OCI Application Services for NRIs and Indian Origin US Citizens

Any individual who meets the eligibility criteria set by the Government of India can apply for an OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) card from the United States. Generally, you may be eligible if you are a former Indian citizen, a child, grandchild, or great-grandchild of Indian citizens, or the foreign spouse of an Indian citizen or OCI cardholder.

To apply for the OCI card from the USA, you will need to provide the following documents: a copy of your current passport, a canceled Indian passport, current address proof, a filled OCI application, a naturalization certificate, a marriage certificate (if required), a surrender certificate, two passport-size photos, your signature, and proof of Indian origin.

The OCI processing time in the USA is about 4-8 weeks. However, the application process depends on the type of OCI service you are applying for, the documents and information you have provided, and the Indian consulate or embassy's workload and the number of applications received.

The new OCI card rule changes include: if you do not update your passport details by the due date, you will incur a $25 penalty. Another new change to the OCI rule system: the e-OCI has been introduced, offering a simple, budget-friendly, fully digital process.

An OCI card provides various benefits to the foreign national of Indian origin, such as a life-long visa-free multi-entry, exemption from local police and authorities for the duration of stay in India, parity with non-resident Indians in the economic, educational, and financial sectors, and equal fares as Indian citizens for domestic flights, and right to to study, work, or live in India for an indefinite time.

If you have an Indian OCI card, then you are not allowed to vote in Indian elections or hold any constitutional position or any position in government offices in India. Along with it, they are also not able to purchase agricultural land or plantation land in India.

A USA citizen with an Indian OCI card can stay for as long as he or she wants to. An OCI card provides an indefinite stay in India along with the right to work or study.

The OCI card fees to apply from the USA are about $309 for each application, along with ICWF- Indian Community Welfare Fund fees of $3, a VFS service fee of $19 per application, and a FedEx courier charge of $35 to $59.

The OCI card validity is lifelong, meaning an OCI card does not expire. However, OCI cardholders may need to update their OCI records in certain situations, such as after obtaining a new passport or at specific age milestones. Depending on the applicable Government of India guidelines, you may need to update your passport and personal details through the OCI Miscellaneous Services or the designated online OCI update process. Always check the latest requirements before submitting an update request.

Yes, you can buy residential and commercial properties in India. However, you are not able to purchase agricultural or plantation land in India, as such land is not permitted to be purchased by non-Indians.

Yes, if you renew your U.S. passport, you may need to update your OCI card details through the official OCI portal.

Yes, in many cases, you can travel to India with your new valid foreign passport and your existing OCI card.

Yes, a US citizen can travel to India without an OCI card. However, they need to apply for an Indian visa with their foreign US passport.