OCI Services

Everything You Need to Know About the OCI Card in UAE

autohr img By Vipul Jain | 18 Jun, 2025
Everything You Need to Know About the OCI Card in UAE

For Indian origin people living with UAE citizenship, obtaining an OCI card in UAE opens up several benefits. The Indian Embassy or Consulate provides a range of vital services to Indian nationals and UAE residents. Want to apply for an Indian OCI application in the UAE and seeking guidance for it? Then go no further as you are at the right destination. In this blog, you will get to know everything about the OCI card, from eligibility criteria and benefits to the application process. In addition, why is Visament the right choice to apply for your OCI application in Dubai or any other country? So, let's start reading.

General Details About OCI Card

An Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) is a status given to foreign citizens who belong to Indian origin. The OCI scheme was launched by the Indian government to fulfill the demand of foreign nationals of Indian origin who demand dual citizenship. Through the OCI card, these people can live, work, and study in India for an indefinite time without applying for a visa. In simple words, you can say that it is the immigration status of these people.

This is all about the OCI card. Anyone looking for reliable OCI services in UAE, contact Visament. We offer the best Online OCI Services with positive results within the given processing time. Do you know that apart from offering indefinite stay in India, the OCI card offers several perks to the cardholder? Want to know? Read the next section and get your answers.

Benefits of Having an OCI Card

As stated above, having an OCI card by your side offers several perks. Let's know what these are by reading the given points:

  • You can enter India multiple times for multiple purposes without applying for a visa.
  • No need to register yourself with the officials for staying in India for 182 days or more.
  • Like the Indian citizens, OCIs pay the same airfares for domestic flights.
  • Parity with the Non-Indian residents (NRIs) in fields of economics, education, and finance.
  • OCIs are allowed to practice several professions in India, such as doctors, dentists, nurses, advocates, etc.
  • Like NRIs, under inter-country adoption, the rules are the same for the OCIs.
  • For visiting Indian national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, pay the same price as Indian residents.
  • Parity with NRIs while visiting historical sites, museums, and national monuments in India.

These are some of the OCI card offers the cardholders in India. Additionally, the validity of an OCI card is lifetime, so unlike passports or PIO cards, you do not need to renew it. However, not every person who is foreign and of Indian origin can apply for an OCI card in UAE. There are several eligibility criteria that you need to fulfill to obtain this card. Moving forward, let's know about it.

Eligibility Criteria to Apply for an OCI Card in UAE

Want to fill out the OCI card application in UAE, but have you checked whether you are eligible to apply for the card or not? Yes, not only being from an Indian origin makes you eligible for the OCI card. There are several more criteria that you need to follow to acquire an OCI card. Read on the given points to know about them:

  • A foreign individual who was an Indian citizen at the time or after January 26, 1950.
  • A person who was eligible to become an Indian citizen on January 26, 1950.
  • He/she belongs to a territory or place that is on or after August 15, 1947 become the part of India.
  • A person who is a child or grandchild of any of the mentioned individuals.
  • Minor child whose both or one parent is an Indian citizen or an OCI cardholder.
  • Spouses of Indian citizens or OCI cardholders can also apply for the card, but for this, their marriage should have been completed for two or more years.

These are the people eligible to apply for an OCI card in UAE. However, there are some restrictions also on the people who cannot apply for the card. According to the Indian Central Government, individuals whose parents, grandparents, or great-grandparents are or have been Bangladesh or Pakistan citizens are not eligible to apply for the OCI card. In addition, foreign individuals of Indian origin, while on a mountaineering, tourist, or missionary visa in India, cannot apply for the card. Furthermore, foreign citizens of the UAE who want to obtain an OCI need to first become Indian residents and then fill out the OCI online application form. Here, the word "ordinary residents" means a person constantly lived for six months in a specific country.

This is all about the eligibility criteria for the OCI card. Now, moving ahead, let's know how to apply for the OCI card in the UAE.

How to Get Started with the OCI Application Dubai

Thanks to the Indian digitalization services, the process to apply for an OCI card application online in the UAE has become simpler. By visiting the government website of OCI services, you can easily fill out the OCI application form online, upload the requested documents, pay the fee, and book an appointment with officials for physical submission of your application. So, whether you are applying for OCI miscellaneous services or a fresh OCI card, you can do so online without going anywhere.

However, even the simple OCI card application online becomes difficult if you do not have a proper understanding of the application. In addition can result in application rejection. Well, you can ease this by taking help from a reliable OCI application agency like Visament. We have a team of professionals who assist you throughout your process of OCI application in Dubai, ensuring everything goes right. From handling the documentation process to filling out the application form and booking an appointment with officials, we do it all on your behalf. So, why struggle when you have the solution by your side? This is how you can avail of our OCI services in the UAE from the comfort of your home.

OCI Application Process via Visament

Here are the following steps you need to follow to apply for OCI service in UAE via Visament:

  • Select the Service and Make the Payment: Visit the official site of Visament. From the list of OCI services, select the one for which you need our assistance. To continue OCI application process, using the available online payment option, pay the OCI fee that appears on your screen. For your payment convenience, we offer several online payment options such as debit card, credit card, MasterCard, and PayPal.
  • Receive the Checklist and Upload the Documents: Once we receive payment confirmation, our team will send you the list of OCI application documents required. Scan and upload the documents on our site as per the given checklist. Do not miss uploading any of them, or it may result in the application's denial or rejection.
  • Expert Verification and Documentation: After you upload the documents on our site, our experts will first verify them and check whether they are as per the sent checklist or not. Once they ensure everything is accurate, they will continue the OCI application process by filling out the application form and uploading the mentioned documents.
  • Appointment Booking and File Preparation: Our experts will book your appointment with the officials for the physical submission of documents and biometric data. Additionally, our experts will also prepare your OCI application file. It consists of your filled-out OCI application form, submitted documents, and application reference number (ARN). Take a printout of it as you need to carry it along with you to your appointment.
  • Application Status and Receiving Your OCI Card: Once you are done with your OCI appointment, our experts with WhatsApp and email notifications will keep you updated with your application status. Additionally, you can also track down the application status by using the ARN number. Apart from this, within the given processing time, you will receive your OCI card in the UAE without any delay or additional document requirement.

This is how you can simply get your OCI card in UAE with Visament without facing any issue. So, whether you are looking for a new OCI application in Dubai or another country or want OCI Card Renewal, connect with Visament and let our experts do all things for you. Also, you can use the application tracking tool of Visament to know the current status of your OCI application. It is easy to use and provides you with accurate details. Moving further, let's know the documents required during the OCI card application in the UAE.

Documents Required for OCI Card UAE

Depending on the OCI application type you applied for in the UAE, the documents vary. However, there are some common documents that you need to submit with all OCI application types. Moving ahead, let's know about them:

Mandatory Documents Required During OCI Application UAE

Here is the list of common documents required during any OCI application type in the UAE:

  • Filled out OCI application form
  • Surrender/ renunciation certificate
  • Original and a copy of the Indian passport
  • Two passport-size, colored photographs
  • Address proof
  • UAE or foreign passport
  • Foreign citizenship certificate
  • OCI application fee (as per OCI application type)
  • Professional details of OCI applicant

Additional Documents Required as per the Type of OCI Application

Apart from the mandatory documents, as per your OCI application type, you need to submit some additional documents. These are as follows:

  • OCI Application for Minor: Child's birth certificate, marriage certificate of parents, NOC signed by both parents, and passport copy of both parents.
  • Reissuance of OCI Card/ PIO to OCI Conversion: Original damaged OCI card (in case of a damaged OCI card), copy of police report (in case of lost OCI card in UAE), and existing PIO card (original and copy).
  • Foreign Spouse: Passport of the Indian partner, citizenship status of the foreign spouse in UAE (if he/she is not a citizen of UAE), and a copy of the registered marriage certificate.

These are the documents required for the OCI card in UAE as per the application type. Moving further, let's know the processing time and fees of the OCI card in the UAE.

Processing Time and Fees to Apply for the OCI Card in UAE

According to the OCI application type, the OCI application processing time varies in the UAE. Generally, a new OCI application takes 5 to 6 weeks, and OCI renewal takes 6 to 7 weeks to process. However, the given processing time varies due to several factors such as increased volume of OCI applications, the country or city where your last passport was issued, the requirement of additional documents, or individual circumstances. 

OCI Application Fee in UAE

Depending on the applied OCI application type, the OCI application fee in the UAE varies. To provide you with an idea, here is the breakdown of the OCI fees charged in the UAE:

OCI Application Type OCI Fees in Dirham
Registration fees for OCI AED 1020
Registration fees for the PIO to OCI card conversion AED 100
Duplicate certificate of OCI (in case of damaged/lost OCI card) AED 100
Transfer of OCI to a new passport AED 20
Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) Fee AED 12 per application

This is all about the OCI application process time and fees in the UAE. Moving further, let's know how to check the OCI application status in the UAE.

How to Track OCI Application in UAE?

To stay updated on the status of your OCI card in the UAE, it is essential to track your OCI application. It also helps in knowing the estimated time to receive your OCI card. Want to know the current status of your application? Follow the steps and track your application:

  • Step 1: To track your OCI application, first, you need to visit the official site of OCI services in the UAE.
  • Step 2: On the homepage, navigate to the "status enquiry" option and click on that.
  • Step 3: To know the current status of your application, you need to mention some details. These are as follows:
    • Application Reference Number (ARN)
    • Passport number as per your OCI application
    • Date of birth as per your passport
  • Step 4: After mentioning all the information, write the CAPTCHA code that appears on your screen.
  • Step 5: Once you mention the code, click on the "get status" option to know the status of your OCI application.

This is how you by following these steps you can check your current OCI card status in UAE online. In addition, you can also use the application tracking tool of Visament to know your card status. It is available on our site and provides you with accurate information.

Final Thoughts

Applying for an OCI card in the UAE seems daunting, as you have to deal with lots of documentation and a lengthy process. But you do not need to worry about this, as Visament is here to help you. Whether you are looking for assistance with an OCI application in Abu Dhabi or OCI Miscellaneous Services in Dubai, we are here to assist you at every step of the process. So, why struggle when you have the best solution by your side? Connect with us today and let us handle all your OCI application process.

Frequently Asked Questions

To apply for an OCI card in Dubai, visit the official site of OCI services, fill out the application form as per your OCI application type, then upload the requested documents on the site, pay the application fee, and book an appointment with VFS Global for the physical submission of your application. Once you're done with your appointment within the given processing time, you will get your OCI card. Also, you can apply for your OCI card in Dubai via Visament.

The processing time depends on the OCI application type. Generally, if you apply for a new OCI card, it takes 5 to 6 weeks, and if you apply for card renewal, it takes 6 to 7 weeks to process in the UAE. However, this processing time may vary due to several factors such as individual circumstances, high volume of OCI applications, requirement of additional documents, or the city or country where your last passport was issued.

The OCI application process for an OCI card for minors in Dubai is the same as an adult. You need to visit the official site of the OCI services, fill out the application, submit the documents, pay the application fee, and schedule an appointment with VFS Global for the physical submission of documents on a minor's behalf. With this, if everything goes right within the given processing time, you will get your OCI card.

To check the OCI application status in the UAE, you can use the OCI services website. There, you will get the option of checking application status, click on that, mention the requested details, and complete the Captcha code. After that, click on ok, and the current status of your OCI application will appear on your screen. With this, you can also use the application tracking tool of Visament to check the status of your OCI application.

Yes, you can apply for OCI from Dubai using the official OCI website. However, before applying for the card, it is advisable to check the eligibility criteria and gather all the necessary documents to avoid any hassle during the application process.

Yes, an OCI cardholder is eligible to buy any residential or commercial property in India. However, they are not allowed to purchase any type of plantation property in the country, such as a farmhouse or agricultural land.

Social
comunity img
Join Our Facebook Community of
NRIs/OCIs Like You
Join Community
Storage Preferences

When you visit a website, it may store data about you using cookies and similar technologies. Cookies can be important for the basic operations of the website and for other purposes. You get the option of deactivating certain types of cookies, even so, doing that may affect your experience on the website.

Essential

It is required to permit the basic functionality of the website. You may not disable necessary cookies.

Targeted Advertising

Used to provide advertising that matches you and your interests. May also be used to restrict the number of times you see an advertisement and estimate the effectiveness of an advertising campaign. The advertising networks place them after obtaining the operator’s permission.

Personalization

Permits the website to recognize the choices you make (like your username, language, or the region you are in). Also provides more personalized and enhanced features. For instance, a website may inform you about the local weather reports or traffic news by storing the data about your location.

Analytics

Aid the website operator to determine how the website performs, how visitors interact with the site, and whether there are any technical issues.