How To Apply Oci Card In Usa

Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) is a Smart card given to Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) who immigrated from India and subsequently acquired citizenship of a foreign country. There are many benefits to having an OCI card besides convenience of travel and immigration to India and own property there.

While the Indian government was initially offering PIO cards, these have been rescinded in lieu of OCI cards.

Who Is Eligible For An OCI Card?

A foreign national, is eligible for registration as OCI cardholder, if

He was a citizen of India at the time of, or at any time after 26th January, 1950; or

He was eligible to become a citizen of India on 26th January, 1950; or

He belonged to a territory that became part of India after 15th August, 1947; or

He is a child or a grandchild or a great grandchild of such a citizen; or

He is a minor child of such persons mentioned above; or

He is a minor child and whose both parents are citizens of India or one of the parents is a citizen of India or

She is a spouse of foreign origin of a citizen of India.

Complete OCI Card Application Process

All OCI applications should be sent to the respective VFS Global Centers per your jurisdiction. In person application is prohibited until further notice.

VFS addresses are provided below for your reference.Applicants based on their jurisdiction can submit their applications to our 6 centers:Washington DC, New York, Chicago, Houston, San Francisco & Atlanta.

VFS Helpline Number for OCI services:+1 800 320 9693

Step 1 Identify OCI Application Category

This could be either for a brand-new application or an OCI renewal. Even miscellaneous OCI services are provided like when

Applicant has a new passport.

Applicants personal particulars viz. name, fathers name, nationality, have altered etc.

Request for loss/damage of OCI registration certificate/visa.

There is a change of address/occupation

Cancel or Renunciation of OCI

Step 2 Complete The Online Application Form by selecting the correct OCI Services. PIO card holders should opt for the section that is in lieu of the valid PIO card.

If you are applying as a family, each member will fill out an individual application online.

Step 3 Registration At VFS Website

Each applicant should make an individual profile on the VFS Global website.

Opt for the respective state of residence as per the Consular Jurisdiction;

Opt for the respective passport category per your purpose of visit.

Opt for Mode of Submission as Posta since Covid-19 doesnt permit for in person applications until further notice.

Step 4 Submit Completed Physical Application To VFS Global

Please refer to Indian Embassy USA, to verify which center you should send your application to.

Mailyour physical applicationpacket filled out in black ink to the respective VFS Indian Consular Application Centre. The send mode will be postal only and has to be chosen as the shipping method when registering.

OCI applicants applying at the Mission which is out of the jurisdiction of their state of residence must use their own prepaid courier labels.

Step 6 Await Receipt Notice visa Email

After 48 hours of receiving the application packet,VFS systems will be updated and you will receive an email notification.

OCI Card Fees

The fees for issuance of fresh OCI cards is US $275. Any request for conversion of PIO card to OCI card will be charged a fee of $100.

How To Track Your OCI Application

You will receive your application process notifications via email/ SMS (if opted) as and when application status changes.

To track your application online, you'll have to enter the Tracking ID number mentioned on the receipt received from the VFS Indian Consular Application Centre along with your Date of Birth.

Additionally, you have the option of using the VFS Globals SMS service to receive messages on your application status. This is a paid service.

Once the Embassy of India / Consulate(s) has assessed your application, make a decision and will return the decision to the VFS Indian Consular Application Centre, who will then inform you about the status of your application via your preferred mode of communication.

Processing Of OCI Card Application

OCI application normally takes 8-10 weeks for processing. The complete processing of OCI card involves a number of steps. The processing can be further delayed because of incomplete applications. Following is the general processing time and steps involved in applying for an OCI card:

Apply for the OCI Card: The application is sent for processing to Embassy/ Consulate and the final card is sent from Delhi, India. The whole process takes around 60 days.

After the OCI card is received by Consulate in the applicant's jurisdiction, he or she is required to send the original US passport. Once the passport is received by VFS Global center, the processing will resume. 3 days are required to send the US passport to the Consulate for a match up.

The Consulate requires 7 days to match the US passport with the OCI card.

The VFS Global center takes 3 days to ship the US passport and OCI card.

The processing time mentioned above is dependent on various factors like number of working days and time taken by the courier companies to deliver the passport.

Tracking OCI Application

The OCI application status can be tracked online. The applicants can visit the VFS Global website and track the status of their OCI application by entering the Tracking ID and the passport number or the web file number in the box provided.

Track your Application

OCI Card Application: Where To Apply?

The applicants can apply to the VFS Global center in their jurisdiction for an OCI card. However, applicants already in India on Long Term Visa (for more than one year) may apply for an OCI Card in India as well. You can find the information about jurisdictions in USA, center timings, and other specifics from the table given below:

Disclaimer: The information above is for reference purposes only. Please call VFS Global for details.