OCI timeframe question

[muhamur]

Hello,
I am a US citizen applying through New York for an OCI as the spouse of an Indian citizen. I am a bit concerned about sending in my passport for processing and was wondering, how long do they hold on to your passport? I understand the process itself takes months, but my main concern is recovering my passport.

Any experiences or feedback on how long they retain your passport?

Thank you!

[jenim]

I thought CKGS NY only asks for US PP towards the end of the OCI process. What step of the process you are in?
Are they now asking for US PP right when you submit your OCI application?

[muhamur]

I am in the early stages-- I have done all the online filings but have not yet submitted my materials by mail. They ask you to send in your original passport along with other application materials.

[CKGS Visa Services]

Hello,
I am a US citizen applying through New York for an OCI as the spouse of an Indian citizen. I am a bit concerned about sending in my passport for processing and was wondering, how long do they hold on to your passport? I understand the process itself takes months, but my main concern is recovering my passport.

Any experiences or feedback on how long they retain your passport?

Thank you!

Dear Applicant,

We request you to share your queries and contact details at [email protected] to better assist you.

Please mention the link of this post and case id 1914300 in your email.

Regards,
CKGS USA Team.

- - - Updated - - -

I thought CKGS NY only asks for US PP towards the end of the OCI process. What step of the process you are in?
Are they now asking for US PP right when you submit your OCI application?

Dear Applicant,

We request you to share your queries and contact details at [email protected] to better assist you.

Please mention the link of this post and case id 1914325 in your email.

Regards,
CKGS USA Team.

[proonindiandoc]

Hello,
I am a US citizen applying through New York for an OCI as the spouse of an Indian citizen. I am a bit concerned about sending in my passport for processing and was wondering, how long do they hold on to your passport? I understand the process itself takes months, but my main concern is recovering my passport.

Any experiences or feedback on how long they retain your passport?

Thank you!

First of all, apply OCI as the spouse of an Indian origin, the turnaround time is unknown, may be granted after few years or never. secondly, do not send the current passport the application, is not request actually. From my advice, just apply for entry visa as you are the spouse of Indian origin. do you guys only know OCI? do you have the idea the difference between OCI and Visa?

[jenim]

I am in the early stages-- I have done all the online filings but have not yet submitted my materials by mail. They ask you to send in your original passport along with other application materials.

muhamur,
Did you end up submitting your US PP? Since you started the process at NY ahead of us, I'd like to know where your process is at now. Can you please update your timeline here?

[IamTimon]

Hi,
I submitted at NY center for processing OCI for my daughter.
I downloaded the checklist on 28-DEC. This check list shown that only copy of US PP needs to be submitted. I used this Check list to send all the requested docs to CKGS. But after submitting, I noticed during Jan-20 under "Tracking" it started showing workflow for US PP return from Consulate-->CKGS-->To me. And also noticed that my check list has new updated PDF and shows that I need to send original US PP.

Now the OCI is under processing at Indian Consulate. I'm not sure whether it will be kept on hold as I haven't submitted US PP as it didn't ask me at the time of downloading check list.

CKGS updated their F.A.Q page 3 times since 28-DEC. On 28-DEC it shown there will be separate match up process. after 4-Jan-2017 it shown separate match-up process has been canceled , but passport has to be submitted at the initial state itself. But now (around Jan-26) it shows match process not required except for NY center.

Without any notice, they changed my PDF checklist under "My account". How does CKGS expect us to download latest PDF every day if they are changing their process without proper notice.

Does any faced similar issue? CKGS doesn't know whether application will be processed or it will be kept on hold as it is currently with gov consulate (since 24-Jan).
They said I should have submitted US PP along with application. When I asked them that the check list didn't mention about original passport at the time I downloaded the pdf, they said it is not a problem and OCI will be processed with no issues as the Appln is sent to consulate.

Not sure what is going to happen. Does anyone had experience where their application is kept hold on Indian Consulate?