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Passport / Visa Services  

OCI Card

OCI Information:-

1. AboutOCI

2. Eligibility

3. Benefits of OCI Card

4. How to apply

5. Prescribed fee and mode of payment

6. Documents to be uploaded online and to be sent along with the application

7. Miscellaneous Service (how to apply for reissue of OCI card)

8. Where and how to send the application

9. Checking status of the application

10. Processing time

11. Important links

1. About OCI:

In keeping with Government of India’s commitment to fulfilling the aspirations and expectations of ‘Overseas Indians’, Overseas Citizenship of India scheme was introduced by amending the Citizenship Act, 1955 in August 2005, granting certain privileges to the foreigners of Indian origin for travelling to and staying in India, acquiring property in India and in certain financial, economic and educational matters. It is however clarified that the Constitution of India does not allow for “dual citizenship” and OCI must not be mistaken as “dual citizenship” of India.  The erstwhile Person of India Origin (PIO) card scheme has been withdrawn and merged with OCI scheme since January, 2015. PIO card will not be valid for travel to India from 1st October 2019.  For more information on OCI scheme, kindly Visithttp://www.mea.gov.in/overseas-citizenship-of-india-scheme.htm External website that opens in a new window  .

Step by step instructions & checklist: (Download PDF file that opens in new window. To know how to open PDF file refer Help section located at bottom of the site. )

2.Eligibility

Any foreign national, except a national of Pakistan or Bangladesh, who was eligible to be citizen of India on or before 26.1.1950 or was a citizen of India at any time on or after 26.1.1950, or who belonged to a territory that became part of India after 15.8.1947 and her/his children or grandchildren or great grandchildren, provided his/her country of citizenship allows dual citizenship in some form or other under the local laws, is eligible for registration as Overseas Citizen of India. Minor children of such a person are also eligible for OCI. However, serving or retired defence personnel cannot be registered as OCI, even if otherwise eligible.Those who travelled to Uganda on their mother’s / father’s passport may also apply after getting the said passport cancelled.A person who is already holding more than one nationality may also apply, if otherwise eligible.

3. Benefits of OCI Card:

OCI Card holders are entitled to:

  • Multiple-entry multi-purpose life-long visa to visit India (Special approval is required for research, mountaineering, missionary activities, journalism and to visit Restricted / Protected Areas);
  • Exemption from reporting to police authorities / FRRO for any length of stay in India; equality with NRIs in certain financial, economic and educational matters except for acquisition of agricultural or plantation land and in matters pertaining to inter-country adoption of Indian children.
  • Equality with domestic Indian in entry to national parks and wildlife sanctuaries and in matter of tariffs in air fares in domestic sectors in India.
  • Eligible for grant of Indian citizenship under Section 5(1)(g) of the Citizenship Act, 1955 after completion of 5 years as OCI card holder, provided he has resided in India for one year out of 5 years before making the application.
  • OCI cardholders are now also eligible to enroll in the National Pension Scheme (NPS) at part with Non Resident Indians.
  • However, OCI card holders do not have any voting rights and are not eligible for election to Union Parliament or State Legislatures or for holding Constitutional posts such as President, Vice President, Judges of Supreme Court / High Court etc or to hold any Public Office under the Union or any of the State Governments.

 

4. Howto apply:

[Please read the instructions carefully before applying so that any mistake is avoided. Applications have to be filled and submitted online and a printout of the same along with copies of required documents to be submitted to the High Commission of India, Kampala. No handwritten application for registration as OCI cardholder or for OCI miscellaneous service will be accepted or processed. Only one set of application and documents needs to be submit. Please use Google Chrome or Internet Explorer browsers. Online OCI form is not compatible with Safari browser. It may not work on mobile phone browsers or Apple devices. Furnishing wrong information and suppression of material information will result in rejection of application / cancellation of OCI card if already issued and blacklisting of the person. Applicant must complete online registration by filling-up online application form at the link - http:ociservices.gov.in, uploading his/her photograph and signature, and all the mandatory documents. No column in the application form should be left blank.

In case of application for minors who cannot sign, thumb impression of the left hand must be uploaded and “Declaration” on the last page of the application form must be signed by both the parents in the column “signature of the applicant”.

Specification guidelines for uploading of documents: The maximum size allowed for a document file is 500 kb. The document file must be in PDF format. (For sake of comparison, an A-4 size page document colour scanned at 100 dots per inch resolution will generate a file of about 200-250 kb.) Each category of document must be uploaded in a single file.

Guidelines for uploading of photo: The image must be in JPEG or JPG format with maximum size of 200 kb. The minimum resolution of the photo must be 360 pixels (width) X 360 pixels (height) and the maximum resolution must be 900 pixels (width) X 900 pixels (height). Guidelines for uploading the signatures: The signatures must be in jpeg or jpg format with maximum size of 200 kb. The height and width of the signature photo must have aspect ratio of 3:1. The minimum resolution of the signature photo must be 360 pixels (width) X 120 pixels (height) and the maximum resolution must be 900 pixels (width) X 300 pixels (height).

In case of any technical problems like non-acceptance of photograph etc., please contact OCI Help Desk by email at helpdesk-ocigov.in.

5. Prescribed Fees and mode of payment:

ServiceFees

Fresh OCI (Overseas Citizenship of India)

UGX- 1,045,000/-

OCI Miscellaneous Services (Renewal of OCI)

UGX-110,000/-

Duplicate OCI in lieu of lost/damaged OCI

UGX-390,000/-

Conversion of PIO card to OCI card

UGX-390,000/-

6. Documents to be uploaded online and to bring a set of copy and  along with original

6A. For Minor / newborn applicants (under 18 years of age) who never held Indian passport

  • Print-out of Part A and Part B of online application. 
  • Copy of current Ugandan / foreign passport and Citizenship Certificate of the applicant.
  • Copy of Birth Certificate of the applicant.
  • Copy of Parent’s Marriage Certificate.
  • Copies of Parents’ Indian Passports (first page, last page and current Ugandan visa page, if applicable). If Indian origin parents have changed their nationality, copies of their cancelled Indian passports or current OCI cards or any other documents to prove their Indian origin must be submitted. If only one parent is of Indian origin, then submit copy of his Indian passport or OCI card and foreign passport of the other parent.
  • Part B (declaration) of the OCI application form must be signed by both the parents.
  • One square photograph (to be clipped and not stapled or pasted)of size 2 inch X 2 inch, having front view of person’s face and shoulders in the middle of the photograph and light colour background to be pasted on the form.
  • Prescribed fee.
  • Documents prescribed during the interview. 

 

6B. Documents for Minor applicants (under 18 years of age) who held Indian passport earlier:

  • Print-out of Part A and Part B of online application. 
  • Copy of current Ugandan / foreign passport and Citizenship Certificate of the applicant.
  • Copy of cancelled Indian passport (first and last page) and copy of Indian Citizenship.
  • Renunciation / Surrender Certificate of the applicant.
  • Copy of Birth Certificate of the applicant.
  • Copy of Parent’s Marriage Certificate.
  • Copy of parent’s passport / Birth certificate or any other documents to prove their Indian origin must be submitted.Part
  • (declaration) of the OCI application form must be signed by both the parents.
  • One square photograph (to be clipped and not stapled or pasted) of size 2 inch X 2 inch, having front view of person’s face and shoulders in the middle of the photograph and light colour background to be pasted on the form.
  • Documents prescribed during the interview. 
  • Prescribed fee.

 

6C Documents for adult applicants (over 18 years of age) who held Indian passport earlier:

  • Print-out of Part A and Part B of online application.
  • Copy of current Uganda / foreign passport and Citizenship Certificate of the applicant.
  • Copy of cancelled Indian passport (first and last page) and copy of Indian Citizenship Renunciation / Surrender Certificate of the applicant.
  • Marriage certificate and Passport copy of sopuse, if applicable.
  • One square photograph (to be clipped and not stapled or pasted) of size 2 inch X 2 inch, having front view of person’s face and shoulders in the middle of the photograph and light colour background to be pasted on the form.
  • Copy of parent’s passport / Birth certificate and  any other documents to prove their Indian origin must be submitted.
  • Documents prescribed during the interview. 
  • Prescribed fee.
  • If you ever held Indian passport and now unable to locate it then submit copies of the following documents or any other relevant documents to prove your Indian origin. First three of the following documents are compulsory:
  • Travel summary (If travelled on Indian passport to Uganda) obtained from Uganda Immigration Department.
  • Copy of Indian Passport.
  • Copy of police report regarding loss of Indian passport.
  • Indian domicile certificate from competent authorities (District Magistrate, Sub Divisional Magistrate, Executive Magistrate, etc.)
  • Indian Passport or OCI Card of parents / grandparents.
  • Indian Birth Certificate
  • Indian educational certificates (submission of more than one certificate will be considered as one proof only).
  • Indian marriage certificate.
  • Indian Ration card
  • Indian government employment record
  • Indian voter’s identity card
  • Agricultural land documents

 

6D. Documents for OCI applicants over 18 years of age who never held Indian passport and are applying on the basis of Indian origin of parents / grandparents or great grandparents:

  • Print-out of Part A and Part B of online application.
  • Copy of current Uganda / foreign passport
  • Copy of Birth Certificate of the applicant.
  • Copies of Parents’ / Grandparents’ / great Grandparents’ Indian Passports (first page, last page). If Indian origin parents have changed their nationality, copies of their cancelled Indian passports or current OCI cards. If only one parent is of Indian origin, then submit copy of his/her Indian passport or OCI card and other parent’s current passport copy.
  • Parents’ Marriage certificate.
  • Marriage Certificate of the applicant, if applicable.
  • One square photograph (to be clipped and not stapled or pasted) of size 2 inch X 2inch , having front view of person’s face and shoulders in the middle of the photograph and light colour background to be pasted on the form.
  • Documents prescribed during the interview. 
  • Prescribed fee.

6E. Documents for OCI applicants applying on the basis of Indian origin of their spouse:

  • Print-out of Part A and Part B of online application.
  • Copy of current Uganda / foreign passport.
  • Copy of Spouse’s Indian Passport (first and last page) or OCI Card.
  • Copy of Marriage Certificate ??“ Apostilled / authenticated by the Government of the country of issue if marriage is registered in a foreign country.
  • Copy of applicant’s birth certificate-Apostilled / authenticated by the Embassy/High Commission of India in the country of issue.
  • Parent’s passport copy.
  • Copy of Spouse’s parent’s Indian Passport (first and last page)
  • Undertaking form for spouse. PDF file that opens in new window. To know how to open PDF file refer Help section located at bottom of the site. 
  • If already a PIO Card holder, then the copy of the PIO Card.
  • Previous Indian Visa (if available).
  • One square photograph (to be clipped and not stapled or pasted) of size 2” inch X 2 inch , having front view of person’s face and shoulders in the middle of the photograph and light colour background to be pasted on the form.
  • Documents prescribed during the interview. 
  • Prescribed fee.
  • IMPORTANT: Foreign spouse of OCI card holder is eligible to apply for OCI provided that the applicant’s marriage is registered and has subsisted for a continuous period of not less than 2 years immediately preceding the application.
  • OCI card on the basis of spouse of Indian origin will be granted only after interview of both husband and wife.

 

7. Miscellaneous Service (how to apply for reissue of OCI card) :-

i) Register online at the link https://ociservices.gov.in/ External website that opens in a new window under OCI Miscellaneous Services.

ii) Complete the application form and upload photograph, signatures and the following documents.

a) Copies of current OCI booklet and U-visa sticker for cancellation
b) First and last pages and visa page of old and new passports.
c)  copy of citizenship certificate
d) Marriage Certificate, if required for adding spouse name.
e) In case of lost / stolen OCI card, copy of police report indicating the OCI card number and a letter explaining the circumstances of loss.
iii) Visit to this High Commission along with print copy of OCI application and original of above mentioned documents

8. Where and how to send the application?

  • After completing the online application, applicants must take a print out of Part A and Part B of the application, sign it andsubmit at the counter of High Commission of India, Kampala.

 

9. Checking status of the application:

  • Once the application is acknowledged by the High Commission of India, applicants can check status of their applications online at “Status inquiry External website that opens in a new window ”Kindly note that there is no urgent or fast track service for OCI. In case of emergency please apply for visa.

 

10. Processing time:

  • Standard processing time will be 50 working days from the date of acknowledgement. However, this timeframe is only indicative and some cases which need approval of concerned authorities may take much longer & no fixed timeframe can be given for processing such application. Spouse based OCI applications are referred to Ministry of Home Affairs of Government of India and no timeframe can be given for such processing cases.
  • All applicants are advised to make their travel plans / bookings only after the issue of OCI card as no urgent /tatkaal service is available for OCI applicationIn case of emergency, you may apply for visa even if your OCI application is being processed.

 

11. Important links:

Online registration form: https://ociservices.gov.in External website that opens in a new window  ii) How to upload signature and photograph:Go to ociservices.gov.in  and then click on "OCI Image/Re-upload" button. iii) How to upload documents: Go to http://ociservices.gov.in and then Click on "OCI document upload/Re-upload" button. iv) Link for “undertaking” form for spouse case: (Download)v) Status inquiry: http://ociservices.gov.in External website that opens in a new window 

 
 
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