2017 - should I go for OCI or just Indian visa

[joy8385]

We are Indian couples who had a baby in USA. Since Modi came to power and announced a new scheme of integrating PIO and OCI , I still dont have anyone in my circle who can shed light on this.

So I have a question that might be often asked before - Should I get a PIO card or OCI card for new US born baby? Or should it be fine if I just applied for Indian visa (if so what kind of Indian visa?) ?

Your helpful answers/opinion will be appreciated. Thanks in advance!

[pavithara]

We are Indian couples who had a baby in USA. Since Modi came to power and announced a new scheme of integrating PIO and OCI , I still dont have anyone in my circle who can shed light on this.

So I have a question that might be often asked before - Should I get a PIO card or OCI card for new US born baby? Or should it be fine if I just applied for Indian visa (if so what kind of Indian visa?) ?

Your helpful answers/opinion will be appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Hi,

PIO is not longer issued. Either your kid should have an OCI or Tourist Visa if you want to take your kid to India. Tourist Visa is valid only for 5 years for Minors and 10 yrs for adults. OCI also needs to be renewed every 5 years or on renewal of US passport till your kid is 18 yrs of age.

I would prefer OCI over Tourist Visa as staying limit in India is 6 months for Tourist Visa for each visit whereas there is no staying limit on OCI.

[ravifremont]

I would prefer OCI over Tourist Visa as staying limit in India is 6 months for Tourist Visa for each visit whereas there is no staying limit on OCI.

As long as one meets the eligibility requirements for OCI, is there any reason to go for Tourist Visa over OCI?

[nosundays]

There's no PIO card anymore.

Get your kid OCI card, then she/he will never have to struggle with visas to India and if he/she ever wants to work/live/study in India, there will be no problems at least in regards to permits.

[joy8385]

As long as one meets the eligibility requirements for OCI, is there any reason to go for Tourist Visa over OCI?

Reason - timeline for processing OCI card !
Do you know what is the actual procesing timelines for DC consulate?

[pavithara]

Reason - timeline for processing OCI card !
Do you know what is the actual procesing timelines for DC consulate?

For DC, it is 60 to 80 Business days i think. Check for the timeline at the below link under 'Processing time as per jurisdiction'

http://www.in.ckgs.us/faq

[ravifremont]

Reason - timeline for processing OCI card !
Do you know what is the actual procesing timelines for DC consulate?

That is not an issue anymore as you no do not need to submit U.S. passport for new OCI. I think tourist visas take 30 days or less. OCI 60-80 days.

So unless you need to travel immediately, there is no reason to take visa over OCI.

http://www.in.ckgs.us/faq

What is the processing time for a new OCI card?
The processing time for New OCI Card is as mentioned in the following table:
Application Center Processing Time at Embassy/Consulate & New Delhi for OCI Cards
Atlanta 45 Business days
Chicago 45 Business days
Houston 45 Business days
San Francisco 60 Business days
Washington DC 60 to 80 Business days
New York 25 to 35 Business days


Q.1. Is there any matchup process for OCI card? OR Explain the matchup process?
The Matchup process for OCI card has been discontinued for the following OCI categories:

New OCI card
New OCI card for Foreign Spouse of Indian Origin
OCI in lieu of PIO for Lost PIO card
Cancellation of OCI card
Cancellation of PIO card

[skynice]

They do require you to send original US passport

That is not an issue anymore as you no do not need to submit U.S. passport for new OCI. I think tourist visas take 30 days or less. OCI 60-80 days.

So unless you need to travel immediately, there is no reason to take visa over OCI.

http://www.in.ckgs.us/faq

What is the processing time for a new OCI card?
The processing time for New OCI Card is as mentioned in the following table:
Application Center Processing Time at Embassy/Consulate & New Delhi for OCI Cards
Atlanta 45 Business days
Chicago 45 Business days
Houston 45 Business days
San Francisco 60 Business days
Washington DC 60 to 80 Business days
New York 25 to 35 Business days


Q.1. Is there any matchup process for OCI card? OR Explain the matchup process?
The Matchup process for OCI card has been discontinued for the following OCI categories:

New OCI card
New OCI card for Foreign Spouse of Indian Origin
OCI in lieu of PIO for Lost PIO card
Cancellation of OCI card
Cancellation of PIO card

I recently applied for OCI for my daughter and they did asked me to send original US passport but they send it back pretty quickly.

[joy8385]

thanks guys!

That is not an issue anymore as you no do not need to submit U.S. passport for new OCI. I think tourist visas take 30 days or less. OCI 60-80 days.

So unless you need to travel immediately, there is no reason to take visa over OCI.

http://www.in.ckgs.us/faq

What is the processing time for a new OCI card?
The processing time for New OCI Card is as mentioned in the following table:
Application Center Processing Time at Embassy/Consulate & New Delhi for OCI Cards
Atlanta 45 Business days
Chicago 45 Business days
Houston 45 Business days
San Francisco 60 Business days
Washington DC 60 to 80 Business days
New York 25 to 35 Business days


Q.1. Is there any matchup process for OCI card? OR Explain the matchup process?
The Matchup process for OCI card has been discontinued for the following OCI categories:

New OCI card
New OCI card for Foreign Spouse of Indian Origin
OCI in lieu of PIO for Lost PIO card
Cancellation of OCI card
Cancellation of PIO card

For DC, it is 60 to 80 Business days i think. Check for the timeline at the below link under 'Processing time as per jurisdiction'

http://www.in.ckgs.us/faq

[joy8385]

I recently applied for OCI for my daughter and they did asked me to send original US passport but they send it back pretty quickly.

So did you apply for OCI before getting the US passport? How long did it take for them to respond back to you ? If you can provide the timeline between your applying and them sending you the OCI, it would be helpful.

[skynice]

Got US Passport back within 10 days

So did you apply for OCI before getting the US passport? How long did it take for them to respond back to you ? If you can provide the timeline between your applying and them sending you the OCI, it would be helpful.

Not sure about your first question "So did you apply for OCI before getting the US passport?" --US passport is required in order to apply for OCI as you would have to enter the details like issue date/expiration date and passport number. I applied at the SFO center and had to send my kids original US passport, which I got back within 10 days. But OCI takes longer, as I still haven't received it(think for SFO its 60 days). The difficult part is getting the application in and getting all the papers together. It took me hours/days to prepare all the documents as for kids you have to sign the parental consent form in front of a notary. But once you send it and follow all the instructions, you can track the progress of your application online, which is super helpful. Also if you are missing any document, they will email you and send you instructions.

[joy8385]

Not sure about your first question "So did you apply for OCI before getting the US passport?" --US passport is required in order to apply for OCI as you would have to enter the details like issue date/expiration date and passport number. I applied at the SFO center and had to send my kids original US passport, which I got back within 10 days. But OCI takes longer, as I still haven't received it(think for SFO its 60 days). The difficult part is getting the application in and getting all the papers together. It took me hours/days to prepare all the documents as for kids you have to sign the parental consent form in front of a notary. But once you send it and follow all the instructions, you can track the progress of your application online, which is super helpful. Also if you are missing any document, they will email you and send you instructions.

Thank you dear! This is helpful!