OCI Card

I got my new OCI card in 15 business days (1 calendar month.) I am posting my experiences here in the hope it is helpful to others. Note that YMMV (your mileage may vary) and please consult the CKGS website for processing times etc.

I called CKGS before applying. They were very helpful and knowledgeable. Per their advice (NYC consulate) I first applied for Renunciation Certificate (RC) and then for OCI. RC is required for OCI application so - in NYC at least - it is not possible to apply together. RC took 3 days and OCI card took 15 business days. The whole thing was done in about 1 month. Very fast. (Note that in other consulates eg DC or SFO you may be able to apply for RC+OCI together - but the processing time is much longer 45-60 business days / 2-3 calendar months. I am also told that DC consulate is doing some computer upgrades so they are slower.)

The main thing is to review the CKGS website thoroughly and present all documents in the order provided in the checklist. CKGS office in NYC is efficient - provided you are well prepared. (Some people were waiting in line but did not have all the doc/s or had other errors in their forms or photos etc - and they got delayed.)

The other insight I got from CKGS officers in NYC was that it goes faster if everything is matching and in order. They said that in many cases there are differences eg name or address or other things across the applications or websites (eg "Arun Rajendranath" is now "Arun R Nath" in the US - esp after US Naturalization.) Such changes are not a problem in themselves - the applicant has to just make sure they are handled properly and written properly in the RC / OCI applications.

Timeline (all dates below in 2019)

Part 1: Renunciation
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3/29 - Filled online application and got appointment for (Tue) 4/2 in NYC CKGS
4/2 - Application "received" and "verified" and later "complete"
4/3 - Application "Under Process", "Reviewed" and "In Transit"
4/4 - Renunciation Certificate "Received" at CKGS, at "Sorting Facility"
4/4 - Renunciation Certificate picked up by UPS
4/5 330PM - Delivered Renunciation Certificate + Old Indian Passport at home
NB - Old Indian Passport now has a new stamp "cancelled due to holder becoming a foreign citizen".

Part 2: OCI Card
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-- STATUS on CKGS Website
4/10 - Provided my documents incl US Passport - in person at CKGS counter NYC
4/10 - Application "Received" and "Verified", later "Under Process" at CKGS
4/10 - Application "In Transit" to Consulate
4/11 - Application "Under Process" at Consulate
4/11 - Passport "Reviewed" and "In Transit to CKGS", later Picked up by UPS
4/12 930AM - US Passport delivered at home
NB - US Passport was returned in 2 days which was important because I was due to travel to Europe in April.

5/6 - OCI Card "Received" at CKGS and at "Sorting Facility"
5/7 11AM: - OCI Card delivered at home

-- STATUS on Indian Govt Website for OCI
Date of Acknowledgement 4/12
Docs Printing Status PROCESSED 5/2/19
Dispatched from MEA(OCI) Delhi 5/2/19
Docs Received at NY CGI on 5/2/19
NB: 5/2/19 was a Thursday

Good luck !!