OCI Card

I submitted applications for a new OCI card for myself and daughter to the Chicago consulate. The date of acknowledgement on the Gov of India website is OCT 21st for both. However, my daughter's OCI application already got printed on NOV 15th and got email notice for matchup at consulate on NOV 22. But my OCI application is still not printed with the status under process.

Is it unusual or not that mine is still not processed over a week after my daughter's did even though they have the same received date? Should I be worried something is wrong? Any feedback or experiences welcomed.

Hi,
I forgot to carry my OCI Card and I am currently in Malaysia and reaching India on 11/09 Wednesday. My USA Passport contains U-Visa sticker inside and it says valid lifelong. Will I get entry into India from Immigration or will I face any issues.

Tried to apply Tourist Visa yesterday night but it requires minimum 4 days to apply online.

Please advice.

Regards,
Nagesh.

Hi All,

I applied OCI card on Aug and received today for my 2 months old kid. When i checked the OCI card , the occupation is STUDENT. Is it okay can we travel with this OCI card. I didnt mention anywhere in application regarding the occupation, not sure how it came in card.

Can someone please help me on this.

I applied for an OCI on Aug 24th for my daughter (born in the US) and I got it today, with a processing time of 57 days. Incidentally, that is the same number of days it took for me to get my own OCI card last year (the new card looks somewhat different from the old one, especially on the inside). In both cases, there were no delays because of any issues related to the documents I had submitted, or any additional clarifications that they needed from me. Based on my experiences, I would say it helps to spend some time in the beginning to make sure that you follow all the instructions carefully no matter how silly or time consuming they are. For example, even though I had an OCI card, I still had to submit notarized photocopies of my Indian passport pages, my renunciation letter, my naturalization certificate, and my OCI card, in order to get an OCI card for my daughter. I wonder why they need all the additional documents which I had submitted for getting my own OCI card? Shouldn’t it be sufficient just to send a copy of my OCI card? As others have noted, the Government of India site is especially awful with its stringent requirements regarding file size, etc. It also seems best to just arrange FedEx pick and delivery through CKGS. Just play along with good humor and follow their complicated and convoluted process, and your application will be processed without any drama!

Application Status Remarks Date of Status

Your AWB Number is YYYY YYYY X
To track the Progress of Your Shipment, log onto the FedEx site using your AWB Number on www.fedex.com 10/18/2016

Your Documents have now reached CKGS application centre from the Embassy / Consulate.
Your document(s) is being sorted and will be ready for shipment shortly. Please continue tracking your application status online. 10/17/2016

The Embassy / Consulate has reviewed your application and is currently is 'In Transit' to the CKGS Application Centre. Please continue tracking your application status online. 10/17/2016

Your Passport Matchup is under process at the Embassy / Consulate. Please continue tracking your application status online. 10/14/2016

Your Passport is 'In Transit' to the Embassy / Consulate for Match-Up. Please continue tracking your application status online. 10/13/2016

Your Passport has been received at CKGS for Match-Up and is currently being packaged for onward submission to the Embassy / Consulate. Please continue tracking your application status online. 10/13/2016

Your printed OCI Card is ready for match-up with your US Passport / Foreign Passport. Please complete the OCI match-up process and refer to the email sent to you from CKGS with further details.
To make sure you receive our alerts / updates, add [email protected] to your white list. Please continue tracking your application status online. 10/06/2016

Your Application is under process at the Embassy / Consulate. Please continue tracking your application status online. 08/31/2016

Your application has been processed at the CKGS Application Centre and is in transit to the Indian Embassy/Consulate for decision making.
Please continue tracking your application status online. 08/30/2016

We have received your payment and we are verifying the same. If the payment made is complete, you will receive a payment receipt shortly. If there is any further discrepancy, you will receive an update. Please continue tracking your application status online. 08/30/2016

Your application has been received and is under process in CKGS. Please continue tracking your application status online. Your tracking id is USAN YYYY ZZZ. 08/30/2016

I applied for OCI card for my new born baby last week. Heard back from CKGS via mail saying incomplete documentation. reason: Visa status is not correct/valid for both the parents. My Visa is

CKGS is seeking the response with valid visa page within 7 working days else my application fees (about 300$) is non-refundable.

I really do not understand why CKGS is looking for Parents Visa validity for atleast 3 months to process the OCI card of my new born. My visa is getting expired in Nov 2014 which is less than 3 months of timeline.

 My employer has filed for extension in regular cycle and I did submit my I-797 acknowledgement receipt to CKGS but still CKGS says i have to submit valid visa to proceed with OCI processing for my infant.

I am really worried in this regard to how to go about it..

Now that i have to visit India in a month or two to get a surgery done back in India for my mom.

Any suggestions or inputs in this regard will be of great help .

Thanks

Hi,

I would like to add my recent experience with the OCI application process for a minor child [New OCI Card] at the SFO processing center. It took close to 75 days from the time of application to the time I received the OCI card in mail. We are based out of California and so the FedEx shipping services were really quick (1-2 business days). Please make sure you have all the documentation perfect to avoid any unwanted delays. In my case, there were no questions around insufficient/missing documentation.

Please see the starus updates below to have an idea on the timelines..

Application Status Remarks Date of Status
Your Passport and OCI Card have now reached CKGS Application Centre from the Embassy / Consulate and is being sorted and will be ready for dispatch through the Pre-Paid Envelope label provided by you.
Your AWB Number is YYYY YYYY ZZZ.
To Track the progress of your shipment, log onto the site of your Service Provider and enter your AWB Number. 10/12/2016
Your Documents have now reached CKGS application centre from the Embassy / Consulate.
Your document(s) is being sorted and will be ready for shipment shortly. Please continue tracking your application status online. 10/12/2016
Your Passport is 'In Transit' to the Embassy / Consulate for Match-Up. Please continue tracking your application status online. 10/07/2016
Your Passport has been received at CKGS for Match-Up and is currently being packaged for onward submission to the Embassy / Consulate. Please continue tracking your application status online. 10/07/2016
Your printed OCI Card is ready for match-up with your US Passport / Foreign Passport. Please complete the OCI match-up process and refer to the email sent to you from CKGS with further details.
To make sure you receive our alerts / updates, add [email protected] to your white list. Please continue tracking your application status online. 10/04/2016
Your OCI card has been dispatched from India to the Embassy / Consulate. It will take 1 to 2 weeks before it arrives. Please continue tracking your application status online. 09/22/2016
Application is under process at the Embassy / Consulate for further scrutinization and may take upto 6 to 8 weeks for next update. Please continue tracking your application status online. 08/10/2016
Your Application is under process at the Embassy / Consulate. Please continue tracking your application status online. 08/05/2016
Your application has been processed at the CKGS Application Centre and is in transit to the Indian Embassy/Consulate for decision making.
Please continue tracking your application status online. 08/04/2016
We have received your payment and we are verifying the same. If the payment made is complete, you will receive a payment receipt shortly. If there is any further discrepancy, you will receive an update. Please continue tracking your application status online. 08/04/2016
Your application has been received and is under process in CKGS. Please continue tracking your application status online. Your tracking id is US YYYY YYYY X 08/04/2016

PS:- We also applied for the "OCI card but in lieu of a PIO card" for my aother child and that process took just 5 weeks and the fee was around $17.00. Only new application processing seems to take around 70 days.

Application Status Remarks Date of Status
Your AWB Number is xxxxxxxxxxx
To track the Progress of Your Shipment, log onto the FedEx site using your AWB Number on www.fedex.com 10/10/2016
Your Documents have now reached CKGS application centre from the Embassy / Consulate.
Your document(s) is being sorted and will be ready for shipment shortly. Please continue tracking your application status online. 10/10/2016
The Embassy / Consulate has reviewed your application and is currently is 'In Transit' to the CKGS Application Centre. Please continue tracking your application status online. 10/10/2016
Your Passport is 'In Transit' to the Embassy / Consulate for Match-Up. Please continue tracking your application status online. 10/03/2016
Your Passport has been received at CKGS for Match-Up and is currently being packaged for onward submission to the Embassy / Consulate. Please continue tracking your application status online. 10/03/2016
Your printed OCI Card is ready for match-up with your US Passport / Foreign Passport. Please complete the OCI match-up process and refer to the email sent to you from CKGS with further details.
To make sure you receive our alerts / updates, add [email protected] to your white list. Please continue tracking your application status online. 09/29/2016
Your Application is under process at the Embassy / Consulate. Please continue tracking your application status online. 07/26/2016
Your application has been processed at the CKGS Application Centre and is in transit to the Indian Embassy/Consulate for decision making.
Please continue tracking your application status online. 07/26/2016
We have received your payment and we are verifying the same. If the payment made is complete, you will receive a payment receipt shortly. If there is any further discrepancy, you will receive an update. Please continue tracking your application status online. 07/23/2016
Your application has been received and is under process in CKGS. Please continue tracking your application status online. Your tracking id is USAxxxxxxxxx 07/23/2016

Hi,

I have a few questions below regarding PIO/OCI conversion. Please share your thoughts. Any help is appreciated. My scenario:

We are planning on going to India next Feb 2017. My 4-year old son is an USC. His US passport expires in Nov 2017. He has a PIO card which is valid for the entire next year (don't remember the exact expiration date - we got that in Dec 2012 timeframe).

1. Is it OK/valid to go to India using the PIO card next Feb/Mar? The total trip duration is close to 35 days.

2. I read on the CKGS website that Dec 31, 2016 is the last date to apply for OCI in lieu of PIO card. What does that mean exactly? After that we have to start the OCI application process as new applicant instead of "OCI in lieu of PIO" process? Any idea if this deadline has been extended previously?

3. If I start the PIO to OCI conversion now, is there a realistic chance that we get it by Jan 2017?

4. If it is stuck in processing, can we still travel to India with the PIO card? Or will we be sending the PIO card when we apply for the OCI card?

5. Can we get an Indian visa when the PIO card is valid? Is this the best option available?

Thanks,
Satya

I'm having horrible experience with Chicago CKGS. Applied in April this year and its still under process since May 6, 2016.
No email followup from CKGS. When called they had no specific answer or reason, only explanation I got was - " sometimes it takes longer to process"

Does anyone know if going in person to inquire would help? Will they provide status update to someone who is not part of household but a relative?

Date Of Acknowledgment 06-MAY-2016
Registration Status at Mission CHICAGO
Documents Printing Status UNDER-PROCESS

Applying for OCI in lieu of PIO card for my minor son. Do I need to send his US passport and PIO card along with the application to CKGS? Or shall I wait for the match up process to send the original passport?