New OCI NY - US passport return timeframe

[help_imm]

I was going to apply for a new OCI

- How long is VFS in NY taking to return the original US passport back?
- Do they return it at the end of the process or does the US passport have to go to the consulate first and consulate returns the US passport before the OCI is approved?

Thanks

[kiranboda]

It takes 2-3 weeks based on the volume of applications before your US passport is returned after verification.

I recommend you to go through the OCI tracker here and see the timelines: https://www.immihelp.com/oci-tracker/

VFS will return the US passport as they do the verification on behalf of the passport. You will get it back within 2-3 weeks. OCI itself is taking around 40-50 days from submission.

[help_imm]

Thanks. So the passport is verified by VFS and NOT sent on to the embassy for verification? Just trying to get a sense of the process.

[Jot18]

Thanks. So the passport is verified by VFS and NOT sent on to the embassy for verification? Just trying to get a sense of the process.

VFS verifies that passport is legit and usually mail it back within a week.

[help_imm]

I read a couple of posts which said that the passport does have to go the embassy first. However I wasn't sure if that is correct. Have others also noticed that their passport is returned by VFS BEFORE the application is sent on to the Embassy?

VFS verifies that passport is legit and usually mail it back within a week.

[thil]

passport does not go to embassy only VFS verify and return .Mine came almost the same day when the status changed to Sent to Embassy