OCI - New York Tracker

[ginnu]

This is a terrible situation. I am trying to go to india for the first time in 22 years (age 23, born in the US) this summer. I applied originally on Apr 1. I had my application sent back to me a month later because i was missing a SECOND copy of ONE document. After that I resent it on May 1st, receieved email from Ms. Kumar on May3rd saying it was received. THEN a few days later the SC announcement came out.



I thought i was exempt from this since this the announcement specifically states: Kindly note that submission of Surrender Certificate is a mandatory requirement and neither the OCI/PIO applications can be processed nor OCI documents can be issued without the aforementioned certificate. This is not applicable to the foreign-born children who never held Indian passports. However, their parents held the Indian citizenship in the past and they are advised to obtain the Surrender Certificate for future reference.

Not the case. Just yesterday, I had my application mailed back to me a second time. That form said that that my parent renounced his citizenship (parents have been US citizens for 5 years), so i would have have to furnish their SC.
--------------------That is wrong and they are doing mistakes again. You MUST send emails to all the Emails I provided in this thread to Ministry of Home affairs and Ministry of External affairs. Read the thread and send Email to all. Why they need SC of your Parents as you never had Indian citizenship. what if your Parents got OCI and are staying in India? I know few cases where kid had Valid PIO and applied OCI and OCI is approved and it with NYC. Parents sent valid PIO Card and US passport of Kids to get OCI but they are not sending back the OCI and US passport and few wrote to them if they have problem sending OCI then Please return the US passport and PIO but nobody gets reply or documents back and they are acting like
Criminals and keeping valid PIO and US passports of kids.
This is the biggest joke. Especially since all my emails inquiring about a clarification of their original statement went ignored.
---They dont reply.
I thought maybe i would be able to apply for a Visa, but it prevents me from asking for a tourist visa, since my parents are of indian origin. I have to submit an SC for my parents. I am not a dependent child or a minor, so i don't understand the necessity of this.
--------------- you must visit consulate and ask for the document from Govt of India that says you need to submit SC. also Talk to US department of State for the harassment to US citizens and update them and also provide the Email ID of all the Indian Consulate officials of NYC.
I am traveling on July 13th, but at this rate, I will probably have to cancel my plans. Does any one know what the time line is if you apply for a SC over the mail?
--- those who applied SC by mail on 14to 18 May have not got SC by mail till date.
It will probably be faster in person, but even then, it takes 2 weeks to process?!!? The Visa site says to expect a longer processing time for your visa if you are submitting an SC with your application (more than 7-9 days).
--- I talked to Travisa 2 days back they need SC with Visa application and they said that they have backlog of Visa applications as Indian Consulate is delaying Visa. you can ask Travisa and confirm with them but it seems they cant help. I also asked them that those who applied visa 10 days back with visa application fees and $ 175 with form on Travisa and Travisa got the applications and are submitted to Indian consulate what they are going to do? they replied that visa applications that were recieved with visa fees and $175 and form bofore 20th may wre submitted to consulate and consulate has till date not given visa. I asked them if they are going to get back the Indian passport from consulate and then are going to send it back to person so that he go to consulate and get SC and then send then SC and then again they are going to give SC to consulate? Trvasa people are confused like us and they informed me that this time they dont know what they are going to do they are going to talk to consulate on tuesday and then can give the reply on wednesday.
I am regretting not applying a long time ago. However, it is ridiculous that applying 3mo early was still not enough.
Also do I have to furnish the SC for both parents?
My mother's canceled passport was taken away by Indian airport officials who said she could not have 2 passports in her possession
--- at what airport they took her canceled passport Indian passport? why she had canceled passport Indian passport with her? accoring to Immigration bureau India no information is posted that they need cancelled Indian passport when enter India. what if she did not had cancelled Indian passport with her?
Did they give any receipt that they are keeping her cancelled Indian passport?
, so only my father has his.
------ try to get SC for your father and then see what they say.
--------

You are not alone in this situation many have to cancel the tickets to India. Those who apply visa they are not getting visa due to this SC mess and those who got OCI approved are also not getting OCI as they have sent fees form Indian passports by mail to consulate for SC and they have not got SC and if they get SC after one month then again they have to mail the SC to get OCI and the process may take 2-3 months.


I am sorry to know the situation.
If you find any update or information please post.
Good Luck!!

 

[ginnu]

Quick Question and sorry if this has been answered before. I did not download the certificates before filling the online registration form Part A.
I have saved and printed the filled copy. Would this create any confusion or problem for me ??

That is not the problem.

 

[cadavi]

I realized later that you are obtaining a copy for your records. So I deleted part of my post. Although I wonder if the certified copy has a date when the copy is obtained. And if that matters if you need to submit the copy somewhere. Maybe people like cadavi can clarify since they have a copy.

Yes, the cover letter that is provided by USCIS (with their stamp and signature) has the date on it. I don't think the date matters though, since that is just the date the USCIS provided you with the certified copy. You should be able to provide that as proof of your citizenship as it has been certified by USCIS.

 

[arjundutta]

Dear Arjun it is clear from your post that Bajaj read your email and reply to you.

Please send him Email that many PIO card holder children who were born in US and never had Indian citizenship or Indian passport had applied for OCI and for many OCI has reached NYC in first week of May from Delhi and OCI online status is also updated by NYC but many who mailed Child US passport and PIO Card for collection of OCI have not got OCI with US passport with U visa and Cancelled PIO card and these kids don’t need to get any surrender certificate.(I got about 8-10 personal message in 15 days from Parents). They all are waiting for the documents. Please ask Mr Bajaj what is the delay in these cases. Parents sent emails to Pushpa Kumar and she never replied to any parent of PIO card holder who has OCI approved and have sent PIO Card, US passport to Consulate with $20 mailing fees. Please send the email to Bajaj, Mrs.Pushpa Kumar or Anju Kumar as they have replied to your Emails.

Many who applied for SC with ALL the required papers and sent Indian passports by mail around May 14 or 17 have not got SC through mail (Please send email to Anju Kumar)

When I met Mr. bajaj last week, he said that for US born kids, if they are linked to your passport, their processing MAY be delayed based on your SC certificate.
However, for current GC holder's kids the SC rule shold not apply.

I will try to email him about this.

Arjun

 

[vip1r]

Yes, the cover letter that is provided by USCIS (with their stamp and signature) has the date on it. I don't think the date matters though, since that is just the date the USCIS provided you with the certified copy. You should be able to provide that as proof of your citizenship as it has been certified by USCIS.

Is it illegal to make a copy of the copy

 

[cadavi]

Is it illegal to make a copy of the copy

Yes, I would think so. The stamp is like a Notary's stamp, which is slightly embossed on the paper. There is also a similar stamp on the copy of the NC that they make for you.

 

[ginnu]

When I met Mr. bajaj last week, he said that for US born kids, if they are linked to your passport, their processing MAY be delayed based on your SC certificate.
However, for current GC holder's kids the SC rule shold not apply.

I will try to email him about this.

Arjun

Many kids who are born in US applied PIO card when parents were Indian Citizen and green Card holders and POI is based on that. Many parents got US citizenship and applied OCI for kid who is having valid PIO Card and parents also applied for Kid OCI and sent copy of PIO card of kid with OCI application and many got OCI approved and PIO holder kid OCI approved and Reached NYC. Parents have applied for SC 15 days back with all the fees and Parents have not got SC and can’t get OCI documents from NYC till they get SC in hand.
PIO holder Child whose OCI also got approved have sent PIO Card and US passport to Consulate so that consulate can cancel the PIO card stamp U visa in US passport and return the Documents. PIO card holder Child was born in US and never had Indian passport or Indian citizenship and why Child needs to get or send SC?
I know 3 cases where Parents have sent Valid PIO Card and US passport of child who got OCI approved and is with NYC. If they have problem sending OCI then why they don’t send back Child US Passport and Valid PIO card so that child can travel to India on valid PIO card that is with them. Many have sent emails to Pushpa Kumar and Bajaj and they did not get any response and they are not getting back child OCI or Child valid PIO Card and US passport. I sent email to parents to Talk to US Department of state and file complaint against US consulate that they are not returning US passport and Valid PIO that was given by Indian consulates after taking the fees for PIO Card.
In June many schools will be closed and Kids wanted to visit India now they will not be able to visit India and Parents being honest sent PIO Card and US passport to NYC consulate they never know that they are felling in to trap of NYC. NYC Indian consulate should be ashamed as they are harassing innocent kids who don’t know what is NYC Indian consulate and why parent has to cancel the Tickets for India trips and parents are unable to answer the questions of kids who are asking” why we are not going to India” “Daddy why you are canceling ticket to India”. I personally have seen a child asking the same question to his father and father saying we will go to Niagara Falls and seen the expressions on the face of child and father and mother crying. NYC should be ashamed of what they are doing .

 

[kdkx125]

This is a joke. Hasn't the Indian government ever heard of ex post facto? If someone has already sent in the application be it for the visa or OCI, and it has been acknowledged, it is terrible business to retroactively intact all these policies. It shouldn't be the case where someone who has nothing to do with India, can on a whim, apply for a tourist visa get one in days while ones with Indian ties have to cancel tickets. Not that this is the fault of the people of India, but to have the children of expats (like me) harboring this resentment towards the gov't can't be good.

My father will go to the Consulate next Wednesday with all the documents for his SC along with my mother's. I hope if they see that we have an emergency itinerary, we can be granted the SCs that day. Are they still doing that? He will also bring along the email from Pushpa Kumar saying they received our OCI app. My brother (Age 21, US born) who is applying with me will also go. I hope they will say since we are no longer minors we won't need it. But that is wishful thinking - i guess the best i can hope for is a same day SC and a visa that goes through. If not, you better bet i'll be on the phone with the state department. Thanks for all your help Ginnu.

 

[ginnu]

This is a joke. Hasn't the Indian government ever heard of ex post facto? If someone has already sent in the application be it for the visa or OCI, and it has been acknowledged, it is terrible business to retroactively intact all these policies. It shouldn't be the case where someone who has nothing to do with India, can on a whim, apply for a tourist visa get one in days while ones with Indian ties have to cancel tickets. Not that this is the fault of the people of India, but to have the children of expats (like me) harboring this resentment towards the gov't can't be good.
-----------
I still have not seen the document/Regulation or GR or Notification signed by Ministry of Home affairs or from Ministry of External affairs Government of India or with the signature of any ministry secretaries or under secretaries. Why don’t Indian consulate NYC they post that notification with signature of person so that we know who signed document that and who were committee members. If any MEMO is signed by US department of State or USCIS we can immediately read that MEMO and know who signed and when it was signed. They are hiding the facts.
My father will go to the Consulate next Wednesday with all the documents for his SC along with my mother's. I hope if they see that we have an emergency itinerary, we can be granted the SCs that day. Are they still doing that?

--------------May be or may be not but your Father must talk to Mr Bajaj or Pushpa Kumar or Mr Prabhu Dayal
He will also bring along the email from Pushpa Kumar saying they received our OCI app. My brother (Age 21, US born) who is applying with me will also go. I hope they will say since we are no longer minors we won't need it. But that is wishful thinking - i guess the best i can hope for is a same day SC and a visa that goes through. If not, you better bet i'll be on the phone with the state department. Thanks for all your help Ginnu.

You will only know when you visit the consulate. Send the Email or talk to Department of state before you go and make them aware what Indian consulate is doing to US citizens. Just go through this thread and note the Email ID of Bajaj, Pushpa Kumar and Prabhu Dayal and Phone numbers and give it to DOS.
Wish you good Luck !!
Please Post us the update.

 

[kdkx125]

Also, does any one know what pages of the US passport they need copies of for the SC? The application form says to include "copy of US passport" but that's obviously very vague. I can't image it is every page, but who knows with this office.

 

[kdkx125]

You will only know when you visit the consulate. Send the Email or talk to Department of state before you go and make them aware what Indian consulate is doing to US citizens. Just go through this thread and note the Email ID of Bajaj, Pushpa Kumar and Prabhu Dayal and Phone numbers and give it to DOS.
Wish you good Luck !!
Please Post us the update.

Ginnu, I talked to the US Dept of State. The lady on the other end was very nice but unfortunately told me what I was expecting. I asked specifically about the visa - the requirements for each country must be followed if we are planning to travel to their country. She mentioned that the Indian government is notorious for springing up these policies and acting against anyone who doesn't follow (ie, denying entry, making them leave country if they do not follow exact rules of visa). She said they usually give less than 30 days notice and the US government has no say in their policies nor can they override them. They can't
"grant" anyone a visa or an OCI because it is out of their jurisdiction. I will send a wordy email to them when i figure out what is going on with my application after Wednesday.

 

[pb74]

Also, does any one know what pages of the US passport they need copies of for the SC? The application form says to include "copy of US passport" but that's obviously very vague. I can't image it is every page, but who knows with this office.

Page with your photo.

 

[kdkx125]

Page with your photo.

Thank you! On the SC form, they ask you for the date you became nationalized and the passport number/issue date. Do you write the information for your FIRST passport, even though it is now expired? I did that for my parents, and included a copy of the photopage from their first passport (issued in 1990) and also a copy of the photopage from their must current passport (issued in 2005). Is this the right way to go about it? Or would it be better to just write the date and number of the most current one?

 

[ginnu]

Thank you! On the SC form, they ask you for the date you became nationalized and the passport number/issue date.

Do you write the information for your FIRST passport, even though it is now expired?
------------YES and attach copy of the page that has date on it
I did that for my parents, and included a copy of the photopage from their first passport (issued in 1990) and also a copy of the photopage from their must current passport (issued in 2005).
----that is correct also make three copies of the Form you fill up for your Father and Father need to sign that form(3 copies) before Notary Public. Your Bank Notray can do it and Library also has Notary.
Is this the right way to go about it? Or would it be better to just write the date and number of the most current one?

-------------- They will also need copy of your father naturalization certificate

 

[ginnu]

Ginnu, I talked to the US Dept of State. The lady on the other end was very nice but unfortunately told me what I was expecting. I asked specifically about the visa - the requirements for each country must be followed if we are planning to travel to their country. She mentioned that the Indian government is notorious for springing up these policies and acting against anyone who doesn't follow (ie, denying entry, making them leave country if they do not follow exact rules of visa). She said they usually give less than 30 days notice and the US government has no say in their policies nor can they override them. They can't
"grant" anyone a visa or an OCI because it is out of their jurisdiction. I will send a wordy email to them when i figure out what is going on with my application after Wednesday.

We know that DOS can’t grant Indian Visa or OCI. Complaint is against the practice/requirement of Parents SC if the person is US citizen by Birth. Why they ask SC of Father if Person is born in US and person is US citizen by Birth? If person is born to US Citizen Parents (who were not from India) then they don’t ask SC from those US citizens. Why the discrimination with US born US citizen whose parents were of India origin? US constitution does not make any discrimination if you are born in US to Indian origin Parents or Chinese parents or French parents and for US you are US Citizen and no discrimination of any kind you have equal rights. DOS should protest against this kind of discrimination by Indian consulate against Children who are US born.
If one is born in US and his father/ mother was Indian why that US citizen has to pay the penalty of being son/daughter of Indian parents anybody in this world is going to laugh at this kind of rule. department of state should Inform Indian consulate to go out of US as US will not allow this kind of discrimination with US citizens.
FYI few days back Canada High commission Delhi rejected Visa for Canada to few Border security force employer of India government and next day Minister of External affairs Mr. S M Krishna called the Canada High commission Ambassador and protested why the Border security persons should not get visa for Canada? Canada did not have any answer and they gave Visa to them. Why the DOS can’t protest against discrimination again US Citizen who is by Birth US citizen and why they need to submit SC of Indian parents to get Visa for India?

 

[ginnu]

One of my friends who got OCI approved and OCI reached NYC had sent his Indian passport for cancellation /surrender certificate by Express mail to NYC on May 18 and today May 29 he got his Indian passport cancelled with RED stamp with copy of the same page stamped by consulate nothing is written on Form it has stamp of Indian consulate and some file number written it top in blue color and it NOT written that this is surrender Certificate. He had sent 3 Copies of the Form Notarized and they just stamped one copy and sent the Copy of Form and canceled Indian passport with RED stamp by express mail.
Now he is going to Mail again the US passport and Copy of Form that is stamped by Consulate for OCI collection by mail.

 

[coolgoose9]

I have sent my application for surrender certificate on May 14th but I haven't received anything!!!

 

[ginnu]

I have sent my application for surrender certificate on May 14th but I haven't received anything!!!

did you sent on May 14 by Express Mail and sent 3 Copies of the Notarized Form ? did you sent $175 and $20 mailing charge?

 

[csekar]

I have sent my SC application on May 14th by Express mail with one copy notarized (at that time website didn't say three copies hence, only one copy) along with $175+ 20,00 mailing charges.
No response so for as on date.

I have applied OCI on 5th May 2010 and received by CGI-NY on 7th May 2010.

Today, CGI-NY returned my OCI application along with letter (signed by Mrs. Pushpa kumar.
CGI-NY letter dated 20th May 2010 said, after obtain the Surrender certificate send the OCI form.

I send email to all people including with CGI-NY (daily) . But, No response.

I don't know when I will get SC and reapplied my OCI.

Any suggestion please....

 

[ginnu]

I have sent my SC application on May 14th by Express mail with one copy notarized (at that time website didn't say three copies hence, only one copy) along with $175+ 20,00 mailing charges.
No response so for as on date.
---------------------------- May be my friend got SC as he sent 3 notarized copies of the form or may be his Envelope was at Top and they may have picked few envelopes and sent SC. in past this has happened with OCI those who sent Before March 2 got delayed for OCI and those who sent after 3 or 4 March they Scanned early and those who had sent OCI applications BEFORE March 1 or 2 got Acknowledged /Scanned Late. They don't have any system that they go by date.

I have applied OCI on 5th May 2010 and received by CGI-NY on 7th May 2010.

Today, CGI-NY returned my OCI application along with letter (signed by Mrs. Pushpa kumar.

CGI-NY letter dated 20th May 2010 said, after obtain the Surrender certificate send the OCI form.

I send email to all people including with CGI-NY (daily) . But, No response.
--------------at this time they are not replying to emails.
I don't know when I will get SC and reapplied my OCI.
------------------Try to visit Consulate and inform them that Indian passport is with them and try to get SC so that you can apply for OCI
Any suggestion please....

It simply means that they need SC with OCI application or PIO application and with Visa applications and they will not process applications without SC. You have to wait for SC and when get SC then send OCI application with copy of SC. In second/third week of February they also sent many OCI applications back those who did not attach Copy of US driving license or Utility bill and those who sent OCI in First week of FEB without utility bill/DL copy were acknowledged and processed. Those who applied Visa through Travisa BEFORE May 17 and attached the Form for SC and paid extra fees of $175 and applications were submitted to Consulate on 18 May few got Visa but if one need to apply Visa through Travisa one first need to get SC from directly from Consulate then attach SC with Visa application that is submitted to Travisa. Many are facing problems and will not be able to get Visa and have to cancel tickets for India.