What information did I need for this process online?

Items needed:

Biographic information

US Passport number and information from the passport

and Visible recognition mark on the body

Where did I fill this form out?

I registered online first. The link to register online is here.

Can I apply as a family?

Yes. Husband, wife, and minor children can apply in one form. Individuals in another. My parents did the family and I did the individual.

That was Part A. After registering online, Part B printed out. Part B there is a lot of information I have to fill in and send it in to the immigration office.

Why did we choose to go the K-1 route?

First, I could not get enough time off work to go to India, get married there and come back here. Secondly, after thorough research, I found that the K-1 Fiance visa process was going to be a much faster process than the K-3 which was my next option.

What paperwork did I need?

Lots! Details will follow.

What is a K-1 Visa anyway?

Here is my understanding. A K-1 visa is a Fiance Visa. A United States Citizen (USC) can apply for this visa to bring his/her fiance to the United States. The visa allows the foreign national fiance to enter the united states for 3 months. This should be sufficient time for the couple to decide if they want to get married. If they do wish to get married, they should within 90 days of the foreign fiance’s entrance in the US and also apply for Adjustment of Status (AOS) within those 90 days.

What is the OCI Scheme?

The Indian Constitution does not allow an Indian national to be a citizen of India and another country at one time. So to address the vast Indian Diaspora, the Indian government incorporated the OCI scheme where in a person of Indian origin (if eligible to be a citizen of India after 1952 or via Indian citizen parents/or parents eligible for OCI) can avail most of the benefits of Indian Citizenship without actually being a citizen.

What can you NOT do as an OCI?

You definitely cannot vote, hold publuc office, or buy agricultural land.

Why am I getting an OCI?

Well, for one, if in the future I decide to move back to India, I will not have to worry about being able to buy land or ever have to worry about living freely in India. Plus, I can go to India and return as I please. Plus when my children are born, they can also avail the benefits of their homeland if they should choose to go back and forth often eough. Someday in the future, I hope to move.

What is the procedure?

Its a several part process.

Part 1: You have got to be eligible to be an OCI. Eligibility criteria and FAQs can be found here.

Part 2: Once you determine that you are eligible to be an OCI, go online and fill out the form and simply follow instructions.

Part 3:  Send it in to the appropriate consulate.

Part 4: Wait

Part 5: Check you status online and if approved, celebrate, then send in your US passport and Indian passport.

Part 6: Wait

Part 7: Check your passports when they are returned.

Part 8: Go to India and celebrate one more time.

Details to follow.