Renunciation Procedure using VFS

[jollyrancher]

Donald_Trump I printed out Renunciation, other forms and filled them manually with a blue pen. Don't mess up the format of dd/mm/yy.

[Donald_Trump]

Hello Folks,

Sent my packet to VFS Houston on 11/12/2020 (Thursday), through UPS and Included a prepaid label and a Padded return packet and followed the instructions from the checklist and even sent them additional documents and a couple of extra passport photo hard copies with a money order. Let see what they would say, I have not heard anything from them, not even a message on the packet received.

How were you able to fill the Renunciation Certificate form that is available on VFS site (that will be stamped by the Consulate and sent back to us)? When I try to fill in the last section (Name, mobile and phone number, email and address), the form throws an error or copies phone or email in all fields.

[Donald_Trump]

Wonder how VFS was able to get the contract again. They were notorious for mishandling applications previously and did a bad job at Indian visa, OCI and passport applications. VFS must have paid a bribe for sure to the Indian external affairs ministry to get this lucrative contract. I am also applying for renunciation and then OCI and the system and instructions are not at all clear. I tried to fill the Renunciation Certificate form and it throws error. I don't understand if Indian consulate are charging $175 as processing fee, why do they expect us to print the renunciation form and send them. They should be doing it. This is heights of craziness. Since they can't be sued against or held liable, they get away with it.

[jollyrancher]

Hello Folks,

Sent my packet to VFS Houston on 11/12/2020 (Thursday), through UPS and Included a prepaid label and a Padded return packet and followed the instructions from the checklist and even sent them additional documents and a couple of extra passport photo hard copies with a money order. Let see what they would say, I have not heard anything from them, not even a message on the packet received.

[kiranboda]

Also, there is no need to upload any digital photo/digital signature for renunciation application, you need to print the application form and then affix the photo from the Govt. website

[kiranboda]

For the questions on return shipment, here is the message VFS sent me. I chose to go with a pre-paid fedex label instead.

You can either insert your return label along with your Application and documents or you can add USD 15 to your application fee for return of processed document.

[vakhadir]

I got the following reply from VFS after 10 days.

The checklist is inconsistent with these instructions.
1. Check list still has uploading pic and signature.
2. There is no mention of FedEx and USPS exclusion on return shipping labels. But they said in email.

If we don't respond in 7 days, they stop processing and no fee is returned is really brutal. But VFS takes more than 10 days to reply to our enquiry. To make the system works, they take ages?? Don't use fedex and USPS is another nautanki.


============================================================ ==============================================


Thank you for contacting the VFS Indian Visa , Passport & OCI Application Center Help Desk in United States.
We understand that you wish to know the process for applying for Renunciation of Indian Citizenship or Surrender of Indian Passport.
Please note that the renunciation module would be available over the next few days. However, if you still wish to apply right now, refer to the below mentioned steps:

1. Refer to the documents checklist on: https://www.vfsglobal.com/one-pager/india/united-states-of-america/renunciation-of-indian-citizenship/
2. Fill the online passport application form on: https://portal4.passportindia.gov.in/Online/index.html (Please register on the website and create your user Id for filling an online application form)
3.The Surrender of Passport form must be filled online and take a printout along with the print out of the complete documents checklist. The documents must be attached as per the checklist and must be submitted to the VFS Indian Visa , Passport & OCI Application Center Help Desk by post along with your own return shipping labels except Fedex prepaid services and USPS.

4. The payment needs to be done in the form of money order and made payable to (VFS Services (USA) Inc.). The fees to be paid for Renunciation will be as follows.


If Naturalized Before 1st June 2010: USD 43.90 (Renunciation fees-USD.25.00, VFS fees-USD.15.90, ICWF-USD.3.00
If Naturalized After 1st June 2010:USD 193.90 (Renunciation fees-USD.175.00, VFS fees-USD.15.90, ICWF-USD.3.00

The mailing address for San Francisco:
VFS Global
228 Grant Ave, Floor 5
San Francisco, CA - 94108.
In case of any further assistance, please feel free to reply on the same email and we will be glad to assist you.

[prad47]

Folks, Do not mix the instructions from immihelp, Use only instructions mentioned on VFS-OCI website. https://visa.vfsglobal.com/usa/en/in...y-oci-services
1. After you complete Step 2( online application) you pay fees and print 2 way FedEx labels in Step 3 ( Complete Mail-in application registration process and Pay fees). You will have to create an account and use the application reference number to pay fess. You can use a credit card for payment.
2. Instructions DOES NOT mention to mail in original US passport.

[eigen_vector]

kiranboda Thanks for sharing that info. I am in the same boat as many of you. I am wondering if I should just wait for the "renunciation module" on the VFS website to become activated or should I just follow the instructions kiranboda mentioned and send the documents out? What are you folks doing - waiting or sending the renunciation application?

[kiranboda]

I have submitted a question on VFS website to explain the return shipment process, frustratingly enough, this is not clearly explained. Will keep this forum updated.

[vashokanand]

I am trying to apply for OCI renewal. I have completed the steps need to be done on the govt of india website.
Next created the login and pwd on VFS site
after that I am getting stuck on the "add customer" link on VFS.
Is anyone able to successfully make a payment on this site ?
I keep getting the error message that the govt tracking number is wrong. Looks like VFS site is not able to look up the reference number provided by the govt of india website which i got when i submitted the application.
Is anyone else facing this problem ? How did you overcome this ?

[jollyrancher]

Hello Guys,

kiranboda

Thanks for the information on the Renunciation process.

I am sending my documents to ICAC - HOUSTON

I do have the following questions

1. How many passport size photos to send in the application ? 2 or more, we will be pasting 1 photo on the physical application form right? So do we need to send 1 more hard copy or 2 more hard copies in the mail?

2. digital photo must be uploaded on Govt. form online? I did not see any place to do it? Were you guys able to find it?


3.The digital signature must also be uploaded on the Govt. portal? Same thing, no place to upload

4. What shipping service is the best for pre-paid labels? any specific envelope to be used? like this standard overnight FedEx service

Thanks Again

[Saugato]

For the return envelope, should the fee include an additional $15?

So, $193.90+$15 = $208.90?

Thanks

[grrfromgk]

thank you kiranboda this is really helpful.

[kiranboda]

I am in similar boat and sent an email to VFS customer service. They have no phone lines in 2020 apparently. It took me only 5 days to get a reply from them, how lucky!

Below is the gist of their response, apparently the renunciation widget hasn't been enabled in the website yet. So, you have to follow a manual process to proceed! It has no tracking or login creation.

Thank you for contacting the VFS Indian Visa , Passport & OCI Application Center Help Desk in United States.

We understand that you wish to know the process for applying for Renunciation of Indian Citizenship or Surrender of Indian Passport.

Please note that the renunciation module would be available over the next few days. However, if you still wish to apply right now, refer to the below mentioned steps:

1. Refer to the documents checklist on https://www.immihelp.com/indian-citi...ate-documents/

2. Fill the online passport application form on: https://portal4.passportindia.gov.in/Online/index.html (Please register on the website and create your user Id for filling an online application form)

3.The Surrender of Passport form must be filled online and take a printout along with the print out of the complete documents checklist. The documents must be attached as per the checklist and must be submitted to the VFS Indian Visa , Passport & OCI Application Center Help Desk by post along with the return shipping labels.

4. The payment needs to be done in the form of money order and made payable to (VFS Services (USA) Inc.). The fees to be paid for Renunciation will be as follows.

If Naturalized Before 1st June 2010: USD 43.90 (Renunciation fees-USD.25.00, VFS fees-USD.15.90, ICWF-USD. 3.00

If Naturalized After 1st June 2010:USD 193.90 (Renunciation fees-USD.175.00, VFS fees-USD.15.90, ICWF-USD.3.00


The mailing address for San Franscisco:

VFS Global
228 Grant Ave, Floor 5
San Francisco, CA - 94108.