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Month: November 2016

How NRIs, OCIs Can Exchange Currency Notes of Rs. 500 & 1000?

How NRIs, OCIs Can Exchange Currency Notes of Rs. 500 & 1000?

Currency Notes of Rupees 500 & 1000 ‘Banned’!

Non-residents of India (NRIs), Person of Indian Origin (PIO) and Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) must be at unrest these days. The sudden declamation from PM Narendra Modi interprets that denomination of INR 500 and INR 1000 would no more be a legal tender since 9th November, 2016.

The Indian diaspora abroad is in critical situation. Withdrawal of funds has been strictly restricted to INR 20,000 per week for it. Moreover, only INR 5000 can be exchanged from foreign exchange counter at airport.

‘Limit’ for Cash- Deposit!

Those who have parked currency notes of the foretold denomination can deposit as well as exchange from their respective banks. It’s an effort to bring black money in light. Those who have parked Indian currency in abundance at their home must have to either deposit or exchange.

According to the recent announcement, the funds upto INR 2.5 lakh can be deposited without disclosing its source. It would be considered as white money. But if the depositing amount exceeds this limit, the person must have to disclose its source along. Then only, he/she shall be exempted from any legal action and penalty.

‘Penalty’ for Parking Black Money

Those who fail to produce source of parking amount shall be penalized under benami law. The quantum of penalty is fixed, i.e. 200% of the unaccounted money. Also, the person can be jailed for one to seven years.

‘Limit’ for Cash-Withdrawal!

Since banks and ATMs are running out of cash, Indian government has decided to frame certain limit for cash withdrawal. A person can fill the withdrawal form worth INR 10,000 and get it easily. But the maximum limit is set, i.e. INR 20,000 from his/her bank in a week.

And this limit has been shortened for dispensing amount through ATM kiosks. Only INR 2500 can be dispensed per day by an individual from the ATM of any bank. And if the person withdraws from another bank’s ATM, the limit will be INR 2,000 only. For example, if I am an SBI account holder, I can withdraw INR 2,500 from its kiosk. But if I do the same from HDFC’s kiosk, I can get only INR 2,000.

Now, 2500 petrol pumps are aligned for catering convenience. People can swipe their SBI card from their swiping machine and take away upto INR 2000 to their home. Very soon, the number of such petrol pumps will be around 20,000.

‘Limit’ for Exchanging Indian Currency Notes

Every person of this origin can exchange old currency note from 9th November, 2016. Like deposit and withdrawing limit, the mount to be exchanged shall not be more than rupees 4,000 per day.

Steps to Exchange Indian Currency with Foreign Currency:

  • Go to the bank where you have NRE or NRO account.
  • Fill an application form to exchange money. The guidelines of each bank may vary. So, please read carefully before filling it.
  • Enclose identity proof like Nativity Certificate or PAN card or OCI card. Confirm it with the bank which documents do they accept.  
  • Take original as well as photocopy of the original docs also.

Foreign tourists can exchange their banned currency from any bank.  For them, the limit is upto INR 5,000. At bank, they have to follow the same procedure as told above. They have to take along their identity proof.

How NRIs can exchange INR from foreign country, like US, UK, UAE and Dubai etc.?

By four ways:

  • In-person visit Indian or Foreign Banks
  • Through NRO account
  • From RBI’s exchange counters
  • Through Authority Letter

How can they deposit from Indian or foreign bank of US, UK, UAE and Dubai etc.?

  • Visit bank with desirable INR
  • Show passport, visa, PAN card, debit card details & address proof of the resident country
  • Show evidence of its source
  • Get exchanged amount.
  • The foreign banks will deduct @ conversion rate.

How can they exchange from India while being in US, UK, UAE and Dubai etc.?

  • Get ‘Authority Letter’ form from bank in India on mail from your relatives.
  • Fill it.
  • Courier or fax it with your bank details, identity proof, passport and PAN card.
  • Inform the authorized person to take his/her own identity proofs and your authority letter along with.
  • When he/she deposits, get the amount transferred through e-conduits like Paypal and Paytm.
  • Withdraw the amount through your NRO account.

How can NRIs exchange INR from Reserve Bank of India (RBI)?

  • Fly down to India.
  • Visit regional office of RBI with old denomination.
  • Take along the valid identity proofs (like PAN card, passport, Aadhaar card & visa).
  • Show bank details, like debit card number and CVV no.
  • Show the source of that currency.
  • Deposit the amount.
  • Withdraw only INR 10,000 per day & INR 20,000 per week.

The above mentioned directions are directed by the honourable Indian government on 9th Nov. 2016. These directions are likely to be changed in future. So, stay tuned with the latest update regarding demonetization in our upcoming blogs.

Checklist of Documents to Get OCI Card Online

Checklist of Documents to Get OCI Card Online

Merger of PIO card to OCI

The bulletin of merging Person of Indian Origin (PIO) card in OCI card created chaos in Indian community abroad in 2014. Non-residents were stricken with fear. Actually, the then prime minister of India Narendra  Modi announced this merger. It was a shocking moment for the emigrants’ community since the PIO card was the only licence to battle the difficulties during visits to India.

It’s good news for the Indian diaspora abroad that it has got leverage of lifetime visit to the nation. Conversely, the persons of India could enjoy this leverage for just 15 years.

Checklist of the Documents required for OCI:

Emigrants trap in confusion when it comes to submission of documents. Lacking any document from the checklist of conversion is likely to rejection. Therefore, it is recommended to get well-prepped with the whole checklist in advance.

Documents required:

  • Completely filled OCI application form with its three duplicate copies
  • Citizenship certificate
  • Registration permit and its copy in case the applicant arrived to India 90 days before submitting the OCI application.
  • Parents’/ Grandparents’ passport of India (It can be current or expired.)
  • Passport and its photocopy with at least 6 months validity
  • Indian visa with 3 months validity or PIO card
  • Birth Certificate in case the applicant is applying on the basis of his/her parents or grandparents.
  • Marriage certificate
  • Land ownership records
  • 3 photographs with either grey or white background and no spectacles /caps measuring 35mmX35mm
  • Affidavit or application if the name of the applicant or its spelling has been changed.
  • Demand draft of INR 15,000 as a payment if the applicant did not get OCI card online. It can be varied. If it is merged, the fee would be nil or nominal against the postal service. The demand draft should be made in favour of account officer (Secretariat) Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), New Delhi.

Are you confused over what would be the documents of parents and grandparents? Let’s have a roundup of these valid proofs:

  • Proof of being Indian citizen at the time its constitution was declared. It can be their birth certificate, school certificate or land ownership records.
  • Proof of their belongings to this country on 15th August, 1947
  • Proof of their citizenship on 26th January 1950. It can be the domicile certificate issued by the competent authority or their passport.

What if the applicant fails to prove his citizenship?

At such critical time, the applicant must obtain nativity certificate. It is issued by the state government. It officially declares that the authentic relation of the applicant with his/her parents and grandparents.

It can be any Baptism certificate issued by the church and attested by the Collector/ District Magistrate.

How to Apply for Police Clearance Certificate in Mumbai Online?

How to Apply for Police Clearance Certificate in Mumbai Online?

Police clearance certificate is essential when you are likely to get temporarily settle in the foreign. Even, your employer may ask to submit it while appointing you in the form. Simply put, this is a significant legal document that discloses criminal background, if there is any.

Every ward or district has its own police commissioner that puts his stamp and signature on it. In foreign, it is valid for six months. Thereafter, it is to be renewed and submitted to the competent foreign ministry.

Procedure to Apply for it in Mumbai Online

Here is the procedure that can help you apply for the PCC in Mumbai online: 

  • Visit the link: https://pcs.mahaonline.gov.in/Forms/Home.aspx
  • Click as being a New User radio button.
  • A registration form will pop up. Fill personal, address and other information, providing valid details.
  • Hit the ‘Submit’ button.
  • Now, you need to upload supporting documents. It’s a bit tricky job, as you need to upload them in a standard size, meeting the guideline. Each document should be sized in between 75kb and 100 kb. A PDF compressor can make your day. Just upload your documents in it and re-size them all. A few tools are advanced enough that you don’t need to crop or resize the document. These can crop your signature and photograph automatically.

Once you have done with their size, upload them to the maha website.

  • Get the receipt number or code online and save it somewhere on the desktop so that you can get its access instantly later.

Payment Mode

This service is chargeable. So, you need to pay a nominal fee, which is around INR150. This competent authority can revise it anytime. It’s always better to ask about it prior.

Physical Visit to Nearby Station    

Once you have applied PCC online, it won’t be verified. You need to physically see the police officer in the nearby police station. As far as the day of appointment is concerned, it is not fixed. You can generally go there in two days from the date of payment. Else, you have seven days to have it from there. If you exceed those days, your application will be cancelled. There is no provision to reimburse the paid amount.  Be aware of this fact.

Here, take along with the photocopy and originals of supporting documents. The police commissioner may ask for cross-verification of those docs.

A Call Upon Approval

The local police department will contact you within 1 or 2 days through an SMS notification on behalf of Maharashtra government. This would be a confirmation message. Subsequently, the one from the SP or CP office will contact you for informing about the receiving of that certificate. It would describe how you can get it downloaded from the website.

This police website does not support updated version of the browser. So, you should raise a request for downloading with the old browser. This experience would be seamless if you use chrome or Mozilla of the version appeared before 2016. Alternatively, you can ask a person in the nearby cyber café to print it out.

If you are encountering challenges in meeting your filling form purpose, ask a professional. The system operators or data entry executives in the cyber café can help you out. Even, they can resize the photographs and documents corresponding to the given standards so that you won’t face off delays or more challenges. This trick can also save time for you. Mostly NRIs prefer this option to ensure quick submission of their PCC application.

How to Apply for Marriage Certificate in Mumbai, India

How to Apply for Marriage Certificate in Mumbai, India

Life takes a giant leap since the big day arrives. It’s the wedding bells that ring the transformation in the life of the spouses. Most of the couples forget to register it. It’s the biggest flaw that can prove the biggest mistake ever.

Before understanding how, we must have knowledge under which acts the wedding is registered. Since India is a secular country, it has constituted two acts for this purpose. These are the Hindu Act 1955 and the Special Marriage Act 1954. The apex court, i.e. Supreme Court, has implemented these acts as mandatory to follow in 2006. This order was executed for protecting women.

The Hindu Marriage Act 1955:  

Hindu citizens are free to solemnize marriage willingly with traditional customs and related tantrums. Nonetheless, the Indian constitution has formulated an act called the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 to get it legalized. It becomes a licit proof to claim authentic relation of a married couple.

The Special Marriage Act 1954:   

This act was drafted with a special motto. India is a land of diversity where communities of different religion live together. However, different communities prefer to solemnize wedding in their own community but it’s not mandatory. Any person can arrange inter-religious marriage, if willing. Although some communities, like Jat, forbade it yet the Supreme Court has approved this matrimonial arrangement under this act.

What documents are required to apply for marriage certificate post wedding?

  • Application form
  • Date of birth proofs of husband and wife
  • Address proof of both
  • 4 passport size photographs
  • 1 marriage photograph
  • Affidavit
  • Aadhaar card
  • Marriage invitation card

How to apply for marriage certificate in Mumbai, India online?

  • The spouses must visit the office of Assistant-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) during working days.
  • Fill the marriage certificate application form. It must be attested by both, husband and wife.
  • Enclose the mandatory documents along with application & submit.
  • The recipient officer will verify them on the same day while an interview with the SDM is fixed for some another day.
  • Both spouses along with Gazetted Officer must be present on the day of interview with the ADM together. After their one-o-one, the competent authority issues it on the same day.

How to apply this certificate online through S2NRI?

  • Visit the sitewww.services2nri.com/MarriageCertificate
  • Create login supplying password. If the applicant is not registered, get it registered. Thereafter, he/she can login easily.
  • Scan and send the authority letter along with the foretold documents to S2NRI. Since marriage certificate can’t be issued in case of absentia, therefore, this authority letter is a must.
  • Meanwhile, the backend team of S2NRI will be in touch with you while supplying every update through email.
  • Get mail for registration, receipt of the document and delivery messages on your registered email Id.
  • Within 2 to 4 weeks, it will send a soft copy of your original marriage certificate after payment.

Like Tatkaal Passport Seva for getting passport, the applicants willing to get marriage certificate on urgent note can procure it. The Revenue Department of Delhi government has introduced this hasty service in April 2014 provided that the applicant must pay INR 10,000 during registration. For it, the online registration process should be conducted.  Subsequently, this certificate is delivered within 24 hours.

Interview with ADM:

In first case (i.e. Hindu Marriage Act), the applicants must register online within 15 days of marriage. It is mandatory to do so. But if it’s the case of the Special Marriage Act, the duration is elongated. The couple can register to get the valid proof of marriage within 60 days.

How many witnesses required?

The couple must accompany the eye-witness of its big-day. It is a must for the witness to take along his/her PAN Card and address proof as valid proof of his/her identity.

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