India Dual Citizenship Mega Thread (Merged)

The India Dual Citizenship will be Operational:

  • In 2003

    Votes: 4 20.0%
  • In 2004

    Votes: 11 55.0%
  • Sometime after 2004

    Votes: 4 20.0%
  • I am skeptical if this will happen

    Votes: 1 5.0%

  • Total voters
    20
  • Poll closed .
Oci

mangal969 said:
Maybe all of us can come together and slap a nice fat lawsuit on the government ! :)
Even if we dont get anything monetarily,it would give a nice shock in the right places.With some countries already accepting applications (Wellington,Colombo,Bahrain and the India based FRRO's[i know for sure of Mumbai])I doubt that they would wait for a month or so.


It may be a good idea to write to editors of leading newspapers in India like HIndustan times, Indian express and the Times of India and they can publish an article about our issues. It should preferably be published in the New Delhi edition so that all the officers of MHA, External affairs, PM office, opposition and the foreign embassy staff can read about the issues.
 
Newspapers

Times of India's Chidanand Rajghatta is based in US and writes a lot about NRIs and PIO matters. Should be a good person to contact on having this in the papers or to initiate questions to the MHA and MOIA. Will try and look up his email.
 
Washington DC Starting 15 Dec 05

From http://www.indianembassy.org

They say it was effective from 14 Nov but new applications will be accepted after 1 month ...

"Initially, applications already received in December 2004 - January 2005 would be processed. Meanwhile, applicants eligible for registration under the OCI scheme and wish to avail of this new facility should send their brief particulars including their name, passport details by e-mail on the following address: ***. The mail would be acknowledged and the date for a personal appointment at the Special Counter in the Consular Wing at the timings mentioned below will be communicated to them. Applications received by mail, which would be in accordance with the current procedure for visa applications, would be received from December 15, 2005. "
 
Accptance of mail applications will be from Dec 15th.If you book a date by e-mailing them you can submit your application in person earlier.
 
A word of caution for our friends who have applied last year pleaase make sure you have submitted all documents as far as the new requirements go (most importantly i think are the 3 stamp+1 3.5*3.5)Other they'll just inform you a month later saying we need your photos
 
Issuance of dual citizenship in January

New Delhi, Nov 17: Issuance of dual citizenship to Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) will begin during the upcoming annual Pravasi Bharatiya Divas festival beginning on January 7 with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh likely to inaugurate the process.

The Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs has completed all procedural steps for implementation of the scheme, a law regarding which was enacted during the last monsoon session of Parliament, officials said here today.

The Prime Minister is expected to launch the process during the inauguration of the fourth edition of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in Hyderabad.

The Ministry is all set to notify Indian missions abroad to start registering applications for dual citizenships.

The Ministry is gearing up to start the registration proceedings within the next few weeks as it had lost valuable time in finalising the format of the application forms for the purpose, Secretary in the Overseas Indian Affairs Ministry S Krishna Kumar said.

"We faced a slight delay in getting the tamper-proof forms printed. But then we felt that we can do it online and got an embedded software developed for the purpose. We have already received nearly 4,000 applications," he added. (Agencies)

http://www.chennaionline.com/colnews/newsitem.asp?NEWSID={F65F3D65-7239-406F-A4FC-05FFB0CE0DEA}&CATEGORYNAME=NATL
 
Oic

Classic example where there is no coordination between two ministries. At least 4 embassies have started processing the applications. Can they process the applications without inaguration by the PM? I dont think so. Overseas Ministry has no say in what MEA and MHA says or does. They operate independently.
 
So does this mean that the processing will start 7 Jan, and we will wait after that for the exisiting applications to be issued?

The long wait continues ...
 
PIO1 said:
So does this mean that the processing will start 7 Jan, and we will wait after that for the exisiting applications to be issued?

The long wait continues ...

Nobody knows for sure....this is classic example of Indian ministers and bureaucrats shooting from the hip and keep on contradicting each other. It would not surprise a bit that since they have created this royal mess, PM may decide to suspend this scheme and again direct the career bureaucrats to simplify it. How many bureaucrats and ministers does it take to create 1 form and a few simple guidelines? What kind of dual citizenship/OCI is this where you will still get a VISA? Someone needs to challenge the bureaucrats and ministers that even Pakistan has a FULL DUAL CITIZENSHIP!!! I sorry that won't work either they really have a THICK skin and nothing bothers them, so anything goes....
 
boggavarapu said:
I have applied for OIC in Nov. 04 and still waiting!

At the time I applied for OIC, I was already a PIO Card holder.
I have already spoken with the Indian Consulate where I applied
re. the possible refund (PIO Card holder needs to pay only
$25.00). They have indicated a possible refund in my case.
However, all this can be clarified only when the scheme
actually becomes operational everywhere!! Hoping to see some
real action in the next couple of weeks!


In continuation, I contacted Indian Consulate in the USA today.
I was informed that the scheme is now operational. However, they have written to INDIA for clarification re. the existing applications and also about the refund for PIO Card holders. I have a feeling they maynot refund for the PIO Card holders who already applied for OCI! Is there anything one can do at this stage! Would appreciate any suggestions. Thanks.
 
From Wellington NZ Embassy:

THOUGH APPLICATIONS ABOUT OCI ARE BEING ACCEPTED, BLANK OCI CERTIFICATES HAVE NOT BEEN RECEIVED. HIGH COMMISSION OF INDIA WELLINGTON IS NOT IN A POSITION TO INDICATE TIME FRAME FOR ISSUE OF OCI CERTIFICATES. APPLICANTS ARE ADVISED TO PLAN THEIR TRAVEL ACCORDINGLY.
 
madabushi said:
New Delhi, Nov 17: Issuance of dual citizenship to Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) will begin during the upcoming annual Pravasi Bharatiya Divas festival beginning on January 7 with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh likely to inaugurate the process.

The Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs has completed all procedural steps for implementation of the scheme, a law regarding which was enacted during the last monsoon session of Parliament, officials said here today.

The Prime Minister is expected to launch the process during the inauguration of the fourth edition of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in Hyderabad.

The Ministry is all set to notify Indian missions abroad to start registering applications for dual citizenships.

The Ministry is gearing up to start the registration proceedings within the next few weeks as it had lost valuable time in finalising the format of the application forms for the purpose, Secretary in the Overseas Indian Affairs Ministry S Krishna Kumar said.

"We faced a slight delay in getting the tamper-proof forms printed. But then we felt that we can do it online and got an embedded software developed for the purpose. We have already received nearly 4,000 applications," he added. (Agencies)

http://www.chennaionline.com/colnews/newsitem.asp?NEWSID={F65F3D65-7239-406F-A4FC-05FFB0CE0DEA}&CATEGORYNAME=NATL

What a load of bunk is this ? Which tamper proof forms ?
We should sue the gvovwernment for denying us our law ordained rights ! ! !
Anyone know the e-mail of the CJI ? Maybe a letter from one of us can be taken up as a PIL

And if things are ready why wait two months ?THE PM will get his "wah-Wah's" at PBD anyways.Why does he want to torture the poor innocents who have been waiting a year or so.
 
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boggavarapu said:
In continuation, I contacted Indian Consulate in the USA today.
I was informed that the scheme is now operational. However, they have written to INDIA for clarification re. the existing applications and also about the refund for PIO Card holders. I have a feeling they maynot refund for the PIO Card holders who already applied for OCI! Is there anything one can do at this stage! Would appreciate any suggestions. Thanks.
Just go and withdraw your application.You'll get your money back (which you've laready lost a years worth of interest) and you can reapply when the scheme becomes "stable".If lots of people do this it will also send a strong message
 
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Oci

mangal969 said:
Just go and withdraw your application.You'll get your money back (which you've laready lost a years worth of interest) and you can reapply when the scheme becomes "stable".If lots of people do this it will also send a strong message

Mangal969, I already tried that. The embassy told me that as per the old scheme the money will only be refunded if your application for dual citizenship is rejected. Since all the old applications are 'theoratically' under process, they will not refund any money. And you thought it is so easy! :)

I think we should send the letters to all the leadings papers in New Delhi. If it is published under letters to the editor, the opposition also gets to read it and thats the key!
 
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qwert97 said:
Mangal969, I already tried that. The embassy told me that as per the old scheme the money will only be refunded if your application for dual citizenship is rejected. Since all the old applications are 'theoratically' under process, they will not refund any money. And you thought it is so easy! :)

I think we should send the letters to all the leadings papers in New Delhi. If it is published under letters to the editor, the opposition also gets to read it and thats the key!

I am not sure if sending letters to the news papers will help any! :D
 
Latest on Washington Embassy

It seems Washington embassy has stopped processing the applications. Here is the update on their website:

http://www.indianembassy.org/consular/Overseas_Citizen/OCI.html

I) Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI)

OCI Scheme is not yet operational. The date of operationalising the OCI scheme would be announced in due course. The procedure, forms, brochure and FAQs are displayed for information.
 
cant we write to Prime Minister and concerned minister for NRI affairs to consider. if Pakistan can offer dual citizenship with no problem why cannot india do the same thing
 
One more falls in the trap

Another one gets sucked in ...

"Dr Lael Anson Best, a specialist in thoracic surgery at the Rambam Medical Campus in Haifa, and his wife and daughter were the first to apply for the dual citizenship scheme from among the 70,000-strong Indian community in Israel."

http://www.chennaionline.com/colnews/newsitem.asp?NEWSID=%7B2E038956-BC2A-4E8E-9563-7938FB6F1716%7D&CATEGORYNAME=National

Thanks for the $275 x 3, and welcome to the club, Dr Best. See you in 10 years when you get what you think you have paid for.
 
So, should I just wait until Jan 7 if I want to apply for the FULL DUAL-CITIZENSHIP ??

All the politics is driving me crazy....
 
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