OCI Card

Can someone confirm if we can directly use government webisite while applying for OCI or still have to use CKGS website.

Can we choose any application center or is it still not allowing?

Also it would be of great help,if someone can help with the mandate documents or list of important things to take care while filing the application.

The paper application submission at CKGS Washington DC office was a pleasant surprise. It was a piece of cake.

I arrived an hour earlier (my wife is extra careful), signed myself in and got my ticket. The waiting area is clean with plenty of empty seats. The staff on the other side of the counter seemed nice and polite. No one was yelling (like in other government offices) at the customers. I was called in much earlier than my scheduled appointment time. I met with a nice lady at the counter. She patiently and politely went through the application packet, screened and processed efficiently. And I was all done in about 10 minutes. She even made a copy of a missing OCI page from my original.

After a rather harrowing experience of submitting online application multiple times, being compelled to cancel for one reason or other, calling the call center seven or eight times and receiving inconsistent information (some agents were knowledgeable; all of them were professional and polite), combing through chaotic and inconsistent online instructions strewn over multiple documents and websites (some, like the background of the passport photo; should that be white or not white? are absolute garbage), I was ready to give up getting my OCI reissued. I honestly thought that I may never visit India again.

Well, not everything appears to be hopeless. The fine lady at the CKGS counter told me that it will take 4-6 weeks to get the OCI back. Let us see what happens. I would like to believe her.

I wish the designers of the online filing system at MEA and CKGS would map the journey of the customers and think about how not to drive them total nuts. While much stride has been made in improving the customer's experience, making the right instructions available still has a long way to go.

HI, I applied for a fresh OCI for our child from Washington DC. Has anyone gone through the process from CKGS -> DC recently? In how many days did you get your child's original passport back?

Thanks.

Anybody received OCI from SFO in the month of January? Can you please provide the status history? I applied for OCI in the month of December and In-process at consulate from Dec-17.

Recently, I filled out my OCI application on Government of India (GoI) site and then using the Web Ref Number, I filled out CKGS OCI Application. Right before I was about to ship my documents to CKGS SF office, I realized that I made a mistake on my application filled out on Government of India site.

Once submitted, the application on Government of India site cannot be edited. So I decided to abandon my original application and filled out a new application on Government of India site which generated a new Web Ref Number. Then using this new Web Ref Number from GoI site, I tried filling out a new CKGS application but got a message that "Another application with this passport no already in process. You cannot process two application with same passport no." This prompted me to submit a query on the CKGS site for deleting my CKGS application linked to my old Web Ref Number from GoI site.

CKGS customer service suggested to cancel the application online at
https://www.in.ckgs.us/payment/refund-claim

And then fill up a new application from the CKGS website using the new Government of OCI application Web Ref Number.

Indian passport has
Sur Name : MiddleName LastName
Given Name - FirstName

US Passport
Sur Name: Last Name
Given Name: FirstName MiddleName

US Passport is correct. No other mistakes or errors.

Is this considered name change, Before applying OCI, what should I do ?

Hello

I am based in the SF Bay Area. My kid (<20) does have an OCI. She needs to get a new Passport and I understand that this mandates a new OCI card as well

1. I understand that we can apply to any CGI in the US . I have read that processing time in NY and Houston is less than 2 weeks ? Can someone please confirm based on their personal experience

2. eVisa - In case there is a delay in the OCI re-issue, has someone used the eVisa to enter India for a short stay ( < 15 days)

thanks

Below is the timeline for OCI process of an infant at NY jurisdiction. The birth certificate needs to be apostilled before submission of the application as the CKGS terms this as "mandatory" now.

Jan 21, 2020 - Tuesday 10:49 am OCI Card ‘Received’ at the CKGS application centre and is at the ‘Sorting Facility’ where it is being processed for delivery.

Please continue tracking your application status online.
Jan 21, 2020 - Tuesday 10:47 am Application 'Reviewed' by Consulate and ‘In Transit’ to CKGS Application Centre.
 
Please continue tracking your application status online.
Dec 24, 2019 - Tuesday 12:11 pm Passport picked up by FedEx.

Your AWB Number is xxxxxxxxx

To track the ‘Progress of Your Shipment’, log onto the site of FedEx and enter your AWB Number.

Your OCI Application will continue and take the pre-defined processing time. Please continue tracking your application status online.
Dec 24, 2019 - Tuesday 11:23 am Original Passport ‘Received’ at the CKGS application centre and is at the ‘Sorting Facility’ where it is being processed for delivery.

Your OCI Application will continue and take the pre-defined processing time. Please continue tracking your application status online.

Please continue tracking your application status online.
Dec 24, 2019 - Tuesday 11:22 am Passport 'Reviewed' by Consulate and is ‘In Transit’ to CKGS Application Centre.

Please continue tracking your application status online.
Dec 24, 2019 - Tuesday 09:01 am Application is 'Under Process' at Consulate for decision making.

Please continue tracking your application status online.
Dec 23, 2019 - Monday 06:25 pm Application is 'In Transit' to the Consulate.

Please continue tracking your application status online.
Dec 23, 2019 - Monday 02:55 pm Application is ‘Under Process’ at CKGS.

Please continue tracking your application status online.
Dec 20, 2019 - Friday 02:52 pm Application Verification is ‘Complete’. Processing of your application will continue.

Full payment received and payment receipt sent to your registered email ID.

The Consulate may request for further documents over and above those already submitted as per the Document Checklist.

Please continue tracking your application status online.
Dec 20, 2019 - Friday 02:43 pm Application ‘Received’ by CKGS and 'Not Verified'.

Below is my experience applying for a new OCI card. I got my US citizenship way back in but just got around to applying for OCI last year.

Total processing time - 38 days (from the date that my application was considered complete). not bad at all.

Dec 6, 2019 - Application mailed to CKGS Fedex Tracking# YYYY YYYY

Dec 10, 2019 - Fedex delivered to CKGS

Dec 11, 2019 - Wednesday 03:53 pm
Application ‘Received’ by CKGS and 'Not Verified'.

Dec 11, 2019 - Wednesday 04:06 pm
Your Application is 'On Hold' due to the 'Incomplete Documents'.

Document Name Remarks Status
Photograph The photograph provided is blurry / grainy.1) Reupload a new photograph and signature at https://passport.gov.in/oci/.2&#x29; Take a print of the Online OCI application.3) Paste a same photograph on the form and 4) Send the application to the CKGS application center.You can get the complete photo specifications from https://www.in.ckgs.us/resources/pdf/photo-specifications.pdf.Please resend physical photo to the CKGS application center.You can purchase CKGS shipping from https://www.in.ckgs.us/myaccount/ or send it us via prepaid label.

Dec 14, 2019 - Shipped additional documents to CKGS Fedex Tracking# YYYY ZZZ

Dec 17, 2019 - Delivered to CKGS

Dec 20, 2019 - No update on status at CKGS. Called to check. Was given case # and told the status will be updated.

Dec 23, 2019 - Monday 11:37 am
We have 'Received' the 'Incomplete Documents' mentioned below but the contents have 'Not Been Verified'. An update on the progress of your application will be sent to you post verification.

Dec 23, 2019 - Monday 11:37 am
Application is ‘Verified and Reprocessed’ at CKGS.

Please continue tracking your application status online.

Dec 23, 2019 - Monday 12:02 pm
Application is ‘Under Process’ at CKGS.

Dec 24, 2019 - Tuesday 02:59 pm
Application is 'In Transit' to the Consulate.

Dec 24, 2019 - Tuesday 03:00 pm
Application is 'Under Process' at Consulate for decision making.

Dec 26, 2019 - Thursday 01:21 pm
Passport 'Reviewed' by Consulate and is ‘In Transit’ to CKGS Application Centre.

Dec 26, 2019 - Thursday 01:21 pm
Original Passport ‘Received’ at the CKGS application centre and is at the ‘Sorting Facility’ where it is being processed for delivery.
Your OCI Application will continue and take the pre-defined processing time. Please continue tracking your application status online.
Please continue tracking your application status online.
You will receive an E-mail advising you of the outcome of the verification process.

Dec 26, 2019 01:21 pm Application is 'OF US PASSPORT'
Original Passport ‘Received’ at the CKGS application centre and is at the ‘Sorting Facility’ where it is being processed for delivery.
Your OCI Application will continue and take the pre-defined processing time. Please continue tracking your application status online.

Dec 26, 2019 - Thursday 05:56 pm
Passport picked up by FedEx.
Your AWB Number is YYYY YYYY X
To track the ‘Progress of Your Shipment’, log onto the site of FedEx and enter your AWB Number.
Your OCI Application will continue and take the pre-defined processing time. Please continue tracking your application status online.

Dec 27, 2019 - Friday 10:01 am
Passport delivered

Dec 27, 2019 - OCI Status on Govt website - UNDER-PROCESS (Date of Acknowledgement)
Applicant Name YYYY YYYY X
File Reference Number YYYY YYYY X
Date Of Acknowledgment 27-DEC-2019
Registration Status at Mission HOUSTON
OCI Application Status UNDER-PROCESS

Jan 16, 2020 - OCI Status on Govt website
Applicant Name YYYY YYYY
File Reference Number YYYY YYYY
Date Of Acknowledgment 27-DEC-2019
Registration Status at Mission HOUSTON
OCI- Number YYYY ZZZ
Documents Printing Status PROCESSED On 16-JAN-2020
Dispatched From MEA (OCI ) NEW DELHI On 16-JAN-2020
Document received At HOUSTON On 16-JAN-2020

Jan 20, 2020 - Monday CKGS Website - plus email & text notifications
10:39 am Application 'Reviewed' by Consulate and 'In Transit' to CKGS Centre
Please continue tracking your application status online.

Jan 20, 2020 - Monday
10:39 am - OCI Card 'Received' at the CKGS application centre and is at the 'Sorting Facility' where it is being processed for delivery
Please continue tracking your application status online.

Jan 20, 2020 - Monday
10:52 am - OCI Card picked up by FedEx
Your AWB number is YYYY YYYY
To track the ‘Progress of Your Shipment’, log onto the site of FedEx and enter your AWB Number.

Has anyone renewed OCI card due to new passport for age <20 or >50?
How long did it take?