Questions for New OCI Applications for 4 family members

[desai_usa]

Hello,

We are a family of 4 that reside in Florida, USA. I am the father whose age is 61, my wife's age is 52, my older son's age is 26, my younger son's age is 24. I have several questions regarding the OCI application process and hope someone helps me answer these questions.

1. I will be applying for 4 individual applications for OCI (one for each family member), can I submit all these documents to the Atlanta consulate in one single envelope? We all live at the same address so I assume this wouldn't cause any issues in processing. I am looking to save money on shipping and don't want to pay for each individual envelope for each application.

2. I read on the CKGS website that you have to renew the OCI every time you renew your U.S. passport, is this true? For example, my current US passport is valid until 2022, so if I get OCI right now, would I have to renew it in 2 years when I renew my US passport?

3. My younger son was born in Florida, so he does not have a Indian passport or the renunciation certificate. So what document would I have to send instead of the renunciation certificate for him? The other 3 members all have renunciation certificates so we will be sending a copy of that certificate in the application.

4. Do I have to send my physical US passport with the application or can I send a color copy of my US passport main pages?

5. How long would the processing time be for OCI applications? Would there be a significant delay because of the COVID-19 pandemic?


Thank you in advance for your help and I hope to hear from you soon.

[R78]

The below answers are based on the assumption that you already have the renunciation certificate in your possession.

1. I will be applying for 4 individual applications for OCI (one for each family member), can I submit all these documents to the Atlanta consulate in one single envelope? We all live at the same address so I assume this wouldn't cause any issues in processing. I am looking to save money on shipping and don't want to pay for each individual envelope for each application.

>>> Each application is to be treated separately. This means it should be in a separate envelope with the barcode outside it. This is the only way CKGS scans and provides regular updates.


2. I read on the CKGS website that you have to renew the OCI every time you renew your U.S. passport, is this true? For example, my current US passport is valid until 2022, so if I get OCI right now, would I have to renew it in 2 years when I renew my US passport?

>>>OCI is valid for life. There are exceptions for those below 20 yrs and those just turning 50.
Since both your children are over 20 yrs of age, they only need to re-apply once they turn 50 yrs old
Since both you and your wife are over 50 yrs, you will not need to re-apply for OCI.


3. My younger son was born in Florida, so he does not have a Indian passport or the renunciation certificate. So what document would I have to send instead of the renunciation certificate for him? The other 3 members all have renunciation certificates so we will be sending a copy of that certificate in the application.

>>> If your son is a US citizen by birth, then his application for OCI is based on your former status as an Indian Citizen. So a COPY of both you and your wife's renunciation certificates + Indian passport (pages with cancelled due to acquiring foreign nationality stamp)

4. Do I have to send my physical US passport with the application or can I send a color copy of my US passport main pages?

>>> You must send the original + copy of the US passport with the OCI application. They will do a quick verification and send the original passports back to you within 2-4 weeks. If the passports are required earlier than that, you must include a copy of an upcoming travel itinerary with your application. Also, place a sticky note on the passport clearly stating "passport needed by xx/xx/xxxx due to upcoming travel - see itinerary"


5. How long would the processing time be for OCI applications? Would there be a significant delay because of the COVID-19 pandemic?

>>>> Very difficult to say. Normal process takes 2-4 months, so with covid, plan on 4-6 months. If you need to travel to India before your OCI card arrives, you can file for an e-visa (online, and takes 2-3 days to approve).
OCI process:
1. Fill online OCI application. Then fill in CKGS application, submit all documents
2. Original passport is verified against application and returned to you
3. OCI application then sent to MEA in India, where they need to verify application and approve.
4. Printing of the OCI booklet
5. Booklet is sent to the US from India
6. Booklet is verified by CKGS
7. CKGS mails OCI booklet to you.

[desai_usa]

Thank you so much for your response. I really appreciate it!

I just had one more question. I am currently filling out the OCI application on the government website which has the Part A and Part B sections. After Part A was completed, I was prompted to upload my image and signature as JPEG files.

My photo file uploaded and I had to crop a little bit of the image to make an adjustment. After the image was cropped, the message showed up saying "The cropped image is fine".


However for my signature image, after I cropped the image the message showed up as "The cropped image is fine " but the signature is a little bit hard to read. I tried multiple times to resize it and everything but the cropped image still looks a little bit blurry.

Could you be able to suggest how I should go about this? I don't want my application to be rejected and experience any issues after submitting all my documents.

[Liberty48]

Use Microsoft Paint, use the resize feature, and reduce the size by pixel. If you reduce the horizontal, vertical will auto-resize.The file size will reduce. Reduce little by little and check the file size every time.

[ArthurD]

I have used MSPaint as well to resize and get within the Min Max dimensions that were mentioned. The Govt site also shows you a section after the image is uploaded to drag and adjust the thumbnail and once you print the OCI Application you will notice both the Photo and Signature on the Form.

SideNote :- Did you find the pdf listed as "Affidavit in lieu of original" on CKGS website and will you be sending this physical document along with your applications