OCI - Washington DC Tracker

GC2USC said:
Thanks for your post gc4us. I read the new article. This whole OCI process is in a complete mess.
Now this causes more confusion.

1- Do I send only 20.00 per PP for cancellation and not send the 175.00 per pp.

2- What happens to all the other applicants who got their package back and re-send ther package with addtional 175.00. Will the embassy re-fund that money.

3- In case they re-fund the 175.00, what about the new fee of 20.00 they need now for cancellation of
passport. How will the collect that amount ? By sending the package back again.

If I was within 2/3 hours of driving distance I would have personally visited the embassy and given them
a piece of my mind.
Click to expand...

Hi GC2USC,
In short, if they had one or more individuals who were capable of spending an hour going through various scenarios of clients/customers/applicants when issuing new guidelines...... we would not have these confusing puzzles...

To prove that these individual "Consulate Branches" (Can't even call them franchises - as franchises will have to adhere to a core set of rules from their corporate)..... are competing for the top prize in ambiguity.... here is the wording from NY site

http://www.indiacgny.org/php/showHighLightDet.php?h_id=144&key=

"In view of a large number of representations received from Persons of Indian Origin, it has been decided that the fees for obtaining Renunciation/Surrender Certificate from applicants who have acquired US citizenships before June 1, 2010 will be waived. However, a miscellaneous service fee of US$ 20/- will be charged for surrender of passport for cancellation. No penalties will be charged. Already decided cases will, however, not be reopened."

They haven't come up with any clear instructions on Refunds yet... except this Already decided cases will, however, not be reopened.... again, what NY does it not good for DC.... What happens in NY stays with NY...

Also, should Pre-May-31-2010 applicants still submit the SC form, but send only $20.00 or can we just send $20.00 and mention in the cover letter about this......
 
gc4us said:
Hi GC2USC,
In short, if they had one or more individuals who were capable of spending an hour going through various scenarios of clients/customers/applicants when issuing new guidelines...... we would not have these confusing puzzles...

To prove that these individual "Consulate Branches" (Can't even call them franchises - as franchises will have to adhere to a core set of rules from their corporate)..... are competing for the top prize in ambiguity.... here is the wording from NY site

http://www.indiacgny.org/php/showHighLightDet.php?h_id=144&key=

"In view of a large number of representations received from Persons of Indian Origin, it has been decided that the fees for obtaining Renunciation/Surrender Certificate from applicants who have acquired US citizenships before June 1, 2010 will be waived. However, a miscellaneous service fee of US$ 20/- will be charged for surrender of passport for cancellation. No penalties will be charged. Already decided cases will, however, not be reopened."

They haven't come up with any clear instructions on Refunds yet... except this Already decided cases will, however, not be reopened.... again, what NY does it not good for DC.... What happens in NY stays with NY...

Also, should Pre-May-31-2010 applicants still submit the SC form, but send only $20.00 or can we just send $20.00 and mention in the cover letter about this......
Click to expand...

Thanks again gc4us for the updates.

I don't understand how they can have different set of rules for each Consulate. OCI is granted by the Govt of India and they should have one set of rules for candidates applying for it, irrespective of which part of USA they reside.

I think all that protests, petitions & media coverage has pressured them into waiving the 175.00 fees.
There was also a front page article in one of the leading newspapers in Mumbai.
 
sam012007 said:
GC2USC, sorry to hear that your package is back, but sorry to say that this time it was your mistake, yes, we all did send our Original Indian Passport for cancellation which make sense, what will they cancel if they don't have the Original Indian PPT, the photocopy? I totally understand about getting a one liner email from them would've been the best thing in the world rather than getting back the entire package and thats exactly I wrote in the cover letter when I sent my documents back, not sure if they will read the cover letter or not.

But guess what it may have worked in your favor, now that you only have to submit $20 not $175, so you are going to save $155 per application this time.

Just trying to find positives in the ocean of negatives --- I know my money has been eaten up by these babus and they are not going to refund it and hence I am not expecting anything from them ... if they send it back, I will treat it as Lottery and will go play in a casino with that money, in hope of making more money from that lucky money ;-) ...

God bless India ...
Click to expand...

Hi Sam,

Yes it was a mistake on my part, but then we do have to send our original US passports at a later stage, I could always send it then. When the process is complete they anyway send the Indian and US passports back all in one package.

Anyway, as pointed out by you - I am considering this as a blessing in disguise. It never made sense to me as to why they need 175.00 just for one simple stamp on the passport.

I am going to cancell the previous Certified check and make a new one for 20.00 per PP.
 
There is little hope that we might get refund.Following is the message posted on SFO consulate website.

The issue of refund of any part of renunciation fee already paid by applicants till 31 May 2010, if applicable, has been taken up with the Government of India. The decision when received will be uniformly applied to those concerned and the information will be put on our website when available. Meanwhile no email/phone queries will be entertained.

GC2USC said:
Thanks again gc4us for the updates.

I don't understand how they can have different set of rules for each Consulate. OCI is granted by the Govt of India and they should have one set of rules for candidates applying for it, irrespective of which part of USA they reside.

I think all that protests, petitions & media coverage has pressured them into waiving the 175.00 fees.
There was also a front page article in one of the leading newspapers in Mumbai.
Click to expand...
 
If you were wondering (like me) about the form to be used for those who got their NCs On-Or-Before May-31-2010 (confusion due to their terminology with Miscellaneous fee).... Today's update from the DC site has some clarity..
Looks like the same renunciation form can be used for both categories.... (Pre and Post June-01-2010). In fact, they have posted a new version of the PDF that does not have the checklist section (that used to have $175.00 printed in it)...... avoiding more confusion.....

http://www.indianembassy.org/newsite/Renunciation.asp#1

If the applicant has NOT renounced their Indian citizenship, or does not have proof, the following must be provided:

o Two (2) copies of the completed renunciation form. The application for renunciation may be made on the form in the embassy/consulate of appropriate jurisdiction. If the application is submitted at counter the form should be signed in person. If application is sent by post the signature should be notarized and an additional check of USD 20/- may be sent for mailing charges.

o Renunciation fee of $175 (for those who acquired foreign citizenship on or after June 1 2010 ) or $20 (for those who acquired foreign citizenship until 31 May 2010 ) with a separate Money Order payable to 'Embassy of India'.

o Copy of the Naturalization Certificate. For minors who were not issued naturalization certificates, the parents must write a statement that the minors citizenship was obtained through the parents, and provide a copy of the parents naturalization certificate.

o Most recent Indian passport that was issued in India/abroad. Applicant must provide photocopies of the first three pages of the passport and the last two pages of the passport. In case passport has been lost, a police report must be filed which specifically mentions loss of passport and submit the same.
 
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Indian passports cancellation along with OCI application in D.C.

gc4us said:
If you were wondering (like me) about the form to be used for those who got their NCs On-Or-Before May-31-2010 (confusion due to their terminology with Miscellaneous fee).... Today's update from the DC site has some clarity..
Looks like the same renunciation form can be used for both categories.... (Pre and Post June-01-2010). In fact, they have posted a new version of the PDF that does not have the checklist section (that used to have $175.00 printed in it)...... avoiding more confusion.....

http://www.indianembassy.org/newsite/Renunciation.asp#1

If the applicant has NOT renounced their Indian citizenship, or does not have proof, the following must be provided:

o Two (2) copies of the completed renunciation form. The application for renunciation may be made on the form in the embassy/consulate of appropriate jurisdiction. If the application is submitted at counter the form should be signed in person. If application is sent by post the signature should be notarized and an additional check of USD 20/- may be sent for mailing charges.

o Renunciation fee of $175 (for those who acquired foreign citizenship on or after June 1 2010 ) or $20 (for those who acquired foreign citizenship until 31 May 2010 ) with a separate Money Order payable to 'Embassy of India'.

o Copy of the Naturalization Certificate. For minors who were not issued naturalization certificates, the parents must write a statement that the minors citizenship was obtained through the parents, and provide a copy of the parents naturalization certificate.

o Most recent Indian passport that was issued in India/abroad. Applicant must provide photocopies of the first three pages of the passport and the last two pages of the passport. In case passport has been lost, a police report must be filed which specifically mentions loss of passport and submit the same.
Click to expand...
********************************************************************************
Do we need to submit those filled in forms in duplicate even if we send our Indian passports and $20 money order to cancel them along with OCI applications? My understanding is, unlike New York consulate, in DC embassy, obtaining renunciation certificate before applying for OCI is not a pre-requisite. Is it correct? While applying for OCI in D.C. can we include our Indian passports and required fee ($20) to cancel them along with OCI application?

RC66
 
As per the first few paragraphs..... and particularly the following section in http://www.indianembassy.org/newsite/oci.asp

Indian Passport: If your Indian passport is already cancelled , you need to send only notarized copy of the relevant pages. Otherwise, send original Indian Passport with the OCI application. If holding PIO card, it should also be enclosed in original with OCI application.

This, when read with the previous instructions on SC and OCI, is more supportive of sending them together....... with the correct fees and a cover letter with a structured "Check list or Enclosure list"..... and hoping (praying) that they really pay attention to this cover letter.......
 
How to get back your $175 / $155

Take your money order or cashier's check receipt and with that - you will be able to cancel it from wherever you have purchased it (or online for Western union MO) as long as it has NOT been cashed.

You will get your $175 back.. If the embassy comes back to you, pay them the $20 - not $175.

Sounds like a plan?.

However, if you have made one single MO or cashier's check for all the fees, then you are stuck!
 
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That's great news that they revoked the $175 fee and charging only $20 for the passport cancellation, WOW!!!. I know I am very late in this news, I was thrilled when I read all the above post, I checked back and forth between sites.
SAM congrats for acknowledgement of your application the first hurdle is over for now, my wife's and kids application is not acknowledged yet but they have not been returned either so I can still keep my fingers crossed. Now I am not sure if they will refund the money or send the packet back asking for new money order of $20 instead of $175?

GC2US I believe you didn't visit them personally yet for cancellation of Indian passport? I hope you might have sent your packet back with Indian passport by now, hope for the best.
"GC2US" I have a feeliing that I have chatted with you during your GC application - did you use consular processing for your GC?

Thanks
 
vm1214 said:
That's great news that they revoked the $175 fee and charging only $20 for the passport cancellation, WOW!!!. I know I am very late in this news, I was thrilled when I read all the above post, I checked back and forth between sites.
SAM congrats for acknowledgement of your application the first hurdle is over for now, my wife's and kids application is not acknowledged yet but they have not been returned either so I can still keep my fingers crossed. Now I am not sure if they will refund the money or send the packet back asking for new money order of $20 instead of $175?

GC2US I believe you didn't visit them personally yet for cancellation of Indian passport? I hope you might have sent your packet back with Indian passport by now, hope for the best.
"GC2US" I have a feeliing that I have chatted with you during your GC application - did you use consular processing for your GC?

Thanks
Click to expand...

Hi VM,

I sent the whole package back on 6/2. Cancelled the previous Certified Check for 175.00 and made new CC for 20.00 per passport. The package was delivered on 6/3. Now I am again in the waiting game.

VM I was not a member of this forum during my GC process, I used to browse this site every once in a while and also I had NOT USED CP for my GC.

Good Luck to You..
 
sam012007 said:
Thank you VM!!!

Great job GC2USC, saved lot of money buddy.
Click to expand...


Thanks Sam, Yes it did make a lot of difference because mine was a family package.

VM, Sam - Did you look at the post of Whiteone - that could be one of the ways of recovering your money, but then it would mean risking the processing times.
 
I will not take any action on refund until my OCI processed, once that done, I won't leave them.

My status updated today to: Photo/Signature Scanned On 07-JUN-2010
 
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sam012007 said:
I will not take any action on refund until my OCI processed, once that done, I won't leave them.

My status updated today to: Photo/Signature Scanned On 07-JUN-2010
Click to expand...

Congrats Sam, Looks like your case is progressing well. Good Luck...
 
OCI Application in D.C.

GC2USC said:
I agree with you - because the priority would be to get the OCI done.
Click to expand...

Did you include filled in renunciation of Indian citizenship forms also along with OCI forms, original Indian PP and $20? Will appreciate your reply. Thanks.

RC66
 
Refund of $155 - Please send email to Ambassador / GOPIO / CG

Please see the link in renouncedindian.blogspot.com regarding mass appeal for refund of $155.

Let us all send emails to ambassadoroffice@indiagov.org,gopio-intl@sbcglobal.net, cg@indiacgny.org
with content as under :

While I welcome the decision of the Indian Govt for revising the surrender certificate fee to $20, I'd like to represent that I have not been treated justly. On May xx, 2010 , as I had to obtain VISA/OCI to visit India, I was forced to submit applications for the Surrender Certificate with the Consulate General of India along with the fees of $175 each for every member of my family . I had no option then but to adhere to the rules. Also penalties applied if we didnt act quick enough.

With the amended rule, I request you to refund a sum of $155.00 . There is no justification for charging differential amounts for the same category of people (all who obtained naturalization by June 1 , 2010). CG is trying to justify that $175 was the prevaling fee between May 4 and 28. The $175 fee is an aberration and not a fee that stood for several months and hence that argument is invalid.

A special camp was held by CGNY on May 29 and they collected $175 from thousands of people who stood for several hours in lines without food and water to comply with the law, only to know that the next day the fee is brought to the new $20 level.

The differential amount is a huge sum for me. Please do not punish people like me for trying to follow the law to the fullest , correctly and quickly all the time.
 
Update - Scanned on Jun 8th for self & 2 kids.
Still my wife's application is not acknowledged. Not sure when it will change.

chola
 
chola, my friend, don't worry things will be fine ... congrats on the case movement... do not contact embassy just yet and save your time and energy for something more meaningful than trying to get in touch with those who are of no help.
 
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