OCI Card for Minors Services in the USA

India is a diverse country that attracts people to its amazing landscape and offers enchanting views that rejuvenate anyone's soul. Alongside entering India from the USA, citizens require an OCI card and visa. Before 2005, minors from the USA were not able to get an OCI card. But now India has started offering OCI cards in the USA for minors.

OCI cards are considered to have a lifetime visa. It enables minors from the United States to enter and stay in India as long as they want. Additionally, in some special cases or occasions, this lifelong visa also expires.

If you are a US citizen and want an OCI card in America for India for your minor, then there are some rules and regulations that you need to follow. If you are seeking the same, then it is a perfect page; you have landed. Here in this post, we will learn about OCI cards for minors, how to fill out the OCI applications, etc. Stay tuned with us and learn more about OCI card requirements, OCI validity for minors, and everything about OCI.

Before diving into OCI cards for minors, let's shed light on the meaning of the Indian OCI card for minors.

What is an Indian OCI Card for Minors?

OCI stands for overseas citizen for India. It is a lifelong visa that enables OCI card holders to stay in India as long as they want. Alongside it is a multipurpose card, which allows you to visit India for various purposes. Whether it is for tourism, studies, business, or medical reasons.

All the advantages of a permanent Indian citizen are available to OCI cardholders. You will be able to purchase agricultural land and enter the nation without a visa application. Reporting your stay in the nation to the police is not even required.

Minors can apply for OCI cards in India as long as they are of Indian descent. All foreign passport holders are subject to this, except for citizens of Bangladesh and Pakistan. For a minor to be granted an OCI card, both parents must be Indian citizens or OCI card holders.

Now we will let you know the requirements for an Indian OCI card in the USA for minors.

Benefits and Eligibility of OCI Card for Minors

A minor child of an OCI cardholder can apply for an OCI card. It provides numerous benefits to the minors. Such as it allows them to visit India for any purpose, and they are treated equally to resident Indian nationals in terms of a lot of things. However, not every minor is eligible to apply for an OCI card. A minor has to fulfill some eligibility criteria to apply for an OCI card. Let's discuss the benefits and eligibility of OCI cards for minors in detail:

➜ Benefits of OCI Card for Minors

A minor can avail of several benefits with an OCI card: These are the benefits of an OCI card for minors:

• A minor with an OCI card gets visa-free access to India throughout their lifetime. It means they can enter and exit India multiple times for any purpose without the need for a visa.
• The minor gets the freedom to pursue education in India. It includes applying to educational institutions under general categories. They can get enrolled in various courses like medical, engineering, or other professional programs.
• An OCI minor is also allowed to open a bank account in India. They can open an NRE savings account, NRO account, FCNR account, etc. In some cases, the OCI cardholder can also open domestic accounts.
• The cardholder can seek employment in various sectors and job categories in India. They are not restricted to specific employment sectors. This helps them in getting a wide range of career opportunities to choose from.
• With an OCI card, the cardholder gets equal rights and benefits equivalent to those of an NRI in various fields. This creates a sense of equality. They also get the freedom to receive consular protection from Indian diplomatic missions abroad.

➜ Eligibility of OCI Card for Minors

A minor child is eligible to apply for an OCI card and avail of all the benefits of an OCI card for minors. However, the minor must fulfill some eligibility criteria to apply for an OCI card: A minor who is a child of any one of the following is eligible to apply for an OCI card:

• Minor children whose either or both parents are eligible for an OCI card.
• A foreign national who was eligible to become a citizen of Indian on 26.01.1950.
• Any Individual 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.
• A minor is a child, grandchild, or great-grandchild of any person who falls under any of these categories.

Documents Required for OCI Card Application for Minors

To get you an Indian OCI Card from the USA for your kids, then here is the OCI checklist for minors. It will help you to provide information about some of the major documents that you need when you fill out the OCI application form.

➜ Online Application Form for Minor’s OCI Card

To get an OCI card for minors, then you need to fill out the OCI application form over the government platform. But to get an Indian OCI card for minors, their parents need to fill out the form and submit it on the portal. If the minor is below 5 or 5 years old, then his/her thumb impression is necessary. On the other hand, if your child is more than 5 years old, then the applicant has to sign a minor OCI application.

➜ Photograph and Signature Requirements for Minors

The applicant needs to submit or upload 2 recent photos on OCI applications for minors. While submitting the photograph, remember that the uploaded photo should be 2x2 with a white background and without shades. However, when we talk about the OCI signature for minors, then it should be the same as on the application form.

➜ Address Proof for OCI Application

Furthermore, proof of address is needed to register as an OCI card holder. A proper lease agreement, utility bill, state-issued proof of identity, or income tax return can be submitted by parents. Verify that the address on the application matches the current address in the document.

➜ Photocopy of Minor’s Passport

It is another Document Required to fill out the OCI minor’s application form. At the time of registration for Indian OCI for minors, their parents need to submit their passport copy. It should contain the passport number, holder's name, and amendment or endorsement pages. Apart from all these things, always make sure that your passport must have 6 months of remaining validity.

➜ Proof of Indian Origin for Minors

Candidates have to provide proof confirming they are Indian. They may present a certificate of residence, birth certificate, domicile certificate, or Indian passport. To obtain an OCI card, you must present your citizenship certificate.

Now it's time to know how to apply for an Indian OCI card for minors.

Document	Physical	Scanned*	Notes
Child's Photograph	Original	Yes	2 originals, size 2in x 2in; Scan at minimum 300 dpi.
Child's Passport's Selected Pages	Copy	Yes	Make copies of the info and endorsement pages Any one parent should attest. Scan the attested copies.
Child's Thumb Impression	-	Yes	Scan at a minimum of 300 dpi.
Child's Birth Certificate	Original	Yes	Must be approved
Parent's Marriage Certificate	Copy	Yes	Both parents should self-attest the physical copy.
Parent's Legal Presence Documents	Copy	Yes	Parents should self-attest copies of their respective documents: visa, I-94, EADs, I-797/I-140s, and any other documents as your case may be.
Parent's Passport's Selected Pages	Copy	Yes	Make copies of the first 3 and last 2 pages (self-attest)
Utility Bill in Parent's Name	Copy	Yes	Self-attest the bill and create a scanned copy.
Notarized Parental Authorization Form	Original	Yes	Obtain a form from the VFS website.
Government Application Form	Original	-	Will be generated after applying on the GOI OCI Portal. See below.
Consent Letter	Original	-	Parents have to write and sign a consent letter confirming that the Indian Embassy.

Step-by-Step Process for Minor’s OCI Card Application

Step 1. Apply on the GOI OCI portal

Step 2. Upload Photograph and Thumb Impression

Step 3. Upload Required Documents

Step 4. Upload scanned copies of the following documents:

• Current Passport (Child's Passport's Selected Pages)
• Indian Origin Proof (Parent's Passport's Selected Pages)
• Address Proof (Utility Bill in Parent's Name)
• Parental Authorization (Notarized Parental Authorization Form)
• Legal Status of Parents (Parent's Legal Presence Documents)
• Relationship Certificate (Child's Birth Certificate)

Step 5. Print out the completed application and sign the declaration.

Step 6. Apply on the VFS portal with the following documents and details:

• Application Confirmation Letter
• Child's thumb impression
• Print out the two courier label

Step 7. Create an application packet with the following documents.

• VFS Application Confirmation Letter that includes the completed OCI Checklist.
• Government Application Form, signed, dated, and notarized.
• Two photographs
• Notarized Parental Authorization Form
• Child's Birth Certificate
• Child's Passport's Selected Pages
• Parent's Passport's Selected Pages
• Parent's Legal Presence Documents
• Consent Letter
• Parent's Marriage Certificate
• Utility Bill in Parent's Name

Step 8. Sit back, relax, and wait for your child's OCI.

OCI Card Validity for Minors in the USA

Minors' OCI cards have the same validity term as adults'. Only after they become 20 years old do they need to get their OCI card reissued. You will need to get a new passport and have your OCI card reissued after you turn 20. With this method, the Indian government will access all of your personal information, including your facial features. Once you reach the age of fifty, you may also need to have your OCI card reissued.

Processing Time and Fees for OCI Cards for Minors in the USA

The processing time for a new OCI application for a minor in the USA takes approximately 5-6 weeks from the date of registration. However, the processing time may vary based on the consulate’s processing times:

• New OCI Application: When applying for a new OCI application, it takes usually 5-6 weeks from the date of registration.
• Re-issuance or Updation of OCI Cards: The normal processing time for re-issuance is 6-7 weeks.

There is no urgent or fast-track service for an OCI card. However, if you need to travel urgently to India then you can apply for an appropriate visa.

The fees for an OCI card (Overseas Citizen of India) in the United States are the same for both minors and adults:

Consular Fee	$275
Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF)	$3
VFS Global Service Fee	$15.90/ application
Re-issuance of An Existing Card	$25
Re-issuance of a lost/damaged OCI Card	$100

Alternatives to OCI Card for Minors in the USA

For people of Indian descent, an OCI card is a great option. With this visa, you can live like an Indian citizen for the rest of your life. However, the processing time of an OCI card can fall anywhere between 7 and 11 weeks. So, it is completely reasonable to find a faster and more convenient option.

Well, if you don’t want to wait for up to 12 weeks or will be staying in the country for a shorter time, getting an Indian e-visa is an excellent pick for you. You don’t need to wait for months; you can get an e-visa within 3-5 working days.

How to Check The Application Status of OCI Cards For Minors

Follow these steps to track the application status of an OCI card for your minor:

Step 1: Navigate To The Official OCI Portal

Visit the official Indian Government’s OCI portal or OCI services website.

Step 2: Login To Your Account

If you are already registered on the portal then use your User ID and password to log in. If you are not registered then you will have to create an account first.

Step 3: Search For “Track Application Status” Section

After logging in, look for the “Track Application Status” or “Status Enquiry” section. You can find this option in the main dashboard or under the “Services” section.

Step 4: Provide The Required Information

You will have to provide the following details to track the status of your minor’s OCI card application:

• Application Reference Number: You will receive the ARN or application reference number when you submit your application online.
• Passport Number: The minor’s passport number.
• Birth Date: Submit the minor’s date of birth as per their passport.

Step 5: Track The Application Status

After entering all the information click on “Submit”. The screen will display the current status of your minor’s OCI application. It will show any one of these options:

• Under Processing: The application is still under processing.
• Issued: Your minor’s OCI card has been approved and issued. It is ready to be dispatched.
• Rejected: There might be an error in your application like any document missing, discrepancies, etc.

Step 6: Get Notifications On Your Email/SMS

• Once your application is processed and dispatched, the consulate/embassy will inform you about the same by sending a notification to the email or phone number that you registered while applying.
• These notifications will inform you about your minor’s OCI card application. It will tell if the OCI card has been mailed or if you need to take any extra action.

Step 7: Connect With The Indian Embassy/Consulate

• If your status is unclear or if you are not able to track the application status online then you can contact the Indian embassy/ consulate who is handling your minor’s OCI application.
• Give your application reference number (ARN) along with your passport number and other required details to help them track your minor’s OCI application status.

If you are unable to track the status of your minor’s OCI application, you can ask Visament for assistance. They can help you track the status or you can do it on your own easily via Visament. Track the application status and stay updated.

Additional Immigration Services

Along with an OCI card for minors, we can help you with visas, passports, Indian passport renewal, and more.

• Aadhaar Card Services: An Aadhaar card is an important proof of identity in India. Visament can help you in getting an Aadhaar card easily. Our team will book an appointment and guide you until you get your Aadhaar card.
• PAN Card Services: A PAN card is a vital tool for handling financial transactions in India. Our team of experts will help you in solving all your issues related to a PAN card application.
• Visa Renewal Services: Renewing your visa helps you maintain your current immigration status. Expired visas can affect your journey and can cause issues. The visament team can guide you with the required documents and also with the application process.
• Police Clearance Certificate (PCC): The experts in our Visament family know everything required during a Police Clearance Certificate process. You can complete all the tricky processes easily.
• PIO to OCI Conversion: The process of converting PIO to OCI can be hard to deal with. However, this process can be done swiftly with the help of Visament. An error-free application and quick approval is Visament’s promise to you.

Why Choose Visament for OCI Card Services for Minors?

Visament is one of the best immigration service providers and offers 24x7 customer support. This organization provides various OCI services, including a new OCI card application, OCI Card Renewal/Reissue, and conversion of PIO to OCI Miscellaneous Services. Apart from this, they also provide visa and passport services.

Mistake-free applications, Inexpensive Prices, Clarity and Clearness, Speedy Approval, Privacy, and Confidentiality are some of the reasons that make Visament the finest immigration service provider across the world.