Based
on the recommendation of the High Level committee on Indian Diaspora, the
Government of India decided to accord Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI). OCI
scheme is operational from December 2, 2005.
Please Note:
Persons registered as OCI have
not been given any voting/political rights. The Constitution of India does not
allow holding Indian citizenship and citizenship of a foreign country
simultaneously.
Who is eligible?
Who
was eligible to become citizen of India on January 26, 1950; or
Who
was a citizen of India on or at any time after January 26, 1950; or
Who
belonged to a territory that became part of India after August 15, 1947; and
His/her
children and grand children including minors, provided foreign national or
his/her children and grand children’s country concerned allows dual
citizenship in some form or other under the local laws.
Who is not eligible?
Any
foreign national who has earlier been a citizen of Pakistan of Bangladesh.
Any
foreign national who has an adverse record;
Foreign-born
minor children are not eligible for OCI if both the parents are Indian
citizens holding Indian Passports.
Cancellation of
OCI Registration
If
during post verification, any adverse report is discovered against the
foreign national, registration as OCI already granted by the Indian
Mission/Post shall be cancelled by an order under section 7D of the
Citizenship Act, 1955.
If
it is subsequently discovered that a foreign national has obtained OCI by
fraud, false representation or concealment of any material fact or he/she
has demonstrated disaffection towards the Constitution of India or is
covered under any of the provisions of section 7D of the Citizenship Act,
the registration of such foreign national shall be cancelled
immediately. In addition, he/she shall be debarred from
visiting India in the future.
Privileges
Persons
registered as OCI enjoy:
A multiple entry, 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.
Any
other benefits to OCIs will be notified by the Ministry of Overseas Indian
Affairs (MOIA) under Section 7B(1) of the Citizenship Act, 1955.
Persons
registered as overseas citizen of India under Section 7A of the Citizenship
Act, 1955, shall be entitled to:
(a) Parity with non-resident Indian in respect of:
1. Entry
fees to be charged for visiting the national monuments, historical sites and
museums in India;
2. 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.
(b)
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.
Restrictions
Persons registered as OCI:
o Cannot acquire agricultural or plantation properties in India;
o Do not enjoy any voting rights;
o Cannot contest selections to Lok Sabha/Rajya Sabha/ Legislative
Assembly/Council;
o Cannot hold Constitutional posts such as that of President, Vice
President, Judge of Supreme Court/High Court etc.
Extracts of Citizenship Act 1955
Overseas
Citizenship
7A.
Registration of overseas citizens of India.- The Central Government may,
subject to such conditions and restrictions as may be prescribed, on an
application made in this behalf, register as an overseas citizen of India-
(a) any
person of full age and capacity,-
(i) who
is 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 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 citizen of another country, but belonged to a territory that become part of
India after the 15th day of August, 1947; or
(iv) who is a child or a grand-child of such a citizen; or
(b) a person, who is a minor child of a person mentioned in clause (a):
Provided that no person, who 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.
7B.
Conferment of rights on overseas citizens of India.-
(1)
Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force,
an overseas citizen of India shall be entitled to such rights other than the
rights specified under sub-section(2) as the Central Government may, by
notification in the Official Gazette, specify in this behalf.
(2)
An overseas citizen of India shall not be entitled to the rights conferred on a
citizen of India-
(a) under
article 16 of the Constitution with regard to equality of opportunity in matters
of public employment;
(b) under
article 58 of the Constitution for election as President;
(c) under
article 66 of the Constitution for election of Vice-President;
(d) under
article 124 of the Constitution for appointment as a Judge of the Supreme Court;
(e) under
article 217 of the Constitution for appointment as a Judge of the High Court;
(f) under
section 16 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950(43 of 1950) in regard
to registration as a voter;
(g) under
sections 3 and 4 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 (43 of 1951) with
regard to the eligibility for being a member of the House of the People or of
the Council of States, as the case may be;
(h) under
section 5, 5A and 6 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 (43 of 1951)
with regard to the eligibility for being a member of the Legislative Assembly or
a Legislative Council, as the case may be, of a State;
(i) for
appointment to public services and posts in connection with the affairs of the
Union or of any State except for appointment in such services and posts as the
Central Government may by special order in that behalf specify.
(3)
Every notification issued under sub-section (1) shall be laid before each House
of Parliament.
7C.
Renunciation of overseas citizenship.-
(1) If
any overseas citizen of India of full age and capacity makes in the prescribed
manner a declaration renouncing his overseas citizenship of India, the
declaration shall be registered by the Central Government, and; upon such
registration, that person shall cease to be an overseas citizen of India.
(2) Where
a person ceases to be an overseas citizen of India under subsection
every minor child of that person registered as an overseas citizen of
India, shall thereupon cease to be an overseas citizen of India.
7D.
Cancellation of registration as overseas citizen of India.- The
Central Government may, by order, cancel the registration granted under
sub-section(1) of section 7A if it is satisfied that-
(a) the registration as an overseas citizen of India was obtained by means of
fraud, false representation or the concealment of any material fact; or
(b) the overseas citizen of India has shown disaffection towards the
Constitution of India as by law established; or
(c) the overseas citizen of India has, during any war in which India
may bee engaged, unlawfully traded or communicated with an enemy or been engaged
in, or associated with, any business or commercial activity that was to his
knowledge carried on in such manner as to assist an enemy in that war; or
(d) the overseas citizen of India has, within five years after
registration under sub-section(1) of section 7A has been sentenced to
imprisonment for a term of not less than two years; or
(e) it is necessary so to do in the interest of the sovereignty and
integrity of India, the security of India, friendly relations of India with any
foreign country, or in the interests of the general public.
The Process
1. Processing Time
OCI Application Process takes 45 business days from the time the application is processed at the Embassy.
2. Submission of US and Indian passports in original
In order
to save dispatch time of US/foreign passport and OCI card, the applicants are
requested to mail their passports in original along with OCI application.
However, if the applicant is traveling or has any plan to travel while OCI
application is in process, i.e. within 45 business days, kindly do not send
US/foreign passport in original. Mail your US passport once the file is granted
status shows on http://ociindia.nic.in/ociindia/OnlineOCIenquiry.jsp
3. Incomplete applications
If any
application/information is incomplete, your application will be sent back or you
will be contacted by email provided on the application.
4. OCI Cards
OCI cards and lifelong visa
stickers are printed in Delhi. Please check the status at http://ociindia.nic.in/ociindia/OnlineOCIenquiry.jsp
Note:
Reference or online registration number begins with "USAWI......"
(alphabetical I) and not "USAS1.." (numeric one). OCI File number will
begin from "USAW00...." (numeric zeroes)
5. Status of OCI applications and OCI Card
As
the Embassy processes a large number of OCI applications, it will not be
possible to provide individual interim Status/ Acknowledgement/File number to
applicants. Cooperation of applicants is,
therefore, solicited to refrain from making interim status enquiries and calls.
Enquiries and status calls will be attended to only after 45 business days of
acceptance of the application.
Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction of the Embassy of India, Washington DC are:
Bermuda, Delaware, District of Columbia, Kentucky,
Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia
Guidance
for completing online application:
(a) You must register and complete the form
(Part-A) ONLINE (link
mentioned at the end of these instructions).
(b) When you have completed filling in Part A, click save. A Print
Window would appear. Click “OK” to print out the application form consisting
of Part-A and Part-B will be printed.
(c) You must then complete Part-B, preferably
TYPED. It may also be handwritten but in CAPITAL
LETTERS with Blue
or Black
Ink.
(d) The completed application form (Part-A & Part- B) must be
submitted in TWO
SETS for each applicant to the Embassy.
(e) Photographs-
·
You must also paste Two PHOTOGRAPHS of 2 inches x 2 inches or 35mm x 35mm IN
COLOR FOR EACH APPLICANT on the space provided on the PART A. DO
NOT STAPLE the photographs. Attach third photograph in an
envelope with name written on the back of photograph. [Photograph should be
sufficiently bright color with frontal view of full face against a light
background.]
·
Close-up of head and top of shoulders with the face filling up 70%
to 80% of the photo.
·
Sharp focus, clear, and of high quality.
·
Photograph should be recent and in no case more than six months
old.
Following kinds of photographs
are not
accepted
·
Black and white photographs
·
Photographs with colored or dark glasses
·
With dark background or in uniform
·
Polaroid, home-shot or home-scanned, or unduly large/small
photographs are not accepted
(f) At the end of Part-B, a list of Documents that are required is
mentioned. These are –
·
Current US/ foreign passport in Original and self attested copy of
first and last page of US/ foreign passport.
·
Indian passport in Original and self attested copy of first two
and last two pages of Indian Passport. In case, the Indian passport is not
available, kindly check “WHAT IS REQUIRED” link under OCI.
·
Self-attested copy of the birth certificate for foreign-born
children as a proof of relationship with the child.
·
PIO card in Original and self- attested copy of PIO card, if
applicable.
*Self-attestation means-
signing the photocopy of the required documents stating as "true copy of
the original". In case of minors, documents should be attested by either of
the parent.
*All documents should be
submitted in two individual sets for all the applicants. Each set should
comprise of Part A, Part B and supporting documents.
(g) Signature- The signature of the applicant should be
WITHIN AND IN THE CENTER of the Signature box of Part A of the
OCI Application form. Place thumb impression in signature box in BLUE INK ONLY
(right thumb for female and left thumb for male), if the applicant (including
minor children) can’t sign. Make sure it is a DARK PRINT. Parents should not
sign for children in the signature box.
Important:
·
Save a copy of the OCI Applications for your records.
·
Do not email/call regarding receipt of application at the Embassy.
·
The entire process of OCI applications is handled via postal mail.
Please, therefore, refrain from making personal appearance for handing over
applications; making enquiries/seeking status; or collection of the finished
documents.
If you have understood the
instructions properly and are ready to apply for OCI, please click “Online
Registration” to
continue
What is required along with
OCI application printed online:
·
Two copies of Part A and Part B
·
Three - (2" X 2") - size photographs
·
Current US/ foreign Passport in original
·
Two self-attested photocopies of the first and last pages of the
current US/ foreign passport for determining present citizenship of
applicant (s).
·
Two photocopies of the birth certificate of US/foreign born
children. This should be attested by either of the parent.
·
Last Indian Passport held in original
·
Two self-attested photocopies of the first two and last two pages
of the Indian passport.
In the event, the Indian passport is not available, we require the
following:
o Copy of domicile certificate, or any photo ID issued by the
Government of India or of a State of India such as: Voter ID, or
o Copy of Indian Birth Certificate, and
o Copy of Indian Educational certificates, and
o Copy of Naturalization certificate issued by the country of
current nationality of the applicant, and
o Affidavit
IMPORTANT
IF YOUR NAME IN YOUR US PASSPORT
IS DIFFERENT FROM THE ONE IN THE INDIAN PASSPORT, YOU ARE REQUIRED TO ADVERTISE
CHANGE OF NAME IN A NEWSPAPER IN YOUR LOCALITY IN USA, AND IN INDIA. COMPLETE
AND NOTARIZE THE CHANGE
OF NAME (pdf file) AFFIDAVIT.
What is not valid as proof of Indian
Nationality:
·
Indian bank statements; Indian cell phone provider statements;
Indian lease agreements; Indian credit card statements, etc
·
A Self Addressed Stamped USPS Express Mail Envelope for Returning
Documents. Please record with you the USPS tracking number for tracking
documents when mailed by the Embassy.
Fee:
·
Cashier check/Postal Order of $ 275 (two hundred and seventy five
only) per applicant
·
It should be payable to “Embassy of India, Washington DC”
·
One Cashier check/Postal Order for entire amount for a family is
accepted
Cash, Personal Checks, credit
cards or any other form of banking instruments are not accepted.
Where to apply:
Before mailing, check the
following enclosures:
·
Two copies of Part A and Part B
·
Three - (2" X 2") - size photographs
·
Current US/ foreign Passport in original
·
Two self-attested photocopies of the first and last pages of the
current US/ foreign passport for determining present citizenship of applicant
(s)
·
Two photocopies of the birth certificate of US/foreign born
children. This should be attested by either of the parent.
·
Last Indian Passport held in original
·
Two self-attested photocopies of the first two and last two pages
of the Indian passport.
·
PIO card in original, if applicable
·
Two self attested copies of PIO card, if applicable
·
Requisite Fee in the form of postal money order/cashiers check
·
A Self-addressed Stamped USPS Express Mail Envelope for Returning
Documents (with current postage).
Mail the above documents to-
OCI Cell, Embassy of India,
2536 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington DC 20008
NOTE: Applications for OCI are
accepted by mail only. OCI cards and the passports are dispatched
also by mail only. We earnestly and humbly request you not to make
personal appearance at the Embassy.
OCI for PIO Card Holder
·
PIO
cardholders who are otherwise eligible for registration as OCI should follow the
above process and apply similarly as the OCI applicant.
·
In addition to other supporting documents, PIO cardholders shall
also submit a self-attested copy of their PIO card.
·
PIO cardholders will be required to surrender their PIO Card once
OCI status is accorded. A PIO cardholder cannot hold the PIO and OCI cards
at the same time.
·
A
PIO cardholder applying for OCI status will pay a fee of US$ 25/- by postal
money order.
Applying in India or
elsewhere
·
If the applicant is in India, he/she
can apply to the Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (FRRO) at Delhi,
Mumbai, Kolkata or Amritsar or Chief Immigration Officer (CHIO) Chennai or to
the Under Secretary, Citizenship Section, Foreigners Division, Ministry of Home
Affairs (MHA), Jaisalmer House, 26 Mansingh Road, New Delhi-110011.
·
If the applicant is abroad, he/she should submit the application
to the Indian Mission/Post of the country of applicant’s citizenship, or ;
where he/she is not in the country of citizenship, to the Indian mission/post of
the country in which he/she is ordinarily resident.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) On Overseas Citizenship of India
(OCI) Scheme
Who
is eligible to apply?
Any foreign national,
·
who was eligible to become 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, and;
·
provided his/her country of citizenship allows dual
·
citizenship in some form or other under the local laws,
·
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
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:
(i)
Sikkim from 26.04.1975
(ii)
Pondicherry from 16.08.1962
(iii)
Dadra & Nagar Haveli from 11.08.1961
(iv)
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
Who
is a Minor?
A person
who has not attained the age of 18 years is considered
minor.
Are
minor children whose both parents are Indian citizens eligible for OCI?
No.
Can
children of parents, wherein one of the parents is eligible for OCI?, apply for
OCI?
Yes.
What are
the documents required
for obtaining OCI status?
The following documents shall be
enclosed with each application:
·
Two self-attested photocopies of the first and last pages of the
current US/ foreign passport for determining present citizenship of applicant
(s)
·
Two photocopies of the birth certificate of US/foreign born
children. This should be attested by either of the parent.
·
Last Indian Passport held in original
·
Two self-attested photocopies of the first two and last two pages
of the Indian passport.
·
In the event, the Indian passport is not available, we require the
following:
o Copy of domicile certificate, or any photo ID issued by the
Government of India or of a State of India such as: Voter ID, or
o Copy of Indian Birth Certificate, and
o Copy of Indian Educational certificates, and
o Copy of Naturalization certificate issued by the country of
current nationality of the applicant, and
o Affidavit
o PIO card in original, if applicable
o Two self attested copies of PIO card, if applicable
o Proof of fee payment US$ 275/- for each applicant (US$ 25 for each
PIO card holder)
o A Self Addressed Stamped USPS Express Mail Envelope for Returning
Documents.
How
many copies of application have to be submitted?
Two copies each of the
application and supporting documents have to be submitted.
Whether applicant(s) have to go in person to submit the application (s)?
No. Application (s) are received
by mail. There is no provision for personal appearance.
Do
the applicant (s) have to take oath before the Counsel of the Indian
Mission/Post?
No.
Where
to submit the application?
If under the jurisdiction of Washington, DC, submit your application
to-
OCI Cell, Embassy of India,
2536 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington DC 20008
Otherwise, if the applicant is
in India, to the FRRO Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkota or Amritsar or to CHIO, Chennai or
to the Under Secretary, Citizenship section, Foreigners Division, Ministry of
Home Affairs (MHA), Jaisalmer House, 26, Mansingh Road, New Delhi-110011.
What
are the consequences of furnishing wrong information or suppressing material
information?
All the applications are subject to pre or post-enquiry. If after enquiry, an
adverse record is discovered against the applicant or that OCI status was
obtained by providing false information or by suppressing/concealing material
information was suppressed, the registration as OCI already granted shall be
cancelled immediately by an order under section 7D of the Citizenship Act, 1955.
In addition, the person/s will be debarred from visiting India in the future.
What
is the fee for application for registration as OCI?
US$ 275/- (two hundred and
seventy five only) by postal money order
For PIO Card holder $ 25 (twenty five) only
What
is the time taken for registration as OCI?
We expect to receive them in
about 45 business days from the time of applications. If any adverse information
is available against the applicant, the decision to grant or otherwise may take
longer.
If
the registration as OCI is not granted, what amount will be refunded?
An amount of $ 250/- shall be
refunded, if registration is refused. $ 25 is the processing fees, which is
non-refundable.
Can
a PIO cardholder apply?
Yes, provided he/she is
otherwise eligible for grant of OCI.
Will
the PIO card be honored till the time they are valid even after acquisition of
OCI?
No. The PIO card will have to be
surrendered to the Consulate concerned for granting OCI registration certificate
and visa.
What
will be issued after registration as OCI?
An OCI card and a multiple
entry, multi-purpose lifelong visa.
Will
a separate OCI passport be issued?
No.
Will
a duplicate certificate of registration as OCI be issued?
Yes. For this purpose, an
application has to be made to the Indian Mission/Post with a police report for
evidence of 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 the same Indian Mission/ Post which issued the
certificate along with payment of fee of $ 100/-.
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 visa will be issued. Please follow OCI
Miscellaneous Services instructions. As the OCI Visa is lifelong, the holder
can continue to carry the old passport in which the visa sticker was affixed and
with the new passport for visiting India without seeking a new visa.
Will
the applicant lose his citizenship after registering as OCI?
No. As only citizens of those
countries that allow dual citizenship under the local laws in some form or the
other are eligible for applying for registration as OCI, losing of 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 Protected Area Permit (PAP)/ Restricted Area Permit (RAP) for such visits.
Would
the Indian civil/criminal laws be applicable to persons registered as OCI?
Yes. For the period, the OCI
status holder is living in India.
Can
a person registered as OCI be granted Indian citizenship?
Yes. As per the provisions of
section 5(1) (g) of the Citizenship Act, 1955, a person who is registered as OCI,
remains an 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 a 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?
(i)
OCI is entitled to a life long visa for visiting India, while for
a PIO cardholder, it is for 15 years.
(ii)
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
nationals of Commonwealth countries are eligible for OCI?
Yes, if they fulfill the
eligibility criteria.
Can
a person renounce OCI?
Yes.
He/she has to declare intention of renunciation to the Indian Mission/Post where
OCI registration was granted. After receipt of the declaration, the Indian
Mission/Post shall issue an acknowledgement.
Can OCI
cardholders seek employment?
OCI
card holders can seek employment in all spheres except - mountaineering,
missionary and research work and other work requiring PAP / RAP.
OCI
card holders are allowed to work in the private sector.
However,
as far as practice in professions, i.e. working as doctors, dentist, nurses,
pharmacists, chartered accountant, architects, advocates, etc. are concerned; it
is permissible only as per provision contained in relevant Acts. For the
present, MCI and DCI Acts do not allow foreign nationals to practice in India.
The other Acts prescribes reciprocal facility..
Does
OCI Cardholder need to get an employment visa, registration with FRRO
The
OCI card does away completely with the need for an employment visa, registration
with FRRO, etc. applicable to other foreign nationals.
Does an
OCI cardholder need to leave India, in case of change of employer or in case he
chooses to leave the job, for which he initially came to India?
An
OCI cardholder need not leave India, in case of change of employer or in case he
chooses to leave the job, for which he initially came to India.
In
order to find out your file number, please follow the steps mentioned below:
Step 1:On the Enquiry
block (see below), enter your online registration number. This number begins
with USAWI… [it is alphabetical I and not numeric 1 (one)].
Step 2: Press the “Go” button.
Step 3:Your file number and other
details will automatically show.
Step 4:Send the US/ foreign passport
for affixing of U visa once “Documents Received at- Washington DC” shows the
Date.
Step 5:Refer to the following link
regarding process of Dispatch of OCI cards from the Embassy. Click for Dispatch Instructions
Below
is a sample page
Enquiry
File(Acknowledgment) No
(
You will find this number only after your application is acknowledged ,
this will take around 15 working days after you mail your application .
For postal delivery confirmation kindly contact your service courier.
Please do not call/e-mail us for this purpose. )
Online Registration No
(Enter
your ONLINE REGISTRATION NO. Please note number starts
with USAWI
not with USAW1 , many applicants do
this mistake)
Applicant's Name
“ Your
Name ” will appear here , this will take around 15 working days after
you send your application,
Date Of Acknowledgment
27-AUG-2006
Application
Status
Registration Status
Granted
( Once it shows Granted means, there is no problem in your
application and forwarded to Delhi for printing )
On
28-AUG-2006
Photo/Signature
Scanned
On
27-AUG-2006
Documents Printing Status
PRINTED
Documents Printed On
29-AUG-2006
(This means your OCI card was printed at Delhi on this date)
Documents Dispatched From Delhi On
29-AUG-2006
(
This is the date that Delhi office Dispatched the Card to EOI WASHINGTON DC)
Ordinarily, OCI
Registration Certificate and Visa are available for delivery within 30
days from the date of acknowledgment. If there are any objections
regarding Photographs/Signature/Thumb impression etc, the same should be
cleared by the applicant by sending another copy of the document(s) to
the concerned Mission/Office.
Instructions regarding Dispatch of OCI cards from Embassy of
India, Washington DC
We are required to affix the U-visa on your US/foreign
passport and also deliver the OCI card to you (and your family, if applicable).
In order to complete the work, you are requested to:
Step 1: Send your and your family member’s US passport/s
and PIO card/s, if any, to us by mail marking attention to OCI Cell (Dispatch),
Embassy of India, 2536 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington DC 20008.
Step 2: Kindly quote applicant’s/applicants file number and
current address in a cover letter along with the passports.
Step 3: In Case return mail charges, or pre- paid envelope
was not sent earlier, enclose a self addressed stamped Prepaid USPS Express Mail envelope for returning the passport. Please ensure that the
complete current mailing address is mentioned on the USPS Express Mail envelope.
Step 4: In case you have acquired a new US/Foreign passport
since you applied for OCI, kindly send Expired US/Foreign passport in original
and a photocopy of first page of new US/Foreign Passport. The U visa sticker has
to be pasted on the Passport with which application was made.
Important:
There is no option for personal pick-up. US/Foreign Passport
should be sent by MAIL only. It will take 7-8 working days for the OCI Cell to
mail back the passport and OCI card.
OCI Miscellaneous Services
OCI Miscellaneous Services are available in the event of:
(i)
issuance of new passport;
(ii)
change of personal particulars viz. nationality;
(iii) loss/damage
of OCI registration certificate/visa.
(iv)
erroneously entering wrong personal particulars while submitting online
applications;
(v)
change of address and occupation.
Process
(i)
Registered OCI shall make the application online selecting the requisite
service(s).
(ii)
Hard copy of application along with copy of old lifelong visa, old and new
US/foreign passport and new enclosures to be submitted to the concerned Indian
Mission/Post/Office.
(iii) Application
can be submitted in Indian Mission/Post/Office in whose jurisdiction the
applicant is ordinarily residing irrespective of the fact whether the same
Mission/Post/Office has issued the original OCI documents or not.
(iv) Fee for
re-issuance of OCI documents is US$ 25 (twenty five).
(v) Fee
for issuance of duplicate OCI documents is US$ 100 (one hundred).
Photocopy of New US passport, OCI card and lifelong visa
Requisite Fee in the form of postal money order
Self addressed pre-paid USPS Express mail envelope
Fee
· US$ 25 for
re-issuance of OCI documents in case of issuance of new passport, change of
personal particulars, wrong filing of particulars , payable to “Embassy of
India, Washington DC”
· US$ 100
for issuance of duplicate OCI documents in case of loss/damage, payable to
“Embassy of India, Washington DC”
· Fee should
be paid in the form of postal money order
Mailing Address
If residing under the jurisdiction of Embassy of India, Washington DC, mail your
application to:
OCI Cell, Embassy of India, 2536 Massachusetts Ave NW,
Washington DC 20008
Instructions regarding Dispatch of OCI cards
We are required to affix the U-visa on your US/foreign
passport and also deliver the OCI card to you (and your family, if applicable).
In order to complete the work, you are requested to:
Step 1: Send your and your family member’s US passport/s
and PIO card/s, if any, to us by mail marking attention to " OCI Cell,
Embassy of India, 2536 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington DC 20008
Step 2: Kindly quote applicant’s/applicants file number and
current address in a cover letter along with the passports.
Step 3: In Case return mail charges, or pre- paid envelope
was not sent earlier, enclose a self addressed stamped (current postage rate)
USPS Express Mail envelope for returning the passport. Please ensure that the
complete current mailing address is mentioned on the USPS Express Mail envelope.
Step 4: In case you have acquired a new US/Foreign passport
since you applied for OCI, kindly send Expired US/Foreign passport in original
and a photocopy of first page of new US/Foreign Passport. The U visa sticker has
to be pasted on the Passport with which application was made.
Important:
There is no option for personal pick-up. US/Foreign Passport
should be sent by MAIL only. It will take 7-8 working days for the OCI Cell to
mail back the passport and OCI card.
