OVERSEAS CITIZENS OF INDIA SCHEME (OCI)

OCI APPLICANTS ARE REQUESTED TO SURRENDER THEIR INDIAN PASSPORTS TO PASSPORT SECTION AS PER INSTRUCTIONS ON THIS MATTER AND SUBMIT COPY OF SURRENDER CERTIFICATE ALONGWITH THEIR OCI APPLICATIONS. THOSE APPLICANTS WHO HAVE EVER HELD INDIAN PASSPORTS AND ARE UNABLE TO PRODUCE THE SAME FOR SURRENDER FOR ANY REASON (LOSS/ MISPLACEMENT/ SUBMITTED TO HOME OFFICE LONG TIME BACK) ARE REQUIRED TO FURNISH A NOTARISED AFFIDAVIT (IF THE PASSPORT IS ALREADY EXPIRED) AND ALSO POLICE REPORT (IN CASES WHERE INDIAN PASSPORT WAS STILL VALID).

 Important Point 

·        Applicant, who has been a citizen of Pakistan or Bangladesh, shall not be eligible for OCI.

·        Minor PIO children whose both parents are either Indian nationals or one parents is an Indian national and the other is ineligible for OCI is also not eligible for registration as OCI.

 Benefits:
Registered OCIs shall be entitled to following benefits:

• Multi-purpose, multi entry, lifelong visas for visiting India.
• Exemption from registration with Foreigners Regional Registration officer/Foreigners Registration Officer for any length of stay in India.
• Parity with Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) in respect of all facilities to the latter in economic, financial and educational fields except in matters relating to the acquisition of agricultural/plantation properties.

Any other benefits to OCIs will be notified by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA) under Section 7 B (1) of the Citizenship Act, 1955.

Restrictions:

• The OCI is not entitled to vote,
• Be a member of Legislative Assembly or Legislative Council or Parliament.
• He/she cannot hold constitutional posts such as President, Vice President, Judge of Supreme Court or High Court etc.
• and cannot hold employment in the Government.

Every registered OCI will be issued a registration certificate which is printed like an Indian passport in different colour and an OCI visa sticker will be pasted in the person's foreign passport. These two documents will have the photograph of the individual and all necessary security features.

Eligibility Criteria:

A foreign national, who:

• was eligible to become a citizen of India on 26.01.1950, or
• was a citizen of India on or at any time after 26.01.1950, or
• belonged to a territory that became part of India after 15.08.1947
  and his/her children and grandchildren, are eligible for registration as Overseas Citizens of India (OCI), provided his/her country of citizenship allows dual citizenship in some form or other under the local laws.

The minor children of such persons are also eligible for OCI.

 Documents to be submitted with OCI Application:

A. OCI Card for Adults:

1. Application form -Part A duly filled in and signed wherever necessary (to be submitted in 2 original sets)
2. Application form -Part B duly filled in and signed wherever necessary (to be submitted in 2 original sets)
3. 4 recent passport photographs measuring 51x51 mm without border and showing full frontal view of the person’s head and shoulders having a white or light colored background. No glare if wearing glasses.
4. Copy of previous Indian passport (2 sets) OR any document which clearly establishes applicant's previous nationality as Indian.
5. Copy of present German passport (2 sets)
6. Copy of nationality certificate
   .........................................................................................................................................

B. OCI Card for children below 18 yrs (who held an Indian Passport).

1. Application form -Part A duly filled in and signed by the applicant (to be submitted in 2 original sets). Please note that, in the box on Part A, minor can sign only if he/she can, otherwise only thump impression (signature /thump impression should be within the box).
2. Application form -Part B duly filled in and signed wherever necessary by either of the parent (to be submitted in 2 original sets)
3. 4 recent passport photographs measuring 51x51 mm without border and showing full frontal view of the person’s head and shoulders having a white or light colored background. No glare if wearing glasses.
4. Copy of previous Indian passport (2 sets).
5. Copy of present German passport (2 sets).
6. Copy of father's/mother's German passport (2 sets) who are eligible for an OCI Card.
7. Copy of nationality certificate
   
   .........................................................................................................................................

C. OCI Card for Adults born to Indian parents and never held an Indian Passport

1. Application form -Part A duly filled in and signed wherever necessary (to be submitted in 2 original sets)
2. Application form -Part B duly filled in and signed wherever necessary (to be submitted in 2 original sets)
3. 4 recent passport photographs measuring 51x51 mm without border and showing full frontal view of the person’s head and shoulders having a white or light colored background. No glare if wearing glasses.
4. Copy of previous Indian passport (2 sets) of either of the parent.
5. Copy of Birth Certificate (2 sets)
6. Copy of present German passport (2 sets)
7. Copy of marriage certificate of the parents.
8. Copy of nationality certificate

D. OCI Card for Children below 18 yrs born to Indian parents and never held an Indian Passport.

1. Application form -Part A duly filled in and signed by the applicant (to be submitted in 2 original sets). Please note that, in the box on Part A, minor can sign only if he/she can, otherwise only thump impression (signature /thump impression should be within the box).
2. Application form -Part B duly filled in and signed wherever necessary by either of the parent (to be submitted in 2 original sets)
3. 4 recent passport photographs measuring 51x51 mm without border and showing full frontal view of the person’s head and shoulders having a white or light colored background. No glare if wearing glasses.
4. Copy of present German passport (2 sets).
5. Copy of father's/mother's German passport (2 sets) who are eligible for an OCI Card.
6. Copy of previous Indian passport of either of the parent (2 sets).
7. Copy of Birth Certificate (2 sets).
8. Copy of present German passport (2 sets).
9. Copy of nationality certificate
   .........................................................................................................................................

E. Fee structure

1. OCI Card (Adults) - fee - EUR 240, 00
   In case the application is rejected € 22.00 will be deducted as processing charges.
2. PIO to OCI (For minors)-EUR 125,00
3. PIO to OCI (For adults) - EUR 22, 00
   (For PIO card holders)
   Should submit a copy of PIO card along with other documents

 https://passport.gov.in/oci/OnlineOCIRegistrationG.jsp