An Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) Card represents the one who was a citizen of India before or since the commencement of the constitution (which is 26th January 1950). They can be citizens of India, or they belonged to the location that became a part of India since then.
Such people can apply for this card, provided that they have surrendered their Indian citizenship. They must show the Certificate of Renunciation of Indian Citizenship. This document makes way to get an OCI card in no time.
There may be applicants from Pakistan and Bangladesh, their origin might be there, or their parents/grandparents were from these native countries. Such cases are not applicable to have it.
Other than them, people who belong to India can apply for this card.
How to Apply for OCI Card Services?
There are different types of OCI services that are great in demand. The applicant can consult with authorized Agents if he wants to apply for an OCI card. These NRI agents can help in getting this card without any hassles. These can be the following:
- If you’ve ever been an Indian citizen, follow the Renunciation of the Indian Citizenship process. It is the process of surrendering an Indian passport at the Indian embassy. Upon this, you may apply for an OCI visa. Without surrendering, it’s not possible.
- Once done, you may track the status of your application on the government website. This link can show you all details: https://ociservices.gov.in/status.
- Thereafter, select which OCI visa type you require. These are the types of OCI card services that you may require.
- New OCI Registration
- OCI registration (in lieu of valid PIO card)
- OCI registration (in lieu of Lost PIO card)
- OCI miscellaneous services
- OCI in lieu of damaged/lost OCI card
- Cancel OCI Card
- Carefully read and select the service that is right for you. It will help you to determine significant information on visa fees, documents, forms, photo specifications, and processing times.
- Now, fill out your application online by visiting the website of the government of India.
- Duly fill out your OCI application form by downloading the form.
- Thereafter, the third party (NRI agent) should be reached out to apply through. He can help you with post/ courier or scheduling an appointment at one of the application centers where you need to pay out the service fee.
- Provide file reference number, which is given at the completion of your online OCI application on the Indian government website.
Document Requirements
Here is the roundup of the list of supporting documents that you should have:
- Citizenship proof: It can be easily proven through the present passport of the applicants. Take into account that it should be valid with a minimum validity of six months remaining at the time of submission of documents.
- If you’re applying from India, enclose a copy of any type of Visa (except for Missionary Visa and Mountaineering Visa), a residential permit with 3 months remaining validity (when you apply for it).
- Enclose the proofs of self or parents, grandparents, or great-grandparents.
- The paper stating that you’re a citizen of India or were so at the time of the commencement of the constitution
- The document proving your eligibility to become the citizen of India at the time of commencement of our respected constitution, 26th Jan 1950
- Documents proving that you belong to a territory that became a part of India on 15 August 1947, which can be any of these:
- A photocopy of the Indian Passport; or
- A photocopy of the Domicile Certificate issued by the Competent Authority; or
- A photocopy of the Nativity Certificate from the competent authority; or OCI Card/ PIO card of Indian parents/ spouse together with the base papers/ documents upon which the OCI/PIO card was issued; or
- Any other concrete proof that is acceptable, such as a certificate of residence or place of birth of self and parents (or grandparents). Visit any 1st Class magistrate/ district magistrate of the nearby place
- Document showing the proof of true relationship with parents/ grandparents/great-grandparents if they submit proof of Indian origin. It becomes the basis of the registration of OCI cardholders
- An apostilled or attested birth certificate with the name of your parents, issued by the competent authority
- For minors, the parents should submit a photocopy of the child’s birth certificate and a copy of the Indian passport of the parents/ one of the parents’ nativity certificate or domicile certificate and the other’s Indian passport or birth certificate
- In case the parents are divorced, enclose a dissolution of marriage proof from the court, mentioning the legal custody of the child is with the parents
- Parental Authorization form for minors
- Valid visa of parents (for minors)
- Proof of the spouse who is married to the citizen of India or spouse of foreign origin of an OCI Cardholder
- Marriage certificate
- 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 evidence
- (For the spouse of an OCI Cardholder) photocopy of the present valid passport of the spouse and copy of the OCI Card of the spouse and documents that ensured the issuance of the OCI Card
- Renunciation certificate (if the applicant has Indian nationality previously)
- Naturalization certificate
- Address proof of the applicant
- Birth certificate (If born abroad)
- Name change certificate (If applicant’s name is changed)
- Marital status evidence, which can be a marriage certificate, divorce certificate, or death certificate of the spouse
