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NRIs Certificate Checklist to Enter EU Upon Lifting Travel Ban

NRIs Certificate Checklist to Enter EU Upon Lifting Travel Ban

The outbreak of COVID-19 has forced countries to enforce a travel ban. All services across the globe have been paralyzed. Lockdown has been imposed and movements are completely stopped unless it is an emergency.

But now, the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has announced to unlock its flight services. The Spanish Ministry of Interior has permitted unmarried NRIs or unregistered bachelor partners of European Union (EU) citizens to reunite by following a pre-defined procedure of entry.

Spain MFA Lifts Up Travel Ban

This big announcement came in public through the Twitter handle of the Spanish MFA.  It reads:

Given the current #COVID19 travel restrictions, the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with the collaboration of the Ministry of Interior, has established a procedure for the entry into Spain of unmarried/unregistered foreign partners of European Union citizens.”

It subtly states that foreign nationals can re-live with their EU partners, provided that they have contacted the corresponding Consular Office and submitted the requisite documents.  These documents should have proofs of their relationship.

Checklist of Documents

  • Travel proof like plane tickets on the same flight or, a notarized statement by an EU citizen
  • Unmarried certificate that must be apostilled or legalized
  • Proof of an appointment to enter into a contract of marriage in Spain from the Spanish authority, if there is any
  • Registration on the census
  • Joint rental contracts
  • Joint bank account statements
  • Joint invoices
  • Joint ownership of assets
  • Invitations to family events such as weddings, etc.

These documents will have other docs like visa and passport also, which have been generally asked to show up while taking a flight to any European country. This documentation procedure will be similar to the old one, wherein the non-residents have to go to the providers of services to NRIs for getting assistance in enclosing duly attested bachelorhood or marriage proofs by SDM & the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) with the application. In short, this procedure will be a replica of the pre-conducted emigration procedure.

Post Documentation Procedure

Upon submission, the Ministry of Home Affairs will assess the application and verify documents. Then, the applicant NRIs can visit the Consular Office to receive a substantiating certificate, which they must have to board the plane.  The final decision about their compliance with requirements will be made by the migration authorities at the checkpoint.

People have been struggling with coronavirus globally. Now, it would be a big challenge to re-start with the whole procedure from the scratch, scheduling interviews and submitting applications.

Countries Lifting Travel Restrictions

Together with Spain, there are many other countries that have exempted air services from ban. These are Austria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Norway, Switzerland, and the Netherlands.

The non-residents who are bachelors can contact consular office to know about the checklist of certificates to be submitted. However, many of these would include the aforesaid list of documents.

Many have found that the Spanish MFA is unfair in this matter. These are those who have third-country passports. A few more ones are added to the list of unhappy people who cannot provide all documents for legalization or verification.

How NRIs Can Get Certificate of No Marriage Quickly?

How NRIs Can Get Certificate of No Marriage Quickly?

Also called CENOMAR or Certificate of No Impediment, the Certificate of No Marriage is essential to have for tying a knot abroad with a foreign native. This is to manipulate the wrong practice of polygamy or bigamy.

Besides, there are some people who intend to change the status for getting the green card of the foreign nation. It is a legislation that the person who solemnizes marriage with the native of a particular country would become a native of that foreign land by default. So, people often attempt wedding to get it easily.

Why do you need this certificate?

Apart from marriage, there are many other reasons that push you to get this bachelorhood certificate from India. These are to get these visas-Employment/ business visa, student visa, change of status document and visa for dependents from family.

Raise a request with DM/SDM

India has an organized segregation of districts and cities, besides villages. Each district has a competent authority called District Magistrate or Sub-Divisional Magistrate. The NRIs can check the list of their DM or SDM to apply for it online, if this facility is available there.

Else, they can ask their parents or someone from their blood relationship to get to the office in person and apply for it on your behalf. Unfortunately, there is no competent authority as Philippines Statistics Authority (PSA) here, except for Punjab. So, you need to get to the civil court or SDM office for requesting for the single status certificate.

When can you apply for

Since most of the countries ask to submit this unmarried certificate prior marriage, so it is ideal to apply for it one or two months ago. You will have enough time to sail across challenges to get the CENOMAR.

In the meantime, you should have the checklist of the documents that you need to show up in the support of the single status affidavit. Here is the list:

  • Passport with photocopy
  • Divorce Paper, if there is any
  • Death Certificate of the former Spouse, if there is any
  • Photograph of the applicant & 2 witnesses
  • Affidavit/ Application for the Unmarried Certificate
  • Original/ Photocopy of Aadhaar Card/ Driving Licence/ PAN Card

Counter-attestation & days it takes

  • Magistrate or Sub-Divisional Magistrate/Notary: This is the very first phase, wherein you apply for the bachelorhood certificate. The notary public notarises it if it is an affidavit, which takes just a day. So, you can reach at 9 in the morning to get it.
  • Home Department: This is valid for the people of those states where there is home department. Some states like UP that do not have it. So, it’s an optional attestation.
  • MEA: This is essential to get a stamp from the ministry of the external affairs. You cannot approach there directly. But, you can access the outsourcing agencies, which are four at present. One of these communicates on your behalf. But, it may take a week or more.
  • Embassy: This is the last level, wherein you need to inform both embassies, i.e. where you permanently live and where you emigrated to. You can book an appointment and get it done.

Service charges

This service passes through different levels for attestation of the certificate. So, the amount that you need to pay varies at each level. Here is an estimate of the fee that you need to pay for this service:

  • Notary/SDM: INR 100 plus
  • Home Department: Nil
  • MEA: INR 50 for agency plus INR 90 for service charge and INR 3 for scanning per page
  • Embassy: Variable

If you still face off any challenge, you can directly raise an issue with these:

  • Attestation Section/Apostille Cell
    Ministry of External Affairs

    Jawahar Lal Nehru Bhawan, Janapath Marg,
    New Delhi-110011.
    Telephone : 011-49018403011-49018403 (Attestation)
    49018404 (Apostille)
  • CPV Division
    Ministry of External Affairs
    Patiala House Annexe,
    Tilak Marg
    New Delhi -110001
    Tel No. 011-23387104011-23387104

 

how to get certificate of no marriage

FAQs

What is the Certificate of No Marriage?

Single Status Certificate is also called CENOMAR or “Certificate of No Marriage Record” or Bachelorhood Certificate, “Certificate of No Impediment” or “Nulla Osta” in different countries. In India, it is issued as an affidavit-a legal document, mentioning that the bearer is single and has no dependent from previous marriage (if it has been solemnized). It subtly says that the bearer is not in a marriage contract. He or she may be a divorcee or widowed, which also depicts singleness.

When is it required?

It is mandatory to submit it in many foreign countries, especially in Europe, Philippines, Australia, the USA, the UK and many other ones if you are willing to get marriage with the foreigner. The immigration authority and external affairs department seek it for preventing their countrymen from being cheated.

Also, the employer or academic institute in the foreign may also ask NRIs to submit it during and after immigration if your purpose of emigration is employment or study.

Where can NRIs apply for it in India or abroad?

If you need it from India, Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) or District Magistrate is the competent authority to address this request. There is no other authority in India that issues it. You ought to notarize the affidavit while verifying supporting documents with notary public.

Then, legalization (i.e. attestation/authorization/apostille) from the State Home Department and then, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) takes place. This attestation takes place at the back of the stage.  Being an NRI, you have the embassy of India as an option to apply with. It fulfills all requirements of attestation or apostille services on its own.

What is legalization of Certificate of No Marriage?

Legalisation means verifying details mentioned in the affidavit while cross-checking if all supporting documents are genuine. These documents check authenticity of the bearer’s identity, address, birth, citizenship and guardians’ proofs. The competent authorities in India, such as SDM and then, MEA, attest and counter-attest respectively this affidavit upon verifying all details of the candidate who applies for it. Subsequently, all foreign countries accept it as an authentic proof of being a bachelor.

Is it necessary to get it attested? How can you get it attested in India?

Yes, it is necessary. You can visit e-sanad website, which is an online service by the government. Unfortunately, it is yet to be available across India. Only a few states and districts have this facility.

Those who are fortunate, they can enclose all supporting documents together with the certificate of no marriage, which is an affidavit. Upload documents and pay the requisite fee online. Upon being attested by the MEA, you get a sticker on your affidavit, denoting that it’s been apostilled.

However, the MEA does not accept direct applications for its attestation. You have to contact the outsourcing agency near you to get it done.

Besides, there are two addresses to contact with in case you face off challenges:

Attestation Section/Apostille Cell
Ministry of External Affairs
Jawahar Lal Nehru Bhawan, Janapath Marg,
New Delhi-110011.
Telephone : 011-49018403011-49018403 (Attestation)
49018404 (Apostille)

CPV Division
Ministry of External Affairs
Patiala House Annexe,
Tilak Marg
New Delhi -110001
Tel No. 011-23387104011-23387104

For NRIs, the consulate does it all by itself. The applicant can fill an online form for this document on the Indian embassy website for the particular country. Then, he needs to select a slot for the interview or physical verification. After that, mark the presence in the consulate and get it immediately.

Is apostille stamp acceptable in all countries?

No, it is not valid for all countries. Only 63 countries are members of the Hague Convention, which needs apostille services for all documents.

If you need it for the country that is apart from those 63 nations, you have to visit or contact the outsourcing agency in India, or, embassy if you’re in abroad.

Which countries need the apostille/ attestation of this certificate? 

Afghanistan, Jamaica, Sudan, Algeria, Jordan, Syria, Angola, Kenya, Taiwan, Bangladesh, Kuwait, Tanzania, Benin, Laos, Togo, Burkina Faso, Lebanon, Thailand, Burma (Myanmar), Libya, Turkmenistan, Cambodia, Macedonia, UAE (United Arab Emirates), Cameroon, Madagascar, Uganda, Canada, Malaysia, Vietnam, Chile, Mali, Yemen, China, Mauritania,  Zambia, Congo Republic, Nepal, Zimbabwe, Congo Democratic, Niger, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Cuba, Pakistan, Egypt, Palestine, Eritrea, Philippines, Ethiopia, Qatar, Ghana, Rwanda, Guinea, Saudi Arabia, Haiti, Senegal, Indonesia, Sierra Leone, Iran, Singapore, Iraq and Sri Lanka

Which supporting documents are needed to enclose with it?

  • Photographs
  • Original Passport & its photocopy
  • Decree Absolute, if divorced
  • Affidavit (of spouses, parents and witnesses)
  • Death certificate (of deceased spouse, if widowed)
  • Original and photocopy of Aadhaar Card/ Voter ID Card/Driving licence

How much does its attestation cost?

The cost may vary, as the competent authority has a right to update it at any point of time. You need to check with the official website of the government or the outsourcing services provider for NRIs.

  • Notary/Affidavit: INR 20 to INR 100 (variable)
  • Home Department: Nil
  • Apostille: INR 50 (may be revised)
  • Embassy: Variable (in thousands of Rupees)
  • MEA: INR 50 (agency charges) + INR 90/- (Service Fee)+ INR 3 per page (Scanning Fee)

How many days does it take to deliver the document?

The postal orders service has been discontinued for normal attestation. So, its delivery can take more than a month.

The US President May Suspend Immigration of Indians

The US President May Suspend Immigration of Indians

It’s not a new thing for the president of the USA who has recently announced that he may order for temporarily turning off approving immigration permission or its renewal for Indians. The terror of widespread pandemic COVIID-19 is still on due to which its economy is tussling hard. Around 15 million people in that continent have lost their jobs. It’s really a hard time when people are struggling to save life. The NRIs are feeling no earth under their feet. Now, they have one more apprehension to face off, i.e. unemployment.

There are many Indians who are looking for revising their visa. Most of these are the employees of the IT companies and technology professionals. They are under a deep shock.  It seems another sequence of “Americans first” regime.

When the US president Trump tweeted in the late night on Monday, the non-residents’ fear for ousting came up front. A New York based immigration lawyer Cyrus D Mehta threw light on it.

Here are the key points that are creating a threat to the people with Indian passport there:

Impact on Indian Nationals

However, it is not clear who is going to be impacted with this decision. The details are yet to come out. But, the surfacing of apprehension is obvious because of the history. Previously, such steps had been taken while keeping aside the rights of the green cards holders. Their travel ban had been executed and there was a massive cut in the workforce from this origin. However, it is really unconstitutional to halt entry in the US.  

The Worst Hit Visa Category

The executive order will likely to impact prospective aspirants from this country. Although there is going to have a little impact of the green card holder who are yet to receive confirmation on either a non-immigrant visa or an immigrant visa from the US consulates and embassy.

Stranded Indian Tourists

Those who have travel visa will likely not to be impacted unless they ask to extend their non-immigrant visa to stay there or apply for the change of the status while being in the US.

Legal Challenges

The executive order or EO may likely to face off zillions of challenges in the court. One court or more may issue a preliminary injunction and halt it unless the Apex court of this continent nods for hearing the matter.

Prospective Exemptions 

There are hearsays about the exemption of the farm workers, who are there on the H2A visas. Besides, the healthcare workers can also get the opportunity to stay there because of the pandemic spreading widely, taking off lives in millions.

Source: The Economic Times

How Can You Verify Documents in India For Foreign Trip?

How Can You Verify Documents in India For Foreign Trip?

If you are still worried about how to verify your police clearance or birth certificate, keep them all aside. You can easily do this and get off all hurdles that cap put your foreign trip or visit on halt.

Here, we are going to share everything about how to get your certificates apostilled in India. Let’s get started with a short brief about it.

Apostille

It is a prominent authority that can sign all papers that you need to get attested for immigration. You can take it as an attestation service. It is available in the Hague Convention countries only. Nobody knew about it before 1961, as it was not convened. When multiple times authentication of visa, passport, birth certificate, transcripts or other immigration papers looked difficult to carry on, the intellects from various countries had set its foundation on 25th October, 1980. As of now, 101 countries are its member.

The greatness of this service lies in its global acceptance. The legalisation conducted by one member country is accepted by another one, which is a part of this convention.

What kind of certificates does it legalise?

It mainly verifies personal documents, which can be a birth certificate, death certificate, marriage certificate, educational degree or mark sheet etc..

You cannot give duplicates of the aforesaid papers to go abroad for any reason. It is put on the originals. Besides, you should enclose the first and the last page copy of your passport.

One thing that you should always keep into account is that the Ministry of External Affairs has designated a few agencies with this task, which acts as an NRI consultant to get you through the typicality of this process. You should be extra careful from the fraudulent, which makes you a fool by taking money, but does not do anything. So, always ask about their experience and check their authenticity through their ratings on Google Maps & feedbacks, at least. Or, you can counter them with questions about how they do and who have considered them before.

Who does apostille certificate?

The designated signatory can be any of these Class I Gazetted Officers:

  • Director
  • Magistrate
  • Deputy Director
  • Section Officer
  • Commissioner
  • Chief Secretary
  • Joint Secretary
  • Assistant Secretary
  • Deputy Commissioner
  • Resident Commissioner
  • Sub Divisional Magistrate

Do you need to go for any other attestation before?

Yes, you may need to get your papers stamped from the state’s HRD. It would verify and check if all your papers for immigration are original. Thereafter, you should go to the notary public with the same request.

As I said, you ‘MAY’ need to go there, it is not compulsory. You can skip going there and catch up with an experienced NRI consultant to directly legalise your papers from the MEA.

About Fee

The verification from the state HRD or the MEA, both, is a paid service. However, both ministries charge minimally, which means you need to pay a nominal fee for it.

Timeline

Since it is about examining your documents if they are not fake, the competent authorities sluggishly do this. The reason might be that the ministries go deep with examination of their legality, which can be time taking.

All in all, the state government may take one or two working days. But, the MEA’s processing could be long. It may complete the whole processing in 3 to 4 weeks.

DigiLocker to Avail Online Attestation on Aadhaar & PAN Card

DigiLocker to Avail Online Attestation on Aadhaar & PAN Card

The world will soon transform into a digital landscape. India is also looking forward for jumping into the same bandwagon. Sluggishly, its every arena is witnessing this makeover. To add one more feather to the hat of digital India, its government has introduced the concept of a DigiLocker. The UIDAI (Unique Identification Authority of India) incorporates the government in inserting this evolutionary service.

As its name suggests, the DigiLocker is an occupied space on the cloud platform. It can act as a conduit wherein you can plunge into the desirable service of documentation. Be it in a context of the birth certificate issuance or attestation over multiple certificates from India, you can get & store any significant document. It’s safe and will maintain the confidentiality of your vital documents.

If you want to get registered with any government body, like Municipal Corporation of Delhi or Mumbai, it’ll be an endpoint. It will enable you to apply for the certificates, like NABC, BC, Passport, and PAN card etc. digitally. Thereby, you can walk through online processing for getting e-copies of the required document. Every registered citizen would be able to acquire a digital locker on the cloud.  What you actually require to do is to link Aadhaar number with the DigiLocker.

How can you link a DigiLocker with Aadhaar?

However, embedding your Aadhaar number with every bank account and mobile number used to be mandatory. But, the Supreme Court has postponed this mandate for an indefinite time period. A few thought groups have petitioned to cease it. They found it a subtle attack on their privacy. Therefore, the matter is under trial. Till the verdict, none would have a necessity to link their account & mobile number with the Aadhaar.

Anyhow, the DigiLocker is really a worthy platform to approach any government entity online. Let’s look into how you can link it with your unique ID:

  • Go to the government website-  gov.in
  • Sign up to create your account.
  • The next prompt will ask you to add Aadhaar number.
  • Input it.
  • As you feed the number, the next step would ask you to type in the OTP. This OTP will be sent on the registered mobile number with it.
  • Enter the OTP. Your number would be verified automatically.
  • Finally, your Aadhaar number would be stockpiled in it.

How can you download that digital Aadhaar number?

  • Go to the aforementioned website.
  • Sign into your locker.
  • Click on the dialog box that would enable you to get it. It mentions ‘Get your eAadhaar’. Click it.
  • A link will pop up. It will ask for the OTP again.
  • Hit the message that reads ‘Get OTP’.
  • The OTP will pop up on your mobile phone.
  • Note and input into the field to authenticate your account.
  • A page will appear with the caption ‘Issued Document’.
  • Select Aadhaar to download it.
  • Click the save button.

How can you verify for the PAN number via this locker?

  • Go to the aforesaid website.
  • Move the cursor to the left window pane.
  • Select ‘Issued Documents’.
  • An embedded message will display to inform you that Issued documents come directly into your DigiLocker from a registered government departments and agencies. You can also pull documents from some partners and add to issued documents.
  • The next step will prompt you to click a hyperlink that reads ‘Pull documents’.
  • Move to the Partner Name caption below.
  • Click ‘Income Tax Department, Govt. Of India’ from the dropdown list.
  • Turn down to the ‘Document Type’ field.
  • Hit the filter button to select the ‘PAN Verification Record’.
  • Turn to the section that reads ‘Search your document by entering the required details’.
  • Fill the details, like name, date of birth, gender and PAN.
  • Tick the check box.
  • Hit the ‘Get Document’ tab.
  • This action will integrate your PAN data into the DIgiLocker.
  • Save it.

What benefits it can avail?

  • All integrated documents will be accessible 24X7 anywhere online.
  • You can save time in searching, scanning and uploading your documents. Just sign in and fetch the documents from this digital locker.
  • The government would be able to manage the entire data of your significant documents. It can reduce administrative burden and minimize paper management.
  • The verification would be a walkover as it is run by the government.
  • The user can eSign to self -attest the document.

What is Virtual ID? How to Link It With Ujjawal Yojna & DBT?

What is Virtual ID? How to Link It With Ujjawal Yojna & DBT?

Do you have an Aadhaar Card? Have you integrated it with your mobile phone and bank account?

The government had issued a notice to unify them as a guideline earlier. But yes, the Supreme Court has kept this matter under consideration.  You don’t need to share it with your bank or telecom service provider unless the verdict comes out. It’s your personal unique identity. The apex court has granted you a liberty to keep it with you.

Meanwhile, there is an alternative number that can replace the necessity of the Aadhaar number.

Do you know what I am saying? If you don’t understand, catch on-what the virtual ID is, why you would need it and when it can be possible to use it.

What is Virtual ID?

The word ‘virtual’ determines something that is not physically present. The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) launched the concept of a ‘Virtual ID (VID)’ to secure your sensitive data. This kind of data can be your bank account number, password, credit card details and something that a hacker looks for.

As I aforesaid, the Aadhaar number is a vital credential. You never know whether or not the person has malicious intention. And, if someone gets in without your acknowledgement, the security of your sensitive bank details will be at stake. Even, the Apex Court also has understood the sensitivity of this matter. This is why it has decided to put this case under trial.

Now, what if you don’t ever need to share this number? Won’t it be an ‘Aha, Moment!’ for you?

Of course, it will be. The threat of hacking won’t mean anything, then.

Anyways! This is actually going to happen soon, according to UIDAI’s official Twitter post. You would have your own virtual identity number. Once you will get it, you can use it desirously wherever the Aadhaar link is necessary. I said ‘desirously’ because you can input either your original 12-digit ID or your virtual ID.

So! You would soon have your virtual ID in the mid of this year.  Therefore, you can easily get off the potential grave consequences of its hacking via the VID.

Why do you need to link it with the social benefit services, like Ujjwal Yojna and DBT?

The cybercrime is at a surge. Amid such surge, the central government has to take an initiative.  Therefore, it came with a solution of creating a substitute identity.

Do you get any social welfare benefit from the government? In other words, you might be a part of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojna. Or, perhaps you get direct benefit transfer (DBT), pensions, scholarship and fellowship. You have to input your unique identity number with your provident fund account. You can’t file for an IT return unless you link it with this number. Banks also deny opening an account without it. And, if you need to apply for a PAN Card, you can’t unless you insert this ID number on its application form.

You come in the hot water if you share your UIDAI-issued ID.  All the aforementioned social benefit services require you to feed in that sensitive detail. If you link it, your details could be publicized. The private agencies, most probably, would have its access.

Would you ever like to share it, then?

This is where VID came into the mainframe.

How can you create your VID?

Unlink a 12-digit Aadhaar ID, this virtual identity number would be 16-digit long. Walk down to know how you can create it:

  • Go to the official UIDAI’s official website.
  • Enter the Aadhaar card details.
  • Load in your security code.
  • Feed in the OTP that would flash on your registered phone number.
  • Now, create your Virtual ID. Enter 16 characters to do so.

When will it be effective?

The VID introduction was rolled out in January, 2018. But officially, it will be effective from the month of June this year.

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