Applying for SC and OCI together, Please Help

Thanks @speakamericano:)
I have another question...God I am so embarrassed...but I am confused about this prepaid shipping label thing. I tried to look for it on UPS and Fedex Website but could not find any specific link to print a prepaid shipping label. So do I have to go to a UPS store to get one? Can someone please guide me as to how I can do this online if possible? I have never done this in my life hence the confusion. Sorry guys for asking such a silly question.
 
I'd rather get the USPS prepaid return label on it with a tracking receipt such as proof of delivery (with the 16 digit numbers on it) attached to it. UPS sucks. But that's just my opinion. They've left some of my important stuff at the person's door who lives downstairs our apartment, the UPS guy is so lazy to walk up the stairs and drop the packet off at the correct apartment, this wasn't the first time. They usually delivered wrong items at the wrong place when I worked at a hotel. Life of a college student!
But if you just go to USPS they can get you the same thing as UPS at a much cheaper price. USPS mail is picked up everyday whereas for UPS and FedEx they do some sort of special shipping which is ground vs. economy (or whatever term they use for it), which is only picked up once or twice a week. So, even though Travisa says your packet has been scanned and prepared for shipment back to you, it still sits in the mail room to be picked up.

There's a way you can print the label online, but I am not sure how to do it. I went to pick up in person as I live nearby the SF travisa.

No question is silly. Knowledge is power, yaar!
 
Thanks dost for your reply Speakamericano:) and your cool attitude.
I agree, I have always used USPS. I have read travisa insists on a prepaid label even if you say you will pick up in person? I would also prefer to pick up in person. So did you provide the prepaid label despite electing to pick up? Thanks again.
 
No, I dropped off my papers in person at Travisa, you could save yourself extra 2-3 weeks if you go there in person. The lazy people don't open your mail for weeks, they just sit on it. If you're also in the SF Travisa area then there's too many horror stories on the SF Travisa/Consulate OCI section.
If you pick up in person, then you don't have to provide a prepaid label. They just BS on it when they say "we (travisa) prefers one over another" as they all do the same job, it seems like UPS or FedEx must have signed a contract with Travisa just to keep us waiting.
Again, apply in person if you can make the trip. You'll be glad you did. Save time and have your peace of mind.
 
Kungfupanda, I used one money order for $465. I took jdk and speakamericano's advise and applied in person on May 16. My OCI got printed on June 9th. The process is fast if you drop your papers in person. Just take extra photocopies of your US passport and proof of address. The lady who accepts your OCI application is just trying to make some extra money. They charge $2 for each copy. She told me I needed two copies of my US passport and proof of address with the renunciation application. The checklist does not mention submitting copies of your US passport and proof of address with the renunciation application. She ended up making $16 from me.
 
Thanks guys you both are so helpful.
So @jainsach it seems that if we apply for OCI and Renunciation together we need to take total 4 sets of photocopies, 2 copies of proof of address and US PP for OCI and 2 copies for Renunciation. Am I getting this right? Also on Renunciation site they say preferred method of payment is Money order or cashier's check. So do they also take personal checks? Has anyone used a personal check? Would be so convenient for us. Sigh. And the whole payment is payable to Travisa Outsourcing correct?
Jainsach did you submit a prepaid label despite electing to pick up?
Thanks for all the tips guys:)
 
kungfu... they're superanal about the money order. they won't take a personal check... get the money order done from a bank or 7-11... they're cheap or free.
 
speakamericano said:
kungfu... they're superanal about the money order. they won't take a personal check... get the money order done from a bank or 7-11... they're cheap or free.
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Thanks. Wow applying for a US Passport and N400 seems a cakewalk compared to this now:D
So the whole $465 MO made out to "Travisa Outsourcing" correct?
Am gonna apply after 15th June. Don't wanna part with my US PP.
 
Ya travisa outsoucing is fine on the MO. You can write down your file/order numbers as well on the MO in the memo section. I did it just incase ..
 
Guys I was reading the instructions for filling OCI and I happened to find a link to Indian consulate website. There they say for the photos the background should not be white but blue or some other color!!! Doesn't say so on travisa site as it just says light colored background. Now the photos I just got done from CVS for my US passport has a white background. So would they not work for OCI? Sorry for bombarding you with questions but hopefully this will help other people with similar questions in the future.
 
kungfu
If you go to one of those walmart studios called picture me, or any other professional photo studio they will do the light colored background on the picture for you for additional 4-5 bucks. CVS or walgreens only do white colored background. You have your peace of mind if you go with light blue colored. Some people have gone unnoticed with the white background, but you never know when they may reject the picture for not being with blue background. I did 4 blue background pictures and it cost me 28 bucks, although I only used two of them for OCI, so it should be 14 bucks for 2 pics.
 
Kungfupanda, In my case I had to submit 4 sets of photocopies for the US passport and proof of address. I took 2 copies with me as per the order form and for the other 2 copies I had to pay at Travisa. I did not submit a prepaid label with my application. I will pick it up.
 
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Thanks for the replies everybody. I filled and printed the renunciation form.
Should I wait to submit the Part A of OCI form and print it till June 15th or it does not matter?
Does one have to take an appointment to drop it off in person? Travisa FAQs says only one order form is required if applying together. But the drop down menu allows only one selection for Service Type! Is there option to choose renunciation service on the next page?
 
You can type and print the OCI form if you want to now. It doesn't matter if you do it now or later.
No appointment needed to drop off it off in person. Drop off hours are 9AM-11PM and then from 2PM-4PM. I'd strongly suggest dropping off in the morning. Be there half an hour to forty minutes early if you can. You can print one order form, do it for OCI and then write down Renunciation with a pen next to OCI by writing (AND). Ex. OCI and Renunciation.

The order form(s) doesn't go to the consulate. It's for Travisa.
 
kungfupanda said:
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But the drop down menu allows only one selection for Service Type! Is there option to choose renunciation service on the next page?
Click to expand...

Checked with the copy of my order form - when you create a new OCI order(OCI - New OCI Card (Adult)), it will ask you about the renunciation on a subsequent screen (don't remember the exact sequence) and will list the Additional Fee: $ - Renunciation on your OCI order.
 
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idk said:
Checked with the copy of my order form - when you create a new OCI order(OCI - New OCI Card (Adult)), it will ask you about the renunciation on a subsequent screen (don't remember the exact sequence) and will list the Additional Fee: $ - Renunciation on your OCI order.
Click to expand...
Yes. When you start filling the form, there is a place where it asks if you are applying for renunciation too. If you check that option it will ask for more details.
 
Thanks everybody!! You guys are so friendly and helpful:)
So I have another question. The OCI form Part A, for the GIVEN NAME section should I write my name as it appears on US passport or Indian passport? My US Passport just has my middle name initial (fathers name) whereas Indian passport has his full name in Given name section. What would you suggest?
Also, for the second set of copies did you write at the bottom the line that you attest these are true copies etc?
 
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