Expert OCI Services in Edinburgh

Documents Required for OCI Miscellaneous Services in the UK

When you Apply For a new OCI Card in the UK, the application is for PIO to OCI conversion or any service. According to the service type, you need to submit several documents. However, some remain common in all the OCI miscellaneous services. So, let's first know about them.

➜ Compulsory Documents for OCI Miscellaneous Services in the UK

These are the following documents that you need for any miscellaneous service in the UK:

• Current passport
• Photocopy of the first and last page of the OCI card
• Old British Passport
• UK Address Proof
• Dated and signed OCI application form
• Two recent passport-size photos
• Original OCI card

➜ Other Documents Required on Case to Case Basis

In addition to the mandatory documents, other papers may be required on a case-by-case basis. These are as follows:

• Minor applicants: Copies of both parents' current passports.
• Married applicants:  Registered marriage certificate and a current passport copy of the spouse.
• Divorced applicants:  Copy of divorce order issued by the court.
• Lost OCI card: A photocopy of the police report and declaration form.
• Foreign spouse category OCI cardholders: Current passport to verify signatures and a consent letter from the spouse.

How to Apply for OCI Miscellaneous Services in the UK

To keep your OCI card valid, you must keep it up to date. You can apply for OCI Miscellaneous UK online through Visament. Follow the steps below to get OCI miscellaneous services in the UK:

• Select Services and Pay Fee: Visit our website, and from there choose the OCI miscellaneous service option and make the payment.
• Get the Document Checklist and Verify: After receiving payment, we will mail you a checklist of documents required for your OCI case.
• Submission of Documents: Scan and send the documents via email or WhatsApp to us.
• File Preparation and Booking Appointment: Once we have received all the necessary documents, our team will prepare your file and schedule your appointment at your nearest VFS office.
• Application Package: Our team will email you the completed application form, along with your appointment letter and the required documents for printing, ahead of your appointment at VFS.
• Day of Appointment: On the day of your appointment, please arrive on time and submit all necessary papers. 
• OCI Receipt: Expect that within 25-35 day,s you will get your new OCI card. 

Follow these steps to apply for OCI miscellaneous in the UK online with Visament. The revised version that follows provides a clear guide to the process, ensuring customers understand each step of their application journey.

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:

What Are the Fees of OCI Miscellaneous Services in the UK

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

How to Track OCI Miscellaneous Application in the UK?

To track your OCI miscellaneous status in the UK, follow the steps:

• Step 1: Visit the official VFS Global portal or the Ministry of External Affairs' website of the Indian Government.
• Step 2: From there, select the “Status Inquiry” option and click on the “Track your application” option.
• Step 3: Fill out the details mentioned, including your OCI application number, passport number, and other personal information.
• Step 4: After mentioning the required information, click on the “Track status” or “Submit” button.
• Step 5: Your current OCI miscellaneous status will be shown as:
• Processing stage
• Under review or approved
• Dispatched details

With this, for a long time, if your application status is showing “under process” or “pending,” you can contact the Indian embassy or consulate to get information. Additionally, you can use our 'Track Your Application Status' feature, available on our site, to monitor your application progress.

Points to Consider During OCI Registration

1. The service for online updating of new passports and changing addresses online is being provided to existing OCI cardholders free of charge.
2. Applicants are advised to ensure that their personal information is accurate and complete in the documents they submit. Additionally, please upload and submit a recent photograph by the given specifications.
3. According to the MHA approval dated March 26, 2021, the requirement to carry both old and new passports along with the new OCI card has been removed. OCI cardholders traveling on the strength of their existing OCI card are not required to carry their old passport or the passport number associated with it. However, holding your new passport is essential.

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 request additional documents if necessary.
• The applicant’s passport must be submitted for the new visa to be pasted in it.
• Surrendering the existing OCI registration certificate is mandatory when reissuing 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 your new OCI card for verification purposes.
• 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 must be uploaded during the OCI registration process. The picture must be equal in height and width, and the signature needs to have an aspect ratio of 1:3.

These guidelines are essential for applicants to consider when applying for OCI services. It is advisable to seek assistance from a professional, such as Visament, to simplify the OCI application process. Our experts will help you complete the entire process easily and guide you throughout. Still not convinced about why you should choose Visament? Then keep reading to avoid this confusion.

Eligibility Criteria for OCI Card for a Minor

The following are the eligibility criteria that a minor needs to fulfill while applying for an OCI card in the UK:

• A foreign national who was eligible to become a citizen of India on 26.01.1950.
• Who was a citizen of India on or at any time after 26.01.1950
• A person who belonged to a territory that became a part of India after 15.08.1947.
• An Individual who is a child/grandchild/great-grandchild of such a citizen.
• Minor child whose parents are both or both citizens of India.

Benefits that a Minor can Avail of After Getting an OCI Card:

• OCI minors can pursue various professions in India such as doctor, dentist, nurse, CA, etc.
• Minors who have an OCI card can visit India multiple times for any purpose with a lifetime visa.
• When it comes to the intercountry adoption of Indian children, they are treated exactly like Indian citizens.
• They have to pay the same entry fees as domestic Indian visitors to national parks. Also, when visiting wildlife sanctuaries.
• No need to register themselves with the Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (FFRO) or Foreigners Registration Officer (FRO) for any duration of stay in India.
• Minor OCI cardholders can enjoy the same benefits as a Non-Resident Indian (NRI). Like benefits in the field of economic, financial, and educational opportunities. However, buying agricultural or plantation properties is an exception.

Documents Required OCI Card for Minor in the UK

To obtain an OCI card for a minor in the UK you need to gather the following documents:

• Birth certificate of child
• Parent’s current passport copies
• Recent two-passport-sized photographs
• Parental consent letter
• OCI application form
• Consent letter from parents

These are the documents you required for the OCI card application for minors. In case, you have some doubts about the papers, you are free to contact our team members. They will surely help you and provide you with a proper document checklist.

How to Apply for an OCI Card for Minors in the UK?

Looking for a reliable immigration service provider in the UK for your OCI card for minors? Connect with Visament and let our team handle your application. From documentation to booking an appointment at VFS our experts do all for you. Want to know how? Read on the next section:

• Choose a Service and Make the Payment: Visit the official site of Visament and from there select OCI card for minors. Then pay the fee for applied services.
• Gather all the Documents and Verify: Once we get the payment, our team will send you the checklist of documents via email that we need during your OCI application.
• Document Submission: Scan and send the photos of the listed documents via WhatsApp or email to us.
• File Preparation and Booking Appointment: Upon receiving all the documents, our experts will prepare your file, fill out your application form, and book your appointment at your nearest VFS center.
• Application Package: Along with your appointment letter and required documents our team will email you the complete application form for printing.
• Appointment Day: On your appointment day be on time submit all the papers and pay the VFS service fee.
• OCI Receipt: Within 6-8 weeks expect the delivery of your minor OCI card.

Processing Time And Fees of OCI Cards for Minors in the UK

The processing time for an OCI card for minors in the UK may vary depending on the applicant's consulate's processing time. However, it generally takes 30-90 working days from the date of submission at the center.

Fees for OCI Cards for Minors

The fees for OCI cards for minors in the UK are as follows:

How to Track Your OCI Card for Minor Application?

Follow the below-mentioned steps to track your OCI card for minor application:

• Step 1: Visit the site of the Indian Government Ministry of External Affairs or VFS Global portal.
• Step 2: Select the “status inquiry” option from there and click on the “track your application” option.
• Step 3: To know your application status you need to mention some details. It includes your Application Reference Number (ARN), personal details, and passport number.
• Step 4: After that, click on the “track status” option.
• Step 5: Your OCI application shows any one option from the three of them:
  • Processing stage
  • Under review or approved
  • Dispatched details

This way, you can track your OCI card for minor applications online in the UK. In case for a very long time, your application has been showing “pending” or “under review,” you can contact the Indian embassy or consulate. With this, you can also use our application tracking tool to track your application status.

Mistakes to Avoid in OCI Card Application for Minors

Keep in mind that the staff will not verify your application with a sympathetic view. Their job is to assess that you fulfill all the legal requirements. With such a strict process, you cannot make mistakes or miss anything in your application. Avoiding even the silliest mistakes is important to get a positive response. Let us discuss the common mistakes to avoid when applying for a minor OCI in the UK.

• Uploading Low-Quality Photos and Signatures: There are some specifications for uploading photographs and signatures. In the case of minors, the parents will have to take care of it. The application will get rejected if you don't follow the specifications while uploading.
  The photo must be uploaded in jpg format and photo must be vertical and the signature must be horizontal. Children who can't put their sign must provide a thumb impression.
• Providing Incorrect Information: It is important to provide information with proper accuracy and correctness. Every detail must be in the correct indicated format and must match the documents.
  Giving wrong details or even making spelling mistakes are some common mistakes. This might seem very obvious but providing mismatched details with the official document or ID proof. If your name is written in the reverse order on the official document writing it the other way will lead to your visa having incorrect details.
• Not Submitting The Application On Time: You need to submit the OCI card application within 90 days from the date you fill out the online application. Application may get rejected if you use the online application form which was filled out 90 days ago. In such cases, the fee amount that you have paid will not be refunded.
• Wrong Document Format: Every supporting document must be submitted according to the specified format. So, make sure that you submit every supporting document in the proper format. The documents must be in PDF format. The photograph and OCI signature for minors should be uploaded in JPEG format.

Benefits of Having an OCI Card

An Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card offers the following benefits to the cardholders:

• With OCI status you can travel to India multiple times for multiple purposes without applying for a visa.
• In terms of economics, education, and finance, OCI cardholders have equal rights to NRIs.
• To open a bank account, apply for a driving license and PAN card, OCI card can be used as identity proof.
• For long stays in India, the OCI cardholders do not need to register themselves with local authorities.
• In addition, OCI cardholders can also take part in Indian cultural, religious, and social activities.

Eligibility Criteria for Having an OCI Card

In case of a lost and damaged OCI card, an individual is eligible to apply for a card replacement. For this, he/she needs to submit an application to the Indian Post/Mission along with proof of loss. Also, he/she needs to keep a few things in mind about OCI Card Renewal & replacement in case of a damaged or lost OCI card. These are as follows:

• Proof of loss: An individual needs to provide a photocopy of a police report or a crime reference number to document the loss of their OCI card.
• Application Process: Through the designated portal submit an online application and attach the asked documents. It includes a copy of the current passport and the OCI lost (if damaged partially).
• Fee: Applicants need to pay a fee for re-issuing a damaged or lost OCI card.

These are the following eligibility criteria that you need to follow during the OCI card replacement in case of a damaged or lost OCI card.

Documents Required in Case of Lost or Damaged OCI Card in the UK

To replace a damaged or lost OCI card in the UK, an individual needs to submit the following documents:

• Current British Passport: A copy of your valid current UK passport with the photo page.
• Police Report: Regarding the lost OCI card a copy of the filed police report in the country.
• Indian Origin Proof: It can be a copy of your DOB certificate, an old Indian passport, or a domicile certificate.
• Application Form: Due to damage/ loss OCI card a completed application form for replacement.
• Recent Passport-sized Photographs: As per the mentioned requirements for OCI card replacement recent passport-sized photographs.
• Payment Receipt of Application Fee: Proof of OCI card replacement fee payment.

These are the following documents that you need to arrange while applying for a lost or damaged OCI card replacement in the UK.

How Visament Helps You in Your OCI Application Process?

Visament aims to provide you with a comprehensive and seamless service, fulfilling all your OCI, NRI, and immigration requirements effectively. For a smooth and hassle-free experience or to know more about our services, including the OCI miscellaneous services, contact us. With this, it is how we help you in your OCI application process:

• Choose Service and Pay the Fee: Visit our official site, select the OCI service option, and make the payment as per the service.
• Document Checklist: Once we get the payment, we will send you the list of documents required for your lost or damaged OCI application. 
• Submission of Documents:  Scan and email the documents as per the document checklist that we sent you.
• File Preparation and Schedule Appointment: Upon getting the documents, our experts will first cross-check them, then fill out your application form, prepare your document file, and book an appointment at your nearest VFS center on your behalf.
• Application Package: We will mail you the prepared document file along with your application that you need to carry during your VFS appointment. Make a printout of it. 
• Day of Appointment: On your appointment day, be on time and do not forget to carry the file. After submitting all the things and paying the VFS charges you will get an OCI receipt. It consists of an Application Reference Number (ARN) that further helps you in application tracking. 

Processing Time and Fees of Lost or Damaged OCI Card

In the UK, the fee for replacing a damaged or lost OCI card is as follows:

• Embassy Fees: £75.00
• VFS Charges: £7.44
• SMS Charges: £2.00
• Courier Fees: £15.00 (it is for express delivery in one day) or £8.00 (for delivery in three days)

The following charges cover several aspects of the application process, involving VFS service charges, fees of the embassy, SMS notifications, and fees of courier delivery. In addition, the general processing time is between 7 to 10 working days from the submission date of the application at the application center.

How to Track Your OCI Application in the UK?

To track your lost or damaged OCI card application in the UK follow the below-stated steps:

• Step 1: Visit the official site of the Indian Government Ministry of External Affairs or VFS Global portal.
• Step 2: Log in to your account with your account credentials and if you do not have first create one. 
• Step 3: On the dashboard, select the “status inquiry” option and click on the “track your application” option.
• Step 4: Fill out the asked details to track your application. It includes your passport number, ARN number, and DOB.
• Step 5: From any three of them, your current OCI lost or damaged application status can be shown as follows:
• Under Process
• Approved
• Dispatched 

Further, in case for a very long time, if your application is showing “pending” or “under process” status, you can connect with the Indian consulate or embassy to get information about it. With this, you can also track your application with the application tracking tool of Visament. A simple and easy way to know your application status online.

What to Do if Your OCI Card Get Lost in the UK?

What to do if you lose an OCI card in the UK? Well, in real many people deal with this situation. It can be a traumatic experience, specifically for those who want to travel on an urgent basis in India. It is known to everyone that an OCI card is the right document to have by your side for overseas citizens of India when they travel there. With this, in case if you lost your OCI card in the UK, you should do the following things:

• As soon as possible file a police report in your nearby police station in the UK regarding your lost card.
• Contact the Indian High Commission in the UK and tell them about your card loss.
• Apply for a new OCI card through the online OCI website.
• In addition, during the process cross-check the mentioned documents required for OCI card replacement with the Indian High Commission.

These are the following things that you can do in case you lose or damage your OCI card in the UK. Also, you can take the help of our experts. They will handle your case perfectly and assist you in regaining your OCI status back without any hassle.

Eligibility Criteria for Having an X1 Visa

These are the following eligibility criteria that you need to fulfill to have an X1 visa on your side:

• People of Indian origin who came to India on tourist visas can convert their visa into an X1 visa if they want to stay longer in India legally. To get this visa you need to give proof of your Indian origin.
• Hold an Indian passport in the past. Apart from this, individuals whose parents/grandparents were residents of India can also apply for this visa.
• Foreigners who are married to Indian citizens are also eligible to apply for an X1 visa India. With this, a foreign nation can extend Indian visa by submitting the stated documents. However, you cannot extend Indian e-Visa extension and it is only applicable when their partner holds an Indian passport.
• Children of Indian citizens who are residents or citizens of another country can also apply for Indian visa renewal if they have an Indian parent who currently has an Indian passport.
• In addition, Indian-origin people with foreign nationality who want to apply for OCI from India can also request an X1 visa. It is one of the key requirements for an OCI card application from India.

Benefits of Having an X1 Visa

With an X1 visa, you get the following benefits by your side:

• With an X1 visa, you save yourself from visa overstay penalty in India. In addition, it allows you to stay for a longer time without any visa extension.
• An X1 visa in India allows you to stay a maximum of five years in the country with multiple entries. So, you can legally stay longer in India with this visa.
• In addition, with this visa, you get permission to work in the country except for missionary, research work, and mountaineering.
• You get exempt from reporting to the police officials about your stay duration in the country.
• Further, you can use an X1 visa to apply for OCI from India. To apply for OCI card services from India it is one of the basic requirements a person needs to fulfill.

Documents Required to Apply for an X1 Visa

For an X1 visa, you need the following documents by your side:

• A visa extension for India requires a current visa and a valid passport of the individual.
• Completed online visa extension India form with accurate information.
• Valid ID proof of the Indian partner. The ID proof should be authorized by the Indian government i.e. PAN card, Aadhaar card, etc.
• A marriage certificate stating the name of both partners. The certificate should be issued by an official authority.
• Indian residency proof. It can be either a utility bill or a lease/rent agreement.
• Security clearance and reports from police authorities declaring the validity of marriage.
• Copy of Indemnity Bond. There should be a sign of an Indian partner in it and should be written on Rs.100 stamp paper.
• Recent passport-size photograph of the visa applicant.
• For a medical visa extension in India, you need to submit a medical certificate.
• Proof of having sufficient funds such as bank statements to manage your expenses during your stay in India.
• Receipt of the visa extension fees in India paid while filling out the online application.

Common Reasons for Indian Visa Extension

India is a big country and requires time to explore it. Considering this, here are the common reasons for Indian visa extension by travelers:

• Unexpected Delays: India is a vast country and exploring it in a limited time is a quite difficult thing. With an Indian visa extension, you get the chance to complete your travel plans and experience the culture of the country.
• Discovering Business Opportunities: You may want to discover the business prospects of India in depth. However, with the limited time your visa does not allow you to do so. In this, a visa extension option comes as a relief. You get more time to expand your network. With this, more business visa extensions in India can leverage your presence in business.
• Education and Research Purposes: Foreign researchers and students to continue their research purposes and education can extend their stay in the country with a visa extension.
• Medical Attention: At present, India is growing as a medical tourism hotspot among people and allows them to access medical treatment here. Hospitalization and medical complications needing more time for the recovery of patients are some of the key reasons behind the Indian visa extension. With this, applying for a visa extension for medical reasons is easier considering the sensitivity of the circumstances.
• Applying for an OCI Card: It is also one of the key reasons people convert their e-visa to an X1 visa. To Apply for an OCI card they need to fulfill a 180-day stay duration in India and it can only done through visa extension. So, for this reason, as well people apply for an e-Visa extension of their visa in India.

How to Apply for Your Indian Visa Extension With Visament?

The goal of Visament is to provide comprehensive and seamless service, identifying all your passport and visa services requirements efficiently. For an easy experience of Indian visa extension reach out to us. It is how we assist you with the application process:

• Choose Country and Visa Type: Visit our official site and choose the country for which you need a visa. Then, select the visa type i.e. X1 visa India for an extension.
• Pay the Visa Fee: Pay the visa fee appears on your screen. As per your convenience, you can choose the online payment method.
• Document Checklist: After making the payment you will see the list of documents required for the Indian visa extension. Scan and upload the document on the dashboard.
• Expert Verification: Upon getting the documents, our experts will first verify them and then fill out your application for a visa extension. In addition, book your appointment with FRRO for biometrics.
• File Preparation: Our experts will mail you your completed visa extension application with an appointment letter and supporting documents. Take a printout of it as you need to carry all this on your appointment day.
• Get Your Visa: After the physical submission of your visa application to FRRO, the local officials will do your background check. After that your visa application will passed to MHA and within 2 to 4 weeks you will get your Indian visa extension.