Why is OCI application asking for original US Passport?

[ravifremont]

I was told by CKGS San Francisco that original US passport need not ever be submitted for OCI (there is no longer a matchup).

So why is OCI application asking for 2 envelopes, with separate envelope for return of US Passport?

SHIPPING Service
(from You to CKGS) -
2 Envelopes


1 Envelope (from CKGS to You)


1 Envelope original passport returned back(from CKGS to You)

Attention : NEW OCI Application
CKGS Application Center San Francisco
1st floor, 225 Bush Street,
San Francisco, CA 94104

[vvk321]

They do verification of the passport upfront and return it to you. If you do a walk-in, you can get your passport back right away. Otherwise, they will mail it back to you within a week or two.

My understanding is that earlier they used to stamp U visa on the passport during the matching process. That step has been eliminated now. However, they still need to verify the docs submitted at application stage.

[ravifremont]

They do verification of the passport upfront and return it to you. If you do a walk-in, you can get your passport back right away. Otherwise, they will mail it back to you within a week or two.

.

Does anyone have experience with San Francisco office and how long they will keep the passport? 1-2 week is okay. But longer than that is a problem as I may need to travel... I don't understand why they keep the mailed passport for so long if they return passport the same day for a walk-in application.

The CKGS office is giving me misinformation as they just recently told me that passport is never needed for OCI application and so I do not need to be worried about travel.

[seaotter]

Does anyone have experience with San Francisco office and how long they will keep the passport? 1-2 week is okay. But longer than that is a problem as I may need to travel... I don't understand why they keep the mailed passport for so long if they return passport the same day for a walk-in application.

The CKGS office is giving me misinformation as they just recently told me that passport is never needed for OCI application and so I do not need to be worried about travel.

As your id indicates - if you are in Fremont then do a walkin to drop of your OCI applications (CKGS @ SF) at which time they will check your US passport and will hand it back to you right away (agent/representative at the counter will do the match up between your application and US passport).

Note: Even though the passport is returned to in person - they will charge you for the passport return shipment cost (unavoidable) and the 2nd shipping charge is for them to ship your OCI once when it is ready.

Wishing you good luck.

PS:
My OCI process is a night mare. After 70 plus days they came back saying incorrect photo attached. Photo was verified and no questions were raised when I turned in the application.

Instructions to resend was super awesome - where in they asked to write the name, passport number, reference number on the back of the photo and then to stick it on re-printed application using glue. I have no clue why write those info when you are going to stick the photo on the re-printed oci application

[ravifremont]

As your id indicates - if you are in Fremont then do a walkin to drop of your OCI applications (CKGS @ SF) at which time they will check your US passport and will hand it back to you right away (agent/representative at the counter will do the match up between your application and US passport).

When I was submitting Renunciation application and enquiring about walk-in submission over the phone, the CKGS manager was discouraging me from walk-in.

She said there are no walk-ins for Renunciation and OCI drop off applications. One must make an appt for a "walk-in" submission. I did not pursue the details further on how long it takes to get a appt. Just submitted Renunciation application by mail as no passport submission was involved...

Does anyone with experience at SF office know how long one should expect to be at the SF CKGS office for OCI application drop off? Within 3 hours? Have heard some bad stories on this board that people with appointments get placed in a regular walk-in queue.

[ravifremont]

My OCI process is a night mare. After 70 plus days they came back saying incorrect photo attached. Photo was verified and no questions were raised when I turned in the application.

Does the scanned photo submitted online to Indian government site have to match the printed photo mailed to CKGS?

I have a recent scanned photo but don't have a paper passport photo. Will go later to photo booth to get printed pic but may want to submit scanned photo to government application now.

[vvk321]

When I was submitting Renunciation application and enquiring about walk-in submission over the phone, the CKGS manager was discouraging me from walk-in.

Does anyone with experience at SF office know how long one should expect to be at the SF CKGS office for OCI application drop off? Within 3 hours? Have heard some bad stories on this board that people with appointments get placed in a regular walk-in queue.

I did a "walk in" and it was very efficient. You do have to take an appointment. Normally you can get an appointment 1 week out. One thing I found annoying is that you have to select your delivery method (mailing vs walk-in) while filling the CKGS form. If you want to change the delivery method, you need to start the CKGS application form all over again.

If you do choose the "walk-in" option, you will be prompted to pick a date/time. You can change your date/time selection subsequently if needed.

Once you schedule your appointment, you can be in and out within 45mtes max. In my case it just took 15mtes. My time slot was close to 2.00PM which is the last slot for the day. So that probably helped.

[ravifremont]

I did a "walk in" and it was very efficient. You do have to take an appointment. Normally you can get an appointment 1 week out. One thing I found annoying is that you have to select your delivery method (mailing vs walk-in) while filling the CKGS form. If you want to change the delivery method, you need to start the CKGS application form all over again.

If you do choose the "walk-in" option, you will be prompted to pick a date/time. You can change your date/time selection subsequently if needed.

Once you schedule your appointment, you can be in and out within 45mtes max. In my case it just took 15mtes. My time slot was close to 2.00PM which is the last slot for the day. So that probably helped.

Thanks for the information. It sounds efficient... Except I have already made payment online for OCI application but not shipping. I have selected shipping methos "Use my own carrier USPS" (though I have not gone to UPS office and paid for USPS labels yet).I have already filled out the steps up to Govt of India application.

I will try to check with ckgs but am guessing the way it works is:

1. I will be able to click on"Delivery Method" and change it to "Walk In". And then it will list open dates for me to come in.

2. I will have to refill out the application? I hope not.