OCI:San Francisco: Surrender Certificate and US Passport Questions

[rseth123]

Folks:

I am planning send OCI application to consulate (in San Fran) soon for my family and I have following questions :-

1. We both (Husband and Wife) are naturalized citizen and kid us born (has PIO )

1. Can I submit application without US passport? E.g. Send our Indian passport, application, fees, copy of US passport : for kid, PIO card but not US Passport (just copy)?
If yes then at what stage in the process they ask for US passport or are they going to return my application?

2. If I submit for Surrender Certificate and OCI together then can I expect them to co-ordinate this at their end or should I get the certificate first and then file for OCI?

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks

[rpranesh]

You need US passport to fill the online application

[abhiku]

Folks:

I am planning send OCI application to consulate (in San Fran) soon for my family and I have following questions :-

1. We both (Husband and Wife) are naturalized citizen and kid us born (has PIO )

1. Can I submit application without US passport? E.g. Send our Indian passport, application, fees, copy of US passport : for kid, PIO card but not US Passport (just copy)?
If yes then at what stage in the process they ask for US passport or are they going to return my application?

2. If I submit for Surrender Certificate and OCI together then can I expect them to co-ordinate this at their end or should I get the certificate first and then file for OCI?

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks

I have the same question, 2. If I submit for Surrender Certificate and OCI together then can I expect them to co-ordinate this at their end or should I get the certificate first and then file for OCI?
Can I send surrender cert. application along with OCI application?

[rseth123]

I mean can I keep the passport and send it later instead of blocking my US Passport for 45 days with them.

[ragp]

I have the same question, 2. If I submit for Surrender Certificate and OCI together then can I expect them to co-ordinate this at their end or should I get the certificate first and then file for OCI?
Can I send surrender cert. application along with OCI application?

I have the same question can they co ordinate bith at consulate. it will save time and mailing costs too
thnks

[EaglePutt]

Given the fact that they are returning OCI applications which were mailed without the surrender certificate, i would say they expect us to secure the surrender certificate first and then apply for OCI. Otherwise they could have just asked for the extra fee needed for the certificate as the OCI package has everything they need to issue it.

But worth a try to ask them directly. Nothing is logical there anyway.

[Indyexcel]

When I got my OCI package returned, CGI mentioned on the check list - missing $175 for Indian citizenship renounciation. It gives me an impression that they may process both if you enclose $175 and application for Surrender certificate. But it seems no one has tried or tried but not posted in any forums. Unless one wants to try at the risk of 3 weeks/$40+, it is safer to apply surrender certificate first before sending OCI package. I applied for surrender certificate few days back. Expecting it sometime next week. My OCI package is waiting for the surrender certificate. I have travel plans to India towards end July. Hopefully I should get OCI by then.

[praveenpeddi]

I sent my OCI package on May 25th along with SC application + Supporting docs + $175. Fedex delivered it on 26th May.

I have not heard anything. I will update the forum If I hear anything back from SF consulate.

thanks

[jaihoindia]

sign at Petition Online.com
/ip100521/ petition. html

[rseth123]

Praveen:

Any update on your OCI application?

Folks: How many photos we need? Do I just need to paste the picture on 2 copies of part-A or I need to send 2 more in addition to part-A photos?

[praveenpeddi]

Well, My application did not move an inch however, my daughters application is already printed. I applied for me and my daughter together. She is a USC by birth so no SC crap.

I checked with my bank about the cashiers checks and they told me that the consulate did not use my 175,275 checks yet but cashed the check with $145 for my daughter application.

It's been 2 weeks so I am planning to visit CGI SF Monday.

My application is not acknowledged yet

[desibartender]

Folks, I went to San francisco consulate
and got surrender certificates for myself and wife in
a day. Had to shell out $35 extra per application. So it was
$120 total for both of us.

The OCI and Surrender certificate cells are different.
So not sure if the OCI folks will do surrender certificate
and oci both.

It's really a mad house at the consulate. So I would not
risk sending both.

[praveenpeddi]

I just got back from the consulate and the bad news is, they sent my OCI application back today. I asked them why and they say insufficient documentation.

Just wasted 2 weeks and I need to start with SC now.

[kimo123]

I just got back from the consulate and the bad news is, they sent my OCI application back today. I asked them why and they say insufficient documentation.

Just wasted 2 weeks and I need to start with SC now.

Praveenpeddi,

Sorry to hear about your case. My application has been returned 2 times... both for different reasons & due to the fact that their requirement changed when they got to my application(No fault of mine !).

Any specifics about what did U miss? Do they want you to include SC form along with payment?
What other documents?
My app was returned for having missed I-130/GC/First passport to visit USA. This requirement cropped up out of no where.

Did they ask you first to get SC & then apply OCI?
Can both be applied simultaneously?

Thanks & all the best.

[praveenpeddi]

Hello,

She did not know what is missing but I am thinking the first passpot. I do have it with me but for some reason did not send it in the package. This requirement came into light after I sent my package any way. These idiots can put new rules anytime they want and do not care about applicants.


She told me to get the SC first and then apply for OCI.

I not only lost 2 weeks but I wasted 3hrs time to goto consulate just to hear my application is coming back.
I saw a guy came from LA and he arrived after 12 and they did not let him in. I felt so bad for him and even offered a token I took to him but the security guy did not let him in.

Hope for the best you all.

[praveenpeddi]

Folks, I went to San francisco consulate
and got surrender certificates for myself and wife in
a day. Had to shell out $35 extra per application. So it was
$120 total for both of us.

The OCI and Surrender certificate cells are different.
So not sure if the OCI folks will do surrender certificate
and oci both.

It's really a mad house at the consulate. So I would not
risk sending both.

Hello,

Can you please tell me how you did it? I know these consulate people won't say yes at first.

Did you tell them anything? I am getting ready to move back to INDIA for good and I got this bump now. My contaner is leaving on 10th July and I need my OCI soon.

thanks
Praveen

[rseth123]

Hello,

She did not know what is missing but I am thinking the first passpot. I do have it with me but for some reason did not send it in the package. This requirement came into light after I sent my package any way. These idiots can put new rules anytime they want and do not care about applicants.


She told me to get the SC first and then apply for OCI.

I not only lost 2 weeks but I wasted 3hrs time to goto consulate just to hear my application is coming back.
I saw a guy came from LA and he arrived after 12 and they did not let him in. I felt so bad for him and even offered a token I took to him but the security guy did not let him in.

Hope for the best you all.

Praveen:

Thanks for the update. Sorry to hear about your situation. Please keep us posted for the reason of return. Is it because of your first passport or not obtaining the SC first?

[rbalshemu]

Folks,

Even I got my OCI application returned twice.
The first time they said that I did not print the check list.
The second time they were asking for the surrender certificate though I attached the surrender certificate application with all the docs along with the OCI application.
Third time I mailed just the surrender ceritificate on Jun 4 2010.
I'll post you all back if I even get the SC applications back.

I think the best bet for Praveen would be to get the SC from the consulate in person which should save you some time. but the indian consulate does not mention it in their website about getting SC in person.

-Balaji

[praveenpeddi]

Hello All,

I got my package back and it says they changed the fee from 175 to 20. Now I need to send my SC app back with $20 fee and $20 for return mailing fee.

They say they are sorry for the inconvenience. Right.

Now the OCI app say I need to submit SC. Another letter says I need to apply for SC first and then apply for OCI.

I need to make another trip to SF
OMG, help me!

[EaglePutt]

Looking at all your posts, I think I suffered less..

- First time they sent my OCI app back as by the time they received my package, SC rule had come into effect
- Then I applied for only SCs which they processed and sent them by mail to me in 10 business days (paid $175 for each, hoping they will return the extra money they took)
- Sent the OCI app again with SCs (received at consulate on 6/4) and I checked the status today and it is showing both acknowledged and granted/scanned.

[kimo123]

Looking at all your posts, I think I suffered less..

- First time they sent my OCI app back as by the time they received my package, SC rule had come into effect
- Then I applied for only SCs which they processed and sent them by mail to me in 10 business days (paid $175 for each, hoping they will return the extra money they took)
- Sent the OCI app again with SCs (received at consulate on 6/4) and I checked the status today and it is showing both acknowledged and granted/scanned.

EaglePutt,
Thanks and Congratulations !
Which consulate your App went to?

[EaglePutt]

SF consulate.

[rbalshemu]

Eagleputt,

Did you send your original US passports along with your OCI application?
I sdont know if the consulate now allow us to send the US passports later once the OCI application is approved...

-Balaji

[EaglePutt]

Yes, I did. Current instructions do have mention the option of not sending the US passports which used to be the case earlier.

[rchigurupati]

After reading the OCI stories here... I am thinking of apply and get SC in US, get a transit visa and apply for OCI from India (I will be USC later this month). Is it a good idea to apply OCI from India? Anybody has experience doing this? We are going to India for good.
How long is it taking to get OCI from SFO consulate if I apply in July? Thanks for your advise.

[rseth123]

Yes, I did. Current instructions do have mention the option of not sending the US passports which used to be the case earlier.

EaglePutt: Could you please state the timelines of your application? E,g, How long it took for them to acknowledge the application?

[sg930]

Eagleput - when you sent ur OCI app - did you include the original SC or a copy of it?
My OCI app was sent back around May 20. Applied for SC with $175 each. Sent back last week saying "fee has been reduced....". So sent back SC again this week with $20 fee. Lets see when I get that back so can apply for OCI.

Looking at all your posts, I think I suffered less..

- First time they sent my OCI app back as by the time they received my package, SC rule had come into effect
- Then I applied for only SCs which they processed and sent them by mail to me in 10 business days (paid $175 for each, hoping they will return the extra money they took)
- Sent the OCI app again with SCs (received at consulate on 6/4) and I checked the status today and it is showing both acknowledged and granted/scanned.

[sanjoseaug20]

After reading the OCI stories here... I am thinking of apply and get SC in US, get a transit visa and apply for OCI from India (I will be USC later this month). Is it a good idea to apply OCI from India? Anybody has experience doing this? We are going to India for good.
How long is it taking to get OCI from SFO consulate if I apply in July? Thanks for your advise.

I did OCI from India. I used an entry visa to enter. OCI took over 3 months, with a visit to MHA to dig up the file from the piles of files they have, and then a visit to get the passport stamped.

[EaglePutt]

EaglePutt: Could you please state the timelines of your application? E,g, How long it took for them to acknowledge the application?

Mine, luckily I guess, was acknowledged in 4 days and went to granted/scanned/printed state in the next 2-3 days. The current status says it is waiting to be dispatched from Delhi.

[EaglePutt]

Eagleput - when you sent ur OCI app - did you include the original SC or a copy of it?
My OCI app was sent back around May 20. Applied for SC with $175 each. Sent back last week saying "fee has been reduced....". So sent back SC again this week with $20 fee. Lets see when I get that back so can apply for OCI.

I sent it on 6/3. I only attached a copy of the SC.