How to Apply for an OCI Card from the USA: Step-by-Step Guide

Are you a foreign national and you're a citizen of India and don't know How to Apply For an OCI Card From the USA? So this blog is helpful for you because here we provide all the necessary steps to apply OCI Card in the USA, a document checklist, fees, and how to check OCI Application Status after applying.

The OCI Card is a pivotal document that every foreign national, who is a citizen of India, and planning to visit India needs an Overseas Citizenship India Card. The OCI Card is given to a Person from India who acquired foreign citizenship like in the USA. To apply for an Indian OCI Card in the USA, you need to fill out the application.

Why Should You Apply for an OCI Card in the USA?

The OCI Card has multiple benefits free entry to India, homeownership, residency, tourism, business, and study. The OCI covers multiple visits to India, without Applying for a US Visa.

OCI Card is not for those Indians who have Indian origins but is also applicable for those who are family of someone like his/her grandparents who live in India. Minor Children can also apply for an OCI Card in the USA if their parents are OCI Card Holders or of Indian origin.

The OCI Card provides you with free multiple visits without any limitation.

You don't need to inform any authority how long you want to stay in India.

OCI Helps you in saving your time as well, you do not need to stand in line for the immigration process. You're allowed to access consumer services in India. If you need an OCI, you need to fill OCI Card Application USA.

How to Apply For an OCI Card From the USA? Step-By-Step Process 

To apply for an OCI Card From the USA, you need to fill OCI Application and follow all the steps we provided below.

Step 1: The first step is you need to fill out our application for an OCI Card in the USA. Simply you need to visit the VFS Global website and start filling out the application. The official portal also helps you to provide a direct link, to apply for an OCI Card from the USA.

Step 2: When you start filling out the application, you need to check eligibility, whether you're eligible for the card or not.

Step 3: Gather all documents once you have completed the OCI Card Application in the USA to get your application accepted for the further process. In the pdf link, you can check all the required documents listed. One mistake can make your card rejected, so you need to collect all required documents that are asked in the documents list and submit them at the VFS center.

Step 4: Once you have completed all three steps, you need to pay the OCI Card US Fee. Carry all your documents to the VFS Center, where they check your identity and verify your all details.

Step 5: After all this, the VFS center accepted your application and sent it for further processing. The processing for US OCI Card is around 6 to 8 weeks. You can check your OCI Card Application Status in the US with the help of the application reference number on the official website of VFS.

Step 6: By checking your OCI Application Status at VFS, If you see "Processed", visit the VFS center and get a print of the application to show them. At that time, you need to submit your passport. 

Step 7: The last and final step of getting an OCI Card in the USA is you will receive your OCI Card and passport at your address. 

Note: If you're an Indian, you can also check the process and how to fill application for Indian Passport Renewal in USA.

The Best Immigration Help and OCI Card Renewal Service Online

We offer OCI, Visa, and Passport application services along with other services. Our team will make sure to fulfill your dreams by filling out an error-free application for you.

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Required Documents for OCI Card Application in the USA

Here is the list of documents required to show original and photocopies at the VFS Center.

1. A Photo Copy of Your current passport (Validity Min. 6 Months)
2. Passport Size Photos (2)
3. Proof of the Indian origin document.
4. Birth Certificate, Domicile Certificate.
5.  Domicile Certificate
6. If you're applying based on your parents, In case you need a copy of their passport.
7. Original copy of the Surrender Certificate of Indian passport.
8. In the case of Minors, both parents or one parent need to provide a photocopy of the passport.

OCI Card Fees: How Much Does It Cost in the USA?

One thing that always comes to our mind is the fees for OCI Cards in the USA. So here is the fee structure we provided below.

Eligibility Criteria for Applying for an OCI Card in the USA

1. The person who applies should be a citizen of India before or after the constitution.
2. They must belonged to Indian territory after 15th August 1947. 
3. A spouse who belongs to another country but is married to an Indian is also eligible for OCI, which requires two years of marriage.
4. The personal whose parents, grandparents, or great-grandparents are also eligible but are not citizens of Bangladesh or Pakistan.
5. Any minor child who one of the parents is an OCI card holder is also eligible.
6. If you received your OCI card through marriage and later divorced, so will lose your OCI.

You may also Like to Read: OCI Application Timeline in the USA

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Applying for an OCI Card from the USA

When you're applying for an OCI Card in the USA, you need all of these mistakes:

• Photo Quality: Do Not submit poor-quality pictures always use clear images. 
• Signature: Upload your signature in a high pixel that is asked in the application form.
• Improper information: Always double-check the information before you click the final submit button.
• Address: Your address should be accurate because VFS Center sent the final document to your address.
• Correct Fees: Always check which OCI Card you need, and pay the fees accordingly.

Simplifying Your OCI Card Application Process for NRIs in the USA

Here is the conclusion for "How to Apply For an OCI Card From USA?" Before filling out the OCI Card in the USA Application Form, you need to read all the eligibility criteria, documents list, and fees, and later follow all the steps provided in this blog to get an OCI Card in the US.