Do I need to send in the (US) passport for OCI?
 

FAQ says the passport is required at a later stage, but CKGS says the application is incomplete and requesting the passport to be sent (we'd sent a copy with the initial application).

Which is it? :confused:

To answer my own question, the passport is just needed for the verification and will be sent back in 1-2 weeks, while the processing continues.

correct....they don't hold on to your passport during processing....however, there have been some reports of oci being processed fairly quickly these days....some people have reported receiving it in as little as 15 days....so they may just hold on to your passport & return it at the same time as the oci....

1-2 weeks is absurd to check a passport, especially since its only to check if the paperwork you scanned and submitted during the application is correct. Here in Munich the agent in the consulate takes a quick look at the original and the scan/copy and returns the passport on the spot. :rolleyes:

For my wife's application which she applied in Feb in person at the Chicago application center (Cox & Kings), they did keep the passport but it was returned within 2-3 days. We did have to pay an additional $15 (mandatory) fedex charge for the privilege.