A Guide to Common OCI Application Issues & their Solutions

The application process for Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) seems to be simple, but when you go into the details, you will start seeing the complications. Most of the applicants have questions regarding eligibility, documentation, jurisdiction, and tracking. It happens mostly because the consulate applies the rules with different interpretations. 

In this guide, we have outlined some of the common issues faced by OCI applicants. We have also mentioned the solutions and provided you with clarity.

Where and How to Apply for OCI Jurisdiction?

Know the answers to all your questions regarding OCI Jurisdiction:

Apply from the present country of Residence

You should submit the OCI application based on the country you are currently living in and not where your passport was issued before. Your local Indian Consulate or Embassy will have jurisdiction according to your residential address, which must be shown with a valid proof, such as a lease agreement, driver's license, or utility bill. 

Can You Apply From India?

Yes, you can apply from India, but there is one condition: you have lived in India for a minimum of 180 days consecutively before the date of application. This makes sure your local jurisdiction has been established, and it often triggers a police verification within the country. However, applying for an OCI card from abroad is considered an easier process as it usually reduces the coordination issues and documentation complexity. 

Renewals and Mandatory Updates by Age

An OCI is considered a lifelong status, but there are some compulsory age-based updates that you need to do to make sure that your passport and biometric data remain current.

• Before the age of 20, the OCI must be updated each time a new passport is issued to the applicant until the applicant turns 21 years of age.
• At the age of 21, the applicant needs to get a new OCI card with the final adult facial features and biometrics. 
• Between the ages of 21 and 50, the applicants are advised to update the details of their OCI cards every time they update their passports. Although it is not mandatory, they can update for smooth travelling. 
• After the age of 50, it is optional to update the OCI card, but it is strongly recommended to do so upon passport renewal to avoid all the complications during immigration clearance or travel. 

You can apply for the updates by using the OCI Miscellaneous Services Portal, and while travelling, always remember to carry both your passport and OCI card, which are linked.

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Requirement of Documents: Originals, Apostilles & Consulate Discretion

Here are the requirements of such documents: 

Are Originals Required?

In general cases, the self-attested copies of documents are enough for the submission of the OCI application. The originals are only required if they are specifically requested by the consulate during the verification process. It may also be required in case the authenticity of the document is unclear.

Are Marriage or Birth Certificate Apostilles Required?

Some of the documents that are issued outside India are required to be apostilled. A marriage certificate is one of these documents.

What to do after submitting Indian-Origin Documents from abroad?

If you are using the Indian-origin documents, such as an Indian marriage certificate or an Indian birth certificate, while applying for an OCI card, then you should get these documents apostilled. 

Establishing Indian Origin: Spouses, Parents & Supporting Documents

Here are the specifics for establishing the Indian Origin for the OCI application:

Is a Nativity Certificate Mandatory?

A nativity certificate is considered one of the acceptable proofs for Indian origin, but it is not a mandatory document. 

Here are some of the acceptable alternatives:

• Existing or cancelled OCI card
• Previous PIO Cards 
• Indian passport of a parent or grandparent (current or expired)

These documents are required to trace your lineage to an Indian citizen, as it is an important requirement.

What to do if a Foreign Spouse is Applying?

If your foreign spouse is applying for an OCI card based on your Indian origin or an existing OCI card, then it is recommended that you update your OCI card so that it reflects their name (it is not legally mandatory, but advisable). By doing so, you can simplify the verification process, reduce scrutiny, and help avoid the requests for additional marital documents such as utility bills or joint accounts. 

The marriage certificates should be submitted along with the proof of an ongoing marital relationship, especially when the marriage is quite old or the couple lives in two different countries.

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Delays in Tracking the Application: Expectations

If you are facing delays while tracking your application, here is what you should expect: 

Why can't you see the tracking progress immediately?

Many applicants get scared or are under stress when the tracking portal does not show any progress, even after many days of application submission. This is because most of the time, the service providers like VFS or BLS can take around 10 business days to send your application to the Indian consulate. The process of tracking only activates after this handover, generally, so you should not worry about it in the early stages of the application. 

Conclusion

The OCI process is governed by the central rules, and it can be different in practice across Indian consulates and regions. A simple OCI application can turn into a very confusing experience because of the various factors, such as mixed-nationality families, previous Indian citizenship, or small gaps in documentation. 

With the experts of Visament, you can apply for an OCI card accurately on the first go. Our professionals have years of experience, and they follow the recent regional procedural updates and all the consulate-related nuances. We provide documentation review, jurisdiction checks, apostille coordination, and response strategies for all consulate queries.