OCI Miscellaneous Services In the UK

Are you an OCI card holder residing in the UK? Updating your OCI is important so you can continue traveling without interruption and enjoy your residency rights. Keep reading to learn about OCI Miscellaneous Services in the UK. From changing the address to replacing a lost card, this guide will help you with everything.

What is an OCI Card?

An OCI stands for Overseas Citizen of India and was introduced in 2005. It is a status that allows foreign citizens of Indian origin to live and work in India indefinitely. It was introduced to fulfill the demands of Indians residing abroad who insisted on dual citizenship. An OCI card offers several benefits. Keeping your OCI card updated is important to keep availing of the OCI benefits. Also, to enjoy hassle-free residency and travel rights. You might need OCI miscellaneous services in the UK to keep your OCI card updated and valid. Let us learn in detail about OCI miscellaneous services.

What are OCI Miscellaneous Services and Who Can Apply?

OCI Misc Services is only availed by the registered Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholder. They can use the OCI Misc services for the following purposes:

• Re-issue a duplicate OCI document
• Update a change in address or occupation
• Update your OCI card after the age of 20 and 50.
• Replace a lost or damaged OCI registration certificate
• Change your details like your name, father's name, or nationality.
• Update any wrong information on an online application like your name, father's name, or birth date.

These are some situations when you can apply for OCI miscellaneous services in the UK. You need to provide some required documents when applying for this service. Let’s learn more about the documents required for an OCI application in the UK.

Documents Required for OCI Miscellaneous Services in the UK

When you Apply For a new OCI Card in the UK Application be it for PIO to OCI conversion or any service. Several documents have to be submitted which are as follows:

• Proof of previous Indian passport of self, parents, grandparents, or great-grandparents. A birth certificate, valid foreign passport held, and proof of local residency.
• If applying based on parents/grandparents/great grandparents/spouse OCI card/PIO card. Submit a copy of the OCI/PIO card of parents/grandparents or great-grandparents/spouse. Also, include the base papers/documents on which the OCI/PIO card was issued.
• If the applicant is below the age of 21 years. An NOC letter signed by both parents in original is requisite.
• If your current OCI is issued based on the spouse, An NOC letter signed by the spouse in original is requisite.
• In the case of a minor applicant, documents of the parents are requisite in original and copies. Also, provide the OCI application form. Submitting the original and copy of the Naturalization/Citizenship certificate is vital.

These were the common documents that need to be submitted when applying for an OCI. However, the documents may vary according to different situations. Let us learn about the documents that you need to submit based on different situations:

➜ Updating Passport Details Online for OCI (Indian Origin and Spouse Basis)

• OCI services for online updates can only be used by registered OCI cardholders. The OCI registration booklet has to be re-issued only when a new passport is issued after the age of 20 and 50.
• For applicants who are getting their OCI renewed for the first time after the age of 20. It is mandatory to submit the copies of Indian renunciation certificate. Also, the canceled Indian passport.
• Originals of the above-mentioned documents have to be given for verification purposes. It will be returned after careful inspection.

➜ Spouse Basis

OCI cardholders who have been registered as spouses of foreign origin of a citizen of India or an OCI cardholder. Upload a copy of the new passport having the photo of the passport holder each time a new passport is issued.

In such a case, the OCI cardholder and his/her Indian spouse or OCI cardholder spouse will have to submit a declaration. The declaration form must state that their marriage still exists.

A copy of the Indian spouse's passport. The passport and OCI card of the OCI cardholder spouse should also be uploaded in these cases. These documents can be uploaded by the OCI cardholder's foreign spouse within three months of receiving his/her new passport. This online OCI miscellaneous services UK will be provided on a Gratis basis.

• Persons of Indian Origin Basis

• Copy of the new passport having the photograph

➝ Specifications for the Photograph

• Size must be 51mm*51mm
• Background must be light in color
• Photograph must be matte-finished
• The full face of the applicant must be visible

To get a more detailed explanation of the photograph specifications. Check MHA website 

Photographs that don't meet the above requirements will be rejected. It may also cause a delay in the OCI application processing time.

A copy of the Singapore NRIC of the applicant/utility/telephone bill showing the current address. If the utility bill is not in the applicant's name, the relationship proof of the applicant with his/her immediate family member is requisite. (in case of address updates only).

➜ People Registered as OCI Cardholders on a Spouse Basis

• Copy of the new passport having the photograph

➝ Specifications for the Photograph

• Size must be 51mm*51mm
• Background must be light in color
• Photograph must be matte-finished
• The full face of the applicant must be visible

To get a more detailed explanation of the photograph specifications. Check MHA website

Photographs that don't meet the above requirements will be rejected. It may also cause a delay in the application processing time.

• Declaration from both the OCI cardholder and the spouse stating that the marriage still exists.
• In the case of those whose spouse is an Indian citizen, the Indian passport of the spouse is requisite.
• In the case of those whose spouse is an OCI cardholder, the Passport and OCI card of the spouse are requisite.

Points to Consider During OCI Registration

a). The service for online update of new passports and change of address online is being provided to existing OCI cardholders on a Gratis basis.

b). Applicants are advised to fill in their correct personal information in the documents submitted. Also, upload and submit the recent photograph as per the given specifications.

c). According to the MHA approval dated 26th March 2021, the requirement to carry the old and new passport along with the new OCI card has been removed. OCI cardholders who are traveling on the strength of their existing OCI card are not required to carry their old passport or old passport number. However, carrying your new passport is important.

How to Apply for OCI Miscellaneous Services in UK

If you wish to keep your OCI card valid then you need to keep it updated. You can apply for OCI Miscellaneous UK online through the VFS website. Follow the below-mentioned steps to get OCI miscellaneous services UK:

Step 1: Visit the OCI service websites

Step 2: Click on the “OCI Miscellaneous Services” option and click on “Proceed” in the right corner at the bottom

Step 3: On the next page, read the instructions and click on the “Accept” button.

Step 4: Read the details on the next screen carefully as information on this page is very important. Provide the Captcha and click on the “Enter” button

Step 5: Click on “Fill New Miscellaneous Application”

Step 6: On the next page, enter some details like:

• Passport number as mentioned in your OCI card 
• OCI card number starting with A
• Date of birth as in OCI card and then click on “Proceed”

Step 7: Update your email address by clicking on the “Edit Email ID” option

Step 8: Four options will be displayed on the screen and you need to select any one from them:

• Change in Personal Particulars (Chargeable)
• Loss/damage of OCI certificate/visa (Chargeable)
• Passport particulars updation (Free of Cost)
• Address/occupation updation (Free of Cost)

Follow these steps to apply for OCI miscellaneous in the UK online. Provide every detail accurately and do not miss out on any information. Make sure to resize the photos and signatures according to the required specifications before submitting. 

What is the Processing Time of OCI Miscellaneous Services UK?

The processing time for OCI miscellaneous services in the UK takes at least 35 to 40 working days after applying at the application center. However, the time may vary according to different applications and application types: 

Services	Processing Time
New OCI Card	6 weeks
OCI Foreign Spouse Category	12 weeks
Renewing an OCI Card	6 weeks

Keep in mind that the processing time may get delayed due to technical reasons, missing information, or documents, etc. You are advised to plan your travel only after getting your OCI card to avoid last-minute hassle. Taking assistance from a professional will help you avoid any delays and rejections.

What are the Fees of OCI Miscellaneous Services in UK

Below are the fees for some OCI Miscellaneous services in the UK:

OCI Miscellaneous Services	Fees
Changing Address	£23
Renunciation of OCI	£23
Converting PIO To OCI	£75
Lost or Damaged OCI Card	£5
Changing Card Details and Linking with a New Passport	£21
SMS Charges	£2.00
Courier Fee Per Envelope	£15.00
Express One-Day Delivery	£15.00

Additionally, you will also have to pay a VFS service fee of £7.44 per application. You can pay by cash, debit card, credit card, postal order, or bank draft. The complete application process is online and the records are updated in 40-50 days.

To opt for tatkal charges, you need to pay £ 117 per application along with the normal fee. In the case of OCI, a refund is given under certain conditions after deducting £45 towards administrative costs.

Who is Not Eligible to Apply for an OCI Card?

If you belong to any of the below-mentioned categories then you are not eligible to get an OCI card:

➜ Pakistani or Bangladeshi Citizen

You can’t apply for an OCI card if either you, your parents, grandparents, or great-grandparents were a citizen of Pakistan or Bangladesh

➜ Military, Defense, or Law Staff

If you are serving or are a retired military, defense, or law staff then you cannot apply for an OCI card in the UK

➜ Asylees or Stateless Applicants

An Asylees or stateless applicant is not eligible to apply for an OCI

➜ Applicants Having Incomplete Birth Certificates

Applicants whose birth certificate only includes one parent and their nationality, then you are not eligible to apply for an OCI in the UK

➜ Foreign Diplomats

Foreign diplomats cannot apply for an OCI card. Also, police/ex-defense staff working with security agencies and their family members and personnel of the Home Office as well as MoD can’t apply for an OCI.

What are Some Guidelines to Follow for OCI Miscellaneous Services

Once you decide to apply for OCI Miscellaneous Services UK, you need to consider these guidelines:

• The embassy may ask for additional documents if required.
• Applicant’s passport must be submitted for pasting the new visa in it.
• Surrendering the existing OCI registration certificate is a must when reissuing the OCI documents.
• When issuing duplicate OCI documents for damaged documents, surrender the damaged documents.
• If only one OCI document is lost then surrender the other document
• Submit the original passport and OCI card to the Embassy when collecting the new OCI card for verification.
• It may take at least one working day to receive your OCI card after submitting the original passport and the old OCI card.
• A photograph and signature have to be uploaded during the OCI registration. The photograph must be equal in height and width, and the signature needs to have an aspect ratio of 1:3.

These are some guidelines that an applicant needs to consider when applying for OCI services. It is advised to take assistance from a professional to make the OCI application process easy. If you need assistance, Visament is the best choice. Their experts can help you complete the whole process easily and can guide you throughout the process. Still not convinced about why you should choose Visament then keep reading to avoid this confusion.

Why Choose Visament for OCI Solutions?

Keeping your OCI updated is vital to keep it valid and to enjoy seamless travel and residency rights in the UK. In case of lost/damaged OCI, incorrect information, or any updates you need to apply for OCI miscellaneous services. However, the OCI application process can be lengthy and complex. Any error in the application may lead to rejection or delays. You may have to start the application process from the beginning which will not be a good experience. To avoid such situations, connect with Visament

Visament is the one-stop destination for all immigration-related applications. We are designed to make the OCI, visa, passport, etc. services hassle-free for you. From applying for a new OCI card to getting it updated we can assist you with everything. We have a team of experts to guide you throughout the application process. Our commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction makes us the best choice for all your OCI application needs. Here are some more reasons to provide answers to your questions of why choose us:

• Visament offers expert solutions throughout the application process. Our team ensures that you have all your documents prepared in advance to avoid last-minute hassles.
• The OCI application process is time-consuming. We submit the application on your behalf with accurate information to save you time and effort.
• Our team provides personalized support at every step to make sure that all your queries or doubts are addressed promptly.
• We have good experience in this field and we pay attention to every detail to increase the chances of getting a positive response for every application. Visament ensures that you don’t need to re-submit or any make corrections to your application.
• You can avoid the complexities of navigating your OCI card application. We will keep track of the status of your application to keep you informed about every update.
• Apart from all of this, we provide every service at a very affordable price to ensure that you get top-notch quality services without emptying your pocket.

These are only a few reasons to avoid your confusion. You can connect with us anytime to get assistance with your visa, OCI, passport, etc. in the UK or anywhere around the globe. Our team is available 24*7 to assist you and to provide solutions to every immigration problem. So, feel free to connect with Visament.

Additional OCI Services We Offer:

Other than the OCI miscellaneous services in the UK we do offer the following also:

Fresh OCI Card	OCI Card Renewal	Lost or Damaged OCI Card
OCI Card Reissue	PIO to OCI Conversion	OCI Card for Minors

How Visament Helps You?

Applying for an OCI is an advisable decision for those who wish to maintain their bond with India. However, sometimes the application process becomes overwhelming due to the lengthy process or requirements of several documents. If you wish to enjoy a stress-free application process Connect with Visament anytime. Choosing us ensures a reliable, trustworthy, and stress-experience. Our experts guide you throughout the process to provide solutions to every query. So, contact us today and get affordable yet high-quality services instantly.