Confusing instructions for moving OCI to new passport for minor turned adult

[dvpatel]

I have already filled the OCI application twice on the Government OCI services site. I have followed their and VFS Global instructions. At no point did it require to upload the OCI Page 1 and 4. Their sample form and instructions also do NOT ask for the OCI page 1 and 4.


But. After filling out the VFS process, at one point, I was provided a documents checklist pdf and that claims I needed to upload OCI page 1 and 4.

So, I am asking here. Do I need to amend the government site (currently down as the Captcha image won't display) and upload it and if I do, how do I upload it as the list of documents on that site is as follows and does NOT list OCI Page 1 and Page 4.

1. ADDRESS PROOF
2. CURRENT PASSPORT
3. EMPLOYMENT/ WORK LETTER
4. INDIAN ORIGIN PROOF
5. INDIAN VISA
6. LEGAL STATUS OF PARENTS (IN CASE OF MINOR APPLICANTS)
7. MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE
8. NATURALIZATION CERTIFICATE OF THE APPLICANT'S CURRENT CITIZENSHIP
9. PARENTAL AUTHORIZATION (IN CASE OF MINOR APPLICANTS)
10. PIO CARD
11. RELATIONSHIP CERTIFICATE
12. RENUNCIATION CERTIFICATE OF INDIAN CITIZENSHIP
13. SPOUSE OCI CARD

Ironically, the online instructions on the government site OR the VFS global site never mentioned the need for Address Proof till the document check list time. I have uploaded the Address Proof and the new passport details.

My questions are:

1. Do I need any more documents?
2. Do I send the original OCI book with the application?
3. The form prints with the applicant image. The instructions say to paste one photo there. Do I follow that or just send 2 photos along with the application?

Thank you in advance to all who can help navigate the confusing set of multiple instructions. The sheer incompetence on the Indian Government and VFS part.

Old process WITHOUT these middle men was so easy and straight forward. The new process basically mandates you to pay the fees online with the 3.5% fees for online payment, and also basically extorts you for $30 in shipping via VFS' labels. Such scammers.

[dvpatel]

Here is the checklist provided by VFS. Per this, I need to submit the copies of the OCI Card and upload them on the Government website. BUT. The Government website does not even have the option to upload. Any one know what I am supposed to be doing? I just paid the VFS people too.

https://www.vfsglobal.com/one-pager/india/united-states-of-america/oci-services/pdf/oci-checklist-misc-adult-final.pdf

[arkaa]

Here is the checklist provided by VFS. Per this, I need to submit the copies of the OCI Card and upload them on the Government website. BUT. The Government website does not even have the option to upload. Any one know what I am supposed to be doing? I just paid the VFS people too.

https://www.vfsglobal.com/one-pager/india/united-states-of-america/oci-services/pdf/oci-checklist-misc-adult-final.pdf

Yes, you have to send the original OCI. The checklist clearly says "OCI CARD – ORIGINAL AND COPIES". Print & go through the checklist and tick off each document that is applicable to you - That is what the checklist is for. And the applicant has to sign the checklist and attach it with the application.

Two photos - one is to be pasted on the form, one you can attach with a paper clip. Again, read the checklist, the instructions are there.

Yes, you need to upload the copies of the required supporting documents at the Govt portal. Not sure why you cannot see the upload option - might be a temp issue. Even if you somehow missed the upload while submitting the misc services application, it would still prompt you to finish the upload when you check the status.

Also, the 'OCI Document Upload' option is clearly in the menu options on the left on the landing page - https://ociservices.gov.in/welcome.
You can use that to upload the documents for your OCI application.

[dvpatel]

arkaa, Thank you for responding. I do get the upload section. I just do NOT get the drop down to pick anything OCI Card stuff. The list I get in the type of document to upload is the list of 13 items in my original post.

There are TWO VFS check lists. Once when you go over the instructions to fill out on the government site. That list is in the first post.

Then, when you are done with the government site application and apply for the VFS account/process, there is a different check list generated with the check boxes. THAT one has a table which says I need to upload OCI page 1 and OCI page 4 (and send it along with the copies and the original). BUT. When I go on the government site, there is no option to upload OCI page 1 and page 2.

Does that make any sense? I can grab screenshots and high light what I am trying to convey.

I did call the worthless $2.48 per minute call center for VFS. The lady was clueless. She had no idea and said just send the copy and the original to us. She even dragged it out to 4 minutes but I did get off before having to pay for no help at all. But. If I have to call again, now I will have to pay I suppose.

[dvpatel]

The sample Instructions on VFS site match what the Govt. of India site shows (no option to upload OCI Page 1 and Page 4) and the Final Checklist asks for copies to be included (which is fine) but also to have them uploaded which I cannot do as there is no option for that in the uploads section.

[arkaa]

arkaa, Thank you for responding. I do get the upload section. I just do NOT get the drop down to pick anything OCI Card stuff. The list I get in the type of document to upload is the list of 13 items in my original post.
There are TWO VFS check lists. Once when you go over the instructions to fill out on the government site. That list is in the first post.
Then, when you are done with the government site application and apply for the VFS account/process, there is a different check list generated with the check boxes. THAT one has a table which says I need to upload OCI page 1 and OCI page 4 (and send it along with the copies and the original). BUT. When I go on the government site, there is no option to upload OCI page 1 and page 2.
Does that make any sense? I can grab screenshots and high light what I am trying to convey.
I did call the worthless $2.48 per minute call center for VFS. The lady was clueless. She had no idea and said just send the copy and the original to us. She even dragged it out to 4 minutes but I did get off before having to pay for no help at all. But. If I have to call again, now I will have to pay I suppose.

Oh, now I see the problem. Sorry, I don't know the answer.
If I were you, I'd select the "Indian Origin Proof" option and upload the copy of the OCI card. That was it will be on file that you uploaded it, and you will send the original to them anyway.

And yeah, calling VFS is just a waste of time and money. But you can call again next week, that first 5 minutes is free once every week.

[dvpatel]

Oh, now I see the problem. Sorry, I don't know the answer.
If I were you, I'd select the "Indian Origin Proof" option and upload the copy of the OCI card. That was it will be on file that you uploaded it, and you will send the original to them anyway.

And yeah, calling VFS is just a waste of time and money. But you can call again next week, that first 5 minutes is free once every week.

Unfortunately, I already sent it it. The generated/printed form lists all the documents I uploaded which are Passport Copy and Address Proof. I was getting to worked up with their incompetence. Lets see how it goes. I did notate that there is no option to upload OCI pages for re-Issue and pointed out that their own instruction PDF also does not mention this. I wrote that as a comment on a sticky note. I doubt these guys care however.

At the end of the day, we're discussing a third-party vendor who refuses to even drop off packages at UPS or USPS and says we have to "arrange" for pickup if we use our own labels. Extortionists.

[dvpatel]

Interesting. Was still looking for information and stumbled on this for Misc. Services for minor:

https://visa.vfsglobal.com/one-pager/india/united-states-of-america/oci-services/pdf/oci-misc-services-minor-checklist.pdf

There, they say, to upload first and last page under the Indian Visa section. I will upload that now. While I already sent the package, at least the embassy folks will have the copies.

[arkaa]

Here is a picture. Apparently, it confirms that this is the option to use to upload the OCI pages. Darn. Only if I had found this a couple hours ago. I can get the envelope back as its already on its way. I did upload the PDF file however. Pray for me guys.

That's some detective work ????

Don't worry, I don't think there will be any problems with the OCI re-issue.

I don't understand why the Indian babus want so much paper work for every small thing - makes them feel important I guess. You upload a digital copy, you send the original and you send copies of the original - what is the logic in that? Can't they upload or make copies from the original? I guess Indian babus are lazy too ????

[dvpatel]

That's some detective work ????

Don't worry, I don't think there will be any problems with the OCI re-issue.

I don't understand why the Indian babus want so much paper work for every small thing - makes them feel important I guess. You upload a digital copy, you send the original and you send copies of the original - what is the logic in that? Can't they upload or make copies from the original? I guess Indian babus are lazy too ????

Ha. Good one. I have a better one.

Back in 2010, when I applied for the whole family, ALL of it was needed in duplicates. You had to send 2 of even the copies along with what ever they needed for originals. It was either in duplicate or in triplicate. I had even exclaimed that perhaps the embassy does NOT have a photocopy machine.

We're down to ONE copy. Thank God.

[dvpatel]

Had to delete the couple images as I realized it had my daughter's name and file number which I forgot to blank out. I could not update the images so I just deleted the posts.

[dvpatel]

Updated one of the images with the personal information blanked out.

[wotcher]

When my parents renewed their OCI card they had same issue, which category to upload the OCI images to. Turns out you use the "India Visa" category. Why they don't specify that clearly is a mystery.

[dvpatel]

When my parents renewed their OCI card they had same issue, which category to upload the OCI images to. Turns out you use the "India Visa" category. Why they don't specify that clearly is a mystery.

Tell me about it. Typical babu culture not only at the embassies but also at VFS even though they're based out of Dubai.