OCI - Houston Tracker

RSK1 said:
Tufan, you are right we have very poor customer service. Try sending them email too. In my Fedex emvelop the phone # listed as MIFA - 713-626-2148. You can try this one too. Did you mention "OCI Application cell", when you send passports?
Click to expand...

Hey Guys, i got the U visa stamped US passports and cancelled Indian Passports/PIO cards for kids yesterday via FEDEX. OCI cards are funky looking! Not sure who chose the color for the cards, but it looks good. Indian passports are stamped for cancellation and PIO cards for kids the same, cancelled without any prejudice.

It's hard to believe that finally after 19 years of living in USA all has come to an end and I can now concentrate on few other things. I guess, you'll will now find me on the R2I forum as that's what my plans are, but my house has lost equity as i bought during the peak 3 years ago. So..once again my plans are changed and now i have to wait for sometime before i can R2I. My son is 7 so maybe i have couple years but let's see...........it's all destiny!!

WISH YOU ALL GOOD LUCK!! Your time will come as their is always light at the end of the tunnel...
 
tufan said:
hey guys, i got the u visa stamped us passports and cancelled indian passports/pio cards for kids yesterday via fedex. Oci cards are funky looking! Not sure who chose the color for the cards, but it looks good. Indian passports are stamped for cancellation and pio cards for kids the same, cancelled without any prejudice.

It's hard to believe that finally after 19 years of living in usa all has come to an end and i can now concentrate on few other things. I guess, you'll will now find me on the r2i forum as that's what my plans are, but my house has lost equity as i bought during the peak 3 years ago. So..once again my plans are changed and now i have to wait for sometime before i can r2i. My son is 7 so maybe i have couple years but let's see...........it's all destiny!!

Wish you all good luck!! Your time will come as their is always light at the end of the tunnel...
Click to expand...

congratulations!!!
 
Quick question: I have to send our US Passports and Indian Passports (Old and New) and the copies of Status Pages and Granted Email from Houston. I already sent the $20 Money Order with the Applications, is there anything else that I need to send.

So far all the packages I sent were through USPS Express mail. Does the Indian Consulate always return the Stamped Passports and cards through FEDEX only?

Thanks in Advance

Status Update: Documents Received in Houston

***********************************
Mine
***********************************
OCI Application sent - 1/11/2010
OCI Received by Houston: 01/12/2010
Acknowledged : 01/14/2010
Scanned : 01/14/2010
Granted : 1/22/2010
Docs Printed : 1/25/2010
Documents dispatched : 1/28/2010
Houston Received : 02/02/2010
Passports Sent :
Passports Received :
***********************************
Wife's
***********************************
OCI Application sent - 1/11/2010
OCI Received by Houston: 01/12/2010
Acknowledged : 01/14/2010
Scanned : 01/14/2010
Granted : 02/02/2010
Docs Printed : 02/02/2010
Documents dispatched : 02/03/2010
Houston Received : 02/05/2010
Passports Sent :
Passports Received :

​
 
ATL_OCI said:
Quick question: I have to send our US Passports and Indian Passports (Old and New) and the copies of Status Pages and Granted Email from Houston. I already sent the $20 Money Order with the Applications, is there anything else that I need to send.

So far all the packages I sent were through USPS Express mail. Does the Indian Consulate always return the Stamped Passports and cards through FEDEX only?

Thanks in Advance

Status Update: Documents Received in Houston

***********************************
Mine
***********************************
OCI Application sent - 1/11/2010
OCI Received by Houston: 01/12/2010
Acknowledged : 01/14/2010
Scanned : 01/14/2010
Granted : 1/22/2010
Docs Printed : 1/25/2010
Documents dispatched : 1/28/2010
Houston Received : 02/02/2010
Passports Sent :
Passports Received :
***********************************
Wife's
***********************************
OCI Application sent - 1/11/2010
OCI Received by Houston: 01/12/2010
Acknowledged : 01/14/2010
Scanned : 01/14/2010
Granted : 02/02/2010
Docs Printed : 02/02/2010
Documents dispatched : 02/03/2010
Houston Received : 02/05/2010
Passports Sent :
Passports Received :

​
Click to expand...

Nothing else. You do not need to send any old Indian passports. Only US passport, latest Indian passport and screen print of status.
 
Thanks RSK1, I appreciate your response.

I will send out the Passports and the Status page for Stamping on Monday and will update the status here.
 
Guys,

I see the OCI gets granted within a week or so from the date of acknowledgement. My date of acknowledgement is 01/29 and is still showing under processiong. I had gotten a call from CGI on 02/03 about faxing birth certificates of children. I faxed them on the same day.

Is there any issue that I need to worry about?

Thanks,

qazxsw
 
Status Update: Passports Sent to CGI Houston

***********************************
Mine
***********************************
OCI Application sent - 1/11/2010
OCI Received by Houston: 01/12/2010
Acknowledged : 01/14/2010
Scanned : 01/14/2010
Granted : 1/22/2010
Docs Printed : 1/25/2010
Documents dispatched : 1/28/2010
Houston Received : 02/02/2010
Passports Sent : 02/08/2010
Passports Received :
***********************************
Wife's
***********************************
OCI Application sent - 1/11/2010
OCI Received by Houston: 01/12/2010
Acknowledged : 01/14/2010
Scanned : 01/14/2010
Granted : 02/02/2010
Docs Printed : 02/02/2010
Documents dispatched : 02/03/2010
Houston Received : 02/05/2010
Passports Sent : 02/08/2010
Passports Received :
 
Houston OCI Passport Photo Size?

Hey folks,

Its really ridiculous that the Indian Consulate can't have 1 source of reliable and clear instructions.

What size should the passport pictures really be?

The reason I ask is that on the Houston OCI website (http://www.cgihouston.org/OCIProcedure.html) , it states they should be 3.5 cm X 3.5 cm, however, on the Part A application that gets generated automatically, it indicates 51x51 mm (which is 2 inches x 2 inches).

There also seems to be some confusion (and inconsistency) about how many passport pictures are needed for each of the 2 sets.... Does anyone really know?

Also, the Houston OCI website says the additional photo (other than the one affixed), should be stapled to the application, whereas the Part A instructions specifically state that the additional photo per application set should NOT be stapled. Anyone know whats the right thing to do?

Thanks.
 
The old requirement was 3.5 and not they accept both 3.5 and 51mm, I have read this in this forum somewhere. I am attaching 51 and also stapled the remaining 2. sending tomorrow to Hou.
 
obajaj said:
Hey folks,

Its really ridiculous that the Indian Consulate can't have 1 source of reliable and clear instructions.

What size should the passport pictures really be?

The reason I ask is that on the Houston OCI website (http://www.cgihouston.org/OCIProcedure.html) , it states they should be 3.5 cm X 3.5 cm, however, on the Part A application that gets generated automatically, it indicates 51x51 mm (which is 2 inches x 2 inches).

There also seems to be some confusion (and inconsistency) about how many passport pictures are needed for each of the 2 sets.... Does anyone really know?

Also, the Houston OCI website says the additional photo (other than the one affixed), should be stapled to the application, whereas the Part A instructions specifically state that the additional photo per application set should NOT be stapled. Anyone know whats the right thing to do?

Thanks.
Click to expand...

You have to send two Part A and paste 51X51 photographs (it means 2 photographs)
You have to send the form B attached with Each Part A.
On small envelope write your Name and online Registration number and send the extra 2 or 3 photographs in envelope and on the envelope write in big bold letters “PHOTOGRAPHS”
 
Status Update: We received our Passports Today :). Thanks everybody for your advise.

***********************************
Mine
***********************************
OCI Application sent - 1/11/2010
OCI Received by Houston: 01/12/2010
Acknowledged : 01/14/2010
Scanned : 01/14/2010
Granted : 1/22/2010
Docs Printed : 1/25/2010
Documents dispatched : 1/28/2010
Houston Received : 02/02/2010
Passports Sent : 02/08/2010
Passports Received :02/17/2010
***********************************
Wife's
***********************************
OCI Application sent - 1/11/2010
OCI Received by Houston: 01/12/2010
Acknowledged : 01/14/2010
Scanned : 01/14/2010
Granted : 02/02/2010
Docs Printed : 02/02/2010
Documents dispatched : 02/03/2010
Houston Received : 02/05/2010
Passports Sent : 02/08/2010
Passports Received : 02/17/2010
 
Thanks guys.
I sent 51 mm x 51 mm photos as advised and mailed the application today. Hopefully everything should be done within 3-4 weeks.
I plan to personally visit CGI Houston to get my son's OCI card and the U Visa sticker on his passport (I live within driving distance of Houston)
 
Thanks everyone for their contribution. Here's mine.

OCI Application sent - 1/22/2010
OCI Received by Houston:1/25/2010
Acknowledged : 01/29/2010
Scanned : 1/29/2010
Granted : 2/04/2010
Docs Printed : 2/04/2010
Documents dispatched : 2/5/2010
Houston Received : 02/09/2010
Passports Sent : 02/10/2010
Passports Received :02/18/2010

Kudos to the prompt processing by Indian office !!!! Can't be any better than this.
 
I followed the instructions from the OCI tracker

2 Adults, 2 Kids
OCI Application sent - 1/19/2010 (USPS Express Mail)
OCI Received by Houston:1/20/2010
Acknowledged : 01/22/2010
Scanned : 1/22/2010
Granted : 1/29/2010
Docs Printed : 1/29/2010
Documents dispatched : 2/1/2010
Houston Received : 02/04/2010 (updated on 02/03/2010 evening, email from Consulate 02/04/2010)
Passports Sent : 02/02/2010 Fedex 2 day Priority (Passports Recd. at Consulate: 02/04/2010)
Passports Received:02/10/2010 (picked up at the fedex location). Package was sent Standard Overnight

One word of wisdom. Avoid USPS if possible. Guaranteed noon delivery is not really guaranteed and unprovable. Spotty status updates. I got an email more than 12 hours after supposed delivery time stating the package was delivered at 11:55 am.


--- Email from CGI Houston ---
Dear OCI Applicant,


We are pleased to inform you that your OCI applicant(s) has been granted today.

Please check the status of your OCI card by clicking the following link ...

Once you read on the online status that “Documents received at Houston (Date:_____________)”, you may kindly send your original US passport for stamping the “U” Visa and the Indian Passport (where applicable), for verification, by mail. In case, you are a PIO card holder, please send your PIO Card for cancellation.

In case, you have not already paid the return fee, please send a Cashier’s cheque or a money order for $.20.00 payable to “Consulate General of India, Houston” to return your Passport and OCI Card by FEDEX.

In case, you wish to come to the Consulate and personally collect the OCI cards, please deposit your passports at the counter between 9 am and 12.30 pm and collect them between 4 pm and 5 pm.

Please do enclose your latest Indian Passport(s).

In case, you find that your OCI documents are not printed after four working days of granting your application, then there is a problem with your photograph(s). Kindly arrange to send two copies of your new Passport size photographs(s) by mail to us soonest possible. Photograph(s) should be sharp, front facing, well lit against a light background with dark clothes. Please also write your name and Online Registration Number/File Acknowledgement Number at the back of the photograph.

Thanks,
Consulate General Of India Houston
1990 Post Oak Boulevard, Suite #600
Houston, TX - 77056
Telephone 713-626-2148, 713-626-2149
Fax: 713-626-2450, 713-627-2034, 713-993-9347
 
Initial OCI Package question

can we send all the application sets for the family in one envelope or we have to send separate envelopes . also do we need to send self addressed return envelope.

I am going to send my OCI application to Houston
 
mdawane said:
can we send all the application sets for the family in one envelope

---Yes
or we have to send separate envelopes .
---NO
also do we need to send self addressed return envelope.
---check the Houston consulate site.
I am going to send my OCI application to Houston
Click to expand...
------------
 
My 3 month old son's application status in Houston:
(I plan to personally pick up his OCI card and get his passport visa sticker in Houston)

Web Application Date: 02/13/2010
Application Mail (by US Postal Service, Delivery Confirmation) Date: 02/17/2010
Application Received by Indian Consulate General, Houston Date: 02/19/2010
Application Acknowledgement Date: 02/23/2010
Documents Scanned Date: 02/23/2010
OCI Status Granted Date: 02/25/2010
Documents Printed Date: 02/25/2010
Documents Dispatched from Delhi Date: 03/02/2010
Documents Received at Houston Date: 03/05/2010
Documents Picked up from Houston Date: 03/11/2010

Looks like everything would have been done in under 3 weeks! Better than Regular U.S. Passport processing timelines! Thats awesome!
 
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OCI Procedure

I have applied for OCI thu Houston.

Mailed on 2/16
Houston Received and Ack on 2/20
Granted on 2/25
Printed on 2/25
Not Dispatched yet.

Since I am near the end of processing, the only thing left is when Houston received the documents, I have to mail my passports etc.

I read the OCI preparation list and found the following:

7. When Documents received at your embassy, mail your US and Indian passports to your embassy
Only when the online status changes to 'Received'
Send the following -
a. A printout of your online status showing that documents have been received at the embassy.
b. A cover letter informing the OCI section guys that your OCI application (mention the application #) has been granted and received at the embassy and that you are enclosing the US passport for OCI U Visa sticker and OCI card, and also enclosing the Indian passport and PIO card (if any) for cancellation.
c. A self addressed return envelope (even though you may have included one with your original application packet)
d. If you did not add the return mailing fee (currently $20, check your embassy web site for latest) to the original application fee, then a cashier's check for the return mailing fee
e. Your US passport
f. You Indian passport for cancellation
g. Your PIO card (if any) for cancellation.


My Question:
What is this Self addressed return envelope? I will send $20.00 when I send the passports. I assume Consulate will send the passports back to me for that fee. Why would I need a Self Addressed envelope? Also, if I need one, should that be FEDEX?

Please advise.
 
03/01/10: Yep, processing timeline and the status updates really looks effective and awesome. Does anyone have similar timeline experience with application involving a "name change". ? With the application, we included the "Court Order - Petition for Name Change" received as part of the Naturalization process. Is that sufficient ? I read in a website that we need to publish the name change in a Newspaper in India and in USA. Is that still required ? Perhaps, I should start that process just in case if they ask me to do....any thoughts ?


Timeline:
03/01/10: OCI Application Mailed from Florida
03/02/10: ICG, Houston Received
03/05/10: Acknowledged
03/05/10: Photo Scanned
03/10/10: Granted
03/11/10: Docs Print Date
03/12/10: Docs Dispatched (from India)
03/18/10: Houston Rec'd Date
03/19/10: Mailed the Passports to ICG, Houston (on Friday)
03/22/10: ICG Houston received the passports (on Monday)
04/02/10: Received my passports and OCI booklet.

I have never experienced such effectiveness/efficiencies in status reporting, tracking and speed in matters related to immigration processing etc. This is awesome.. ICG Houston Rocks!
 
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