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Applying for an OCI card can be a complex process. It requires specific documents, correct formatting, and knowledge about the confusing portal. Completing all of this on your own can get overwhelming at times. No worries, as you can now ask Visament for assistance. We have a team of experts with good skills and knowledge about the whole OCI process. From filling out an error-free application to submitting all the documents, our experts can help you at every step.
Receive guidance anytime, anywhere, as our team is actively working 24*7 for our valuable customers. We will make sure to keep you updated about every little update on our OCI application. Save your time and effort and navigate the whole process with ease and confidence. Choose us and we guarantee that you won’t regret the price you pay.
OCI is an abbreviation for Overseas Citizenship of India, which was introduced in 2005 by the Government of India. It was launched to fulfill the demands of the Indians staying overseas who wanted dual citizenship. Since India did not permit dual citizenship, the government introduced the OCI card. It is an immigration status that permits a foreign citizen of Indian origin to stay and work in India for an indefinite period. It offers several benefits to the cardholder, including multiple entries and a lifetime visa to India.
A person of Indian origin registered as an OCI cardholder can avail of the following benefits while staying in India:
➜ Lifelong Visa to India: An OCI card acts as a lifelong visa that permits an individual to enter the country multiple times and stay there for an indefinite period for any purpose, whether business, study, job, tourism, or residency.
➜ Equality with NRIs: The cardholder gets equal opportunities, just like an NRI in several areas. It includes economic, financial, and educational fields. Also, they have similar domestic fares as an Indian resident.
➜ Exempt from Registration: The OCI cardholder is exempt from registering with the FRRO for any period of stay in India. They are allowed to travel and stay freely in India for as long as they want.
➜ Study and Job Options: A person wth an OCI card can study or work in any field in India and can pursue careers in medicine, do government jobs, and cast a vote in elections. They enjoy the same economic and educational rights as an Indian citizen.
➜ Identity Proof: OCI card can be used as a valid proof of identity in India. A person can open a bank account, get a PAN card, and also apply for a driving license if they are staying in the country with an OCI card.
A person can register for an OCI card and avail of all the benefits if they fulfill the below-mentioned eligibility criteria:
➜ Hold a valid foreign passport.
➜ Be a citizen of some other country.
➜ You must be of full age and capacity.
➜ If applicable, have a naturalization certificate.
➜ Belonged to a territory that became a part of India after the 15th of August, 1947.
➜ Must have been an Indian citizen at one point or have been eligible to become a citizen of India on 26th January 1950.
➜ Is a child, grandchild, or great-grandchild of someone who fulfills the above-mentioned criteria
➜ Are a spouse of an OCI cardholder registered under section 7A of the Citizenship Act 1955 or a spouse of a foreign citizen of India whose marriage has been registered for a continuous period of two years.
Foreign citizens having tourist, missionary, or mountaineering visas cannot apply for an OCI card. Also, anyone who has been a citizen of Pakistan or Bangladesh, asylees or stateless applicants, foreign defense, military, foreign diplomats, police, and ex-defense staff can't apply for an OCI card.
You need to submit some documents to prove your Indian origin, identity, and current residency to get an OCI card in Chicago. Here is a list of the documents required for OCI application in Chicago:
➜ PIO Card: If you have a PIO card, provide a copy of it.
➜ Residency Proof: Evidence of residency in your current country.
➜ Birth Certificate: A birth certificate issued by an Indian municipality or panchayat.
➜ Proof of Renunciation: If applicable, submit a proof of renunciation of your Indian citizenship.
➜ Passport: Original and self-attested copy of either yourself, your parent, or your grandparent’s Indian passport.
➜ Photograph: Your photograph in the size 2 in*2 in (51 mm*51 mm) with either a white, off-white, or a light colored background.
➜ OCI Application Form: Submit a printed copy of your completed and filled-out OCI application form.
➜ Nativity or Domicile Certificate: In the absence of an Indian passport, provide a copy of your nativity certificate or domicile certificate.
If you are eligible for an OCI card, you can apply for it online easily through our website. Follow the below-mentioned steps to apply for an OCI card in Chicago via Visament:
➜ Step 1. Pick a Service and Pay the Fee: Visit our website and you will see a list of services. Choose OCI services in Chicago from the list to get expert assistance with the same and pay an amount as a fee to avail of the service.
➜ Step 2. Get a Document Checklist and Submit the Documents: Upon receiving your payment confirmation, we will quickly send you a document checklist via mail. Gather every document mentioned on the checklist, scan them, and send them to our experts for verification. Be sure to send every document without missing out on any, as it may lead to delays or rejection.
➜ Step 3. Expert Verification and Completing the Paperwork: Once you send us the documents, our experts will cross-check and verify all the documents to make sure that you have not missed out on anything. After the verification, our team will start your application process and prepare your file, which includes filling out the application form.
➜ Step 4. Booking an Appointment: Our team will send you the prepared file, which contains your completed application form and supporting documents. Take a printout of this file and carry it to the center for physical submission. We will book an appointment on your behalf at your nearest VFS center. You must visit the center on the scheduled date and time.
➜ Step 5. Tracking the Status and Collecting the Documents: When you submit your application at the center, they will provide you with an ARN (Application Reference Number), which you must keep safe. Use this ARN to track the status of your application to stay updated and informed. Alternatively, we will also send you regular notifications about the status of your application. You will receive your documents along with your new OCI card, within the expected time via courier.
If you need help with anything during the application process, you can contact our experts anytime, as they are actively working 24*7 to resolve all your doubts to keep you stress-free.
The normal processing time to get a new OCI card in Chicago is 5-6 weeks after registering your application at the consulate. For re-issuance or updation of an OCI card, it takes around 6-7 weeks. However, the processing time may vary based on the consulate, and some factors may affect the processing time, which are as follows:
The fee to get an OCI card in Chicago is US$275 plus other fees. It includes the OCI card fee, the Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) fees, and a service charge. The amount of fees for each of the services are as follows:
|
S.No. |
OCI Service Type |
Fee (in USD $) |
|---|---|---|
|
1. |
New OCI Card |
$275 |
|
2. |
OCI Card Re-issue (for an existing card) |
$25 |
|
3. |
OCI Card Re-issue (in lieu of lost/damaged card) |
$100 |
|
4. |
Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) |
$3 |
|
5. |
VFS Service Charge |
$15.90 per application |
|
6. |
Online Payment Convenience Charges |
3.5% of the total payment for online or card payments. |
|
7. |
Optional Services |
Fee for shipping label, SMS, or any other additional/optional service |
You can pay the fee amount online either by using a credit card, debit card, cashier’s check, or money order.
You can also check application fees and timeline for OCI services in Dallas.
It is vital to check the status of your Overseas Citizenship of India application in Chicago to stay updated and informed. Consider the steps mentioned below to track the status of your OCI card application online:
➜ Step 1. Visit the Official OCI Website: Go to the official website for OCI services or the official government portal for OCI services USA.
➜ Step 2. Login to Your Account: Log in to your account using your credentials, which are your user ID and password, if you have an account on the portal already to track the status of your OCI card application.
➜ Step 3. Monitor Your Application Status: After logging into your account, you need to search for the “Track application status” or “Status Inquiry” option on the website. Select the option and provide some details, including your application reference number (ARN) or passport number, along with the other required information, like your date of birth.
➜ Step 4. Check Your Status: After entering and submitting all the details, you will see the status of your application displayed on the screen. It can be any one of the following options:
➜ Step 5. Receive Updates via Email/SMS Notifications: You will receive notifications on your email or phone number from the Indian embassy or consulate regarding the status of your OCI application. They will update you when your OCI card gets dispatched to be delivered or if any additional information is required from your side.
➜ Step 6. Contact the Embassy/Consulate: If you are not able to check the status of your application online or if it shows that some actions have to be taken on your end. In such a case, you can contact the Indian embassy or consulate in the USA. You can either call or mail the visa and consular services division.
Alternatively, you can easily check the status of your OCI card application in Chicago using Visament’s track application portal.
Do you also think that you have to spend a huge amount to get good-quality service? If yes, then Visament is here to break this myth. You can get top-notch services along with expert guidance at very affordable prices. There are multiple perks to choosing Visament’s expertise. If you are searching for a Chicago-based OCI support service, contact Visament. You can get expert assistance with all the following OCI-related services:
➜ New OCI Card: The Indian government issues the OCI card, which acts as proof of a person’s Indian origin. Applying for an OCI card can be complex and tough. We can help you avoid the difficult application process so that you can stay stress-free. Our experts will make sure that you get an OCI card swiftly and enjoy all the benefits that come along with it.
➜ Lost or Damaged OCI Card: Losing or damaging your OCI card can be a troublesome experience. No stress anymore; we can help you with getting your lost/damaged OCI card replaced and make sure that you regain your OCI status.
➜ OCI Miscellaneous Services USA: Keeping your OCI card updated is crucial to keep enjoying the benefits of an OCI status. Our team will guide you at every step to ensure that you experience a hassle-free application process.
➜ OCI Card for Minors: With a team of professionals, we make applying for an OCI card for minors easy and quick. We will help you prepare everything beforehand to avoid any last-minute issues. Why think twice when you can get the best assistance by your side.
➜ Conversion of PIO to OCI: Want to convert your PIO card to OCI but don’t know how to do it? No worries; our team can help you through the whole process to make it seamless and straightforward.
Why waste your precious time navigating to different websites to get expert assistance when you can get everything in one place?. Visament has a team of experts to assist you with multiple services. You tell us your requirements, and we will provide you with the solution. Here is a list of services that our expert team can assist you with:
|
Passport |
Other Services |
|---|---|
|
Passport Renewal |
PAN Card Services |
|
Renunciation Services |
Aadhar Card Services |
|
Surrender of Indian Passport |
|
|
Indian Passport Renewal New York |
Police Clearance Certificate Help (PCC) |
When an OCI application becomes a stress-creator in your life, Visament acts as a stress buster. Our team makes sure that you don’t have to take the stress of paperwork. We guarantee you a satisfactory result as we have an approval rate of 98%. We promise that you will get high-quality services tailored according to your needs so that you don’t get disappointed after choosing us.
Our team will look at every application individually to ensure that it has no errors and meets the specified guidelines. Stop struggling with complex procedures and choose Visament to get expert guidance. We have a long list of expertise in this field, but here are some of the things that make us trustworthy.
Select the service you need.
Complete payment and upload your documents.
Our experts verify and submit your documents.
Receive your receipt and track progress.
Select the service you need, upload your documents, and let us take care of the rest. Quick, secure, and hassle-free!
Get StartedYou can get an OCI card in Chicago by filling out an online application form, collecting the required documents, scheduling an appointment, paying the required amount of fees, and attending your appointment at the VFS Centre.
The cost of an OCI application in Chicago is $275, along with the service charge and a contribution to the Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF). The government fee for an OCI application is $275 per applicant, service charge is $15. 90 and the contribution to ICWF is $3.
Anyone who is a resident of the consular jurisdiction of the Consulate General of Indian in Chicago and who fulfills the eligibility criteria can apply for an OCI card in Chicago. It includes residents of Lowa, Michigan, Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota, Indiana, Illinois, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.
You can get help with an OCI card in Chicago at the VFS Indian Consular Application Centre, located at 180 N Stetson Avenue, Suite 2075, 20th Floor, Chicago, IL 60601. You can also mail them atoci.chicago@mea.gov.in to ask specific queries.
It takes around 5-6 weeks from the date of registration for the processing of a new OCI card in Chicago and for re-issuing or updating an OCI card, the processing time is usually 6-7 weeks. However, some factors may affect the processing time so it is advised to apply as early as possible.
Yes, you can track the status of your OCI application online at the official website of OCI services. You can also check your application status on the online portal of VFS Global if you have yourself registered there when you applied.
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