check status of OCI in lieu of PIO application

[vonugrad]

I completed the online OCI in-lieu-of-valid-PIO-card application at the Online OCI Services website: http://passport.gov.in/oci/

The end of the submission process was somewhat confusing with some mention of submitting a paper application despite the whole process being geared toward online submission. I also never received any email confirmation of submission, though I did get an application file number. Suffice it to say that the process is not one that would have ever passed Steve Jobs' requirements for user-friendliness.

Anyway, I cannot find a way to check the status of the application. The very same site I used to submit the online application will only check status for applications submitted in person: "OCI Status Enquiry is available only for the Applications which are submitted at Indian Missions". Maddening!

Has anyone figured out how to check the status of online OCI in lieu of PIO applications? Or if we simply have to wait to hear back via email or paper mail, how long after submission did you receive any email/letter?

[zilok]

Are you applying from US? If so, after completing the application on government website, you have to submit the application and all supporting documents to CKGS. CKGS will review the documents and send to Indian consulate. Then Indian consulate will again review the documents and thereupon they will forward the documents to New Delhi.

One month after above process, you can check the status on http://passport.gov.in/oci/statusEnqury.

Long story short - "OCI Status Enquiry is available only for the Applications which are submitted at Indian Missions". I am not sure how tracking works if you submit within India.

[vonugrad]

Are you applying from US? If so, after completing the application on government website, you have to submit the application and all supporting documents to CKGS. CKGS will review the documents and send to Indian consulate. Then Indian consulate will again review the documents and thereupon they will forward the documents to New Delhi.

One month after above process, you can check the status on http://passport.gov.in/oci/statusEnqury.

Long story short - "OCI Status Enquiry is available only for the Applications which are submitted at Indian Missions". I am not sure how tracking works if you submit within India.

Thanks for this info. It was certainly unclear to me that the online application process also required a paper submission.

Yes, I am applying from the US.

I just looked through the checklist for the OCI in lieu of valid PIO paper application. What a hassle. Maybe I shouldn't bother and just keep my PIO card and forget about converting it to OCI.

Also, according to the CKGS site, the paper application should be mailed the same day the online application is submitted. It's been two weeks since I submitted the online application, so maybe they will reject any paper application I submit now?

"OCI Document Submission is a 2 step process
UPLOAD Documents (Self-Attested / Notarized) on the Government of India website
Send same day Physical Documents (Original, Self-Attested or Notarized) to CKGS Application Centre."

Any downside to skipping all this hassle and just keeping my PIO card?