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OCI Card
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Applying for a Fresh OCI? Important Information on Renunciation & Surrender Certificates that you can’t miss
If you previously held an Indian passport and are applying for an OCI card, you must provide documents related to the renunciation of Indian citizenship. Here’s what you need to know:
For those who became foreign citizens after June 1, 2010:
• Original and copy of the Renunciation Certificate
• Original and copy of the Surrender Certificate
• Copy of the Cancelled Indian Passport (must have the stamp stating it was canceled due to acquiring foreign citizenship)
Your original certificates will be returned after verification. If you do not have these documents, you must apply for them before submitting your OCI application.
For those who became foreign citizens before June 1, 2010:
• Copy of the Surrender Certificate
• Copy of the Cancelled Indian Passport (with the cancellation stamp)
Missing these documents can delay your OCI application, so ensure you have them ready before applying.
Comment below if you have any suggestions or questions
For those who became foreign citizens after June 1, 2010:
• Original and copy of the Renunciation Certificate
• Original and copy of the Surrender Certificate
• Copy of the Cancelled Indian Passport (must have the stamp stating it was canceled due to acquiring foreign citizenship)
Your original certificates will be returned after verification. If you do not have these documents, you must apply for them before submitting your OCI application.
For those who became foreign citizens before June 1, 2010:
• Copy of the Surrender Certificate
• Copy of the Cancelled Indian Passport (with the cancellation stamp)
Missing these documents can delay your OCI application, so ensure you have them ready before applying.
Comment below if you have any suggestions or questions
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OCI Card Update or Re-issuance? Don't Miss These Key Rules
Update OCI Records (No Reissuance, Gratis Service)
New passport issuance (each time up to 20 years of age and once after 50 years of age).
Change in address, occupation, or contact details.
OCI Card Reissuance Required
New passport issuance (after 20 years of age).
Change in personal particulars (name, father’s name, nationality, etc.).
Loss or damage of OCI registration certificate.
Renunciation of OCI Card.
Updates require uploading a photograph and documents. Acknowledgment will be sent to the registered email ID.
New passport issuance (each time up to 20 years of age and once after 50 years of age).
Change in address, occupation, or contact details.
OCI Card Reissuance Required
New passport issuance (after 20 years of age).
Change in personal particulars (name, father’s name, nationality, etc.).
Loss or damage of OCI registration certificate.
Renunciation of OCI Card.
Updates require uploading a photograph and documents. Acknowledgment will be sent to the registered email ID.
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OCI Mistakes to Avoid: Must-Know FAQs Before You Apply
When should you apply for OCI Miscellaneous Services?
You need re-issuance or a duplicate OCI in these cases:
New passport issued
Change in personal details such as nationality or name
Lost or damaged OCI card
Errors in personal details during application
Mistakes made by the Indian Mission or Post in manual applications
Change in address or occupation
Can a family apply together?
No, each person must apply individually online.
Is OCI re-issuance or UPDATE required for every new passport?
Under 20 – Just update of new passport information is required. Renewal is not required
21 to LIFELONG –Just update of new passport information is required. Renewal is not required
Applicants who obtained their passports before the age of 20 are required to renew their OCI as soon as they get their new passport after turning 20.
Do I need an apostille for OCI applications from the USA?
If your birth certificate or any other supporting document is issued outside India, it must be apostilled by the state that issued it. In some cases, further authentication by the US Department of State may be required.
Avoid delays by getting it right the first time. Have more OCI questions? Ask below.
You need re-issuance or a duplicate OCI in these cases:
New passport issued
Change in personal details such as nationality or name
Lost or damaged OCI card
Errors in personal details during application
Mistakes made by the Indian Mission or Post in manual applications
Change in address or occupation
Can a family apply together?
No, each person must apply individually online.
Is OCI re-issuance or UPDATE required for every new passport?
Under 20 – Just update of new passport information is required. Renewal is not required
21 to LIFELONG –Just update of new passport information is required. Renewal is not required
Applicants who obtained their passports before the age of 20 are required to renew their OCI as soon as they get their new passport after turning 20.
Do I need an apostille for OCI applications from the USA?
If your birth certificate or any other supporting document is issued outside India, it must be apostilled by the state that issued it. In some cases, further authentication by the US Department of State may be required.
Avoid delays by getting it right the first time. Have more OCI questions? Ask below.
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e-Visa vs. OCI: What's Right for You?
Planning a trip or a long stay in India? Here’s a quick breakdown to help you decide.
Validity and Stay Duration
e-Visa: Short-term option, valid for 30 days to 5 years, with a stay limit of 30 to 180 days per visit.
OCI: Lifetime access with no restrictions on stay duration.
Entry and Restrictions
e-Visa: Multiple entries allowed, but each visit has a maximum stay limit.
OCI: Unlimited entries with no restrictions on how long you can stay.
Purpose and Activities Allowed
e-Visa: Restricted to tourism, business meetings, medical treatment, or conferences.
OCI: Allows long-term residence, work, study, and business in India.
Property and Employment
e-Visa: No employment rights and no property ownership.
OCI: Can work in India and own property, except agricultural land.
Drop your comments if you feel something is missing from the list and can help the community. Drop in your queries too regarding the same and we can help to find solutions.
Validity and Stay Duration
e-Visa: Short-term option, valid for 30 days to 5 years, with a stay limit of 30 to 180 days per visit.
OCI: Lifetime access with no restrictions on stay duration.
Entry and Restrictions
e-Visa: Multiple entries allowed, but each visit has a maximum stay limit.
OCI: Unlimited entries with no restrictions on how long you can stay.
Purpose and Activities Allowed
e-Visa: Restricted to tourism, business meetings, medical treatment, or conferences.
OCI: Allows long-term residence, work, study, and business in India.
Property and Employment
e-Visa: No employment rights and no property ownership.
OCI: Can work in India and own property, except agricultural land.
Drop your comments if you feel something is missing from the list and can help the community. Drop in your queries too regarding the same and we can help to find solutions.
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OCI for minor- NY
Feb 6- Application sent via FedEx
Feb 7- Application delivered to VFS NY
Feb 11- Initial application confirmation from VFS
Feb 11- Status changed to missing 'Birth Certificate Copy and Apostilled Certificate Original' (we had included a copy of Apostilled Certificate initially)
Feb 13- Sent out requested documents, reached VFS next day
Feb 21- Application 'Processed' at VFS, In-Transit to Consulate
Feb 25- Application 'In-Process' on government status tracker
March 20- Application 'Processed' on government status tracker
March 24- Documents dispatched, received FedEx tracking
March 25- Documents received
Feb 7- Application delivered to VFS NY
Feb 11- Initial application confirmation from VFS
Feb 11- Status changed to missing 'Birth Certificate Copy and Apostilled Certificate Original' (we had included a copy of Apostilled Certificate initially)
Feb 13- Sent out requested documents, reached VFS next day
Feb 21- Application 'Processed' at VFS, In-Transit to Consulate
Feb 25- Application 'In-Process' on government status tracker
March 20- Application 'Processed' on government status tracker
March 24- Documents dispatched, received FedEx tracking
March 25- Documents received
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Age/Category-wise Guidelines for OCI Card Holders
OCI Renewal Clarifications
Age/Category-wise Guidelines for OCI Card Holders
1. Infants to 20 Years
- Re-issuance of OCI: Not required.
- Requirement: Only the new passport details and a recent photo must be updated/uploaded on the OCI portal each time a new passport is issued.
- Documents Required for Travel:
- Original OCI Card
- New Passport
2. After Completion of 20 Years
- Re-issuance of OCI: Required once upon acquiring a new passport.
- Documents Required for Travel:
- Original OCI Card
- New Passport
3. 50 Years & Above
- Re-issuance of OCI: Not required.
- Requirement: Only the new passport details and a recent photo must be updated/uploaded on the OCI portal once after acquiring a new passport post the age of 50.
- Documents Required for Travel:
- Original OCI Card
- New Passport
Note: OCI cardholders must ensure that their passport details and photo are updated in accordance with the guidelines to avoid travel disruptions.
Age/Category-wise Guidelines for OCI Card Holders
1. Infants to 20 Years
- Re-issuance of OCI: Not required.
- Requirement: Only the new passport details and a recent photo must be updated/uploaded on the OCI portal each time a new passport is issued.
- Documents Required for Travel:
- Original OCI Card
- New Passport
2. After Completion of 20 Years
- Re-issuance of OCI: Required once upon acquiring a new passport.
- Documents Required for Travel:
- Original OCI Card
- New Passport
3. 50 Years & Above
- Re-issuance of OCI: Not required.
- Requirement: Only the new passport details and a recent photo must be updated/uploaded on the OCI portal once after acquiring a new passport post the age of 50.
- Documents Required for Travel:
- Original OCI Card
- New Passport
Note: OCI cardholders must ensure that their passport details and photo are updated in accordance with the guidelines to avoid travel disruptions.
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OCI card if parents are not Indian Citizen.
You might be wondering if you can apply for an OCI card even if your parents weren’t Indian citizens. The good news is, yes, you can! If your grandparents were Indian citizens or if your parents already hold OCI cards, you’re eligible to apply. You’ll just need to provide proof, like their Indian passports or OCI cards.
Another option is through marriage—if you’re married to an Indian citizen or an OCI cardholder, you can apply after two years of marriage, as long as you’ve been living together.
Another option is through marriage—if you’re married to an Indian citizen or an OCI cardholder, you can apply after two years of marriage, as long as you’ve been living together.
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Quick Tip for OCI if You’ve Moved to a New State
If you're applying for an OCI card, the consulate handling your application is determined by the address on your proof of residence. If your address falls outside the correct jurisdiction, your application could be rejected.
Here’s what you can do to avoid issues:
Update your address officially and wait before applying.
Use a relative’s address in the correct jurisdiction.
Set up a temporary lease for an eligible address.
It's best to sort this out before submitting your application to avoid complications. Hope this helps.
Here’s what you can do to avoid issues:
Update your address officially and wait before applying.
Use a relative’s address in the correct jurisdiction.
Set up a temporary lease for an eligible address.
It's best to sort this out before submitting your application to avoid complications. Hope this helps.
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**Getting an OCI for Your Child in the USA? This checklist is important**
If you're applying for your kid’s OCI card, make sure you have these documents ready:
* **Parental Authorization Form** – It’s a **must.**
* **Notarized Copies** of both parents' passports and visas.
* **Birth Certificate** – Apostille is needed.
* **Marriage Certificate of Parents** – Only **government-issued** ones are accepted, not religious certificates.
* **Parental Authorization Form** – It’s a **must.**
* **Notarized Copies** of both parents' passports and visas.
* **Birth Certificate** – Apostille is needed.
* **Marriage Certificate of Parents** – Only **government-issued** ones are accepted, not religious certificates.
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OCI Marriage Certificate Rule – Don’t Get Stuck
If you're applying for an OCI card, don’t make the mistake of submitting a religious marriage certificate. It won’t be accepted.
What works: Government-issued or court-registered marriage certificates.
What doesn’t: Temple-issued or community-based certificates.
Many people get stuck here, so check the latest rules on VFS Global or the Indian Consulate website before applying.
What works: Government-issued or court-registered marriage certificates.
What doesn’t: Temple-issued or community-based certificates.
Many people get stuck here, so check the latest rules on VFS Global or the Indian Consulate website before applying.
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Disclaimer: Please note that the experiences presented are submitted by visitors to our website. Individuals’ experiences may vary, and you should interpret each individual’s experience at your own risk. Do not make a decision solely based on an experience posted here. We do not endorse any individuals’ experiences, and we are not liable or responsible for consequences stemming from your use of the information presented within any individual’s experience.
