An Overseas Citizen of India, or OCI, is a special status or identity that can be applied for that is granted to people of Indian origin who have citizenship in other countries. It allows immigrants from India to remain connected to India even though they hold citizenship in another foreign country. There are many benefits to holding OCI status such as the lifelong ability to travel to India for any given amount of time.
In order to be granted Overseas Citizen of India status, one must complete an application along with all required documents and pay a new OCI registration fee.
Note
While the Indian government was initially offering PIO cards, these have been rescinded in lieu of OCI cards.
Who is Eligible for OCI Status?
A foreign national is eligible to register for OCI status if:
- They were a citizen of India at the time of, or at any time after January 26, 1950; or
- They were eligible to become a citizen of India on January 26, 1950; or
- They belonged to a territory that became part of India after August 15, 1947; or
- They are a child or a grandchild or a great-grandchild of such a citizen; or
- They are a minor child of such persons mentioned above; or
- They are a minor child and whose both parents are citizens of India or one of the parents is a citizen of India or
- They are a spouse of foreign origin of a citizen of India.
OCI Application Process
Note
When applying for an OCI, you must provide a Certificate of Renunciation of Indian Citizenship if you are a former Indian national. You must apply for renunciation first before starting your OCI application.
Step 1 Identify OCI Application Category
When applying for OCI, you can either submit a brand-new OCI application or other OCI options. The OCI application categories include:
- New OCI Registration
- OCI Registration (In Lieu of Valid PIO Card)
- OCI Registration (In Lieu of Lost/Damaged PIO Card)
- OCI In Lieu of Lost/Damaged OCI Card
- Cancel OCI Card
- OCI Miscellaneous Services – New Passport Issuance, Change of Name, Change of Address/Occupation
Step 2 Complete the Online Application Form
To apply for an OCI, you need to first fill out and sign an OCI Application Form. This can be submitted online through the Government of India’s website.
If you are applying as a family, each member will fill out an individual application online.
Step 3 Registration and Pay Fee on VFS Global Website
- Each applicant should make an individual profile on the VFS Global website
- Opt for the respective state of residence as per the Consular Jurisdiction
- Opt for the respective passport category per your purpose of visit
- Choose your mode of submission (postal, appointment, etc.)
You’ll also need to pay the OCI fee, which can be paid online via the VFS Global website. Print the confirmation page after you pay your fee and include it in your application. You may also pay with a Money Order or Banker’s Check made out to “VFS Services (USA) Inc.” Personal checks are not accepted.
Step 4 Submit Completed Physical Application to VFS Global
Next, see what supporting documents you need according to what type of OCI you are applying for. Gather these documents.
Mail in your completed application, which should include a physical copy of your OCI Application Form and all supporting documents, to the VFS Indian Consular Application Centre as per your Consular Jurisdiction/Address on the shipping label. You can select and pay for VFS provided courier service at the time of paying your OCI fee online on the VFS Global website.
OCI applicants applying at the Mission which is out of the jurisdiction of their state of residence must use their own prepaid courier labels.
Step 6 Check Entry Status Online
Entry status of your application can be checked online here. VFS Global does not offer updates on status until your OCI card is processed and received at a VFS Global office from the Embassy/Consulate.
OCI Card Fees
The fees for issuance of fresh OCI cards is US $293.90, including fees. Any request for conversion of PIO card to OCI card will be charged a fee of $118.90 including fees.
How To Track Your OCI Application
You will receive your application process notifications via email/text message as and when application status changes.
To track your application online, you’ll need to enter in your Applicant Reference Number which is included on the receipt of your online application along with your date of birth.
Additionally, you have the option of using the VFS Global’s SMS service to receive messages on your application status. This is a paid service.
Once the Embassy of India/Consulate(s) has assessed your application, made a decision and returned the decision to the VFS Indian Consular Application Centre, VFS Global will then inform you about the status of your application via your preferred method of communication.
Processing Of OCI Card Application
Processing an OCI application normally takes 8-10 weeks. The complete processing of OCI status involves a number of steps. The processing can be further delayed because of incomplete applications. The following is a general processing timeline and steps involved in applying for an OCI card:
- The OCI application is sent for processing to the Embassy/Consulate and the final card is sent from Delhi, India. This entire process can take around 60 days.
- After the OCI card is received by the Consulate in the applicant’s jurisdiction, he or she is required to send in their original US passport. Once the passport is received by the VFS Global Center, the processing will resume. Three days are required to send in a US passport to the Consulate.
- The Consulate requires 7 days to match the US passport with the OCI card.
- The VFS Global center takes 3 days to ship the US passport and OCI card once ready.
The processing time mentioned above is dependent on various factors like number of working days and time taken by the courier companies to deliver the passport.
VFS Indian Consular Application Centres
| VFS Global Center | Address/Contact Information | Consular Jurisdiction | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington DC | Submission Hours 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM, Monday to Friday Address: 1025 Vermont Avenue, 3rd Floor, Washington DC, 20005 | Bermuda, Delaware, District of Columbia, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia | Minimum 1 – 3 weeks. Minimum 6 weeks or more if the case is referred for clearance. |
| New York (NY) | Submission Hours 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM, Monday to Friday Address: 128 E 32nd St Floor 2, New York, NY 10016 | Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont | Additional 10 days |
| Chicago (IL) | Submission Hours 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM, Monday to Friday Address: Suite 2075, 180 North Stetson Ave, 20th Floor, Chicago, IL 60601 | Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin | Minimum 4 weeks. 6 weeks or more if the case is referred for clearance. |
| Houston (TX) | Submission Hours 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM, Monday to Friday Address: Suite 550, 1001 Texas Avenue, Houston, TX 77002 | Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Colorado and Nebraska | 1-3 weeks. 6 weeks or more if the case is referred for clearance. |
| San Francisco (CA) | Submission Hours 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM, Monday to Friday Address: 642 Harrison Street, Suite 200, San Francisco 94107, CA | Alaska, Arizona, California, Island of Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, U.S. Territory of American Samoa and Wyoming | 2-3 weeks |
| Atlanta (GA) | Submission Hours: 9:00 AM – 3:30PM, Monday to Friday Address: Suite 175, 1200 Altmore Avenue, Sandy Springs, GA 30342 | Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee and US Virgin Islands | 6-8 weeks. 4 additional weeks if the passport is referred for clearance. |
For more information on OCI, check out our complete guide on OCI status.
Disclaimer
The information above is for reference purposes only. Please call VFS Global for specific details.
