OCI Card in UAE: Eligibility, Fees & Application Process in Dubai

An OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) card allows foreign nationals of Indian origin to stay, live, or work in India for an indefinite period. It provides you with a visa-free entry in India without reporting the duration of stay to any authority or local police.

For individuals of Indian origin and former Indian citizens living in the UAE, the OCI card offers several benefits, including visa-free travel to India, access to educational and financial facilities, and long-term stay rights. It is also available to eligible foreign spouses and children of Indian origin.

In this blog, we will see a complete process for the OCI card in Dubai with its required documents, fees, eligibility criteria, processing time, and other essential details.

What are the OCI Card Benefits and Eligibility in the UAE?

An OCI card provides various benefits to the foreign nationals of Indian origin, such as:

• Life-long visa-free entry in India without reporting the duration of stay.
• No need to apply for repeated visa applications.
• Stay in India without getting a police registration.
• Smooth financial services, such as banking, investments, etc.
• OCI cardholders are allowed to purchase commercial or residential property in India.
• Get educational and financial benefits the same as the NRIs.

Eligibility Criteria for the OCI Card in Dubai

To apply for the OCI card in Dubai, first, you need to meet the following conditions mentioned below:

• If you are a person who is a former Indian citizen and has an Indian passport or a surrendered Indian passport, and have obtained citizenship of another country.
• Any applicant whose Parents, grandparents, or great-grandparents are of Indian origin or were Indian citizens.
• Any minor child born in the UAE, whose parents are of Indian origin and have a valid OCI card.
• A foreign spouse of an OCI cardholder of an Indian citizen can apply for an OCI card in Dubai based on eligibility conditions.

Who is not Eligible for an OCI Card in Dubai?

If a person meets the following conditions, then he or she cannot apply for the OCI card UAE.

• If their parents, grandparents, or any ancestors were citizens of Bangladesh or Pakistan, then you will fail to qualify for the OCI card application process in the UAE.
• Applicant who have submitted incorrect or mismatched information in their application are not eligible to get an OCI card in Dubai.
• If any applicant is found to have a criminal history or is involved in any fraud or criminal case presently, they will not be eligible to get an OCI card.

What is the OCI Card Application Process in UAE?

The OCI card application process in Dubai involves several stages, including filing the application, submitting documents, verifying documents, and submitting the application.

Here is the detailed step guide on how to apply for an OCI card in the UAE online.

1. Fill out the online OCI application

You need to go to the official OCI services portal and fill out the online OCI application by providing the correct details and documents in the application form.

Here are the details that you need to enter in your online OCI application form:

• Your personal information.
• Passport details.
• You need to provide correct information about family members.
• Submit former nationality information.
• Provide address details.

2. Submit Supporting Documents

OCI applicants need to submit all the valid documents that are essential for the OCI card application in the UAE.

• Current foreign passport
• Old Indian passport and surrender certificate (if applicable)
• UAE residence visa and Emirates ID
• Proof of address in the UAE
• Birth certificate (for minors)
• Marriage certificate (for spouse-based applications)

Make sure you provide all the documents in a clear format and self-attested to avoid any mistakes and errors in the OCI card application processing.

3. Pay the Required Fees for the OCI application in Dubai

You need to pay the OCI application fee, along with the service charges and courier or administrative fees if applicable.

The OCI fees depend on the type of OCI service you are applying for.

4. Schedule an Appointment

OCI applicants need to book an appointment at the nearest BLS International Centre in the UAE or go to the Indian mission.

Go to the scheduled date and time at the BLS International Center or the Indian mission with your original application form for:

• Document verification.
• Submission of a printed OCI application.
• To submit the Biometrics, such as fingerprints, and a photo.

The OCI appointments are usually required for minors and fresh OCI applications.

5. Verification of Documents and Processing of OCI Card

After submitting the OCI documents and application at the application center, the Indian authorities verify the following details:

• The Indian authorities verify your OCI application with the supporting documents you have provided.
• Verification of proof of Indian origin.
• Check passport details.
• Check the criminal background and personal details of the OCI applicant.

The applicant must check for regular updates, as the authorities may ask for some additional documents.

6. Issuance of OCI Card

• When your OCI card is approved by the authorities
• Your OCI book will be printed.
• OCI Card and related documents are sent to you
• You will get all the delivery instructions to get your OCI card safely.
• Within a few weeks, you will get your OCI card securely at your registered address.

What is the OCI Card Application Processing Timeline in UAE?

The processing time for the OCI card application in Dubai depends on various factors like application category, verification of documents, and approval by the authorities. Here is the timeline for the OCI card application in the UAE in the table given below.

What are the Documents Required for OCI in the UAE?

For the OCI card application in Dubai, you need to submit some of the documents which are mentioned below.

• You need to provide proof of identity verification, such as a current foreign passport.
• You need to submit proof of Indian origin, such as an old Indian passport.
• Submit proof of surrender of Indian citizenship, such as a surrender certificate.
• Proof of UAE identification, such as an Emirates ID.
• You need to submit two valid passport-size photos with a plain white background.
• Provide a valid proof of address for the residential verification.

Additional documents that OCI applicants need to submit

• The applicant needs to submit a valid birth certificate, which is necessary for every application.
• Provide a passport copy of the parents for minor OCI applications.
• Sometimes you need to provide the parents' marriage certificate.
• Submit the parents' consent form for the OCI parents' consent minor application.

Documents for the OCI application based on the spouse

• For the OCI application, you need to submit a marriage certificate.
• Submit a copy of the spouse's passport.
• You need to submit a valid copy of the existing marriage.

What are the Fees for Fresh OCI Applications in the UAE?

Check out the table given below to see the fee for the OCI application in Dubai.

OCI fees also depend on various factors, which are given below, such as:

• The type of application.
• The courier services that you are using.
• Consular charges from the country you are applying to.

For more updates on the fees, you can go to the official OCI Service portal and check the latest fee structure for OCI application in the UAE.

OCI Card for Minor in the UAE?

A minor can easily apply for the OCI application in the UAE if their parents have a valid passport, or by submitting the consent forms or any court order.

Eligibility Criteria for Minor OCI application in the UAE

A minor needs to meet the following eligibility conditions to apply for an OCI in the UAE.

• To apply for the OCI, a minor must have at least one parent of Indian origin or an OCI cardholder.
• If the child has a foreign nationality, then he or she is eligible to apply for an OCI card.

Rules Applicants Must Know While Applying for Minor OCI

Here are some of the rules which applicant must know while Minor OCI card Application.

Provide Thumb Impression

Minor applicants may be required to provide a thumb impression as per the current OCI guidelines

Parent Consent

All OCI minor applicants need to submit a valid, signed parents' consent form and declaration form for the OCI minor application.

Updated Passport

Parents need to ensure that the minor's passport is updated and has all the correct and valid information.

Rules for OCI Renewal and Re-issue

Given below are some of the cases where an applicant needs to apply for an OCI card renewal or re-issue.

• For the OCI renewal or re-issue, you need to provide a copy of the passport with a recent photo.
• If the minor applicant is above 20 years and has obtained their first passport, then they need to apply for an OCI card re-issue.
• The foreign spouse needs to provide a valid marriage certificate along with a new passport and a coloured photo for the OCI application.

When Do You Need to Re-Issue an OCI Card?

An OCI card can be reissued in the following cases:

1. For minor OCI card applicants, when you get your new passport after turning 18 years, you need to apply for an OCI card reissuance.
2. For changing any personal details in the OCI card, such as:
   • For name change.
   • Change in nationality.
   •  Lost or damaged OCI card.
   • If there are any sudden changes in the minor's OCI physical appearance.

How to Track OCI Application Status in the UAE?

Follow the steps given below to check OCI application status in Dubai:

1. Go to the official OCI service portal.
2. Click on the Track your application".
3. Enter your "Application ID" and "Passport Number".
4. Fill in the captcha in the given blank space.
5. Click on the "Get Status" option to see real-time updates.

Final Thoughts

An OCI card is an important document for every foreign national of Indian origin, Indian origin residents, and former Indian citizens living in the UAE. It allows you to build a strong relationship with India and grants you visa-free entry. Along with this, the OCI card also provides you with the benefit to live, stay, or work in India for an indefinite time period.

However, to get an OCI card, you need to apply with all the correct documents and information, providing all the attested and valid documents. Any small error, incorrect, or mismatched information can lead to delay or rejection in the OCI application in the UAE.

For more assistance, you can take help from the Visament website, where we have a team of skilled and highly professional experts who know all the application processes and documentation.