Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) Card

Overview

OCI Card is a Multiple Entry Life-long Visa which allows the holder unlimited travel and stay in India. The OCI Card is valid only when presented along with a valid foreign passport whose details are updated in the OCI Card.

Eligibility for an OCI card

A foreign national is eligible to apply for an OCI card if he/she:

• Was a citizen of India on or at any time after the commencement of the Constitution of India (i.e. 26^th January, 1950); or
• Was eligible to become a citizen of India at the time of the commencement of the Constitution of India; or
• Belonged to a territory that became part of India after 15.08.1947; or
• Who is a child or a grandchild or a great grandchild of such a citizen mentioned above; or
• A person who is a minor child of a person mentioned above; or
• 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
• Spouse of foreign origin of a citizen of India or spouse of foreign origin of an Overseas Citizen of India cardholder registered under section 7A and whose marriage has been registered and subsisting for a continuous period of not less than two years immediately preceding the presentation of the application under this section. Such applicants have to submit the OCI Card application along with a sworn affidavit.  

You are not eligible to apply for an OCI card in the following cases:

• The applicant will not be eligible for OCI card, if the they/their parents had ever been citizens of Pakistan or Bangladesh.
• Foreign Defence/Military/Police/ex-Defence personnel and the persons working with security agencies are not eligible for OCI card

Instructions For Registration – Fresh OCI Card

• The applicant must fill the application form online on the OCI Services portal: https://ociservices.gov.in/onlineOCI/
• Upload all the requisite documents (along with English translation), photograph and signature (in case of minors who cannot sign, left hand thumb impression should be uploaded). All documents issued by the French authorities are required to be apostilled before final submission.
• After submitting the application online including documents, photograph and signature, the application must then be printed and submitted in one set along with the original and photocopies of documents (French documents apostilled and English translation by a certified translator) at the Consulate on working days from Monday to Friday (0930hrs to 1230 hrs – except on Consulate holidays) for verification.
• During the verification, if any deficiency in the application/uploaded documents/photograph/signature is found, we shall inform the applicant via email or telephone. After receipt of all the required documents, the application shall be processed. Payment for new OCI Cards have to be made only when the applicant is called to do the same after initial processing at the Consulate. Payment for re-issue of OCI card has to be made at the time of submission of application. Applicants have to personally visit the Consulate at least once during the entire process for submission of their biometric data.
• It is requested that the payment receipt be kept safely in the custody of the applicant as it will be required to be presented at the Consulate for collection of the OCI Card.
• Once the OCI card is granted and received from India, the applicant will be informed by e-mail/call to collect the same on working days from Monday to Friday (1500hrs to 1700 hrs – except on Consulate holidays). Along with their OCI Cards, the applicants are requested to collect the original documents that were submitted with the applications.

Kindly note: An OCI card is a life-long visa and is issued normally within 30-45 working days after payment. However, in the cases referred to other Indian Embassies/Consulate, OCI applications are processed on receipt of clearance from the concerned Mission/Post concerned.

The Government of India has approved registration of applicants/descendants up to 6^th Generation of the original Indian immigrant who arrived in Reunion Island from India.

Documents required for new OCI Card:

• Print of duly filled in and signed application form (form to be filled online only)
• French Passport (original + copy of data page)
• Livret de famille (original + copy)
• Applicant’s birth certificate and birth certificate of his/her forefathers that would establish his/her lineage to the original immigrant from India. Considering the difficulty in obtaining birth certificate of the original Indian immigrant, applicants may submit Death Certificate or Marriage Certificate clearly mentioning the Indian origin of the 1^st generation Indian.
• In case the applicant acquired French nationality and is applying for an OCI Card, Naturalisation Certificate (certificat de nationalite francaise-) (original + English translation+copy), and Certificate of Renunciation of Indian Citizenship along with Surrender Certificate for Indian Passport should be submitted.
• Two recent colour photographs with light colored background (51mmx 51mm & identical)

Miscellaneous OCI Services:

Miscellaneous OCI Card services may be availed in the below cases:

• For minor OCI cardholders (below 18 years of age), each time the registered French passport is changed, a new OCI card should be requested through miscellaneous OCI service.
• Once after attaining the age of 50 years, an OCI cardholder should request for a new OCI card as soon as the passport is changed.
• Between the ages of 20 and 50 years, OCI cardholders may avail gratis miscellaneous service to update each time their passports are changed.
• In case of loss or damage of OCI card.

Documents required for Miscellaneous OCI Services:

• Print out of application filled and submitted online on the OCI Services portal: https://ociservices.gov.in/onlineOCI/
• French Passport (original + copy of data page)
• Current OCI Card and self-attested copy (first and last page)

Additional Documents:

• If the applicant has changed the address: A proof of address (eg. Recent utility bill)
• If the applicant has changed the name: Documents justifying the change of name
• In case of change of Passport Number: Originals and copies of both old and new Passports
• In case the applicant has lost the current OCI Card: The original Police report and a copy of lost OCI Card

Applicants are advised to ensure accuracy of details entered in the Online form as they will be printed on the OCI cards of the applicants.

Notice regarding Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) Card

This is to inform that from 31st May 2023 plurilingual Birth certificates, Marriage certificates and Death certificates, etc. will not be accepted for OCI registrations. Only the documents which are translated into English from the original French version will be accepted.

Please note: Existing PIO Cardholders are requested to apply for OCI card immediately to avoid any issues during travel as PIO cards will cease to be valid travel documents after 31 December, 2025.

Fees (payment by card only):