Wanted to share My experience.
Applied the
[email protected] on Jan 8th 2014
Sent to Indian Embassy on Jan 9th
Received an email from CKGS on Jan22
I’m writing to you in regards with the PIO application you submitted to CKGS.
STATUS OF YOUR PIO APPLICATION
As per a new notification regarding OCI / PIO applications, you are requested to note the following:
· Effective 9 January, 2015 the PIO card scheme has been withdrawn.
· All PIO applications, pending with the Mission for processing are being returned to the applicants.
· Applicants are requested to apply for OCI cards.
· CKGS will not accept any fresh PIO applications.
You may read about this notification in detail on our website
www.in.ckgs.us
STEPS IF YOU WISH TO APPLY FOR OCI
If you are interested in applying for an OCI card then you may follow the steps listed below:
Step 1
You can get detailed information about OCI at
http://in.ckgs.us/oci.shtml
Step 2
Fill your online OCI application on Govt. of India website
https://passport.gov.in/oci/
Step 3
Print, Sign and send us a scanned copy of your application to
[email protected] for further processing.
Step 4
Note that minor applications, you will have to notarize the OCI application with both parent’s signature after printing and then send us the scanned copy of the application to
[email protected] for further processing.
Note
OCI processing usually takes 6-8 weeks.
YOUR DOCUMENTS & FEES
Only for those PIO applications which were pending with the Mission for processing, are being returned to the applicants with a request to apply for an OCI card on the same fee prescribed for the PIO card.
Your PIO fees will be used for your OCI application and there shall be NO refund.
Your passport is not required during the initial OCI process. We will need it once your OCI has been granted, printed & dispatched from New Delhi to the Embassy in USA; and you will be notified once it is ready for Match Up.
Currently we will go ahead and return your passport back to you using the return shipping method you opted when you submitted your PIO application.
You will be required to resubmit your passport to CKGS for Match Up only then. You will be required to include $30 for courier fees for sending your passport to CKGS and the return shipment of the passport and the OCI card back to you. Click
http://www.in.ckgs.us/VPOOnline/StartPage.aspx?courierservice/ to purchase your courier service
Warm Regards
Vanitha Sethu
cid:
[email protected]
Received my passport today without PIO card no fees or documents returned I think I may need to apply for OCI now.