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OCI application MUST be completed online
at
http://ociindia.nic.in/ociindia/OnlineOCIRegistrationG.jsp
1. Ensure the application is fully filled online.
2. Print out two copies of the application form
after completing the same online. Take careful note
of you web reference number you will need the
same to track your OCI application status.
3. The application forms must have one original photo
per form and the signature on both forms must be
within the box. (for infants no thumb impression or
signature on the form is required)
4. After taking the printouts, ensure that you complete,
- PART B - manually.
5. Provide accurate contact details (landline/mobile
numbers) that will be used to reach you for any
additional information.
6. Once this is done you will now need to submit your
application. See more details under - Submitting
your Application
You must complete a separate checklist and application
form/s for each person applying. Please ensure the documents
are completed accurately and signed where needed.
Download the checklist to prepare your application
Sample Screen shot of Online Application on the Ministry
website and procedure for selection of Place of submission.
Please ensure this is selected as per instructions in
the sample screen shot below.
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Please provide recent photographs (not more than 6
months old)
The photographs should be in color and strictly as
per the specifications below.
- Taken against a light colored (NOT WHITE)
background so that features are distinguishable and
in contrast against the background. Printed on photographic
paper.
- Frame Subject with Full Face, Front view, Eyes
open.
- Should show full face (without sunglasses and normally
without a hat or cap). Head coverings are not permitted
except for Religious reasons, but the facial features
from bottom of chin to top of forehead and both edges
of the face must be clearly shown.
- The face should be in the middle of the frame.
- Ensure no distracting shadows on the face or background.
Un-mounted - 2 inch x 2 inch in size. - VISA
applications only. (One copy for each application
in most visa cases. Exceptions apply-please
see details for same under your selected visa type)
Un-mounted - 2 inch x 2 inch in size - OCI
applications only. (Two Copies for each application)
Un-mounted - 2 inch x 2 inch in size - PIO
applications only. (Three Copies for each application)
Un-mounted - 2 inch x 2 inch in size. - Passport
applications. (Three Copies for each application)
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Please ensure you have gone through
the Feelist carefully prior to selecting your mode of
payment.
Note that you must add up fees as indicated as per your
choice of selection as well as applicable service fees
and return delivery fees.
Download
Fee List here
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- Who is eligible to apply for OCI?
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 anytime after 26.01.1950 or belonged to a territory
that became part of India after 15.08.1947 and his/her
children and grand children, provided his/her country
of citizenship allows dual citizenship in some form
or other under the local laws, 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.
- Who is an NRI?
"Non Resident Indian" (NRI) means a person
resident outside India who is a citizen of India or
is a person of Indian origin.
- Who is PIO or Person of Indian origin?
"Person of Indian Origin " means a citizen
of any country (not being a citizen of Pakistan, Bangladesh)
if:
- he/she at any time held an Indian passport;
or
- he/she or either of his/her parents or grand
parents or great grand parents was born in and
permanently resident in India as defined in the
Government of India Act, 1935, and other territories
that became part of India thereafter provided
neither was at any time a citizen of any of the
specified countries; or
- he/she is a spouse of a citizen of India or
a person of Indian origin covered under (1.) and
(2.) above.
- Who was eligible to become Citizen of India
on 26.01.1950?
Any person who or either of whose parents or any of
whose grand-parents Was born in India as defined in
the Government of India Act, 1935 (as originally Enacted),
and who was ordinarily residing in any country outside
India was Eligible to become citizen of India on 26.01.1950.
- Which territories became part of India after
15.08.1947 and from what Date?
The territories which became part of India after 15.08.1947
are:
- Sikkim from 26.04.1975
- Pondicherry from 16.08.1962
- Dadra & Nagar Haveli from 11.08.1961
- Goa, Daman and Diu from 20.12.1961
- Can the spouse of the eligible person apply
for OCI?
Yes, if he/she is eligible in his/her own capacity.
- Can children of parents, wherein one of the
parents is eligible for OCI, Can apply for OCI?
Yes.
- What documents would qualify for "Any other
proof" for evidence of self or parents or grand
parents being eligible for grant of OCI?
Any documentary evidence by which the officer equivalent
to under Secretary to the Government of India in the
Indian Mission/Post can diligently Arrive at the decision.
- Whether applicant(s) have to go in person to
submit the application(s)?
Application can be submitted in person/Travel agent/Representative
or by Post.
- Whether the applicant (s) have to take oath
before the Counsel of the Indian Mission/Post?
No. Earlier provision in this regard has been done
away with.
- Can a person apply in the country where he is
ordinarily residing?
Yes.
- What are the consequences of furnishing wrong
information or Suppressing material information?
All the applications will be subject to pre or post
enquiry depending on Whether any adverse information
is available or not. If the Government comes to the
knowledge that any false information was furnished
or material information Was suppressed, the registration
as OCI already granted shall be cancelled by an Order
under section 7D of the Citizenship Act, 1955. The
persons will also be Blacklisted banning his/her entry
into India.
- What is the time taken for registration as OCI?
Within 30 days of the application, if there is no
adverse information Available against the applicant.
If any adverse information is available against the
Applicant, the decision to grant or otherwise is taken
within 120 days.
- Can a PIO cardholder apply?
Provided he/she is otherwise eligible for grant of
OCI like any other Applicant.
- Will the PIO card be honored till the time they
are valid even after Acquisition of OCI?
No. PIO card will have to be surrendered to Indian
Mission/Post/MHA for grant of OCI registration certificate
and OCI 'U' visa sticker.
- What will be issued after registration as OCI?
A registration certificate in the form of a booklet
will be issued and a multiple entry, multi-purpose
OCI 'U' visa sticker will be pasted on the foreign
passport of the applicant. For this purpose, the applicant
has to send the original passport to the India Passport
& Visa Services Centre after receipt of the acceptance
letter/ verifying the status of the application online.
- Will a separate OCI passport be issued?
No.
- Will a duplicate certificate of registration
as OCI will be issued?
Yes. For this purpose, an application has to be made
to the Indian High Commission or Consulate General
concerned with evidence for loss of certificate. In
case of mutilated/damaged Certificate an application
has to be made enclosing the same. The applications
in both the cases have to be made to directly to the
HCI/ CGI concerned.
- Will a new OCI visa sticker be issued on the
new foreign passport after the expiry of the old passport?
Yes. On payment of requisite fee, a new OCI 'U' visa
sticker will be issued. However, the applicant can
continue to carry the old passport wherein OCI 'U'
visa sticker was pasted along with new passport for
visiting India without seeking a new visa, as the
visa is for lifelong.
- Will the applicant lose his citizenship after
registering as OCI?
No. As only citizen of the country which allows dual
citizenship under the local laws in some form or the
other are eligible for applying for registration as
OCI, losing foreign citizenship does not arise.
- Can a person holding OCI travel to protected
area/restricted area Without permission?
No. He/she will be required to seek PAP/RAP for such
visits.
- Would the Indian civil/criminal laws be applicable
to persons Registered as OCI?
Yes, for the period OCI is living in India.
- Can a person registered as OCI be granted Indian
citizenship?
As per the provisions of section 5(1) (g) of the Citizenship
Act, 1955, a Person who is registered as OCI for 5
years and is residing in India for 1 year out of the
above 5 years, is eligible to apply for Indian Citizenship.
- Will OCI be granted gratis to certain categories
of people?
No.
- Can OCI be granted to foreign nationals who
are not eligible for OCI, but married to persons who
are eligible for OCI?
No.
- Will foreign-born children of PIOs be eligible
to become OCI?
Yes, provided one of the parents is eligible to become
OCI.
- What are the benefits of OCI?
Following benefits will be allowed to OCI: (a) Multi-purpose,
multiple entry, lifelong visa for visiting India.
(b) Exemption from registration with local police
authority for any length of stay in India. (c) Parity
with NRIs in respect of economic, financial and education
fields except in matters relating to the acquisition
of agricultural/plantation properties.
- Will any other benefit be granted to OCI?
Any other benefits to OCI will be notified by the
Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA) under Section
7B(1) of the Citizenship Act, 1955.
- Whether the OCI is entitled to voting rights?
No.
- Whether the OCI is entitled to hold constitutional
post in India?
No.
- Whether the OCI is entitled to hold Government
posts in India?
No, except for the posts specified by an order by
the Central Government.
- If a person is already holding more than one
nationality, can he/she apply for OCI?
Yes, as long as the local laws of at least one of
the countries allow dual Citizenship in some form
or other.
- What are the advantages of OCI when compared
to PIO cardholders?
1. OCI is entitled to life long visa free travel to
India whereas for PIO Cardholder, it is for 15 years.
2. PIO cardholder is required to register with local
Police authority for Stay exceeding 180 days in India
on any single visit whereas OCI is exempted from registration
with Police authority for any length of Stay in India.
- Whether an OCI be entitled to apply for and
obtain a normal Indian passport which is given to
a citizen of India?
Yes. As per the provisions of section 5(1) (g) of
the Citizenship Act, 1955, a person who is registered
as OCI for 5 years and is residing in India for 1
year out of the above 5 years, is eligible to apply
for Indian Citizenship.
- Whether nationals of Commonwealth countries
are eligible for OCI?
Yes, if they fulfill the eligibility criteria.
- Should PIO holders give a copy of PIO card and
also proof of Indian origin?
Copy of PIO card is to be submitted for availing less
fee for OCI. However, proof of Indian origin should
also be submitted to get OCI.
- Can a person renounce OCI?
Yes. He/she has to declare intention of renunciation
in Form XXII to the Indian Mission/Post where OCI
registration was granted. After receipt of the declaration,
the Indian Mission/Post shall issue an acknowledgement
in Form XXII A.
- Do the applicants who have applied on the earlier
prescribed application form have to apply again in
the new form?
No. All such applications will be considered for registration
as OCI without seeking fresh application and fee.
- Who can avail the OCI Miscellaneous services?
Only a registered Overseas Citizen of India (OCI)
can avail the OCI Miscellaneous Services.
- Under what circumstances can the services be
availed?
OCI Miscellaneous services can be availed for re-issuance/issuance
of duplicate OCI Registration Certificate and Visa
in the following category of cases:
(i) In case of issuance of new passport.
(ii) In case of change of personal particulars viz.
nationality etc.,
(iii) In case of loss/damage of OCI registration certificate/visa.
(iv) In case of filling of wrong personal particulars
while submitting online applications viz. name, father's
name, date of birth etc.,
(v) In case of manually filled in applications (discontinued
now) mistakes have been committed by the Indian Mission/Post/Office
while entering the personal particulars.
(vi) In case of change of address/occupation
- How to avail the services?
The services can be availed by applying Online (please
visit weblink http://www.mha.nic.in/oci/oci-main.htm
for registration) and submitting two hard copy of
the application along with the requisite fee and two
photographs, VFS service fees and enclosures as mentioned
in the application to the India Passport and Visa
Services Centre according to your jurisdiction. However,
in case of change of address/occupation, hard copy
of the application need not be submitted.
- Whether hard copy of the application is required
to be submitted for the change of address/occupation?
No.
- Whether a family can apply in the same form?
No. Each person has to individually apply online for
availing the services.
- How many copies of the application have to be
submitted?
Two copies should be submitted.
- Where the applicant has to go in person to submit
the application for OCI Misc. services?
The application for OCI Miscellaneous services need
to be submitted the High Commission/Consulate General
of India according to your jurisdiction. Application
can also be sent by post. Payment must be in Bank
Cheque/ MO/ DD made in favor of the Mission concerned,
depending on wherever you are submitting your application.
No personal cheques will be accepted.
ACT, Perth, Brisbane : High Commission of India, Canberra
Sydney and South Australia : Consulate General of
India, Sydney
Victoria and Tasmania : Consulate General of India,
Melbourne.
- How to verify the status of the application?
The status of the application can be verified from
the Online Status Enquiry with the file number given
after lodgment of your application in the High Commission/Consulate.
- What will be issued after availing the services?
A new OCI Registration Certificate and Visa would
be issued after surrender of the old OCI documents.
- Whether both OCI Registration Certificate and
Visa would be issued afresh?
Yes. Both OCI Registration Certificate and Visa shall
be issued in respect of any/ all service(s).
- Whether the applicant has to go in person to
the India Passport and Visa Services Centre for obtaining
the new OCI documents?
Applicants must arrange to collect the new OCI
document from the High Commission/Consulate directly
after checking the online status.
- Whether OCI documents have to be re-issued each
time a new passport is taken?
OCI registration certificate and visa have got to
be re-issued each time a new passport is issued up
to the completion of
20 years of age and once after completion of 50 years
of age.
Re-issuance of OCI registration certificate and visa
is not mandatory, each time a new passport is issued
between 21-50 years of age. However, if the applicant
wishes to obtain new set of OCI documents, he/she
can apply for the same.
- What should be done for issuance of duplicate
OCI documents in case of loss of OCI registration
certificate and/or U-visa?
In case of loss of OCI documents, file a complaint
with the Police authorities and enclose a copy of
the complaint with the hard copy of the application.
- In case of loss/damage of OCI documents, what
is the procedure for grant of duplicate OCI documents?
The duplicate OCI documents shall be granted only
after personal interview. The date and time of personal
interview shall be intimated by the concerned Indian
Mission.
- What is the time period for grant of the requisite
service(s)?
The grant or otherwise of the service(s) sought shall
be ordinarily decided in one month from the receipt
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