Team-BHP - PIO/OCI Queries

At the OCI/PIO counter they were polite and cordial. They even switched to Kannada once they noticed I am a local.

However, I did see an african gentlemen being treated pretty rudely at the information for no reason.

BTW, my son's presence was required. At the information desk they did take a photo of him for the token.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thad E Ginathom (Post 3957826)

Just for the record, I've never been treated badly by Chennai FRRO.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Samurai (Post 3957842)

Sad to say, but I can believe that skin colour counts.

But I can also believe that these officers get the most ridiculous of requests and demands, and are probably used to rudeness from the public. But in the end, they have the power.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Samurai (Post 3957537)

Ok, completed the OCI submission successfully today.

Documents I submitted are as follows:

1) Two sets of applications (2 sheets only), where the online photo and the photo on the application must be same. They required two sets, and I had been forewarned to carry it thanks to this thread.

2) PIO, Current foreign passport, old foreign passport used for getting PIO, passport of both parents, birth certificate, latest BSNL bill & rental agreement. Submit one copy, present the original for verification.

3) Only for the BSNL bill they wanted extra copy. The BSNL bill is in my name, so I didn't need any letter from the owner. I think they only need one address proof, they showed no interest in checking the lease document.

No affidavit was asked. The minor problem I faced was that the PIO only had my middle initial, without the expansion as in my latest passport. So they wanted to see my old passport which I hadn't carried. I got my wife to whatsapp me the image of the old passport from home, which did have the expanded name. They said PIO should have contained the expanded form. But it was the Indian consulate in NY who decided to shortened it to the initial, instead of using my full middle name. Once they realised it not really my fault, they said it is fine.

Already received the email saying the OCI process is motion. clap:

Thank you for the information.
Would you need to submit your foreign passport to have the OCI/ lifelong visa to be affixed? If so, did you find out when and where the passport would have to be submitted?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lobogris (Post 3989872)

U-Visa sticker has been done away with. You will anyway need to visit the FRRO or embassy/consulate where you initially applied for PIO-OCI conversion to surrender your PIO card.

http://www.cgihouston.org/notice/display/126

On reading the above link, I see another curve ball. It seems OCI has to be re-registered every time a new passport is issued for someone below the age of 20.

Quote:

Originally Posted by nowwhat? (Post 3989938)

Hmm. If someone is living in India and got their PIO overseas, then they need to make a special trip to that consulate to surrender the PIO card? Where have you seen this rule?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lobogris (Post 3989968)

Hmm. If someone is living in India and got their PIO overseas, then they need to make a special trip to that consulate to surrender the PIO card? Where have you seen this rule?

Not seen the rule anywhere, but saw it in practice. In front of me at the FRRO in Bangalore was this lady who had applied at another FRRO. She had been assured by the other FRRO that her PIO/OCI conversion can be processed in Bangalore, but the Bangalore FRRO told her to submit a new application.

Thanks to Samurai, nowwhat, Thad & ringoism for providing a lot of information on the PIO to OCI conversion. I have a child holding a US passport, and a PIO card. I hope to complete the online registration formalities without too much of a hassle.

I have a question. Is it mandatory for all PIO /OCI holders to register at FRRO? I haven't registered my child yet at the FRRO?

Quote:

Originally Posted by PVS (Post 3989997)

I have a question. Is it mandatory for all PIO /OCI holders to register at FRRO? I haven't registered my child yet at the FRRO?

Since we got the PIO card for my son from the FRRO in Bangalore, they registered him at that time and told me to bring him once he turns 18 to re-register.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thad E Ginathom (Post 3990001)

PIO-card holders had to register; OCI-card holders do not.

PIO cards are now deemed to be OCI cards. therefore...

As Thad mentions, PIO has now turned into a quasi-OCI, so I doubt whether the non-registration of your child will be a show-stopper. In any case, they are usually lenient towards children.

Today the local police station sent a guy to verify the address. He required me to furnish self attested copies of US passport, PIO, one parent's passport, BSNL bill from early 2015, two photos, a hand written request for approving the verification on an A4 sheet, an verification form, a form for a neighbor to sign agreeing we have lived here for long enough. There was no warning that they will need all that. He just showed up and asked for all these things. Fortunately, I could produce everything except two photos, I just had one. He said he will call if he required the second photo.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Samurai (Post 3995821)

The OCI Application Status says the OCI was dispatched from New Delhi on Jun 1st. But the document hasn't been received at FRRO Bangalore. Wonder how long it takes.

Mine still says "Under process". No one has contacted me from the police station either.

My son's application was submitted on 18th April, wonder what is going on.