OCI Card Application Netherlands: Process, Fees & Documents

If you are a Dutch citizen of Indian origin and want to apply for an OCI card, then it is necessary to understand the application process in detail. It makes travelling and staying in India much easier. The OCI card acts as a lifelong visa that allows all eligible foreign nationals of Indian origin to enter India as many times as they want, without the need for separate visas.

In this blog, you can learn about the OCI card application process in the Netherlands. We have also provided the eligibility, application steps, required documents, fees, processing time, biometric requirements, and necessary rules for minors and spouse-based applications.

Note for e-OCI Card

India has launched a new Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) system digitally, featuring the e-OCI cards effective from 1 May, 2026. You can apply for or manage your electronic credentials directly through the official OCI services portal. With this updated framework, the paper-heavy processes have been replaced with digital tracking, biometric consent, and faster processing.

Why Do Dutch Citizens of Indian Origin Apply for OCI?

Dutch citizens of Indian origin apply for an OCI card because of its benefits:

• It provides lifelong India travel access.
• You can visit family members in India more easily.
• There are many business and investment opportunities.
• They are provided with long-term stay flexibility.
• Travel planning has been simplified for the OCI cardholders.

If you are a frequent traveller to India, then OCI removes the hassle of repeatedly applying for visas every time you visit.

Eligibility Criteria for OCI Application Netherlands

In this section, you can learn about the individuals who are eligible to qualify for an OCI card Netherlands and who are not.

Who Is Eligible for an OCI Card in the Netherlands?

• If you previously held an Indian passport
• If one of your parents or grandparents was an Indian citizen at any point in time
• If you are a minor child of the eligible parents
• If you are the spouse of an Indian citizen or the OCI cardholder

Who Cannot Qualify for OCI?

The OCI applications are usually not accepted if:

• Applicants whose parents, grandparents, or great-grandparents ever held Pakistani or Bangladeshi citizenship are not eligible.
• Individuals serving in foreign military services may be subject to additional scrutiny.

How to Apply for an OCI Card in the Netherlands?

To Apply OCI card from Netherlands, you need to follow the given steps:

1. Surrender Your Indian Passport

If you became a citizen of the Netherlands recently, then it is mandatory for you to complete the procedure for Indian Passport Surrender.

After surrendering your passport, you will get the following documents:

• Surrender Certificate
• Cancelled Indian Passport

Both of these documents are needed for the OCI application.

2. Fill Out the Online OCI Application Form

All the applicants must complete the OCI Application form online by using the official portal.

You need to submit the following documents:

• Enter personal information
• Add passport details
• Upload photo and Signature
• Upload supporting documents

After the submission:

• Download the OCI application form
• Print it, and sign it

3. Gather Your Documents

It is one of the most important parts of the process. Incomplete or incorrect documents are the top reasons that cause OCI delays.

4. Book an Appointment and Submit Documents

After completing the online application, applicants must schedule an appointment with the designated outsourcing agency or Indian Mission, submit original documents for verification, provide biometrics (if required), and pay the applicable fees.

Documents Required for OCI Card Application in the Netherlands

Here is the list of all the documents required for the OCI card application in the Netherlands, as per various applicants:

For Adult Applicants

Here are the usual documents required:

• Dutch Passport
• Dutch Citizenship Certificate
• Surrender Certificate
• Address Proof
• Cancelled Indian Passport
• Passport-Size Photographs
• Signed OCI Application Form

For Minor Applicants

Some additional documents are required for this category:

• Birth Certificate
• Parents' Passports
• Parents' status proof in the Netherlands
• Marriage Certificate of Parents
• Consent Declaration

For Spouse-Based OCI

There are some additional documents required for this category:

• Marriage Certificate
• Spouse Passport
• Relationship Proof
• Spouse's OCI card or Indian Passport

What are the OCI Photo Requirements?

Most of the applications are delayed because of the photo errors.

Here are some of the OCI Photo Requirements:

• The photo should have a plain white background.
• It should be recent and colored.
• The full face of the applicant should be shown clearly.
• Avoid having shadows or reflections in the photo.
• You must follow square photo dimensions.

Biometric Requirements for OCI Application in the Netherlands

Depending on the applicant category and current guidelines, applicants may be required to visit the application centre for biometric enrolment, including fingerprints and photographs.

Minors below a certain age may be exempt from fingerprint submission.

What are the Signature Rules for OCI?

Where To Submit an OCI Card Application in Netherlands?

The OCI applications are usually submitted through authorized Indian mission application centres in Netherlands.

Applicants may require:

• Appointment booking
• Original document verification
• Physical document submission

OCI Card Fees in the Netherlands

The OCI fees can vary depending on the currency conversion rates and service charges. OCI fees are generally non-refundable once the application has been submitted.

Approximate OCI Charges

OCI Card Processing Time in the Netherlands

The processing time for an OCI application Netherlands can vary depending on the type of application and verification. If there are any document mismatches, then the applications may take longer.

How to Track OCI Card Application Status in the Netherlands?

Here are some of the steps that you must follow to track OCI application status:

1. Visit the Official OCI Status Tracking Portal

Start the process by visiting the official OCI status tracking website provided by the Indian Government.

2. Enter your OCI File Reference Number

Enter your file reference number that was generated at the time of your OCI application submission.

You can usually find the reference number:

• On the submission receipt
• On the application receipt
• In acknowledgement emails

3. Enter your Passport Number

Enter your passport number carefully, which was used during the OCI application process.

Make sure that:

• No spaces are added
• You use the same passport submitted with OCI
• Letters and Numbers are added

4. Fill out the Captcha Code

Then, enter the captcha/security code shown on the screen and continue.

5. Click on "Get Status."

Click on the 'Get Status' button after entering all the details accurately.

After this, the latest update on your OCI application will be displayed on the screen.

Final Thoughts

The OCI card is an important document that provides long-term Indian travel solutions for citizens of the Netherlands of Indian origin. It provides lifelong visa-free access to India and simplifies travel, family visits, business, and long-term stays. The OCI application Netherlands are very document-sensitive, and the applicants need to carefully prepare photos, passport copies, surrender certificates, address proof, and supporting documents.

You may consider taking assistance from the experts of Visament, as they have many years of experience. They can apply for your OCI application without any errors and can help in avoiding delays and rejection. They can also help in improving the approval speed for the application.