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By Vipul Jain | 16 Jun, 2025
Are you acquiring citizenship of the USA and seeking guidance for the surrender of the Indian passport in the USA for the OCI application? Applying for renunciation, getting an Indian passport surrender certificate, and obtaining an OCI card is a difficult process to handle alone. If you are facing the same situation, then no need to worry, as Visament is here to assist you. We have expert team members with years of experience in the passport and immigration field. In addition, we do provide personalized guidance to our clients. From filling out the application form to booking an appointment, our team does everything for you. So, when we are here to assist you, you do not need to take the stress of surrendering your Indian passport and OCI application in the USA. With this, to provide you a better understanding of the process and how we ease the whole thing for you, in this blog, we have provided an overview of the Indian passport surrender process, its role in OCI application, and how to obtain an OCI card. So, let's start reading.
When a person voluntarily opts to surrender their Indian passport, it denotes he/she acquired citizenship status of a foreign country. This decision signifies their choice of selecting foreign citizenship over Indian citizenship. It is well-known to everyone that in India, dual citizenship is not allowed. Additionally, as per the Indian Passport Act 1955, an Indian citizen cannot hold two passports of different countries at a time. Following this and the legal provisions set by the Indian government, an Indian citizen who has acquired foreign citizenship needs to surrender their Indian passport.
Also, after getting a foreign citizenship, having an Indian passport by your side is considered an offense and can result in penalties and legal issues. However, one can use the Indian passport up to three months after obtaining foreign citizenship. Further, within three years, they need to renounce Indian citizenship in the USA to legally enter India and apply for an OCI card.
This was all about the surrender of Indian citizenship. As per the Indian laws, if you are an Indian citizen and acquire a foreign citizenship, whether it is of the USA or any other country need to surrender your Indian passport. Now, moving ahead, let's know why the surrender of the Indian passport is vital for the OCI application.
Overseas Citizenship of India or OCI is a status given by the Indian government to people who hold an Indian passport in the past or who are of Indian origin but hold foreign citizenship. To those people, an OCI card helps to maintain their ties in India and stay connected with their roots. Also, with this card, they can stay and work in Indian without any restrictions or time limit. However, you need to have a renunciation certificate for OCI USA. There are two reasons for it:
So, this is why you need to apply for the OCI application after Indian passport surrender. It serves as proof that in the past, you held Indian citizenship and are eligible for the OCI status. Also, you cannot apply for the Renunciation of Indian Passport USA and the OCI card in the USA at the same time. It is because, as stated above, during your OCI application, you need to provide your Indian passport surrender certificate. Now, you know the reason why, before applying for an OCI card in the USA why you need to surrender your Indian passport. Moving further, let's know the surrendering and OCI application process in the USA.
When it comes to the Indian passport surrender and applying for an OCI card, there are certain guidelines and rules that individuals need to fulfill. Additionally, you can get the application form online, available on the official government site. Also, you can get it from the Indian consulate or embassy where you are currently residing. Some of the processes you can complete online, such as filling out the application form, uploading the required documents, and booking an appointment for the biometric data and physical submission of documents. When applying for a surrender Indian passport in the USA for an OCI application, first read the instructions to avoid any discrepancies or delays.
This is how you can apply for a surrender certificate in India USA for the OCI card. However, without proper documentation and understanding of the process, it can be quite difficult to handle things all alone. But why even face this situation when you have the rescue option? Connect with Visament and let our team to all things for you. For filling out the Indian Passport Application for surrender to applying for an OCI card in the USA. Confused, how can we do so? Read the next section and get the answer yourself.
With the guidance of experts, at Visament, we ease the Indian passport surrender certificate process and OCI application for you. We ensure a smooth application process with our streamlined services. Here is you we help you with surrendering your Indian passport and applying for an OCI card in the USA:
This is how, with Visament, you can simply surrender your Indian passport in the USA and obtain an OCI card. Moving ahead, let's know the required documents for both processes in the USA.
When surrendering your Indian passport in the USA, you need to provide the following documents to the authorities:
These are the mandatory documents needed for the Indian passport surrender certificate in the USA. Additionally, if you are applying for a minor application, apart from these, you need to submit additional papers such as passport copies of both parents, an affidavit by parents, and a parental authorization form.
Depending on the OCI application type, the documents vary in the USA. To give a clear idea of this, here is the list of required documents needed during the OCI application in the USA:
| Type of OCI Application | Documents Required |
|---|---|
| New OCI Application |
These are list of mandatory documents that you need to submit with any type of OCI application. |
| OCI Application for Minors |
|
| OCI Application for Foreign Spouse |
|
These are the documents needed during the Indian passport surrender and for applying for an OCI card in the USA. Moving further, let's know the processing time and fees of surrendering an Indian passport and obtaining an OCI card in the USA.
Generally, the Indian passport surrender in the USA takes 15-21 working days after the submission of the application. In addition, the OCI application takes 5-6 weeks to process after application submission. However, the given time may vary depending on the individual circumstances, increased volume of applications, application type, and the requirement of additional documents.
Moreover, the fee for Indian passport surrender includes the application fee and service charges of VFS. The surrender process costs $100, VFS charges are $20, and the renunciation certificate costs $30 (if needed). Additionally, a fresh OCI application in the USA costs $293.9. It includes the application fee and VFS service charges.
This is all about the fees and processing time of the Indian passport surrender and OCI application in the USA. Moving further, let's know the mistakes to avoid while applying for the renunciation certificate for OCI Application USA to get it on time without any delay.
To avoid any delays and get your OCI card on time, consider the following things while applying for the Indian passport surrender certificate in the USA:
These are some points that one should consider when applying for a surrender certificate for the OCI card in the USA. It provides a smooth application process without any hurdles.
Lastly, this is how you can surrender of Indian passport in the USA for an OCI application. Still confused whether to take help from Visament or not when applying for your Indian passport surrender certificate, and OCI card in the USA, or not? With us by your side, you do not need to do anything by yourself. From filling out the application form to document submission and booking an appointment, we do it all on your behalf. Additionally, we offer guaranteed pass service, so you do not need to worry about the application. Connect with us today, and let's apply together for your OCI card in the USA after surrendering your Indian passport.
Helping Lumers streamline their workflow and deliver faster
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Visament Passport consultants helped me to fill out an error-free surrender application for my OCI card, USA. it has skilled experts who are responsive and know the application process well. I will give this website a full star rating for its extraordinary services.
Visament passport agents helped me to book an online surrender certificate appointment at the nearest center. As I don't know how to book an online appointment, Visament booked my appointment on my behalf. I want to thank all the Visament team for helping, especially in the Passport surrender application process.
Visament has a simple and easy application process for the Indian passport renunciation. If I want to apply for more online services, then I will only choose the visament website for my application.
Applying through the Visament website makes me stress-free about my application. It has experienced passport experts who help me in the application process and get me a safe and secure surrender certificate delivered to my home.
Visament has the fastest application processing for the surrender of the Indian passport application for the OCI card USA. I have referred this website to all my friends and family for the secure and smooth application process.
Renunciation of Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) means a foreign citizen of Indian origin, who holds an OCI card, formally gives up their OCI status and discontinues to be a registered overseas Indian citizen. It is a voluntary process where an individual declares to no more hold the OCI status and the Indian Central Government registers his/her declaration.
Yes, it is mandatory to surrender your Indian passport before applying for OCI in the USA, as India does not allow dual citizenship to its residents, and the OCI card is provided to foreign citizens of Indian origin. Additionally, the surrender certificate is one of the vital documents needed during the OCI application in the USA. It is used as proof that the applicant no longer holds Indian citizenship.
To get a renunciation certificate for an OCI card in the USA, you need to apply online at the VFS Global center. By visiting the official site, fill out the Indian passport surrender certificate, submit the required documents, pay the fee, and book an appointment at your nearest VFS center for biometric data and physical submission of the documents. If everything goes well, you will get your renunciation certificate within the given processing time.
No, you cannot apply for an OCI card in the USA immediately after renouncing your Indian citizenship. Before applying for the OCI card in the USA, you need to have an Indian citizenship surrender certificate. The renunciation process generally takes 45 days, so till then you have to wait for your certificate, and after getting that, apply for your OCI card.
Yes, you can travel to India while waiting for your OCI card after your Indian passport surrender. However, you need to apply for a valid visa as per your traveling purpose to enter and exit the country. Once you get your OCI card, you can travel to Indian without applying for a visa.
If you apply for an OCI card without surrendering your Indian passport, your application will get rejected by the Indian embassy or consulate. There are two key reasons for this, i.e., India does not allow dual citizenship, so it is mandatory to surrender your Indian passport after acquiring foreign citizenship. Secondly, to get an OCI card, you need to submit the surrender certificate. It is one of the vital documents required during the OCI application process.
Yes, you can use the copy of the surrender certificate for OCI application submission. However, if you get foreign citizenship after May 2010, as per the Ministry of External Affairs, you may be required to submit the original document.
Yes, minors can apply for an OCI card after their parents surrender Indian citizenship. However, the eligibility for the OCI card depends on whether the minor meets the other requirements or not including prior citizenship of India or lineage to an Indian citizen.
If you made a mistake in your OCI or surrender application, you need to contact the appropriate officials or the Indian Mission to correct your errors. Depending on the mistake you made, you might need to provide the supporting documents or reapply for the application.
Yes, if you are an American citizen of Indian origin, you need a surrender certificate to apply for an OCI card in the USA. It is because India does not permit dual citizenship to its residents, and to apply for an OCI card, you need to provide a surrender certificate that serves as proof that you do not hold Indian citizenship.
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