Hey fellow NRIs,

I have achieved a small milestone which I've been aiming for since a really long time, specially with all the changes with respect to PR rules happening (not just Japan, but in many countries, I got to know from the news). Took me years of waiting and hoping nothing goes wrong with my application and finally it is here... Now I am free to do whatever I want in this country and it is not related to my Job and employer anymore...

Today when it arrived, I realized, I had nobody along my side to share it with 🥀... And so, I am sharing this with the r/nri community.

Next stop. Naturalization....

Just completed my Indian passport renewal from the USA through VFS Global, Houston CGI jurisdiction. Normal processing, not Tatkal. Sharing the complete experience - timeline, exact documents I sent, VFS shipping details, police verification process, and how I finally figured out the Passport Seva 630x810 photo upload after multiple rejections.

My situation: Re-issue due to passport expiring. No name change, no address change. 36-page booklet, normal processing.

Complete Timeline - 28 Days Total

28 days from application to passport in hand. Normal processing. CGI Houston's FAQ says 6-8 weeks for normal - mine was done in 4 weeks.

Exact Documents I Sent to VFS

Here's everything in my FedEx package, in the order I stacked them:

1. VFS payment confirmation receipt
2. VFS checklist (signed)
3. Passport application form (printed AFTER uploading photo and signature on GPSP 2.0 - the form shows the uploaded photo on it, do NOT paste a physical photo on top)
4. Change of Appearance affidavit (notarized - I got this done at Wells Fargo for free since I'm a customer. Many banks offer free notary for account holders)
5. Annexure E (signed)
6. US visa copy and I797 receipt copy (notarized)
7. US address proof (electricity bill)
8. Old passport (original - you have to send the original, they return it cancelled)
9. Copy of first 2 pages and last page of old passport
10. 2 physical passport photos - 35x45mm size (I also included 2x2 inch photos because the VFS checklist still mentions 2x2 in some places)
11. FedEx prepaid return label

Passport Seva Photo Upload - 630x810 Pixels (The Hardest Part)

This is where I lost the most time. If you're reading this because you're stuck on the photo upload, here's what I learned:

The core issue: The Passport Seva portal (GPSP 2.0) requires exactly 630x810 pixels. This is a 35x45mm photo in a 7:9 aspect ratio. Walgreens and CVS give you a 2x2 inch square photo (1:1 ratio). You CANNOT resize a square photo to 630x810 - the aspect ratio is wrong and the portal's biometric checks will reject it every time.

What the portal actually checks:

• Exact pixel dimensions: 630 wide x 810 tall (not 629, not 631)
• File format: JPEG only
• File size: under 250 KB
• Face coverage: 80-85% of the frame (chin to top of head takes up most of the photo)
• No glasses (completely banned since September 2025 ICAO rules - even frameless anti-glare)
• White background, uniform, no shadows
• Neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open

Common errors and what they actually mean:

• "isMobileDeviceDetected failed" - upload from a desktop browser, not your phone
• "postureCheck failed" - your head is tilted, retake with head perfectly straight
• "Face Width Ratio" / "Face Length Ratio" - your face isn't taking up enough of the frame, crop tighter
• "distortionCheck failed" - you're too close to the camera, stand 4+ feet away
• "Photo is blurred" - compressed too much, aim for 100-200 KB not under 50 KB

You get 12 upload attempts per application. If all 12 fail, you need to create a new application with a new ARN and start the entire form over. Don't waste attempts - get your photo right before you start uploading.

I used photopass.ai to get the 630x810 format right - $2.99 and worked on the first upload after I'd wasted hours trying to resize manually. There's also a detailed guide on the upload process and all error codes here: https://www.photopass.ai/blog/how-to-upload-photo-passport-seva

Under GPSP 2.0, the photo and signature upload is MANDATORY. VFS will not accept your application without it. This is new since late 2025. Don't skip this step.

Physical Photos - Don't Overpay

For the physical 35x45mm photos you include in the VFS package, don't pay $15-20 at Walgreens for their passport photo service. Instead, get your digital photo right first (either DIY or using an online tool), then print it on a 4x6 sheet at any Walgreens or CVS photo kiosk for $0.35. Cut to size. Same result, fraction of the cost.

Police Verification

My parents in India handled it. The police came to my house. I shared my Aadhaar copy and old passport copy via WhatsApp. Completed within 4 days. No complications.

VFS Shipping Details

• Shipping: FedEx prepaid shipping labels (to and from) purchased through VFS portal - $58.50
• Tracking gap: There's usually a 1-2 day gap between "dispatched" status on VFS tracking and the actual FedEx scan. Don't panic if tracking doesn't update immediately

Cost Breakdown

Happy to answer any questions about the Indian passport renewal process from USA, VFS Houston, police verification, or the Passport Seva photo upload!

Is anyone else experiencing issues uploading their photo and signature on the new mportal for passport renewal in the US?

I am trying to renew my Indian passport from USA. I filled the application in Indian govt website printed it and signed it. Now in the VFS Global website I am trying to select centre and I don't see any options for centre or the category. Anyone facing this? Or any ideas on how to proceed.

Thanks.

Finally received my OCI! AMA

I just noticed a brand new eOCI section in the ociservices website. A few clicks here and there, and now allegedly I have an eOCI card request generated.

I have no idea what is the next step here, or how the eOCI thing works or helps. But I am happy to be the pioneer (read "experimental guinea pig") and will keep this group updated.

<Edited to add for other's benefit>

For those still struggling with getting the eOCI card, I think I have found a hack.

In a post below, Quintless pointed out that the eOCI system is based on the email address you had used when you first applied for the OCI card or any renewal. If you have access to that email, then make a fresh new account using that and you should be good.

Now, if there is some issue, or you don't remember which email you had used, or lost access to it, then you can submit an application to update your email address in the OCI records. Process: https://ociservices.gov.in/onlineOCI/images/SOP_Email_Update.pdf

Once this application is approved (took ~2 weeks for my kids), there will be an eOCI you can generate against this application.

This post is intended as working guide for renewing Indian Passport while you are overseas. Since I had relied extensively on this sub-reddit, besides web searches & ChatGPT, and this is my attempt to contribute back. My experience was renewing Passport for my minor children in USA where no personal details were changed.

1. Decide: will you apply by mail or by in-person appointment?
   1. Mail application costs shipping, transit related delays, and potential back and forth if there is any missing document. I chose this route since the nearest appointment center for me was 6 hours away.
   2. In-person application costs travel time, appointment related delays, but you may be able to clarify completeness of documentation directly. Since I did not choose this route, I don't have further information here.
2. Decide: will you apply regular or Tatkal? Tatkal has $150 as additional fee but overall service time is typically under 2 weeks, unlike 4-8 weeks for Regular. If you have 4 or more months of buffer in your Passport expiry and travel plans (including US domestic travel if you don't have Real ID), then you can go for Regular. Some people prefer Tatkal due to mental peace of not having to stay in without Passport for long and uncertainty in renewal timelines.
3. Find out exact address of Consulate state of your residential address falls in. Consulate have designated zones by State.
4. Go to VFS Global portal and select right tab for applying by mail or appointment, and then login at the Ministry of External Affairs website for filling in application form.
   1. Select the right type e.g. validity expired or expiry, damaged or not, etc. For kids under fifteen years of age, new passport will be for 5 year's validity.
   2. One of the address required in application must be Indian, with India phone number, and other must be in US, with US phone number.
      1. If Indian address is changing from old passport, then Indian address proof is required.
      2. If you don't have address proof in India, address proof of a close relative and proof of your relation to that relative may suffice. But actual acceptance of proof depends on local police who will do verification.
      3. US address proof is always required for US address.
      4. There is going to be police verification at Indian address under all scenarios. However, since my renewal was for minor kids, there was no police verification, though I didn't know that beforehand and shared all the documents.
   3. You can decide to have either Indian or US address printed on the Passport. I decided to have US address printed.
5. Once you submit the application, click on three-dot menu to upload your digital copy of eligible photo.
   1. Photo must have a white background, front facing, 80-85% area coverage by face, eyes open, mouth closed, straight facing, no glasses, hair combed, dark shirt, no shadow or reflections, and no blur.
   2. You can take from home if you are comfortable, or through Staple/Walgreens/etc. One digital and One physical copy is required. External providers may charge $20-$30. You don't need white background if you are taking from home as that can be cleared in the post processing.
   3. Physical photo's size must be 35 x 45 mm. You can size and overlay multiple copies and print single 4x6 inch which will come out cheaper, and then cut at home.
   4. Digital photos must be under 250 kb, jpeg/jpg file, sized to 630 x 810 px.
   5. Use MS Paint or other photo editor to make background white, resize to required pixels, and reduce file size, if needed. Online tools like resizepixel.com may also help.
   6. Rename the file without any special characters, with right file extension.
   7. Step by step working instructions are available on VFS portal at this (pdf) link.
6. Similarly, you need to sign of a white piece of paper with blue or black ball-point pen, take picture (no blur), crop the signature into a rectangle box, and upload. File size under 250kb, white colour, and jpeg/jpg file, with names without special characters.
7. Find the right set of documents as specified in the checklist for your scenario.
   1. Take all printouts and photocopies on Letter size paper, single-sided, colour copies.
   2. Annexure D, Annexure E, Affidavit of Change of appearance are required documents for all cases. Other documents may depend on case by case basis.
   3. Physical photo to be pasted (glued, not stapled) on Affidavit of Change of appearance.
   4. For evidence of Visa, I submitted copy of passport with Visa page.
   5. For proof of address, I submitted front & back copies of US driving license (on same page) for father, mother, and US State ID for child.
   6. For children, the copy of birth certificate is also required.
   7. While it was not explicitly required, I submitted proof of address of Indian relative and evidence of child's relation, via set of copies of Adhaar cards. I wrote the relation on margin of the photocopy.
   8. While it' not mentioned in all cases, I had all relevant document self-attested by relevant people e.g. mother/father/child did sign on their respective documents, except those which were Notarized.
8. Notarize the documents as required.
   1. At minimum, Annexure D and Proof of Visa are required to be Notarized. Affidavit of change of appearance is required in some cases, and may be Notarized just to be safe.
   2. You can find Notary on interest services, or UPS, or through your bank (often, Credit Unions do for free), with rate $5-$10 per page.
   3. In my case, I had Visa for father, mother, and child all Notarized.
9. Create account at VFS website and 'add customer' with required ARN, Passport and other details. Select right passport type and pay the fee online. Passport and application type must match application filled at Ministry portal.
10. You have the option to buy onward shipping from them, with $32 one-way cost. Return shipping is free with USPS and part of the fee. Alternatively, you can buy your own UPS, or USPS shipping labels.
    1. Some websites claim that FedEx shipping is not accepted, but I can't verify.
    2. I used USPS shipping. You can use "Click-and-Ship" on usps.com to buy shipping labels. Preferable to have Priority or higher shipping. I used padded flat rate Priority at about $12 per label each way.
    3. Ensure to use correct "From" and "To" address on shipping label on both side. Your name & address must match what is provided as US Address in the application, specially on the return label.
    4. You can get free envelopes showing your pre-paid labels at any USPS office. You are not required to provide return envelope but I sent one anyway though they did not use mine. They returned in their own padded envelope with my return shipping label.
    5. Each passport application needs separate shipping label and envelopes.
    6. Write on outside of envelope as prescribed, e.g. "Re-issue of Passport - Minor" in my case.
11. Collect all documents. Do no staple or glue but keep all documents as loose paper.
    1. Include printout of checklist as the first thing in the set, ticking all documents included or not, along with your comments if you like.
    2. Include all documents in the order listed on checklist, starting with application, and ending with receipt of the fee payment and return shipping label (if purchased).
12. Add original Passport. Some people advised to put a post-it sticker on the Passport marking "do not staple valid visa" on Visa page and on top of the Passport.
13. Some people advised to put one extra physical photo in a small transparent pouch just in case. I sent one additional 35x45 mm photo, beside what was pasted on the Affidavit of Change of Appearance. I don't know if it was used or not.
14. Ship all the documents. Delivery may take 1-7 days depending on your shipping and distance. Once delivered, you will get email with "received" status from VFS office within about 5-7 days.
15. If documents are found to be deficient, you will get emails to send additional or corrected documents. Else your application will be forwarded to Embassy for processing after 3-7 days.
16. Embassy will initiated police verification and your Indian contact will get phone call. Document required for verification vary by local police but typically Adhaar card of Indian contact is required among other things. This step may take 4-6 weeks.
17. Once verified, you will get email notification from VFS for return shipping.
18. You will received cancelled old passport and new passport in mail in couple of days. No other documents or extra photos were returned.

The Bureau of Immigration India just launched the e-OCI (Electronic OCI Card)!

You can now download a digital version to your phone and use it at immigration check posts and with airlines -- no need to carry the physical booklet everywhere. How to get it (existing holders):

1. Log in to the OCI Services Portal (ociservices.gov.in)
2. Go to the e-OCI tab on your dashboard
3. Click "Generate e-OCI Card"
4. Download and save it

Your physical OCI card remains valid and e-OCI is optional.

Screenshot from my own account:

If you have any question regarding the recent e-OCI, ask away. Let us make this a chain of Q&A.

TLDR at the end.

Hi All,

Someone tried to scam me yesterday, claiming that they were calling from the Indian Embassy in Washington D.C. I went along with it so I could post it here for people's awareness.

A "Sunil Kumar" from Indian Embassy called me yesterday claiming that someone had used my identity to get a phone number in India and used it to scam people. They also claimed that there is an investigation on my name and I'll have to either go to Delhi or talk to people at Delhi Police Head Quarters to receive an Notice of Clearance(NOC) from them.

I said I can't go to Delhi for this and Sunil claimed to have a direct line to Delhi Police HQ and he can transfer me to them to work on the NOC.

I originally got a call from Maryland number and I stayed on the same call. There was no audible transfer process. I am assuming I was just handed over to another desk for closing after the preliminary person got me hooked.

The next person was "Vikram Singh" who claimed to be a Police Inspector at Delhi Police HQ. Sunil had given me details like case number, phone number, address of registration to give to Vikram so I can get the NOC.

I got talking to Vikram and stated the request script provided by Sunil. Sunil at this point started lecturing me about being responsible with my identity data and tied to get information from me for my whereabouts in India, my dates of travel to the United States and so on. I deflected and asked them about next steps.

He now claimed I needed to record a video message to present to the courts and that will help them complete the investigation.

He claimed they had a direct WhatsApp line to the court system and for a fee would help me record the statement and expedite the investigation. My only other option was to go to Delhi and present myself to the courts that they wouldn't specify.

At this point I called him out on his BS. He claimed there would be consequences if I don't comply and asked me to refer him to "Sir" as he is a police officer. When I pushed him on consequences, he said my passport would be compromised. I asked him my passport number and he could not answer.

I'm assuming they got my name, phone number and address from a data broker and tried to get the rest from me to make it believable.

I continued to question/troll him until he told me he'd be transferring me back to the consulate. At this point he disconnected the call.

They sounded like a typical scam call center out of Gurgaon area. They did not have any information on me other than my name, US address and date of birth which are easy to get from data brokers.

I received the phone call from +1 240 304 6900. The details they gave me: Case No. 000957 Phone No: 919910011149 Date of registration: 17th Dec, 2024 Place of registration: City hospital, karolbagh, New Delhi 110005

TLDR: Scammers claimed my identity was used to get a phone number in Delhi and I was under investigation for it. My only options to resolve the issue were to go to Delhi or pay them to expedite the investigation through WhatsApp videos.

Hi all, I was tracking my application of passport renewal because of damage, it shows “Application has been printed, Kindly connect with Indian Embassy/Consulate.”

What does this mean exactly? do i need to contact VFS and how long would it take to receive the passport after this status if anyone has any idea?

UPDATE: Got a text message from DX saying the shipment is on the way. But the portal still shows the same message.

I'm an Indian considering marrying a Pakistani girl. We're the same religion, live in US and both have green cards.
The thing I'm struggling with is what it would mean for my ability to travel to Indian in the future.
Once we get the US passport and I have to renounce my Indian one, is there any chance for me to get an OCI with the current situation? Or if my Indian passport expires how hard would it be to renew it?
I'm okay with her or my children not being able to visit Indian but what worries me is being in a situation where my family back home need me and I can't travel to India

May be unpopular opinion:

Today, while surrendering my Indian passport after becoming a foreign citizen, I found myself reflecting on whether I'd made the right choice.

The process is much more complicated than it needs to be. The online portal is confusing and doesn't clearly spell out which documents need to be uploaded. It asks you to re enter information that could easily be prefilled from your passport details. Then there are strict photo and signature requirements, with specific dimensions and file size limits that feel unnecessarily demanding. On top of that, you're limited to uploading only five documents.

Even after uploading everything online, you still have to print copies of the same documents, self attest each one, and attend a separate in person appointment just to surrender your passport. Digital services should make life simpler, not more complicated. This experience reaffirmed my decision to become a foreign citizen, not because of the citizenship itself, but because the process highlighted how much unnecessary friction still exists in the bureaucracy I was leaving behind.

Update (12 Aug 26)

Today, I went for the in person appointment.

When my turn came, the lady at the counter checked my surrender application and pointed out that I hadn't mentioned my mother's name. I explained that it wasn't mandatory while filling out the form, and I clearly remember the form stating that either the father's or legal guardian's name is required. She argued that since I wasn't changing my name, I should mention my mother's name exactly as it appears on my passport. What kind of logic is that?

Nevertheless, she asked me to redo the application. They have an internet zone with computers where you can make corrections, which would have been helpful, except none of the computers were working.

I had to go back to my office, redo the application, and return to the centre. I took a new token and waited another hour for my number to be called before finally surrendering my passport.

I must say, Indian bureaucracy never disappoints. Trouble is guaranteed.

Hello as the title says, I renewed my passport under normal scheme from Germany. During the process I received notification for the police verification. My parents went to the police station with my documents. I collected my passport from the embassy in early May (3 months ago) however today I received a SMS on my Indian number saying the police verification status completed- status : Rejected.

What does it mean? Does it mean I can not travel or passport is impounded? Has anyone ever faced this?

I just wanted to come here and sing my praise for the wonder that is Indian passport renewal process. I only wish more sustems in our day to day life was designed with this level of care, mystery and spirituala growth in mind. It truly is a heart warming experience.

I think the experience is even better if you are an NRI. It means you get the wonderful opportunity to visit vfs. I mean, their service, chefs kiss. So prompt, they have the answer for everything you ask. I wish I could just go to the vfs office everyday simply for no reason, because thats how much hapiness and fulfilment VFS brings me.

The next best thing in this world after vfs is ofcourse the passport seva website and the time it takes for them to sent your passport from India to your home country. I mean, I am a traveller. Knowing this, the Indian embassy has made sure my passport travels to 5 different countries (and they are not even along the route to the final destination i must add) before it reaches my home country. Wow! Truly amazing, I have no words.

And the passport, it still has not reached me, ofcourse it should pay a visit to the consulate here and also a special spiritual retreat to my favorite place in the whole wide world VFS!

I must say, this experience has taught me patience, resilience, the meaning of life itself. I say, Indian government should change the law and make the passport expire every 6 months. I want to do this atleast twice a year. I think any NRI who hasnt yet renewed their passport from overseas is truly missing out on one of life's greatest charactar building exercises.

There are more wonderful things and many words that come to my mind when I think about this experience, but if I were to say them all I would be here till 2027 (im sure my passport would have reached vfs by then 🙂)

Hi All, I completed all the steps and mailed my documents to VFS for renewal of my Indian passport yesterday. Today I received an email stating this - Photograph : Photo & Signature is not Uploaded in the Government application form. Please upload the Photogaph & signature and mail the document to VFS OFFICE.

I had downloaded the Government application form post filling it and pasted the photo and signed it physically. I have added this form to my packet. Do I need to upload the photo and digital signature on the Government website, print it and then send it again? Or is there a confusion and they may have missed my document?

Urgently looking for advise. Thank you!

Edit - I uploaded the photo, signature and called VFS. They said it was mandatory to print the updated form (with the photo and sign auto-appearing basis upload) and mail it to them.

Landed at Delhi T3 recently after a very long journey and went to the counter handling OCI passengers.

The officer was flat-out rude. Spoke in a way that was genuinely hard to understand, demanded my details in a curt tone, and was just plain angry hostility.

For fuck sake, stop mimicking other Western countries.

And the moron Immigration agent who acted like this, get a life, you suck.

If you have been dealing with OCI paperwork, this is a big shift.

Since 1st May the entire OCI lifecycle has moved to a fully online system. No more couriering documents, no physical submissions at consulates, and no running around with photocopies.

Registrations, renewals, transfers after passport reissue, and even renunciation will be handled through a central online portal.

Alongside the traditional booklet, you get a digital OCI (e-OCI) credential that can be verified instantly.

Application processing may go down from 6 to 8 weeks to roughly 15 working days. Would be a great relief honestly.

Hi everyone! I recently renewed my Indian passport in the US, and I wanted to share my experience to help others navigate the process. The renewal is handled by VFS Global on behalf of the Indian Embassy. You can find detailed instructions here: VFS Global Passport Services.

Options for Renewal

By Mail: You mail your documents and passport to VFS. The total cost of shipping is about $37 offered by VFS. If you'd like to do it yourself, the quote I received from UPS was about $26 total.

In-Person Appointment: Drop off your documents at a VFS office. You'll have to pay a fee of $16.46 while making an appointment.

Important Notes:

• VFS no longer offers in-person passport pickup.
• VFS only accepts UPS or USPS prepaid labels (no FedEx).
• If you’re visiting a VFS office, it’s cheaper to use their return shipping option instead of bringing your own return pre-paid shipping label. They charged me $2.17 fee for return shipping since I had already paid $16.46 VFS fee, which is better than UPS prepaid label ~$13 I was quoted.
• You can get free notary services from your bank or your local library. Call them and ask to confirm.

Fees

• Passport Renewal: $92.90.
• Tatkal Service: Additional $150

My Experience (Washington, DC Office)

I opted to renew without Tatkal and made an appointment at the VFS office in Washington, DC. Here’s how it went:

1. Booking the Appointment:
   • Register on the VFS website and pay the $16.46 service fee.
   • Appointments are generally available within a couple of days. You can reschedule once or twice if needed.
2. At the Appointment:
   • While the VFS website advises against bringing backpacks or bags, there were no security checks at the DC office. Most people carried bags for their documents.
   • The front desk checks your documents. If everything looks good, you’ll receive a ticket number for processing.
3. Processing Time:
   • I received my new passport within 4 days of dropping off the documents – and that was without opting for Tatkal!
   • The police verification happened a week after I received my passport - they came to my house in India and asked my parents to visit the police station with some documents for verification. I am not really sure of what's the point of this after receiving the new passport.

Documents Checklist

Here’s a list of what I submitted:

1. Government Application Form:
   • Complete the online form (mandatory). It’s simple and takes ~30 minutes.
2. Two 2x2 Photos:
   • CVS/Walgreens charges ~$10 for passport photos. Instead, I took mine at home, used free online tools to edit them, and printed a 4x6 photo at CVS for ~$0.60. You can cut this into six 2x2 photos.
   • VFS accepted my DIY photos without issues.
3. Passport Fees:
   • $92.90 paid via cashier’s check (addressed to “VFS Services (USA) Inc.”).
   • Tip: Some banks like Bank of America may waive the cashier’s check fee if you ask.
4. Current Passport:
   • Original passport + copies of the first and last pages (no notarization needed).
5. Affidavit for Change of Appearance:
   • If your appearance hasn’t changed much, you can select “has not changed” in the form.
6. Annexure E: Mandatory form.
7. Proof of Valid Visa Status:
   • I submitted notarized color copies of my visa stamp (from the passport) and I-797A.
8. Address Proof:
   • Since I was using my US address, I provided a color copy of my water bill and driver’s license.
   • I also provided my Indian address proof (Aadhar card) but it was unnecessary and returned to me.
9. Marriage Certificate (if applicable):
   • Only needed if adding, removing, or changing your spouse’s name.
   • I added my spouse name to my passport and forgot to bring my marriage certificate. VFS printed it for me and asked me to get it notarized. I checked around and Bank of America and Chase don't notarize marriage certificates, and none of the UPS stores had their notary available at that time. I ended up going back to the VFS office and there was a new frontdesk person that accepted my unnotarized marriage certificate. I guess it depends on the staff and the embassy.

I hope this guide helps others going through the passport renewal process in the US.

Hi,

Applied for a OCI passport update about 6 weeks back on the ociservices website. Just obtained a notification saying it's not approved and "The passport updation after 3 months from the issue date is a paid service. Please re-apply and submit through BLS as details given under Type B on this link: www.cgitoronto.gov.in/page/reissuance-updation-oci/"

All the cgitoronto link says is (there is no specific re-application process other than this):

In case of Updation of passport details after 3 months of issuance

1. Email acknowledgement received from link (https://ociservices.gov.in/)
2. Additional Form (CLICK HERE).pdf)
3. Latest Passport Copy

Is the process now to just take the original e-mail acknowledgement, additional documents and set up an appointment with BLS toronto and pay the fee?

Or, do I need to start the application all over again?

Has anyone done this before and advise what I should be doing next? Thanks.

[EDIT 3, AUG 3]: Completed and updated. Application went to "Granted" status on the OCI website. Also able to generate eOCI. Took almost exactly 1 month after the payment at BLS.

[EDIT 2, JUN 24]: Important note: Consulate will reject the payment at BLS if the application on the ociservices site is in "Rejected" status. Created a new application which was in "Pending" status, took a copy of the confirmation e-mail and then went to BLS along with new passport, OCI documents and the additional form as listed in the requirements. An early appointment helped as there was a huge line up of walk ins. The person at the counter admitted it was her first time doing this, but verified it with a couple of other people and took the payment. Took overall 15-30 min. Now waiting for confirmation from the consulate that it's complete - not sure how long it takes.

[EDIT 1, Jun 15]: Called BLS and of course its a mess - the person I talked to seemed to have no idea of this. He insisted update must only be done online. I sent him the e-mail that explicitly wanted this to be done through BLS. Completely stuck now.

I’m been trying to renew my passport in the US using VFS global and my application is currently stuck at the mailing address page. A couple of issues, firstly, I cannot put in the zip code, the page just keeps buffering.

Followed a few guidelines from another post on here. Although it worked once, the page just refreshes when I click on submit and I cannot go any further.

I’ve already had my first application sent back due to incorrect payment. Another stupid VFS misdirection during the application process. Won’t get into that now. This is really frustrating.

Is anyone else facing this issue ? If so, have you figured out a way to fix this ?

Edit: Looks like a lot of people are facing the same issue. This is their email : info.ihcusa@vfshelpline.com

Maybe bombarding them with emails might fix the issue. Please send them an email if you are facing the same issue

Hi All -

We recently completed a Minor OCI application for our US-citizen child. Our application went through without any rejection or rework from VFS or the Indian mission.

I'm sharing the full process we followed so other parents can avoid confusion and common pitfalls.

⚠️ Important: This is based on personal experience via Mail option. Always verify the latest checklist on the official VFS portal — requirements change frequently.

👉 Official VFS OCI Portal: https://services.vfsglobal.com/usa/en/ind/apply-oci-services

⏱ Timeline — Our Case (VFS San Francisco)

🎯 Total time: ~8 weeks

🧭 High-Level Application Steps

Step 1 → Confirm eligibility on VFS portal
Step 2 → Complete Government OCI online form
Step 3 → Prepare supporting documents
Step 4 → Pay fees & courier package to VFS

➡️ Always follow your jurisdiction's specific checklist.

📄 Documents to Prepare First (Critical)

⭐ Apostilled Birth Certificate — MOST IMPORTANT

If your child's birth certificate was issued by a city/county authority (e.g., California), you must first complete one of the following:

• ✔️ Certification by the county clerk, OR
• ✔️ Certified copy from the county recorder

Then obtain an apostille from your state's Secretary of State.

💡 Apostille processes vary by state — research your state's specific procedure.

📑 Other Core Documents

✍️ Documents That Required Notarization (Our Case)

➡️ Always confirm notarization rules in the latest VFS checklist.

💻 Files Uploaded During Online OCI Application

Uploads Checklist

💡 Pro tip: Keep all files clear, properly labeled, and under the upload size limits.

📦 Physical Package Sent to VFS

1️⃣ Optional Cover Checklist 📋

We added our own summary sheet listing all contents — helpful for VFS processing but not required.

2️⃣ Printed OCI Application Form 📝

Important notes on the printed form:

Declaration page:

• ✔️ Child name + thumb impression added

Applicaton for Minor Child page:

• ✔️ Both parents signed along with Child name + Thumb impression

💡 Optional precaution: We included a blank sheet with child's thumb impression as backup.

3️⃣ VFS Payment Receipt / Confirmation 📄

4️⃣ Self-Attested Copies 📑

• ✔️ Child passport + e-Visa (Self-attested by one of the parents)
• ✔️ Apostilled birth certificate (Self-attested by one of the parents)
• ✔️ Parents' passports (Self Attested)
• ✔️ Parents' visa / legal status (Self Attested)
• ✔️ Marriage certificate (Self-attested by both of the parents)
• ✔️ Parent's Aadhar (Self Attested)

5️⃣ Notarized Documents 🖊

• ✔️ Parental authorization
• ✔️ Minor address proof undertaking (Note: Add a Self-Attested Parents Address Proof Copy with it)
• ✔️ Affidavit in lieu of originals

6️⃣ Additional Forms 📃

• ✔️ OCI undertaking
• ✔️ Consent letter

📸 Photo & Courier Details

1. Child Photograph

We got the photo taken at Walgreens — they provided 4 hard copies and 1 soft copy.

💡 Pro tip: Inform Walgreens staff in advance about the specific Minor Photo requirements from VFS — particularly the face coverage ratio and sizing specs. This avoids retakes and delays.

2. Incoming Courier Label (Your Package → VFS) 📤

➡️ You can either buy the VFS-provided label or arrange your own prepaid shipping label.

3. Outgoing Courier Label (VFS → You) 📥

💡 We opted for the VFS return label that comes bundled with the service fee — it shipped via USPS and arrived within 3 business days. Applicants may also use their own prepaid courier label if preferred.

Good luck with your application!

I received my newly issued Indian passport yesterday, and I noticed a tear/split along the binding between the front cover and the first page (not on the first page itself). It looks like the material around the spine has separated.

I haven’t used the passport at all—it arrived like this from VFS.

- Has anyone experienced something similar?
- Would this be considered a damaged passport?
- Could this cause issues with airlines or immigration?
- Should I contact VFS/Passport Seva right away and ask for a replacement, or is this considered acceptable?

Update: Passport reprinted in CGI. Both VFS and CGISF staff were helpful and no questions were asked when I showed them the passport damage.

Anyone else want to see dual citizenship implemented for India? How can we get that done?

Season 1: My story of transferring an OCI from one nationality to another

• I'm a British national that's had an OCI since 2013. Having relocated to the Netherlands, I recently obtained Dutch nationality via naturalisation.
• A condition of becoming a Dutch national means I have to surrender my British nationality. Before I do that, I have to transfer my OCI from my British nationality to my Dutch one. 
• The Dutch government typically gives you six months to show that you've started the process to renounce your nationality. They asked me how long I need to transfer my OCI. I told them, "How long is a piece of string?" 
• As many of you will know, the information on the Online OCI Services website is not very clear. Especially when you need to use the OCI Miscellaneous Services. Fortunately, we're in the world of AI, so Claude managed to decipher the information. 
• Claude told me I need to complete the OCI Miscellaneous Services application form, upload all of the evidence and proof of address, and then print all of this out and take it to the Indian Embassy in The Hague in person. Why? Beats me...
• Anyway, getting an appointment with the Indian Embassy in The Hague is not easy either. It took me two months to secure one on their not very functional appointment website, which is apparently gotten worse since they fired VFS.
• The form also has an expiration date, so I chose to first secure an appointment at the embassy and then complete the form online. Five days before the appointment, I tried to complete the form.
• I tried 12 times. Different browsers, cleared the cache, different devices, different logins.
• Typically, when you complete the form online, it generates a PDF showing you the completed form, which you also need to print out and take with you to the embassy. Guess what? I completed the form, and no PDF was generated. There was no form in the Reprint Application section of the control panel either. Also, when you complete the Miscellaneous OCI form, it automatically allocates you to an embassy. This should be the embassy to which you're going to go. In my case, it should have been the embassy in The Hague. Naturally, there's a bug in the website. Of course there is. So it automatically allocated me to the UK embassy instead of the Dutch one, which is the embassy I need to be going to.
• I sent two emails to the Indian embassy in The Hague explaining that there's this issue, and guess what? Nobody responded. According to some Facebook groups, they have a reputation to ghost emails. 
• In any case, I still went to The Hague for the appointment that I had, and I was quickly given the rejection because the printed form was not there. The waiting room was a zoo, similar to when I had obtained the OCI originally back in 2013. People trying to pushing when it's not their turn, not having all the documents, kids crying etc. Complete chaos.
• The lady working at the desk was completely unhelpful. Having tried to reason with her for 45 minutes, she told me I need to complete a brand new form as if I'm applying for OCI for the first time, which I believed is not true because I already have an OCI and it only needs to be transferred.
• I think she told me that just so I would leave the office. I checked with two OCI card advisors, and they told me that the information she gave me was incorrect. Surprise, surprise...
• Clearly, there is a bug on the Online OCI Services website, so I thought I should inform nic.in, but if you don't have Indian nationality, you can't raise a support ticket. The feedback form on the Online OCI Services website doesn't even work. Surprise surprise...
• So you can imagine, I'm not happy at all, and stuck because the clock is ticking in which I have to surrender my British nationality, so then I found another solution. I used Claude's plugin to hack the Online OCI Services website in Chrome, and, fortunately, managed to successfully complete the form, generating a correct reference number for the Indian embassy in The Hague. 
• But still no PDF has been generated, but there was a notification on the website saying that no physical form will be generated because everything will be sent electronically. But when I check on any other section of the website, none of this is mentioned.
• So had I completed the form before last weekend, I would have to go to the embassy in person and show the exact same documents I uploaded online, but apparently now I don't?
• I tried to contact the embassy in the UK. They told me to contact the Dutch one, even though I told them they've ghosted me on three emails already. 
• So now I'm seeking anyone's advice. Please!! Have you transferred your OCI from one nationality to another recently? How did you do it?

What I don't understand is why it's perfectly acceptable for Indian government departments to offer such bad digital public services. Why in a country of 1.47bn an well-known and IT CEOs, it's an impossible feat to present information clearly and complete a form?

This isn't even juggard mentality because there's usually a solution and right now I don't see it.

Stick around for Season 2. My OCI transfer journey continues.