How to get OCI card in USA?

The Constitution of India does not allow holding Indian citizenship and citizenship of a foreign country simultaneously.

Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) of certain categories who migrated from India and acquired citizenship of a foreign country other than Pakistan and Bangladesh, are eligible for grant of Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) as long as their home countries allow dual citizenship in some form or the other under their local laws.

Who is eligible to get OCI card?

A foreign national, - 

(i) who was a citizen of India at the time of, or at any time after 26th January, 1950; or

(ii) who was eligible to become a citizen of India on 26th January, 1950; or 

(iii) who belonged to a territory that became part of India after 15th August, 1947; or

(iv) who is a child or a grandchild or a great grandchild of such a citizen; or 

(v) who is a minor child of such persons mentioned above; or 

(vi) who is a minor child and whose both parents are citizens of India or one of the parents is a citizen of India - is eligible for registration as OCI cardholder. Besides, spouse of foreign origin of a citizen of India or spouse of foreign origin of an Overseas Citizen of India Cardholder 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 is also eligible for registration as OCI cardholder. 

However, 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 Cardholder.

Foreign nationals cannot apply for OCI in India while on Tourist Visa, Missionary Visa and Mountaineering Visa. Moreover, the foreigner has to be ordinarily resident of India to be eligible to apply for OCI registration in India.

Note: 'ordinarily resident' will mean a person staying in a particular country or in India for a continuous period of 6 months.

What are the benefits of OCI card?

OCI status confers the following benefits:

• Multiple-entry, multi-purpose life-long visa to visit India

• Exemption from reporting to Police authorities for any length of stay in India

• Parity with NRIs in financial, economic and educational fields except in the acquisition of agricultural or plantation properties, and

• A person registered as OCI is eligible to apply for grant of Indian citizenship under section 5(1) (g) of the Citizenship Act, 1955 if he/she is registered as OCI for five years and has been residing in India for one year out of the five years before making the application.

• Registered OCI shall be treated at par with Non-Resident-Indian in the matter of inter-country adoption of Indian children.

• Registered OCI shall be treated at par with resident Indian nationals in the matter of tariffs in air fares in domestic sectors in India.

• Registered OCI shall be charged the same entry fee as domestic Indian visitors to visit national parks and wildlife sanctuaries in India

• Parity with Non-Resident Indian in respect of entry fees to be charged for visiting the national monuments, historical sites and museums in India;

• Pursuing the following professions in India, in pursuance of the provisions contained in the relevant Acts, namely:-doctors, dentists, nurses and pharmacists; advocates; architects; and chartered accountants.

• 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.

• 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.

OCI Types

The first step is to determine which OCI type you need, and check whether you’re eligible to apply for it. There are different types of OCI related services. These are as follows:

• New OCI Registration

• OCI Registration (In Lieu of Valid PIO card)

• OCI Registration (In lieu of LOST PIO card)

• OCI Miscellaneous services. This service can be availed for re-issuance / issuance of duplicate OCI documents in the following category of cases:

• In case of issuance of a new passport.

• In case of change of personal particulars viz. name, father’s name, nationality, etc.

• In case of loss/damage of OCI registration certificate/visa.

• In case of change of address/occupation

• Cancel or Renunciation of OCI

OCI Documents Required

Following documents are required to apply for OCI.

• In case of applications for registration as Overseas Citizen of India Cardholder in lieu of PIO card, only copies of the following documents to be attached:

  • Valid passport of the applicant

  • Valid PIO card of the applicant.

• In case of fresh application for registration as OCI Cardholder, following documents are to be attached:-

  • 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.

  • In case application is submitted in India, copy of any type of Visa (other than Missionary Visa, Tourist Visa and Mountaineering Visa)/ Residential Permit with 3 months validity as on the date of application.

  • Evidence of self or parents or grandparents or great grandparents 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 being eligible to become a citizen of India at the time of commencement of the Constitution i.e. 26.01.1950 or belonging to a territory that became part of India after 15th August, 1947:-
    These could be:

    • Copy of the Indian Passport; or

    • Copy of the Domicile Certificate issued by the Competent Authority; or

    • Copy of Nativity Certificate from the Competent Authority; or

    • OCI Card/ PIO card of parents/ spouse along with the documents upon which the OCI/ PIO card was issued; or

    • Any other proof substantiating the request. Usually applicant does submit a certificate of residence or place of birth of self/parents/grandparents from First Class Magistrate/District Magistrate (DM) of the concerned place.

• 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. In case the birth certificate is issued by a foreign authority, it is to be Apostilled or endorsed by the concerned Indian Mission abroad.

• In case of minor child whose both parents are citizens of India or one of the parents is a citizen of India:

  • Copy of child’s birth certificate

  • 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).

  • 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.

• Evidence as spouse of foreign origin of a citizen of India or spouse of foreign origin of an OCI Cardholder: 

  • Registered marriage certificate; indicating that the marriage has taken place before 2 years on the date of application. AND

  • 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.OR 

  • 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.

• In case of applications submitted to the Indian Mission/ Post abroad, OCI registration fee of US$ 275 (US$ 100 for conversion of PIO to OCI card) for each application or equivalent amount in local currency to be paid by way of Demand Draft (till online payment facility is introduced).

• In case of applications submitted in India, a fee of Rs.15,000/- (Rs. 5500/- for conversion of PIO to OCI card) by way of Demand Draft drawn in favour of “Pay and Accounts Officer (Secretariat), Ministry of Home Affairs payable at New Delhi (till online payment facility is introduced).

The documents enclosed with the application should be self attested

Who is processing OCI card in USA?

VFS Global is the service provider for OCI services for the Embassy of India, Washington DC or its Consulates in Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, New York and San Francisco.

How to apply for OCI card from USA?

Follow the below steps to get OCI card in USA.

Step 1: Complete the Online Application process

• Visit Online OCI Services website

• Choose the type of registration 

  • If you are applying for the first time Click on New OCI registration.

  • If you are already an OCI Card Holder, click on OCI Miscellaneous Services.

  • If you are an PIO Card Holder, click on OCI Registration (In Lieu Of Valid PIO-Card).

  • If you are an PIO Card Holder and card is in lost state, click on OCI Registration (In Lieu Of Lost PIO-Card).

• For this guide, we will choose New OCI registration. Click on New OCI registration.

• Read the instructions.

• Click on proceed.

• Read the instructions for applying for OCI Card.

• Click on "I have read the instructions"

• Click on Accept

• Enter the captcha

• Click on "Fill New Application".

• Start registration from Part-A

• Enter the Applicant's Information.

• Enter the Applicant's Passport and Family Details

• Click on Save and Continue

• Please note down your temporary application id

• Enter the Applicant's Address details

• Fill the required details

• Verify the Information

• Upload Image and signature;

• Documents supporting your application have to be uploaded in PDF format at the end of Part-B.

• After completing the application, hard copy has to be submitted to the selected mission's office.

How to upload OCI documents?

Documents supporting your application have to be uploaded in PDF format at the end of Part-B. 

Following are the dimensions required for OCI documents.

• Applicant's image and Applicant's signature image can have a maximum size of 500kb.

• The height and width of the Applicant Photo must be equal.

• The minimum dimensions are 200 pixels (width) x 200 pixels (height).

• The maximum dimensions are 1500 pixels (width) x 1500 pixels (height).

• The height and width of the Signature Photo must have aspect ratio 1:3

• The minimum dimensions are 200 pixels (width) x 67 pixels (height).

• The maximum dimensions are 1500 pixels (width) x 500 pixels (height).

• Supporting documents in PDF format can have a maximum size of 1000kb.

Step 2: Submit your physical Application

Once you have completed the form on the Online OCI services website and uploaded your photographs/ signature and document, note the ”File Reference number”, print it and return to the VFS Website to proceed with the subsequent steps to complete the application onward submission process. 

Follow the below steps to submit your physical Application

1. Create a profile and register on the VFS portal system and click on Apply Now to complete the subsequent steps:

2. Choose the correct state of Residence as per the Consular Jurisdiction and correct passport category as per your purpose of visit.

3. Choose Mode of Submission as Postal. Note: VFS Indian Consular Application Centres are not accepting applications in person due to COVID -19.

4. If you opt to send your own courier labels or paying my money order or banker’s check then ensure you keep all the information ready before completing the online registration. Entering incorrect details or dummy information will lead to delay or rejection of your applications.

After completing the online form, prepare your physical application pack along with all the required documents and send them by post (by mandatorily completing the online registration process) to the VFS Indian Consular Application Centre. The application submitted online should not be older than 180 days at the time of its submission at the Embassy or it may not be uploaded in the system. 

You can submit your application at the VFS Indian Consular Application Centre based on your state of residence.

How long will it take to get OCI card in USA?

The processing time for OCI applications is usually between 8-10 weeks after a completed application is sent to the Consulate.

Below are the steps for OCI application

Is OCI dual citizenship?

OCI doesn't provide dual citizenship.OCI is a legal status given to a person of Indian origin who has given up Indian citizenship. 

OCI will not be entitled to apply for and obtain a normal Indian passport. Indian Passports are given only to an Indian citizen.

Since you are not a citizen, you cannot vote and you cannot run for a public office or contest an election.

Can OCI buy land in India?

You cannot buy agricultural land or plantations in India. However, you may continue to hold such property you had before giving up Indian citizenship and also inherit it

Can OCI get Indian citizenship?

A person registered to OCI is eligible to apply for the grant of Indian citizenship if he/she is registered as OCI for five years and has been residing in India for one year out of five years before making the application.

Can I work in India with OCI?

You can work in India with an OCI card. The OCI card or Overseas Citizenships of India card is a lifelong visa to visit and reside in India, sparing them the need for permits. OCI holders are treated on par with NRIs for economic, financial, and educational matters and lack only political rights and rights to buy agricultural or plantation properties. 

Can I live in India with OCI card?

An OCI is entitled to life long visa with free travel to India. 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?

No. Indian Passports are given only to Indian citizen.

Will a separate OCI passport be issued?

No.

Will a new OCI visa sticker be pasted 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 the OCI ‘U’ visa sticker was pasted along with new passport for visiting India withoutseeking a new visa, as the visa is lifelong.

Do we need passport for OCI card?

Yes. Passport is the primary travel document. OCI is only a life-long visa. Stay of a foreigners in India without a valid passport is illegal even if he or she is an OCI cardholder. Therefore, it is necessary that OCI cardholders staying in India should have a valid passport at all times of his/her stay in the country.

Wrapping Up

Well, we hope that you get a basic idea about getting OCI card in USA. 

Kindly let us know if you have any queries.

References

Online OCI Services

OCI Brochure

OCI FAQs