Apply for or reissue an OCI card; reissue is mandatory each time you get a new passport.
Jurisdiction
All of India (application filed online; processed by OCI Cell, Ministry of Home Affairs, New Delhi) and Indian Missions abroad
Who applies
Foreign nationals of Indian origin (PIO) who are/were Indian citizens or whose parents/grandparents/great-grandparents were Indian citizens; also spouses of such persons; or existing OCI card holders whose passport has been renewed/OCI card is damaged/lost
Typical time
8–12 weeks for fresh OCI from India (longer from abroad); reissue (due to new passport) typically 4–8 weeks; processing time depends on background verification
Fee
Fresh OCI (applying in India): ₹15,000 equivalent in USD or INR as published; Reissue due to new passport (for minors under 20 or above 50): free; Reissue (others): approximately USD 25 equivalent; exact fees updated on ociservices.gov.in
| # | Document | Type needed | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Current valid foreign passport | Self-attested Copy | Primary identity document of the applicant as a foreign national; passport details form the basis of the OCI card |
| 2 | Proof of Indian origin (old Indian passport, or parent's/grandparent's Indian passport or citizenship certificate) | Self-attested Copy | Establishes the applicant's Indian lineage — the link through which eligibility is claimed |
| 3 | Evidence of renunciation or loss of Indian citizenship | Self-attested Copy | Renunciation certificate or copy of foreign citizenship naturalisation order proving Indian citizenship was lawfully given up |
| 4 | Recent passport-size colour photographs (as specified) | Original | Uploaded digitally on the portal; size and background specifications provided on ociservices.gov.in |
| 5 | Marriage certificate (for spouse applicants)(optional)Required only when applying as the spouse of an Indian citizen or OCI card holder | Self-attested Copy | Proves relationship to an Indian citizen or existing OCI holder; required for spousal eligibility route |
| 6 | Birth certificate of the applicant | Self-attested Copy | Establishes date of birth and country of birth, and may help confirm Indian origin through parents |
| 7 | Existing OCI card and old passport (for reissue applications)(optional)Required only for OCI reissue applications | Self-attested Copy | Previous OCI card and the old passport linked to it must be submitted for reissue; both documents are cancelled after the new OCI card is issued |
| 8 | Proof of foreign citizenship / foreign passport of parent (for minor applicants)(optional)Required for minor children applying on parent's OCI/Indian citizenship basis | Self-attested Copy | Establishes parent's eligibility as an OCI holder or Indian citizen when applying for a minor |
Original documents: Carry originals only for in-person visits — do not hand them over permanently unless explicitly required.
Visit ociservices.gov.in and create an account. Select 'New Registration' for fresh OCI or 'Re-issuance' for reissue. Complete the online form with personal details, Indian origin details, foreign nationality details, and upload all required documents and photographs as per specifications. The portal validates document file sizes and photo dimensions before submission.
Pay the applicable fee online; fees are denominated in the currency of the country of application and must be paid through the portal's payment gateway. On successful payment, a receipt and application number are generated. Note the application number for all future correspondence.
Print the completed application form (the system generates a PDF). If applying in India, submit at the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) of your city. If applying from abroad, submit at the nearest Indian Embassy or High Commission. Carry originals of all documents for verification. The original foreign passport must be presented but is returned after verification.
The MHA OCI Cell in New Delhi conducts background verification through multiple agencies including Intelligence Bureau. This is the primary processing step and accounts for most of the total waiting time. Applicants cannot expedite this step.
On completion of verification, the OCI card is printed and sent to the Indian Mission or FRRO for collection. Applicants are notified by email/SMS. They must collect the OCI card in person or through an authorised representative, surrendering the old OCI card and the old passport if it was a reissue.
Bureau of Immigration, Ministry of Home Affairs
Document submission and collection in India
Receives the OCI application, verifies original documents, forwards to MHA OCI Cell, and disburses the issued OCI card.
Foreigners Division, Ministry of Home Affairs, New Delhi
Background verification and card issuance decision
Processes the application, coordinates with Intelligence Bureau for background check, and issues the OCI card number and print order.
Indian Embassy or High Commission (for applicants abroad)
Document receipt, verification, and card disbursement
Receives OCI applications from Indian diaspora, verifies documents, dispatches to MHA, and issues the OCI card to the applicant.
Fresh and reissue OCI application submission, fee payment, status tracking, and document upload.
Book appointment at FRRO for OCI document submission in India; used by foreigners for registration and OCI-related in-India services.
Official policy page for OCI eligibility, fee structure, and guidelines; useful for eligibility verification before applying.
OCI card holders cannot vote, be elected to public office, hold certain constitutional posts, or purchase agricultural or plantation land in India. Do not confuse OCI with dual citizenship.
For minors (below 20) and persons over 50, OCI must be re-linked to each new passport. Between ages 20 and 50, a single OCI card is valid with the old passport — no reissue needed for routine passport renewal.
OCI obtained on the basis of marriage to an Indian citizen is liable to be cancelled if the marriage is dissolved by divorce. The OCI holder must inform MHA.
The MHA Intelligence Bureau verification can take much longer than the stated 8–12 weeks. Applicants should not plan travel based on an expected OCI issue date.
The portal strictly validates photo size (2 inches x 2 inches, white background, face covering 70–80% of frame), file formats, and document completeness. Incorrect uploads result in application rejection and require resubmission with fresh fees.
OCI holders can work in most private sector roles in India but cannot hold certain government positions that require citizenship. Verify sector-specific restrictions before planning employment in India.