“Aadhaar Card enrolment is presently available to residents in India. "NRI/OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) are not eligible to obtain Aadhaar as per the Aadhaar Act and hence are fully exempted to produce Aadhaar for any verification NRI/OCI need not verify their bank account or SIM or PAN with Aadhaar.
Fees for OCI Card
| Service | Consular Fee | ICWF Fee |
|---|
| New OCI card (Adult/Minor) | $275.00 | $3.00 |
| Re-issue in case of Lost /Damaged OCI card | $100.00 | $3.00 |
| OCI Re-issue for new passport | $25.00 | $3.00 |
| Renunciation of OCI | $25.00 | $3.00 |
Fees for OCI Card
| Service | Consular Fee | ICWF Fee |
|---|
| New OCI for PIO Card Holder (Adult) | $275.00 | $3.00 |
| New OCI card (Adult/Minor) | $275.00 | $3.00 |
| Re-issue in case of Lost /Damaged OCI card | $100.00 | $3.00 |
| OCI Re-issue for new passport | $25.00 | $3.00 |
Travellers holding OCI cards are required to carry their OCI card and foreign passport for travel to India. As such they are allowed to travel to India with their new passport along with old passports/cancelled passports. Entry is NOT allowed, if travellers are not carrying OCI card along with their foreign passport.
The Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) is an immigration status permitting a foreign citizen of Indian origin to live and work in the Republic of India indefinitely. The OCI was introduced in response to demands for dual citizenship by the Indian diaspora, particularly in developed countries.
You must send your original valid US passport along with the application. You will need 2 courier services - one for returning the passport back after verification; the other for sending the OCI card.
Importatnt Note: Even though that they say OCI is valid lifelong, for anyone under 21 years of age and over 50 years of age, you will have to apply for new OCI all over again every time you get a new passport if you are under 21 years and once if you are over 50 years of age.
You must send your original valid US passport along with the application. You will need 2 courier services - one for returning the passport back after verification; the other for sending the OCI card.
OCI application is in process on my passport, meanwhile can I travel on the same passport? Yes, you can travel on the same passport provided you already have a valid visa for the respective country you are traveling to. If not, you are required to apply for a VISA.
Under the provisions of the OCI card, which gives the cardholder lifelong visa to India, those below 20 years and above 50 years need to renew their OCI card every time they have their passport renewed.
The OCI document is a passport-like document (though it is not a passport). It has a blue cover with golden colored printing. The proof of lifelong visa is now just the OCI Card which has a “Life Time Visa” printed on it. The OCI Card is valid for travel but must be carried with a valid overseas passport.
For an applicant who is 20 years of age or younger, OCI must be RE-ISSUED EACH TIME A NEW PASSPORT is issued. 2. For an applicant who is 50 years of age or older, OCI must be RE-ISSUED ONCE after the issuance of a new passport.
The duly filled application form and fee challan can be submitted at Foreigners Regional Registration Offices or at Indian Missions abroad. An OCI card is usually issued within 30 days of receiving an acknowledgement from the Bureau.
Following benefits will accrue to an OCI:
- Multiple entry, multi-purpose lifelong visa to visit India;
- Exemption from reporting to Police authorities for any length of stay in India; and.
- Parity with NRIs in financial, economic and educational fields except in the acquisition of agricultural or plantation properties.
The following list of documents will be required while applying for OCI card for foreign spouse of Indian origin:
- Affidavit in Lieu of Originals.
- OCI Application Form.
- Photograph.
- Additional particulars Form.
- Current US/ Foreign Passport.
- Marriage Certificate (Must be married for at least two years)
Rule 3 of Schedule III of the Citizenship Rules, 1956 states that "the fact that a citizen of India has obtained on any date a passport from the Government of any other country shall be conclusive proof of his/her having voluntarily acquired the citizenship of that country before that date".
Minors must sign/place thumb impression under PART B of the OCI Application form. Wherever parent's sign, the signature must match with the passport signature. Applications will be put on hold and a new application will be asked for if parent's signature does not match with the passport signature.
The Government of India has decided to grant Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI), which most people mistakenly refer to as 'dual citizenship. If you get an OCI, it is NOT the same as being a regular Indian citizen: You do not get an Indian passport. There is no such thing as an OCI passport.
It takes about 45 to 60 Business days from the time the application is sent from the CKGS Application Center to the Consulate until the time your physical OCI card is received by the Consulate from India. It takes minimum 80 days from the time the completed application is sent to the Consulate.
OCI can purchase immovable property in India except agricultural land/plantation property/farmhouse.
A. Transfer of OCI from expired Passport to new Passport or change in Nationality: Applicants are required to fill miscellaneous application form online for transfer of OCI from old passport to new passport and have to submit the printed application along with copy of old and new passport and copy of OCI booklet.
Application for registration as OCI can be made Online. Before filling the application, Instructions may be perused so that there is no mistake in submission of application. Further, the details regarding Fee and Offices where applications have to be filed may also be perused.
Government of India has decided to dispense with the "U" Visa sticker on the foreign passport of OCI card holders with immediate effect. OCI card holders shall now be given Immigration clearance on the strength of their valid forign passport and OCI Registration Certificate (OCI booklet, popularly known as OCI card).
Who is Eligible to apply for an OCI Card? A foreign national can apply for an OCI Card: who is a citizen of another country, but was a citizen of India at the time of, or at any time after, the commencement of the Constitution; OR.
If you are a citizen of the US, and are working in India or a resident of India, you are eligible to apply for the UIDAI card. And, not just US citizens, any foreign national, OCI or PIO residing in India can enroll for the card. As mentioned in the Adhaar Card Act of 2016, every resident is eligible for the card.
U.S. citizens seeking to enter India solely for tourist purposes, and who plan to stay no longer than 60 days, may apply for an electronic travel authorization at least four days prior to their arrival in lieu of applying for a tourist visa at an Indian embassy or consulate. It's kind of permanent residency for India.
(a) TOURIST VISA: Valid for 6 months to 10 years for US nationals only. The stay on each visit should not exceed six months. For nationals of other countries , tourist visa is valid from 6 months to 5 years.
Foreign nationals can open FA resident savings or current account with a bank in India provided they furnish requisite KYC documents. Banks usually accept a basic account opening form for opening the account.
A permanent resident card is not a valid entry document when the resident is abroad for 365 days or longer. That's why a person who plans to be abroad for one year or longer should apply for a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services advanced parole document before leaving.
If you are a citizen of the US, and are working in India or a resident of India, you are eligible to apply for the UIDAI card. And, not just US citizens, any foreign national, OCI or PIO residing in India can enroll for the card. As mentioned in the Adhaar Card Act of 2016, every resident is eligible for the card.
A permanent resident card is not a valid entry document when the resident is abroad for 365 days or longer. That's why a person who plans to be abroad for one year or longer should apply for a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services advanced parole document before leaving.
You will be required to voluntarily let go of your American citizenship as a precursor to get an Indian one. In this case you can do everything a citizen does including standing for elections and owning land. Use your spouse status to get a permanent residence and face certain limitations.
Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) is a lifelong visa issued to the people of Indian origin or their foreign spouses, children. After five years of issue of OCI the holder can live in India for one continuous year and apply for Indian citizenship. Citizens of certain countries are not eligible to obtain OCI.
