next steps After Oath

S

sri_valere

New Member
Hi Guys,

I will be finishing the oath this month and i need to know the next steps..

1. Apply for passport. What are the requirements ? How soon can i apply and get it.
2. Do i need to surrender my Indian passport ?

3. How do i travel to india ? Do i need a visa or something ?

please give pointers and share all experiences.

Thanks
 
1. 2 photographs, naturalization cert and appl form. Processing time 2-4 weeks

2. Once you apply for PIO or OCI (india visa) you must submit Indian PP to cancel

3. PIO/OCI is your Indian visa
 
sri_valere said:
Hi Guys,

I will be finishing the oath this month and i need to know the next steps..

1. Apply for passport. What are the requirements ? How soon can i apply and get it.
2. Do i need to surrender my Indian passport ?

3. How do i travel to india ? Do i need a visa or something ?

please give pointers and share all experiences.

Thanks
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1. You can apply as soon as you want after you take the oath and get your naturalization certificate. Some ceremonies have passport processing, and some don't. You can go to a post office (most of them require you to make an appointment ahead of time, which wouldn't be hard as you already know the date and time of your oath) and apply. I would suggest not to spend the extra money for expedited processing. I think passports are obtained in about two weeks. You'll need your naturalization certificate (original) to apply for the passport and fill out the passport form. You can read more at the State Department page http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html

You'll also need passport photos (of course). Driver license too (and I think photocopy of it too). All is explained here: http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/first/first_830.html
 
Many say they received passport but also received passport card.
What is a passport card?
 
Huracan said:
1. You can apply as soon as you want after you take the oath and get your naturalization certificate. Some ceremonies have passport processing, and some don't. You can go to a post office (most of them require you to make an appointment ahead of time, which wouldn't be hard as you already know the date and time of your oath) and apply. I would suggest not to spend the extra money for expedited processing. I think passports are obtained in about two weeks. You'll need your naturalization certificate (original) to apply for the passport and fill out the passport form. You can read more at the State Department page http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html

You'll also need passport photos (of course). Driver license too (and I think photocopy of it too). All is explained here: http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/first/first_830.html
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I beg to differ on NOT expediting the passport application. Its been four weeks since I applied through routine service and my passport is no where in sight and probably gathering dust in some agents cube :(.
I am kicking myself now for not selecting expedited now. I know its not consistent across the country but I have seen people on this forum getting it in only one week and for some it took two and others three (all via routine service) .... its not first come first served and its very frustrating .... I would say if you don't like to wait, just fork that extra sixty bucks .....
 
Passport card:

http://travel.state.gov/passport/ppt_card/ppt_card_3926.html

I think it is wise to apply for both passport book and card and try to keep them separate, if one is lost you can use the other to obtain the lost one. Otherwise there is not a lot of advantages for having a passport card over a book. A passport book is good for any travel, the passport card is only good for land and some sea travel. More details on the link provided.
 
ksam said:
I beg to differ on NOT expediting the passport application. Its been four weeks since I applied through routine service and my passport is no where in sight and probably gathering dust in some agents cube :(.
I am kicking myself now for not selecting expedited now. I know its not consistent across the country but I have seen people on this forum getting it in only one week and for some it took two and others three (all via routine service) .... its not first come first served and its very frustrating .... I would say if you don't like to wait, just fork that extra sixty bucks .....
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Why spend extra $60 if you do not plan to travel for 4 to 6 weeks from the day you apply :D
 
mili96 said:
Why spend extra $60 if you do not plan to travel for 4 to 6 weeks from the day you apply :D
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If you dont have travel plans no need to worry ...

But I do have travel planned end of this month, so getting little bit nervous ... may be I need to postpone the travel if I dont receive it by next week :(
 
I would say if one has travel plans within two months it's worth applying for expedited, for the extra peace of mind. Back in my time I applied for expedited because I had travel plans within four months and there was a severe passport backlog. In the end it was a bit of a waste of money, but it gave me extra peace of mind.
 
Huracan said:
I would say if one has travel plans within two months it's worth applying for expedited, for the extra peace of mind. Back in my time I applied for expedited because I had travel plans within four months and there was a severe passport backlog. In the end it was a bit of a waste of money, but it gave me extra peace of mind.
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I guess I was not thinking straight when I applied. Looking at all the timelines in this forum I thought I was sure to receive it in 3 weeks or so ... oh well another disorganized govt mess ....

Also, I applied in DE though I am resident of GA .... does that have anything to do with it? the postal clerk did say that should not be a problem.
 
I could never figure out what makes some applications faster than others. My guess it is that it depends to which particular office it is routed. Perhaps it depends also if they process the passport in situ or send the request to the mega passport facility. Too many factors :)
 
Huracan said:
I could never figure out what makes some applications faster than others. My guess it is that it depends to which particular office it is routed. Perhaps it depends also if they process the passport in situ or send the request to the mega passport facility. Too many factors :)
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I guess luck of the draw ... and I don't have any luck in this ...
 
ksam said:
If you dont have travel plans no need to worry ...

But I do have travel planned end of this month, so getting little bit nervous ... may be I need to postpone the travel if I dont receive it by next week :(
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I am curious as to why most N400 applicants in this forum make travel plans while their application is still being processed?
 
formerf1 said:
I am curious as to why most N400 applicants in this forum make travel plans while their application is still being processed?
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It's summer time ;) Yes, travel plans while the application is still being processed are risky. In my case (two years ago, so I forgot the details) I don't think I firmed my plans until I had the citizenship under my belt, and perhaps the passport too. Now I'm curious and I'm going to see if I can figure out what I did.
 
formerf1 said:
I am curious as to why most N400 applicants in this forum make travel plans while their application is still being processed?
Click to expand...
Thanks for saying ....

But its work related. Was supposed to go end of last month but got delayed to this month end .... If not for that delay, I would have gone to a passport agency and got the same day passport
 
WBH said:
Well you can use passport card as another ID.

Does one apply for both together or seperately? How much extra fee for passport card? (Sorry If I did not read the link you provided more carefully).
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You can apply in the same application, just check the box for card at the top. Its $20 more ...
 
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