OCI Application - when should the US and Indian passports be sent ?

S

sudipto

Registered Users (C)
I am in the process of completing the OCI application form, and have a question about when to send the following --

- Original US Passport
- Original Indian Passport (this has already been canceled)
- Self Addressed and Stamped Return USPS Express Mail envelope

My question is --

1. Should the above be sent ALONG WITH the original application ?
-or-
2. AFTER the application status has changed to GRANTED ?

I have read various different instructions on this forum, on the CGI San Francisco website as well as MHA India website -- and the information I have found is very confusing to say the least.

Most places are recommending sending only photocopies (self attested) of the US and Indian passports along with the original application, then keep checking the online status and once it changes to "GRANTED", only then send the original US and Indian passports (along with return USPS Express Mail envelope).

However, the instructions in CGI SFO site (here) is instructing that the original US and Indian Passports and USPS Express Mail envelope be sent along with the application ?!?!?!

Could anyone, who applied and got OCI thru CGI San Francisco, please let me know what you did and when you sent the original passports and return envelope. ALONG WITH the first application -or- AFTERWARDS ?

Thanks much for any feedback !!
 
sudipto said:
However, the instructions in CGI SFO site (here) is instructing that the original US and Indian Passports and USPS Express Mail envelope be sent along with the application ?!?!?!

Could anyone, who applied and got OCI thru CGI San Francisco, please let me know what you did and when you sent the original passports and return envelope. ALONG WITH the first application -or- AFTERWARDS ?

Thanks much for any feedback !!
Click to expand...

I'd be VERY wary of sending original US passport along with the initial OCI application. You might not be able to leave the US for a couple of months till such time as you get the US passport back.

Did you look what those who have successfully gone through this process have to say about their personal experiences?
 
sudipto said:
I am in the process of completing the OCI application form, and have a question about when to send the following --

- Original US Passport
- Original Indian Passport (this has already been canceled)
- Self Addressed and Stamped Return USPS Express Mail envelope

My question is --

1. Should the above be sent ALONG WITH the original application ?
-or-
2. AFTER the application status has changed to GRANTED ?

I have read various different instructions on this forum, on the CGI San Francisco website as well as MHA India website -- and the information I have found is very confusing to say the least.

Most places are recommending sending only photocopies (self attested) of the US and Indian passports along with the original application, then keep checking the online status and once it changes to "GRANTED", only then send the original US and Indian passports (along with return USPS Express Mail envelope).

However, the instructions in CGI SFO site (here) is instructing that the original US and Indian Passports and USPS Express Mail envelope be sent along with the application ?!?!?!

Could anyone, who applied and got OCI thru CGI San Francisco, please let me know what you did and when you sent the original passports and return envelope. ALONG WITH the first application -or- AFTERWARDS ?

Thanks much for any feedback !!
Click to expand...

It looks like a recent change in instructions at CGISF. When I applied 10 months ago, we just sent the self-attested copies of passports with the application. Passports were sent only after the online status showed that OCI docs were received at the consulate. The self-address stamped USPS Express Mail envelope can be sent either with the application or with the passports. You may send an email to OCI@CGISF.ORG and seek a clarification - they are generally quite responsive.
 
TheRealist said:
I'd be VERY wary of sending original US passport along with the initial OCI application. You might not be able to leave the US for a couple of months till such time as you get the US passport back.
Click to expand...

Yes, that is part of my concern as well.

Did you look what those who have successfully gone through this process have to say about their personal experiences?
Click to expand...

There seems to be differing approaches. Most people so far have sent the original US passports later, after OCI is granted. That is what the FAQ on this forum suggests as well. However the instructions from CGI SFO seems to contradict this :(
 
akgarg said:
It looks like a recent change in instructions at CGISF. When I applied 10 months ago, we just sent the self-attested copies of passports with the application. Passports were sent only after the online status showed that OCI docs were received at the consulate. The self-address stamped USPS Express Mail envelope can be sent either with the application or with the passports. You may send an email to OCI@CGISF.ORG and seek a clarification - they are generally quite responsive.
Click to expand...

Thanks akgarg ! Very much appreciate all your help in these forums !

Just this morning I sent my application without the original US passports and USPS Express Mail envelope. However, just now (after seeing your reply) I sent an e-mail to CGI SFO as well.

If CGI SFO replies back, I will share here what they said.
 
Just got a response from CGI SFO to my e-mail earlier today. I must say I am quite impressed at the promptness !! Thanks again akgarg for your suggestion.

Here is the e-mail I sent and their reply --

My E-mail
Hi,

Myself and my wife recently applied for OCI and would like a clarification about when the original passports need to be sent to you.

We were Indian citizens and recently acquired US citizenship. We had already sent our original Indian passports to you for cancellation and it has been sent back to us after the cancellation stamp marked on them.

Just today we sent the application form and the fees to you. Along with the application, we have sent self attested photocopies of our Indian and US passports.

We have NOT sent the ORIGINAL US passports or self addressed and stamped USPS Express Mail enveloper yet since it was our understanding that these need to be sent only after the application has been processed and OCI status has been granted.

Our two specific questions are --

1. Is it okay to wait until the OCI status changed to "Granted" and only then send our original US Passports and the USPS Express Mail envelope to you ? Or should we send these to you along with the original application itself ?

2. Our Indian Passports have already been canceled. Do we still need to send our original Indian Passports to you ? We have already sent photocopies of the same, where you can see the passports are already canceled.

Thanks for any clarification you can provide !
Click to expand...

... and their reply
Dear Sir/Madam, Thank you for your interest in OCI scheme. To answer your queries-
1. Is it okay to wait until the OCI status changed to "Granted" and only then send our original US Passports and the USPS Express Mail envelope to you ? Or should we send these to you along with the original application itself ?​
ans. send your US passport when status link shows your OCI card has been received.

2. Our Indian Passports have already been canceled. Do we still need to send our original Indian Passports to you ? We have already sent photocopies of the same, where you can see the passports are already canceled.​

ans. no need to send cancelled passports.

Sincerely, OCI TEAM
CONSULATE GENERAL OF INDIA
540 ARGUELLO BLVD
SAN FRANCISCO CA-94118
Click to expand...
 
CrossHairs said:
If thats the email they sent above, wonder why they say like this in instructions (new instructions) like akgarg mentioned:
http://www.cgisf.org/oc/oci_process.html#reservations

That causes confusion to folks.
Click to expand...

My point exactly ... and that is precisely what caused me to start this thread :confused:

Also, it is not at all clear when reading the OCI application instructions that there is even this provision for checking for the online status; it is only because I read this forum that I came to know about this. :(
 
sudipto: How did you get your Indian passport cancelled? Did you get in done in person at the Consulate or did you send by mail requesting cancellation?

Thanks.
 
realnewbie: We did it by mail. Soon after our oath ceremony, we sent the original Indian passports to CGI SFO with a cover letter stating that we recently acquired US citizenship and as per the Indian passport rules are requesting that our Indian passports be canceled and returned back to us. Got back the canceled passports from them in less than a week.

Oh, we had sent a self addressed and stamped USPS Priority Mail envelope as well for sending back the canceled passports.

I believe you can walk-in to get this done as well.
 
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