OCI

This High Commission started accepting applications for OCI with effect from January 9, 2006. Applications for OCI service can be made only at the OCI services counter at the High Commission between 1000 hrs to 1200 hrs. on all working days and are currently not being accepted through post. Please reach the High Commission security counter early to obtain the entry token for the OCI services counter as these are issued in limited numbers(15 tokens). Tokens will be issued to applicants on first come first served basis. Applicants are advised to ensure that no column of the application is left unattended. Apart from affixing photographs and signatures at the designated places on the application, it may also be ensured that the requisite numbers of spare photographs (04 in all) of prescribed size are enclosed with the application. Photographs should be 35X35 mm in size with white background, front pose, both shoulders and both ears visible . Applicant’s signature/thumb impression should not touch outlines of the signature box. The existing foreign passport, cancelled or expired Indian Passport if available and their photocopies also need to be enclosed along with the application. Fee for OCI services will be as under: S.No. Particulars of different services of Overseas Citizenship of India scheme. Fee in £ stg 1. Registration as an Overseas Citizen of India under Sec 7A of the Act. 165.00 2. Renunciation of Overseas Citizenship of India. 018.00 3. Issue of duplicate certificate to Overseas Citizen of India. 018.00 4. Registration as an Overseas Citizen of India of Person of Indian origin Cardholder. 018.00 5. Fee for transferring visa from expired passport to new passport. 004.00 6. Refund of fee on rejection of OCI application for registration. 138.00 The fee will be collected in cash or in British Postal Orders only. In case, you are paying fee in cash please bring exact amount. If paying by postal orders, only crossed postal orders in favour of the High Commission of India, London will be accepted. Please note that cheques and drafts are not accepted for payment of fees. OCI cards may be ready for collection in approximately 8 to 12 weeks

INDIAN VISA

All foreign nationals, including children, require a visa to enter India The Consulate General of India in Birmingham and the Consulate General of India in Edinburgh also issue Indian visas. Persons wishing to apply at the Consulates should obtain the visa application form and other relevant details directly from them. General Visa Requirements The general requirements for visas are: Original passport valid for at least six months Correct visa fee Two Recent passport-size photographs (five photographs in case of Pakistani nationals) Supporting documents, where necessary(Birth certificate,marriage certificate,utility bill etc) Duly completed application form (Pakistani and Bangladeshi nationals need to apply on special application forms) To submit application in Birmingham office click here LINKS To Learn About Submitting OIC application,click here For More information About OIC , click here For More information About The benefits of seeking OCI ,click here To download OIC application form Click Here For Address of high commission offices in United Kingdom click here Holding of an Indian passport by a foreign national constitutes an offence under the Indian Laws.Click Here

NATURALISATION or BRITISH CITIZENSHIP

Once you have been in the UK for a period of time you may qualify to apply for naturalisation as a British Citizen. This may give you significant advantages, for example, if you need to regularly travel within Europe since as the holder of a British passport you would not need to apply for a visa or be subject to immigration controls. Please bear in mind, though, that under the laws of some countries a person will lose their nationality of they become a citizen of another country. We strongly recommend that you check with the authorities of your own country before proceeding. There are two main ways to qualify: Naturalisation after five years in the UK Naturalisation after three years in the UK as a spouse of a UK Citizen Naturalisation after five years in the UK In addition, applicants not married to a UK citizen will need to meet the following requirements: you should have been present in the UK exactly five years before the the date you submit your application to the Home Office; you must have held permanent residence/ indefinite leave to remain (ILR) for the 12 months before the application; you should not have been absent from the UK for more than 450 days within the 5 year period (this period can be extended in certain circumstances); you should not have been out of the country for more than 90 days within the previous 12 months; you must not have been in breach of UK immigration rules at any time during the 5 year period. Naturalisation after three years in the UK as a spouse of a UK Citizen People who are married to a British citizen need only have been resident for three years. Additional requirements are as follows: you should have been present in the UK exactly three years before the the date you submit your application to the Home Office; you must have held permanent residence/ indefinite leave to remain (ILR) for the 12 months before the application; you should not have been absent from the UK for more than 270 days during the 3 year period (there is discretion with this rule) you should not have been out of the country for more than 90 days within the previous 12 months. you must not have been in breach of UK immigration rules at any time during the 3 year period. REQUIREMENTS All applicants should: be at least 18 years old; be of good character; have a good command of English, Scottish or Welsh; intend to live in the UK or in Crown Service abroad working directly for a UK Government organisation, or be employed by an international organisation of which the UK is a member, or be employed by a company or association established in the UK have passed the UK government's "Life in the UK" test. You may satisfy the requirement for both knowledge of English language and knowledge of life in the UK by: successfully completing a course of study in ESOL with citizenship. You will need to provide a certificate showing the level you have attained together with a letter from the college certifying that the course citizenship content had the requisite citizenship content. Passing a short test on knowledge of life in the UK at a Life in the UK Test Centre. This test is set in English and passing the test will indicate both knowledge of English and Life in the UK. If you are aged 65 or over or have a mental or physical disability that prevents you from learning English or about life in the UK you may apply for an exemption. IF YOU ARE ALREADY FLUENT IN ENGLISH Passing a test of knowledge of life in the UK – for residents in England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland. Before attempting the test you should read the publication Life in the United Kingdom. A Journey to Citizenship. Once you passed the test download application form ,fill it,enclose documents & payment and post to the address mentioned in the application form. Children below 18 and are not British citizens ,have to submit separate application.Click here to download application form Application Processing Processing times for applications can vary quite considerably, although the Home Office will consider a well presented case for prioritisation (urgent business needs, for example). Please contact one of our consultants for information on this. Once the application has been approved you will be invited to a Citizenship ceremony to undertake an Oath and Pledge of loyalty. You will then be awarded a certificate of naturalisation. Apply For British Passoprt once you are naturalised For further details visit homeoffice website

BRITISH PASSPORT

Indian Citizens who are Naturalised as British Citizens are eligible to apply for British Passport & Child born after getting permanant residenceship are eligible to get British Citizenship & Passport Applying For Child's Passport 1.Get an application from the nearest post office,high street partner or apply online 2.Call Passport Adviceline on 0870 521 0410 to make an appointment at one of the offices. 3.Take photograph and get it attested by an eligible person and get the application form counter signed. 4.On the day of appointment take the documents such as.appointment letter,child's birth certificate,parent's passports,Marriage certificate ,attested photograph,utility bill and fee to the office. 5.Submit the application,pay the fee. Applying For Adult Passport If you need your passport within two weeks you should call 24-hour Passport Adviceline 0870 521 0410 to make an appointment at one of the offices.Alternatively you can make use of check & send service at selected post offices. Documents Required completed application form, signed and countersigned two identical passport photos, one certified documents that prove you are British documents that prove your name change, if applicable payment. You can apply & pay fee for your passport in a number of ways. How to apply By post - not guaranteed standard 3 week service At selected Post Office ® branches & Worldchoice travel agents - two-week Check & Send service By appointment only at passport office counters - guaranteed one-week Fast Track service By appointment only at passport office counters - guaranteed same-day Premium service First adult passport and to replace a lost, stolen, missing or damaged passport. £66 £66 £91 Not available First child passport (also when previously included on a parent's passport) and to replace a lost, stolen, missing or damaged passport. £45 £45 £80 Renewal or Amendment of an existing adult passport. £66 £66 £91 £108 Renewal or Amendment of an existing child passport (if extension does not apply). £45 £45 £80 £93 Extension of a child's passport to full validity (if details, for example, name, national status, have not changed and passport issued before 26 March 1998. Free Free Free Not available Extension of a restricted validity passport. Free Free Free Not available 48 page passport (Not available for children) £77 £77 £97 £114.50 NB: You must pay a handling charge to Post Office Ltd or Worldchoice travel agents. For further details visit www.passport.gov.uk

PR--Perminanent Residency

New Regulation Regarding PR English test must for settling in UK All those seeking to live in Britain permanently will have to pass English language and knowledge of life in the UK tests before being granted permanent settlement rights from April 2 next, it was officially announced . Immigration Minister Liam Byrne said in a statement that it was essential that migrants wishing to live in the UK permanently recognise that there are responsibilities that go with this. "Having a good grasp of English is essential in order for them to play a full role in society and properly integrate into our communities. It is a sign of our success that the UK's work in this area has attracted considerable interest in other countries. Australia, for example, has recently launched a public consultation to gather views on the possible introduction of a similar system there." Introducing mandatory tests for applicants wishing to settle in the UK will bring them into line with the requirements for those seeking British nationality. It will help maximise their contribution to the economy by increasing their job prospects, assist their integration into local communities and generate a greater understanding of the rights and responsibilities that come with living in Britain, the authorities say. Applicants aged 65 or over or who have a physical or mental impairment may not have to meet the language requirement or the knowledge of life in the UK requirement. Indefinite leave to remain (ILR), is an immigration status granted to a person who does not hold right of abode in the United Kingdom, but who has been admitted to the UK without any time limit on his stay and who is free to take up employment or study, without restriction. On 3 April 2006, as a result of a change in the Immigration Rules, the qualifying period for indefinite leave to remain in the categories listed below will increase from 4 to 5 years.After completion of the five years they have to show that the employer still needs their employment. They should also show that their ability to support themselves and their dependents without public funds. Use Form SET(O) to apply for PR for all categories listed below Work permit holder Highly skilled migrant Representative of an overseas newspaper, news agency or broadcasting organisation Private servant in a diplomatic household Domestic worker in a private household Overseas government employee Minister of religion , missionary or member of a religious order Member of the operational ground staff of an overseas-owned airline Person with United Kingdom ancestry Writer, composer or artist Long residence in the UK Victim of domestic violence* (if your applying in this category, you have to complete the Domestic Violence Questionnaire as well as the SET(O) form) Foreign or Commonwealth citizen discharged from HM Forces Other purposes/reasons not covered by other application forms To qualify for indefinite leave to remain, you will have to show that you have already completed 5 years’ continuous leave to enter or remain in the UK in the category/categories concerned, or are within 28 days of doing so. For further information and to obtain application form visit immigraion & nationality directorate wbsite