for limited times which is added complexity for applicants. Looks like actual processing times with Embassy have improved but the VFS is becoming crap.

Everyone is going through huge anxiety as without OCI we can’t fly to India in case of emergencies.

Hope Indian Embassy & MHA looks into this. Waiting for an appointment become available for last 2 weeks and ready with application.

Good luck everyone in the OCI process.

[Monk123]

Timeline of New OCI application: Adult and child

Application Date: 21/10/20
VFS Center: Hounslow
Date of acknowledgment: 22/10/20
Original docs Received back: 24/10/20
Documents Printing Status: 11/11/20
Dispatched From New Delhi (OCI): 12/11/20
Document received At London: 12/11/20
Dispatched by VFS: waiting
OCI DOCUMENT RECEIVED: waiting

[RayBrighton]

@Rimas15
Absolutely. I have been trying to find an appointment for last two weeks without success. And as you highlighted that only people with OCI card holders (other than Indian passport holders) can visit India now. I received my UK passport last month and I am doing everything possible to get the OCI done as soon as possible as my mother lives alone in India. This is really not very helpful neither by VFS, nor by the Indian Gov.

[Rimas15]

@RayBrighton,
HCI London has now suspended all new OCI related services including new OCI applications due to lockdown in England. It’s hard to understand Why do they process surrender applications if they do not want to process new OCI?

This doesn’t help us either. At least 3 more weeks of waiting until the lockdown is lifted and there will more applicants and struggle for appointment.

[Monk123]

Timeline of New OCI application: Adult and child

Application Date: 21/10/20
VFS Center: Hounslow
Date of acknowledgment: 22/10/20
Original docs Received back: 24/10/20
Documents Printing Status: 11/11/20
Dispatched From New Delhi (OCI): 12/11/20
Document received At London: 12/11/20
Dispatched by VFS: 13/11/20
OCI DOCUMENT RECEIVED: 14/11/20

[anandb]

Timeline of my New OCI application: self + spouse

Application Date: 28/10/20
VFS Center: Hounslow, London
Date of acknowledgment: 29/10/20
Original docs Received back: 31/10/20
Documents Printing Status: 17/11/20
Dispatched From New Delhi (OCI): 17/11/20
Document received At London: 18/11/20  
Dispatched by VFS: 20/11/20
OCI DOCUMENT RECEIVED: 21/11/20  (+24  days from application date)

[jaising]

Application Date: 03/11/20
VFS Center: Hounslow, London
Date of acknowledgment: 04/11/20
Original docs Received back: 07/11/20
Documents Printing Status: 24/11/20
Dispatched From New Delhi (OCI): 24/11/20
Document received At London: 24/11/20
Dispatched by VFS: awaiting
OCI DOCUMENT RECEIVED: awaiting

[rayclark]

Timeline of Child's OCI renewal:
Application Date: 17/11/2020
Application Centre: BLS Singapore (in person)
I explained that return of old UK passport from HMPO was taking long and no U-visa is affixed in old passport. They accepted the application without the old passport
Original docs returned: 17/11/2020 (checked and returned immediately upon submission)
Date of Acknowledgment: 18/11/2020
Documents Printing Status: 25/11/2020
Dispatched From New Delhi (OCI): 25/11/2020
Document received at Singapore: 25/11/2020
A mystery how its printed, despatched from Delhi and received in Singapore all on the same day!
OCI DOCUMENT RECEIVED: 26/11/2020 (collected in person at HCI Singapore)

When collecting the new OCI card the old one was retained by the HCI. Some years ago for my elder daughter they returned the old one. The new OCI now comes with some massive rubber stamps about not taking part in missionary, mountaineering, research activities etc and stating that joining the police or military will require surrender of OCI.

This forum has been incredibly helpful to me through all my years in the UK. I continue to post here so expat Brits and OCIs can continue to benefit from sharing experiences.

[jaising]

Application Date: 03/11/20
VFS Center: Hounslow, London
Date of acknowledgment: 04/11/20
Original docs Received back: 07/11/20
Documents Printing Status: 24/11/20
Dispatched From New Delhi (OCI): 24/11/20
Document received At London: 24/11/20
Dispatched by VFS: 26/11/20
OCI DOCUMENT RECEIVED: 27/11/20

[Gnanasekar]

Minor NEW OCI Application

Application Date: 07/12/20
VFS Center: Goswell Road, London
Date of acknowledgment:
Original docs Received back: 10/12/20
Documents Printing Status:
Dispatched From New Delhi (OCI):
Document received At London:
Dispatched by VFS:
OCI DOCUMENT RECEIVED:

Minor OCI Renewal (New Passport)

Application Date: 10/12/20
VFS Center: Goswell Road, London
Date of acknowledgment:
Original docs Received back:
Documents Printing Status:
Dispatched From New Delhi (OCI):
Document received At London:
Dispatched by VFS:
OCI DOCUMENT RECEIVED:

[rasiddiqui]

Timeline of OCI: First Application (Minor Child)
Application Date: 13-Nov-2020
VFS Center: VFS Edinburgh
Date of acknowledgment: 18-Nov-2020
Original docs Received: 25-Nov-2020
Documents Printing Status: Processed on 10-Dec-20
Dispatched From MEA (OCI ) NEW DELHI: 11-Dec-20
Document received At Edinburgh: 15-Dec-20
Communication from VFS about courier: 16-Dec-20
OCI DOCUMENT RECEIVED: 17-Dec-20

[tier2g]

Hi All,

I have received today my kids British Citizenship approval letters. Could you please advise what's the next steps to apply OCI.

Do I need to surrender Indian passports now or do I need to wait for certificate of "British Citizenship" from Citizenship Ceremony ?

Thanks

[CR001]

Hi All,

I have received today my kids British Citizenship approval letters. Could you please advise what's the next steps to apply OCI.

Do I need to surrender Indian passports now or do I need to wait for certificate of "British Citizenship" from Citizenship Ceremony ?

Thanks

You need the certificates.an approval letter is just that, a letter.

[tier2g]

Hi All,

I have received today my kids British Citizenship approval letters. Could you please advise what's the next steps to apply OCI.

Do I need to surrender Indian passports now or do I need to wait for certificate of "British Citizenship" from Citizenship Ceremony ?

Thanks

You need the certificates.an approval letter is just that, a letter.

Thanks, I will wait for the Citizenship ceremony to get certificate of British Citizenship.

[Gnanasekar]

Minor NEW OCI Application

Application Date: 07/12/20
VFS Center: Goswell Road, London
Date of acknowledgment:
Original docs Received back: 10/12/20
Documents Printing Status:
Dispatched From New Delhi (OCI):
Document received At London:
Dispatched by VFS:
OCI DOCUMENT RECEIVED:

Minor OCI Renewal (New Passport)

Application Date: 10/12/20
VFS Center: Goswell Road, London
Date of acknowledgment: 11/12/20
Original docs Received back:
Documents Printing Status:
Dispatched From New Delhi (OCI):
Document received At London:
Dispatched by VFS: 22/12/20
OCI DOCUMENT RECEIVED: 23/12/20

[wpongal]

Dear Friends,

I am planning on applying for my OCI and figured out that the Naturalisation certificate has been divided into two pieces cutting through the emblem at the top.

Is this a valid document or should i join them using a tape / laminate them?

Apologies for posting in the OCI as i could not figure out the right forum

Much appreciate your help

Best
wpongal

[xebec]

If the unique number can be

Dear Friends,

I am planning on applying for my OCI and figured out that the Naturalisation certificate has been divided into two pieces cutting through the emblem at the top.

Is this a valid document or should i join them using a tape / laminate them?

Apologies for posting in the OCI as i could not figure out the right forum

Much appreciate your help

Best
wpongal

If the unique number can be validated online, then it should in theory still be valid. However, for peace of mind, please get a new certificate and have it apostilled.

[Rimas15]

Minor NEW OCI Application

Application Date: 07/12/20
VFS Center: Goswell Road, London
Date of acknowledgment:
Original docs Received back: 10/12/20
Documents Printing Status:
Dispatched From New Delhi (OCI):
Document received At London:
Dispatched by VFS:
OCI DOCUMENT RECEIVED:

Minor OCI Renewal (New Passport)

Application Date: 10/12/20
VFS Center: Goswell Road, London
Date of acknowledgment: 11/12/20
Original docs Received back:
Documents Printing Status:
Dispatched From New Delhi (OCI):
Document received At London:
Dispatched by VFS: 22/12/20
OCI DOCUMENT RECEIVED: 23/12/20

Thanks for sharing update. It seems they are processing current applications despite being closed for all new consular services.

[Balli_d1]

Application Date: 07/12/20
VFS Center: Goswell Road, London
Date of acknowledgment:
Original docs Received back: 10/12/20
Documents Printing Status:04/01/2021
Dispatched From New Delhi (OCI):04/01/2021
Document received At London:04/01/2021
Dispatched by VFS:
OCI DOCUMENT RECEIVED:

[Rimas15]

Timeline of New OCI application: self + child

Application Date: 04/12/2020
VFS Center: Belfast
Date of acknowledgment: 09/12/2020
Original docs Received back: 11/12/2020
Documents Printing Status: 04/01/2021
Dispatched From MEA (OCI) New Delhi: 04/01/2021
Document received At London: 04/01/2021
Dispatched by VFS:
OCI DOCUMENT RECEIVED:

Looks like a long project is coming to an end. This Immigrationboards forum has been great help throughout the journey starting from ILR, Citizenship, UK Passport, Passport surrender and OCI.

[Rimas15]

Timeline of New OCI application: self + child

Application Date: 04/12/2020
VFS Center: Belfast
Date of acknowledgment: 09/12/2020
Original docs Received back: 11/12/2020
Documents Printing Status: 04/01/2021
Dispatched From MEA (OCI) New Delhi: 04/01/2021
Document received At London: 04/01/2021
Dispatched by VFS:
OCI DOCUMENT RECEIVED:

Looks like a long project is coming to an end. This Immigrationboards forum has been great help throughout the journey starting from ILR, Citizenship, UK Passport, Passport surrender and OCI.

[Gnanasekar]

Timeline of New OCI application: self + child

Application Date: 04/12/2020
VFS Center: Belfast
Date of acknowledgment: 09/12/2020
Original docs Received back: 11/12/2020
Documents Printing Status: 04/01/2021
Dispatched From MEA (OCI) New Delhi: 04/01/2021
Document received At London: 04/01/2021
Dispatched by VFS:
OCI DOCUMENT RECEIVED:

Looks like a long project is coming to an end. This Immigrationboards forum has been great help throughout the journey starting from ILR, Citizenship, UK Passport, Passport surrender and OCI.

Hi, could I ask how you are checking the status as the HCI OCI status check is constantly saying unavailable for the past few days for me.

I have registered with VFS for updates but nothing seen yet. Looking above another member who submitted same day as mine in Goswell seem to have received updates.