Frequently Asked Questions About OCI Services
Answers to Your Most Common OCI Questions
You need to renew a Minor OCI card when he or she turns 20 years old and gets their new foreign passport.
To apply for a minor OCI card in Los Angeles, you must have an Indian origin parents or a single parent, or they must have an existing OCI card. For the Minor who was born outside India and had Indian citizenship before naturalizing in the US also needs to provide the renunciation certificate.
All the foreign nationals of Indian origin are eligible for an OCI card in Los Angeles, which includes: A person who is eligible to become a citizen of India at the time of commencement of the Indian Constitution, or a person who was an Indian citizen at the time of the framing of the Constitution on 26/01/1950. A person who belongs to a territory that became part of India after 15 August 1947. Who is a child, grandchild, or great-grandchild of the above? Spouse of Indian origin, minor child of a person mentioned above, and a child whose parents are both citizens of India.
Yes, an OCI cardholder is allowed to purchase residential or commercial properties in India. However, they are also restricted from purchasing any farming lands or plantation lands in India.
Yes, an OCI card is valid for life and does not have an expiry date. However, you need to renew your OCI card after getting a new passport or turning at the age of 20 years old or 50 years old.
Yes, a US citizen with an OCI card can apply for the Aadhaar card if they have met the residency rule, which is to stay in India for 182 days or more in the past 12 months.
Yes, you can easily apply for the OCI card application renewal or reissue from our OCI services in Los Angeles. For which you need to provide all the correct information, along with all the supporting documents for your OCI card application, then you need to pay the required fees and submit biometric and documents to the VFS application center and wait for the delivery of your OCI application. You will get your OCI card within a few days after the OCI application submission.
Yes, you can travel to India while your OCI card application is still in process. However, you need to apply for an Indian visa or an e-visa to travel safely to India.
The OCI card application timeline in Los Angeles is generally 4-6 weeks. However, the processing time also depends on the verification of documents, the number of applications received by the Indian consulate or authorities, and the information and supporting documents provided by the OCI applicant.
The new rules of the OCI card 2026 included the new e-OCI card, which allows eligible foreign nationals of Indian origin to get their OCI card in a short time period with zero paperwork. Along with it, OCI renewal is mandatory after issuance of the new passport, and according to the new rule, now you don't need to stay in India for a 6-month period for the OCI card.
Yes, you can travel with your OCI card while your OCI card application is still in process. For this, you need to apply for an Indian visa or an e-visa with your foreign passport to get safe entry into India.
Yes, a surrender certificate is essential to apply for the OCI card application from New York. You can get your surrender certificate by submitting your Indian passport to the authorities. Without getting a surrender certificate, you will not be able to apply for the OCI card.
Yes, you will need to book an appointment for the OCI card application in New York for the biometric and document submission at the VFS application center. We will help you with that and book a VFS appointment on your behalf.
A new OCI application is processed to get a new card by filling out the application, and you will get a new OCI card, which is done by the individual who is applying for the OCI card for the first time. On the other hand, if you have an OCI card and you want to update your OCI card details, or if your OCI card is damaged, lost, or stolen, then you need to apply for the OCI card miscellaneous services.
To check your OCI card status in New York, you need to go to our official portal and click on the track application status. Then, you need to enter the required details, such as your application reference number, and after clicking on Get Status, you can see the real-time status of your OCI card application in New York.
The processing time for the OCI card application in New York is about 5-6 weeks. However, the application process also depends on the number of applications received by the authority or Indian consulate, and the documents and information provided by the OCI card applicant.
Yes, you can easily apply for the OCI card reissue or renewal by using our OCI services in New York, for which you need to provide all the essential documents and correct information, and pay the required fees for the OCI card application.
An OCI card provides various benefits to foreign nationals of Indian origin, such as a lifelong visa-free multi-entry, exemption from local police and authorities for the duration of stay in India, equal rights with non-resident Indians in the economic sector, the education sector, and the financial sector, and the same fares as domestic fares to study, work, or live in India for an indefinite time.
An OCI card can be applied for by eligible foreign nationals of Indian origin, such as former Indian citizens, children, and grandchildren of Indian citizens or of Indian origin, foreign spouses of an OCI cardholder or an Indian citizen, and persons of Indian origin.
You can apply for the OCI card renewal by using our OCI New York services, where we provide you with personalized documentation and application assistance so that you can get your OCI renewal card without facing any errors or mistakes.