OCI Card

I filled the application on the India site and paid with the USAxxxx reference number I got from there at the CKGS website. Also paid for shipping there as well. I sent in my application by fedex to Houston and they received the package last Friday(Apr 8th). I already had the renunciation certificate, so it was only the OCI application.

So far, I have not received any acknowledgement from CKGS that they have my application and passports and other documents. When I try using the reference no and passport number on their tracking website, it comes back as not in their system and it is not trackable on the India site either.

How long doe sit take before CKGS acknowledges receipt of your application and when does it become trackable?

Little bit worried since I don't trust these guys.

I have applied for OCI in lieu of PIO for my daughter with Atlanta consulate.I submitted my documents on March 2nd.The status shows document has been sent to Delhi..Its more than a month and am yet to get my original documents.

1) Can anyone please let me know will I get my daughter's PIO along with original documents or since this is OCI in lieu of PIO will PIO be canceled?

2) Is there a way to expedite the process?
I am traveling to India on May 15th and am worried.Is there an email id to contact in India to expedite the process?

Any suggestion or information is greatly appreciated.Thank you in advance.

can anybody please tell who should sign the Oci matchup form for minor applicant? Thumb impression of minor or parents signature?

I recently got my OCI card renewed thru CKGS-CHICAGO- when my US passport was expired. You have to renew it even after you turn 50- They said the entire process from beginning to end would take about 45 days - and mine took about 48 days because I forgot to submit a document and that took a little bit longer. By the way they say at the beginning that Chicago NRI's do not need to send in their US passport until the Match up process begins, but that's not true, they claim the change was made and it says so in the instructions but I didn't see that, so I didn't send my US Passport at the beginning so I had to pay extra fees thru FedEx. Here's the timeline for my application process. I hope it helps someone. I know it's very irritating when filling the application but hang in there you will get through it. YES the Chicago NRI'S do have to send in their US passport with the application. Here's the timeline;

Application Status

Remarks

Date of Status

 Your AWB Number is 782727689418
To track the Progress of Your Shipment, log onto the FedEx site using your AWB Number on www.fedex.com 04/01/2016
 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. 04/01/2016
 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. 04/01/2016
 Your Passport Matchup is under process at the Embassy / Consulate. Please continue tracking your application status online. 04/01/2016
 Your Passport is in transit at the Indian Embassy / Consulate for Match-Up 03/30/2016
 Your passport has been received at CKGS for Match-Up 03/30/2016
 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. 03/22/2016
 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. 03/18/2016
 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. 03/07/2016
 Your Application is under process at the Embassy / Consulate. Please continue tracking your application status online. 02/24/2016
 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. 02/24/2016
 We have received your incomplete / missing documents and we are verifying the same.
You will receive an update shortly on the progress of your application.
Please continue tracking your application status online. Received Additional Document 02/19/2016
 Your Application is on hold due to the incomplete / missing documents as mentioned under the REMARKS column. Only once the above documents are received by us at CKGS and post verification, will we be able to continue to process your application.
Please refer to our EMAIL sent to you from CKGS with further details.To make sure you receive our alerts / updates, add [email protected] to your white list / Approved / Safe Sender list. ORIGNAL U.S PASSPORT. ORIGNAL INDIAN PASSPORT. 02/12/2016
 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. 02/12/2016
 Your application has been received and is under process in CKGS. Please continue tracking your application status online. Your tracking id is USAC09BAM18 2/12/2016

A word of caution, their email alerts- always use funny Indian terms to let you know they didn't receive something or they need something else. I think they enjoy torturing us by these silly requests. I wouldn't worry. The Indian system really stinks! they're always trying to squeeze more money out of us. Shame on our people, they make it difficult for the tourist industry as well, who would want to visit our country with all these rules and regulations. We will never get it in this lifetime!!!

Good Luck on your applications!

 

I had applied for my kid OCI in lieu of PIO card. I sent application and all originals ( parents indian passports, my son USA passport and PIO card ) via courier to CKGS Chicago. My application started processing from Feb 19th, 2016. Current status of OCI is ready for match-up and requesting me to send original passport and PIO card. So far is good. But I did not get my original documents after application submitted to Indian Consulate. I don't know what will be the time frame to get back of my original documents. Even I don't have any original documents with me now to send for Match-up process.

I had contacted CKGS and they were simply informing me that original documents are with Indian Embassy. They are asking me to wait. I am not sure how long it will take to get my original documents from Indian Embassy. Does anyone had an issue like this? Does anyone applied OCI in Lieu of PIO via online.

How many days usually takes for returning the original documents after started processing application?

Thanks for suggestions in advance.

Om

I agree with jiko. Houston is taking longer than other consulates to process OCI. The application still can't be tracked on https://passport.gov.in/oci/statusEnqury

Your Application is under process at the Embassy / Consulate. Please continue tracking your application status online. 03/08/2016
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. 03/07/2016
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. 03/05/2016
Your application has been received and is under process in CKGS. Please continue tracking your application status online. Your tracking id is YYYY YYYY 03/05/2016

I applied for 2 minors to convert their PIO cards to OCI in the Houston consulate jurisdiction. Timeline so far:

Applications sent via Fedex: Feb 24th
Received at CKGS (via Fedex tracking): Feb 25th
CKGS acknowledged receipt: Mar 1st
Sent and being processed at Houston consulate: Mar 3rd
Date of Acknowledgement (tracked on http://passport.gov.in/oci/statusEnqury): Apr 1st

From date of mailing to date of acknowledgement has been about 5 weeks! I was looking at people's post of their experiences, and I did not see anyone having taken more than ~2 weeks or so for acknowledgement.

Houston consulate website now also says: "Currently due to technical reasons beyond the control of the Consulate, there is a delay in acknowledgement of the applications, and the normal processing time is 75-80 days for an OCI application." (see http://www.cgihouston.org/page/display/28/19)

Seems like the process has gone from 45-50 to 75-80 days (for Houston). Unfortunate.

Anyone else have similar experience/timelines for recently applied OCIs at Houston?

Below is my experience for OCI - Minor Child application. (NYC Consulate)
I started my child's OCI processing on 2/7 and received OCI in hand on 3/30.

[03/29/2016]:Your AWB Number is XYZ.To track the Progress of Your Shipment, log onto the FedEx site using your AWB Number on www.fedex.com
[03/28/2016]: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.
[03/23/2016]:The Embassy / Consulate has reviewed your application and is currently is 'In Transit' to the CKGS Application Centre.
[03/23/2016]:Your Passport Matchup is under process at the Embassy / Consulate.
[03/23/2016]:Your Passport is in transit at the Indian Embassy / Consulate for Match-Up
[03/23/2016]:Your passport has been received at CKGS for Match-Up
[03/18/2016]: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.
[03/10/2016]:Your OCI card has been dispatched from India to the Embassy / Consulate. It will take 1 to 2 weeks before it arrives.
[02/11/2016]:Your Application is under process at the Embassy / Consulate.
[02/10/2016]:Your application has been processed at the CKGS Application Centre and is in transit to the Indian Embassy/Consulate for decision making.
[02/10/2016]: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.
[02/10/2016]:Your application has been received and is under process in CKGS. Your tracking id is USAN0XYZ

1. In CKGS website, it says print the name and not to write. Does USPS prints the "Pay to" name. If not, where to get the money order with printed name. Please advice.

2. Can I scan the photo and upload or do I need the digital copy.

Documents submitted on February 2nd. Received OCI card on March 25th (total of 52 days)
Thank you all for your postings. It helped a lot!

Timeline

Submitted application to CKGS (via FedEx)- February 2nd

"Your application has been received and is under process in CKGS"- February 9th
"We have received your payment and we are verifying the same"- February 9th
"Your application has been processed at the CKGS Application Centre and is in transit to the Indian Embassy/Consulate for decision making"- February 12th
"Your Passport has been withdrawn successfully; kindly collect your passport"- February 16th
Received back the passports- February 18th

"This is to inform you that your OCI application is ‘Granted’"- March 7th
"Documents Printing status “Processed” – March 8th
"Documents dispatched from MOIA (OCI) New Delhi"- March 9th
"Your OCI Card has been ‘received’ in the Indian Embassy / Consulate and is ‘ready to be matched-up’ your original US / Foreign Passport"- March 14th
Submitted passport to CKGS for match-up (via FedEx) - March 14th

"Your US / Foreign Passport has been 'Received' at the CKGS Application Centre. It will be processed for onward submission the Indian Embassy / Consulate to complete the Match Up process with the OCI Card". - March 18th
"Your US / Foreign Passport has been ‘Processed’ at the CKGS Application Centre and ‘Submitted’ to the Indian Embassy / Consulate for Match Up". - March 18th
"Your application with your Passport and OCI Card has 'Returned' to the CKGS application Centre and is being 'Sorted' and will be ready for shipment through FedEx." - March 22nd

Received OCI and passport - March 25th