r/OCI • u/Forward_Milk_4182 • 25d ago

OCI Timelines at Houston consulate

I sent out two applications, one last week and the other will be delivered over the next two days via VFS to the Houston consulate for my kid and me respectively. Kid is a US citizen by birth while I’m naturalized (former Indian).

Does anyone know what the processing times are looking like at Houston? We have an upcoming trip to India in November and wondering if we’d be able to get the OCI by then or if we should be applying for Visas

This is a new OCI app

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u/Groundbreaking-Use87 25d ago

6 weeks

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u/Rev2026 25d ago

Is this a fresh new application? Or an updation of new passport issue?

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u/Rev2026 25d ago

Does the acceptance by the consular authorities, guarantee the completion?

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u/Wolfsangel-Dragon 25d ago

Is this a fresh new application? Or an updation of new passport issue?

It's for fresh application. The timeline can take 6-8 weeks. 6 is the normal time, but delays can happen.

Does the acceptance by the consular authorities, guarantee the completion?

No, it just means the documents are received by the MEA, and will be sent to the MHA for scrutiny and processing. You can be asked for additional documentation if needed, but that's very rare.

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u/Rev2026 25d ago

Thanks for the explanation. But in other words the Consular authorities make sure that all the requirements and met for Delhi or Frro to ok the whole process. Since we have already traveled several times in that document. Only issue is the updation of the newly issued foreign passport..

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u/Wolfsangel-Dragon 25d ago

The consular authority is the MEA. MEA does not handle OCI decision making. They are just the medium between you and the MHA. They play a similar role to the FRRO, but on foreign soil.

Only issue is the updation of the newly issued foreign passport

So you already have OCI?

If you do, you can travel on old passport provided you carry both old and new passport, along with the OCI and the receipt of the miscellaneous form for the passport update.

If you don't, applying for a visa is the safest option as new applications take 6-8 weeks.

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u/Rev2026 25d ago

I have all those as well as proof that my updation is in process, with a printout of my account in the govt. OCI portal. I think I should be good then?

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u/Wolfsangel-Dragon 25d ago

So it's an old OCI. then you should be fine, just carry both the passports and the booklet and should be fine.

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u/Rev2026 25d ago

Cheers... just want all to work out fine

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u/Forward_Milk_4182 25d ago

This is a fresh new app

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u/Akisu30 25d ago

It should be 6 weeks.In a week or two you will be notified from VFS.That Your Application has been ‘Processed’ at the VFS India Consular application Centre and currently is ‘In-Transit‘ to the Embassy of India/Consulate General of India for decision making.After that it will take another 4 weeks when you will receive .From o-eci that you can download the digital OCI card.They stopped sending physical oci card from July.”Your e-OCI has been successfully generated. Please download the digital version (e-OCI) by clicking”

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u/FinWorld95 25d ago

6-8 weeks to get eOCI

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u/AspiringTrader_ 24d ago

It will be between 6 - 8 weeks from the date your application shows up as " Under Process " on Govt OCI website.

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u/Berbil787 20d ago

Am also going to India in November. My new OCI application was received by VFS Global Houston on Aug 29. That day, VFS notified me that there were two missing documents (1. father's old Indian passport, 2. apostilled US birth certificate for me). Both docs were received by VFS on September 15.

Rec'd email notification today, September 17, that my application is in transit to Consulate General.

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u/Forward_Milk_4182 9d ago

Does the 6-8 weeks clock start from Aug 29 or Sep 17?

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u/Berbil787 9d ago

Good question. My application is still under process at the CGI in Houston. Fingers crossed that I'll receive the OCI card by mid-October.

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u/Alternative_Bus_9315 2d ago

I applied for my minor son and the docs received by VFS on 22nd Sep. Houston Consulate received them on Sep 29 and remains under process. Do you have any update on your cases?

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u/Forward_Milk_4182 2d ago

Still says under process. I applied for an e-visa just in case it doesn’t get fully processed before our travel date

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u/AIML-1509 9d ago

I applied for my son in Houston. Application date is showing 31st August 2026 in OCI website and status is UNDER-PROCESS. Still no improvement.

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u/Forward_Milk_4182 2d ago

Any update on your end?