Press Release: Documents required for OCI's application
"Re-issuance of OCI cards due to Issuance of new foreign passports to
OCI cardholders"
For further and latest guidelines please visit
www.ociservices.gov.in
Travel for OCI Card holders/Other Foreign Nationals to
India/Registration
Following categories of foreign nationals are permitted to enter India by
water routes or by flights including those under the Vande Bharat Mission or
'air bubble' (bilateral air travel arrangements) scheme or by any
non-scheduled commercial flights as allowed by the Ministry of Civil
Aviation:-
a) All Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) cardholders and PIO card holders
holding passport of any country.
b) All foreign nationals intending to visit India for any purpose (including
their dependents on appropriate category of dependent visa) except those on Tourist Visa.
"All existing visas, except electronic visas (e-visas), Tourist visa and Medical
visa which remained suspended shall stand restored with immediate effect. If
the validity of such visa has expired, the foreign national may obtain a fresh
visa of appropriate category/sub-category from the High
Commission".
"Nationals of Nepal and Bhutan are permitted to come to India from any
country (including any third country)".
Such OCI card holders covered under above points, do not need visa to travel
to India. However, they are requested to register themselves at the following
link:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScFZjAQr-0JOTDSW2pfME8LRwgcko8_tm0_GCpNdom3hy6Dyg/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1
FOREIGN SPOUSE CASES - PERSONAL INTERVIEW
Important information regarding submission of OCI application applying
on ‘Foreign spouse’ category.
As per new OCI guidelines, it is now mandatory to have an initial
verification interview of the applicants (foreign spouses) who are applying
for OCI Card on the basis of Indian origin spouse. A personal interview
shall be conducted by the Indian Mission/Post/FRRO concerned at the time of
document verification and the application shall be acknowledged on the
online system only after the personal interview and establishing the
suitability of the applicant for registration as OCI card holder. The
applicant and his / her spouse can visit the Consulate General of India,
Birmingham, with prior appointment. The appointment can be sought on
oci.birmingham@mea.gov.in
PIO Card
Important Information for valid PIO card holders
Extension of timeline for handwritten travel document/PIO cards
-
Application(s) for conversion of PIO card to OCI card are welcome until
31st December, 2021.
-
Handwritten travel document/PIO cards will be accepted as valid travel
document along with valid foreign passport at all Indian Immigration Check Post(s) till 31st December, 2021.
-
All PIO cards will be considered valid for exit from/entry into India
till 31st December, 2021, as last and final opportunity.
This extension of timeline is subject to the condition that if in the
meantime any deadline is notified by the International Civil Aviation
Organization (ICAO), hand written PIO cards will be invalid, and PIO
cardholders may have to obtain appropriate visa from Indian
Missions/Posts.
PIO Card holders were advised, from time to time, to convert PIO Card to
OCI Card. PIO Card holders can apply online for conversion at http://passport.gov.in/oci/ and submit print of application, passport, specified photos,
documentation, fees etc at the VFS Centre www.vfsglobal.com/India/UK ).The charges for conversion of PIO to OCI are £ 82/- plus VFS
service charges.
OCI Card
Overseas Card of India (OCI) Brief
-
If you have Indian passport of your own and have a surrender Certificate
OR you have your Parents’ or Grand Parents’ Indian
passport and can establish your relation with them , you can apply ;
-
Also if your spouse is/was Indian Passport OR OCI holder , you can apply
on his/her basis provided you have marriage registered not less than 02
years ;
-
Minor children with single parent if they have custody papers from court
and if the other parent is not Pakistani or Bangladeshi
;
-
If you have none of the above documents, you can
still apply with a
Nativity Certificate, issued by the State Gov. by District
Collector/District Magistrate ;
-
Military/Defence/Law personnel serving or retired cant apply
;
-
If you, your parent, grandparent on whose basis OCI applied is/had been
ever a citizen of Bangladesh or Pakistan then you can’t apply
for OCI ;
Apply here: https://ociservices.gov.in/
Fill the online form, upload clear/professional and decent photo with
signature, upload all documents of your eligibility/basis and take print,
sign the application and submit to the nearest VFS centre (Bradford,
Leicester, Birmingham, Liverpool or Manchester, whichever suits you!)
Fresh application: £ 218; PIO to OCI : £82; Miscellaneous Service( passport
change/Address change /renunciation of OCI etc ) : £ 23 ; Lost OCI : £82;
These are basic fees, VFS service charges not included.
Fees will be taken at VFS centre at the time of submission of
application;
-
For Fresh application –i.e First time OCI : 04-12 weeks ;
-
For Misc OCI : 40 days ;
-
CAN’T AVOID TRAVEL TO INDIA –ANY URGENCY??
This one you will get online and will receive online( on email)
within 72 working hours ; OR
Fill the form , take print and come to the Indian Consulate b/w 10am-12
noon any day with cash fee of £ 200/- and get your visa in an hour ;
OR
*** We make all the possible efforts
to serve you the Best .Keep Patience, OCI is a Life-time Visa to India
with numerous benefits ***