OCI or Indian Passport for UK-born Baby: Which One to Choose?

Are you an Indian parent to a child born in the United Kingdom and wondering whether to apply for an OCI or Indian passport for UK-born baby? If your baby is eligible only for Indian citizenship, you can apply for an Indian passport. However, if your child acquires British citizenship and holds a UK passport, they must comply with Indian nationality rules, including surrendering Indian citizenship before applying for an OCI card, where applicable.

Choosing between an OCI and a passport depends on your child's citizenship status, your family plans for the future and Indian nationality laws. Numerous NRI parents are not sure about the correct choice since India does not offer dual citizenship, while the UK has different citizenship laws.

Read the blog below to learn more about the latest rules and eligibility to help you decide without unnecessary delays or document issues.

Understanding Your Baby's Citizenship Status at Birth

A key point to note is that a UK-born child does not automatically become an Indian citizen because the parents are Indians. Likewise, a child born in the United Kingdom does not always guarantee British citizenship. Your child's citizenship depends on various factors such as the parents' immigration and residency status during the birth of the child.

• If your baby is eligible for British citizenship, they might receive a foreign passport issued by the UK authorities.
• However, as per Indian law, an individual cannot hold an Indian passport along with a foreign passport because India does not permit dual citizenship.
• NRI parents must keep this in mind and carefully compare an OCI card and an Indian passport.
• You must first understand all these citizenship rules before choosing the most suitable option for your child.

OCI Card vs Indian Passport for UK-born Babies

The table below outlines the major differences between an OCI card and a passport for UK-born babies.

Dual Citizenship Rules for UK-born Babies

The biggest confusion for parents is whether a child can legally hold both an Indian and a British passport simultaneously. One thing to consider is that India does not permit dual citizenship. This means a person cannot permanently hold both an Indian and a foreign passport at the same time.

In many cases, for UK-born children, this is the sequence:

1. Birth in the United Kingdom
2. Eligibility for British citizenship, depending on the parents' immigration status.
3. Receipt of a UK foreign passport.
4. If an Indian nationality was previously held, compliance with Indian regulations, including obtaining a surrender certificate before OCI Card Application in UK.

This enables the child to retain their British nationality while enjoying visa-free entry to India through an OCI card.

Note: Since OCI regulations and documentation requirements might be updated, parents must follow the latest rules issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

When Should you Apply for an Indian Passport?

Even though many UK-born children receive an OCI card, there may be situations when applying for a Newborn Indian Passport is a more appropriate first step.

• You can choose an Indian passport if:
  • Your child qualifies for Indian citizenship under applicable laws.
  • Your family intends to relocate to India in the near future.
  • You want your child to remain an Indian citizen rather than getting another nationality.
  • Your child is not yet eligible for British citizenship.
• Before applying for an Indian passport, parents must understand that obtaining another nationality can affect Indian citizenship since an individual cannot hold an Indian passport after acquiring foreign nationality.
• Before submitting an application for an OCI card, you need a surrender certificate if your child becomes a foreign citizen.

When Can You Apply for an OCI Card?

Families living in the United Kingdom permanently choose an OCI card as a more practical option.

• If your child has a UK foreign passport, you can apply for an OCI card for long-term travel and residency benefits in India without repeatedly applying for a visa. 
• An OCI child has several benefits such as:
  • Lifelong visa for multiple entries into India.
  • No need to apply for a visa for every visit.
  • Permission to study in India under applicable regulations.
  • Ability to stay in India for extended periods
• Several parents also benefit from an e-OCI Card, which makes various OCI-related services and record management easy.

Documents Required for a Newborn Indian Passport and an OCI Card

The documents required vary depending on whether you want a newborn Indian passport or an OCI card. Having the necessary documents in advance can help avoid delays or requests for additional documentation.

Documents Needed for a Newborn Indian Passport

• The child's birth certificate
• Parents' valid Indian passport copies
• Proof of parents' legal residence in the UK
• Passport-sized photographs of the child
• Marriage certificate
• Address proof
• Completed passport application form
• Additional supporting documents requested by the Indian High Commission or its authorised service provider

Documents Needed for an OCI Card

• Child's valid foreign passport
• UK birth certificate
• Parents' current passports
• Proof of Indian origin of parents
• Passport-sized photographs
• Address proof
• Supporting declarations
• Completed OCI application for newborn

Note: For eligible applicants, OCI for children in the UK is processed after the required documents have been successfully verified.

How to Apply for a Newborn Indian Passport?

To apply for an Indian passport for a newborn in the UK, follow the steps below.

1. Complete the online passport application.
2. Gather all the necessary documents.
3. Book an appointment if necessary.
4. Submit the application with the required documents.
5. Complete biometric or verification requirements.
6. Track your application until you get your Indian passport.

How to Apply for an OCI card?

You can apply for an OCI card if your child already holds a UK passport. Follow the steps below to apply for an OCI card.

1. Complete the online OCI application form.
2. Upload the necessary documents.
3. Print and sign the application forms.
4. Submit the documents through the authorised application centre.
5. Wait for verification by the concerned officials.
6. After approval, get your OCI card.

Processing Time and Fees for an Indian Passport and an OCI Card

The processing time and fees vary based on document verification, application volume and government processing speed.

For an Indian Passport

A newborn Indian passport takes several weeks after successful submission. However, there is a chance the processing might take longer if additional verification is necessary.

For an OCI Card

The processing time for an OCI card is usually longer than a passport since multiple authorities review the application before approval.

Note: Fees for both services are revised from time to time by the concerned authorities. Parents must check the latest official fee schedule before applying.

Common mistakes made by Parents

Several applications are delayed because of avoidable errors. Here is a list of common mistakes made by NRI parents.

1. Applying for the Wrong Document

• Some parents begin a passport application for their child when the child is already eligible for a UK passport.
• In such cases, an OCI card would be much better for long-term plans.
• Understanding the difference between OCI vs Indian passport can save both time and effort.

2. Confusion about Dual Citizenship

• Parents have a common misconception that their children can keep both passports.
• Since India does not allow dual citizenship, an individual cannot hold an Indian passport after voluntarily acquiring another country's citizenship.

3. Forgetting about the Surrender Process

• If you have relinquished your Indian citizenship, you must obtain a surrender certificate before applying for an OCI card because it is a legal requirement.
• Ignoring this can delay your application.

4. Incorrect or Inconsistent Documents

• Incorrect or mismatched details in passports or birth certificates often lead to additional verification.
• Make sure each document contains all the necessary information before submission.

5. Waiting until the Last Minute

• Parents who plan to travel to India start the application only a few weeks before their departure. 
• Because both an Indian passport and an OCI card require significant processing time, it is advised to apply well in advance.

Conclusion

Deciding whether to get an OCI or Indian passport for your UK-born baby depends on the child's citizenship status, your own immigration status and the applicable legal requirements. If your child remains an Indian citizen, obtaining an Indian passport is the correct choice. However, if your child is eligible for British citizenship and travels using a foreign UK passport, you must choose OCI as your option. OCI offers a lifelong visa and easy travel to India without applying for visas every time you plan to visit.

If you need help with your child's Indian passport or OCI card application, you can contact the Visament website. They have trained experts who offer end-to-end support to help NRI parents complete the process smoothly and accurately. If you are planning to begin the application process, you can learn more about how to apply for an OCI card UK through Visament's dedicated OCI services.