OCI Services
Overseas Citizenship Of India
A OCI card is a life-long visa for India with no restrictions on number of visits and with exemption from any registration formalities. It also offers a range of economic, financial and cultural benefits on par with Non Resident Indians (NRIs).
ELIGIBLITY FOR OCI CARD
1) A foreign national, who was eligible to become a citizen of India on 26.01.1950 or was a citizen of India on or at any time after 26.01.1950 or belonged to a territory that became part of India after 15.08.1947 and his/her children, grand children and great grand children, is eligible for registration as an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI). Minor children of such person are also eligible for OCI. However, if the applicant had ever been a citizen of Pakistan or Bangladesh, he/she will not be eligible for OCI.
2) Spouse of foreign origin of a citizen of India or spouse of foreign origin of an Overseas Citizen of India Cardholder registered under section 7A of the Citizenship Act, 1955 and whose marriage has been registered and subsisted for a continuous period of not less than two years immediately preceding the presentation of the application. Note: No person, who or either of whose parents or grandparents or great grandparents is or had been a citizen of Pakistan, Bangladesh or such other country as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify, shall be eligible for registration as an Overseas Citizen of India.
WHERE & HOW TO APPLY
1. Application for registration as OCI Cardholder is to be submitted only on the online system. For this purpose, please log on to https://passport.gov.in/oci and they also upload all supportive documents online. After applying online, print out of the application dully filled in along with all requisite documents, two photographs and prescribed fee should be submitted at the reception of the Consulate.
2. Ordinarily, OCI Registration Certificate and Universal Visa available for delivery within 45 days from the date of acknowledgment. If there are any objections regarding photographs/Signature/Thumb impression etc. the process may get delayed and the same will be communicated to the applicant by the Consulate.
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR ISSUE OF OCI CARD
1. Application for registration as OCI Cardholder is to be submitted only on the online system. For this purpose, please log on to https://passport.gov.in/oci and they also upload all supportive documents online. After applying online, print out of the application dully filled in along with all requisite documents, two photographs and prescribed fee should be submitted at the reception of the Consulate.
2. Proof of present citizenship – Copy of present valid passport (applicable in all cases), with validity of minimum 6 months at the time of submission of application.
3. Evidence of self or parents or grandparents or great grandparents- (a) Being a citizen of India at the time of, or at any time after the commencement of the Constitution i.e. 26.01.1950; or (b) Being eligible to become a citizen of India at the time of commencement of the Constitution i.e. 26.01.1950; or (c) Belonging to a territory that became part of India after 15th August, 1947.
These could be:
(i) Copy of the Indian Passport of self/parents/grandparents/great-grandparents ; or
(ii) Copy of the Domicile Certificate issued by the Competent Authority; or
(iii) Copy of Nativity Certificate from the competent authority; or
(iv) OCI Card/ PIO card of parents/ spouse along with the base papers/ documents upon which the OCI/ PIO card was issued; or
(v) Any other proof substantiating the request.
4. Evidence of relationship as parent/grandparent/ great grandparent, if their Indian origin is claimed as basis for registration as OCI Cardholder: The document of relationship could be “Birth Certificate” issued from competent authority mentioning both parents’ name.
5. In case of minor child whose both parents are citizens of India or one of the parents is a citizen of India –
(i) Copy of child’s birth certificate
(ii) Copy of Indian passport of the parents / one of the parents or copy of the Domicile Certificate or Nativity Certificate issued by the Competent Authority in respect of the parents/ one of the parents or any other proof substantiating the status of the parents/ one of the parents as being Indian citizen(s).
(iii) If the parents are divorced, court order of dissolution of marriage, which specifically mentions that the legal custody of the child is with the parent who is applying for the OCI card.
6. Evidence as spouse of foreign origin of a citizen of India or spouse of foreign origin of an OCI Cardholder –
(i) Registered marriage certificate; and
(ii) In the case of spouse of an Indian citizen - copy of the Indian Passport of the spouse or copy of the Domicile Certificate or Nativity Certificate issued by the Competent Authority in respect of the Indian spouse or any other proof substantiating the status of the spouse as being an Indian citizen.
(iii) In the case of spouse of an OCI Cardholder - Copy of the present valid Passport of the spouse and copy of the OCI Card of the spouse and copies of the documents upon which the OCI Card was issued to the spouse
7.In case of PIO holder who are applying for OCI card have to upload only their existing PIO card and existing valid passport.
The requirements for registration as OCI card holder in lieu of PIO Cardholder.
In terms of the notification issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs on 9th January, 2015, all the existing PIO Card holders as on 9.1.2015 shall be deemed to be OCI Cardholders. However, all persons having valid PIO cards as on 9th January, 2015 are advised to apply for registration as OCI cardholder in view of the following advantages in possessing an OCI card:-
(a) OCI card is a smart card
(b) Possession of an OCI card will facilitate quicker immigration clearance at the Immigration Check Posts
(c) It will help in obtaining various Consular Services from the Indian Missions
(d) For those who are resident in India, it will facilitate in availing various services in India.
The date for submission of applications for registration as OCI cardholder in lieu of the PIO card online has been extended till 31st March, 2016.
This cutoff date will be only for submission of the applications online by the applicants. A separate online application form for submission of application for registration as OCI cardholder in lieu of PIO card is available in the website https://passport.gov.in/oci The erstwhile PIO cardholder with a valid PIO card as on 9.1.2015 will have to upload only the following documents with his/ her application:- (a) Copy of the valid Passport (b) Copy of the PIO card The applicants can submit the applications online from anywhere. The grant of OCI card in lieu of the PIO card will be on a gratis basis.
VALIDITY & FEE OF A OCI CARD
An OCI card is valid for life long and Fee is USD 275/- in fresh case and the grant of OCI card in lieu of the PIO card will be on a gratis basis.
WITH EFFECT FROM 10.10.2011 A SERVICE CHARGE @US DOLLAR TWO (US$ 2) PER APPLICATION WILL BE CHARGED ON ALL THE CONSULAR SERVICES INCLUDING VISA, PASSPORT AND OTHER SUCH SERVICES.
FACILITIES ENJOYED BY AN OCI CARD HOLDER IN INDIA
(i) Multiple entry, multi-purpose life-long visa to visit India;
(ii) Exemption from reporting to Police authorities for any length of stay in India; and
(iii) Parity with NRIs in financial, economic and educational fields except in the acquisition of agricultural or plantation properties.
(iv) Registered Overseas Citizen of India shall be treated at par with Non-Resident Indian in the matter of inter-country adoption of Indian children.
(v) Registered Overseas Citizens of India shall be treated at par with resident Indian nationals in the matter of tariffs in air fares in domestic sectors in India.
(vi) Registered Overseas Citizens of India shall be charged the same entry fee as domestic Indian visitors to visit national parks and wildlife sanctuaries in India
(vii) Parity with Non-Resident Indian in respect of entry fees to be charged for visiting the national monuments, historical sites and museums in India;
(viii) Parity with Non-Resident Indian to appear for the All India Pre-medical Test or such other tests to make them eligible for admission in pursuance of the provisions contained in the relevant Acts.
(ix) “State Governments should ensure that the OCI registration booklets of OCIs are treated as their identification for any services rendered to them. In case proof of residence is required, Overseas Citizens of India may give an affidavit attested by a notary public stating that a particular/specific address may be treated as their place of residence in India and may also in their affidavit give their overseas residential address as well as e-mail address, if any”
Fresh Guidelines on Re-issuance of OCI cards due to Issuance of new foreign passports to OCI cardholders
(i) Mandatory requirement of re-issuance of an OCI card each time a new passport is issued to a foreigner upto 20 years of age and once after completing 50 years of age is dispensed with.(ii) OCI cardholder is required to get the OCI card re-issued only once when a new passport is issued after completing 20 years of age.
(iii) OCI cardholder is required to upload ONLINE a copy of the new passport and a latest photo each time a new passport is issued upto 20 years of age and once after completing 50 years of age. The uploading of these documents may be done within three months of receipt of the new passport. The service will be provided on Gratis basis.
(iv) Foreign Spouse of an Indian Citizen or spouse of foreign origin of an OCI cardholder are required to upload a copy of the new passport and also a latest photo ONLINE each time a new passport is issued along with a declaration on subsisting of marriage, copy of the Indian passport of the Indian spouse/passport & OCI card of the OCI cardholder spouse.
