OVERSEAS CITIZEN OF INDIA (OCI)

Submission of Applications for OCI service at the Embassy:

0930-1130 hrs during Monday-Friday.

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR FILLING THE FORM

ELIGIBILITY:

(a) (i) who is a citizen of another country, but was a citizen of India at the time of, or at any time after, the commencement of the Constitution; or

(ii) who is a citizen of another country, but was eligible to become a citizen of India at the time of the commencement of the Constitution; or

(iii) who is a citizen of another country, but belonged to a territory that became part of India after the 15ft day of August,1947; or

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

(b) a person, who is a minor child of a person mentioned in clause(a),; or

(c) a person, who is a minor child, and whose both parents are citizens of India or one of the parents is a citizen of India; or

(d) 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 for a continuous period of not less than two years

NOTE: However, if the applicant had ever been a citizen of Pakistan or Bangladesh, he/she will not be eligible for OCI.

1. APPLICATION FORM AND PROCEDURE:

A family consisting of spouses and up to two minor children can apply in the same Form   i.e. Form XIX. This form can be filed online https://passport.gov.in/oci/.

Part B can be downloaded and filled by hand in block letters.

2. The following documents must be enclosed in each application:

• Proof of present citizenship.
• Evidence of self or parents or grandparents or great grand parent.

(a) Being eligible to become a citizen of India at the time of commencement of the constitution; or

(b) Belonging to a territory that became part of India after 15 th August, 1947; or

(c) Being citizen of India on or after 26th January, 1950

3. These could be:

(i) Copy of the Indian passport: or

(ii) Copy of the domicile certificate issued by the Competent authority; or

(iii) Any other proof substantiating the request. Usually applicants are able to submit a certificate of residence or place of birth of self/parents/grand parents from First Class Magistrate/District Magistrate (DM) of the concerned place.

4. Evidence of relationship as parent/grand parent, if their Indian origin is claimed as basis for grant of OCI.

5.  With effect from 23 November, 2015, no application for registration as OCI cardholder or for OCI miscellaneous service will be accepted or processed in the offline mode. The entire OCI application and processing system, including the submission of the application, uploading the requisite documents and payment of fee is online w.e.f. 23 November, 2015.

• The applicants shall submit the application form online and upload all the requisite documents (self attested), photograph and signature (in the case of minors who cannot sigh, left thumb impression) along with the application.
• After the applicant submits the complete application online including documents, photograph and signature, the originals of the supporting documents have to be submitted to the Indian Mission for prior verification. The Indian Mission will verify the supporting documents with the originals.

6. PROCEDURE FOR GRANTING REGISTRATION

After preliminary scrutiny, if there is no adverse information available against the applicant, the Indian Mission/Post shall register a person as an OCI within 30 days of application after verification of the antecedents of the applicant by security agencies within 20 days from the date of acknowledgement. If during the verification, any adverse   information comes to the knowledge of the MHA, the registration as an OCI already granted by the Indian Mission/Post shall be cancelled by an order under section 7 D of the Citizenship Act, 1955.

After preliminary scrutiny, if there is any adverse information against the applicant, prior approval of the MHA shall be required before grant of registration. The MHA may approve or reject the grant of registration within 120 days from the date of the receipt of the application. If the grant of registration as an OCI is approved by the MHA, the Indian Mission/Post/FRRO shall register the person as an OCI.

7. COLLECTION OF OCI DOCUMENTS

On preparation of OCI document, applicant is required to be present in person or he/she can send a duly authorized person, along with his/her foreign passport &PIO card (if any) for collection of the OCI documents from the same office where he/she applied. No passport     and OCI documents will be received/ sent by post or mail.

8. CANCELLATION OF OCI REGISTRATION

If it has been found that the registration as an OCI was obtained by means of fraud, false representation or concealment of any material fact or the registered OCI has shown disaffection towards the Constitution of India or comes under any of the provisions of section 7D of the Citizenship Act, 1955. The registration of such person will not only be cancelled forthwith but he/she will also be blacklisted from visiting India.

BENEFITS ACCRUED TO OCI CARD HOLDER

• Multiple entries, multi-purpose life-long visa for visiting India.

• Exemption from registration with local police authority for any length of stay in India.

• Parity with Non-resident Indians (NRIs) in respect of economic, financial and educational fields, except in relation to acquisition of agricultural or plantation properties.

• OCI can be used as identity proof for application of PAN Card and driving   license as well as for opening a bank account if the OCI card holder is residing in India.

THE OCI CARD HOLDER IS NOT ENTITLED TO:

• Vote

• Be a member of a Legislative Assembly or of a Legislative Council or of the Parliament of India

•  Hold Indian constitutional posts such as that of the President, Vice President, and Judge of the Supreme Court or High Court etc.

• Be employed in the Indian Government