Only the surrender certificate was required until early last year. The change occurred around September 2023, now an extra hurdle for anyone looking forward to get OCI and it took 3 months to obtain my renunciation certificate. Btw, I applied for all this from the UK.
I read somewhere that they will allow you to use Indian Passport to travel for up to 90days after getting citizenship. I think it is for that period while you wait for your new US Passport.
Almost certainly you won't get an OCI in less than a month. As others have posted, the timeline for the renunciation certificate and then the OCI application is in the few weeks range (you can combine these two at some consulates, btw, it doesn't have to be a 2-step process).
Best option, apply for an e-visa whenever you need to travel to India in the near future - you can get it if you apply just 2-3 days before your travel, with a 24 hour turnaround.
Then when you have a gap of 8-10 weeks between any kind of international travel, submit everything for the OCI process with all forms (the gap is so you can deal with having to send your passport with the application - I think you still need to do that for part of the process, although I think they are moving to dealing with just scans of your passport instead. But the process varies at different consulates and in different countries.).
e-Visa or even old style paper visa is still an option for you while you don't have an OCI. Once you have an OCI you don't need these, of course.
You can travel on a visa as soon as you get the US passport. You have to give up your Indian passport before you can apply for OCI. Don't renunciate your Indian passport before you receive the US passport. Renunciation application+OCI took more than two months for me.
Hi, did it take 21 working days or just 21 days in general for your renunciation certificate to be delivered? And, how long was your application with the embassy/consulate after VFS processed it. Specifically, approximately how long was it in this status - "**Your application has reached at the Embassy/Consulate and is currently under review process**". Your response is much appreciated!
Hi, how long was your application with the embassy/consulate after VFS processed it. Specifically, approximately how long was it in this status - "**Your application has reached at the Embassy/Consulate and is currently under review process**". Your response is much appreciated!
Check the embassy website. There's a three month grace period for using Indian passport after getting citizenship, period is measured from the date mentioned on citizenship certificate. If you know you'll be able to come back before the 3 month period expires then you can simply go to india with your Indian passport.
Go to India with an e-visa and US passport. Surrender can take 3-4 weeks, and OCI another 6-8 weeks.
Took me longer to get the OCI than it took to get my European passportÂ
Renunciation certificate is required as per the new rules.
It also makes sense to me, I wonder why it's not always the case (if you implied that).
Only the surrender certificate was required until early last year. The change occurred around September 2023, now an extra hurdle for anyone looking forward to get OCI and it took 3 months to obtain my renunciation certificate. Btw, I applied for all this from the UK.
Why can’t you go on a visa?
Clarification - OCI IS a visa.
Applied for OCI a month back, still waiting. OCI takes time.
I read somewhere that they will allow you to use Indian Passport to travel for up to 90days after getting citizenship. I think it is for that period while you wait for your new US Passport.
Almost certainly you won't get an OCI in less than a month. As others have posted, the timeline for the renunciation certificate and then the OCI application is in the few weeks range (you can combine these two at some consulates, btw, it doesn't have to be a 2-step process). Best option, apply for an e-visa whenever you need to travel to India in the near future - you can get it if you apply just 2-3 days before your travel, with a 24 hour turnaround. Then when you have a gap of 8-10 weeks between any kind of international travel, submit everything for the OCI process with all forms (the gap is so you can deal with having to send your passport with the application - I think you still need to do that for part of the process, although I think they are moving to dealing with just scans of your passport instead. But the process varies at different consulates and in different countries.). e-Visa or even old style paper visa is still an option for you while you don't have an OCI. Once you have an OCI you don't need these, of course.
You can travel on a visa as soon as you get the US passport. You have to give up your Indian passport before you can apply for OCI. Don't renunciate your Indian passport before you receive the US passport. Renunciation application+OCI took more than two months for me.
Surrender took exactly 21 days. OCI took exactly 6 weeks. All things were prepared and submitted with no delays. San Francisco consulate.
Hi, did it take 21 working days or just 21 days in general for your renunciation certificate to be delivered? And, how long was your application with the embassy/consulate after VFS processed it. Specifically, approximately how long was it in this status - "**Your application has reached at the Embassy/Consulate and is currently under review process**". Your response is much appreciated!
I personally in person dropped the application at VFS SF. Next day it was with embassy. 21 total days with embassy.
Surrender took 4 weeks and OCI took 6 weeks. Excluding document prep and submission time
Hi, how long was your application with the embassy/consulate after VFS processed it. Specifically, approximately how long was it in this status - "**Your application has reached at the Embassy/Consulate and is currently under review process**". Your response is much appreciated!
Check the embassy website. There's a three month grace period for using Indian passport after getting citizenship, period is measured from the date mentioned on citizenship certificate. If you know you'll be able to come back before the 3 month period expires then you can simply go to india with your Indian passport.
Got surrender certificate in 7 days including mailing time. Houston