...

How Long Does It Take To Get an OCI Card in India?

Once you have submitted your application for an OCI card in India, the processing time for a new card typically takes between seven (7) to eleven (11) weeks. However, if you are applying for a re-issuance or an update of your OCI card, it will take approximately 5-6 weeks to process your application. If you wish to apply for an Indian OCI card, please click on the button below.

Get OCI Card

As seen on

The OCI application timeline for India refers to the duration of the process from the submission of the online form to the receipt of the OCI card.1 The timeline can vary based on the type of application, the country of residence, and the availability of documents. Typically, processing your application takes around seven (7) to eleven (11) weeks.

If you plan to apply for an OCI Card , Visas for Future is here to help you out, just simply follow these steps:

  • Visit Visas for Future.
  • Choose and click ”India OCI”.
  • Click the button ”Get India OCI now
  • Fill out the order form with your name and email.
  • Click ”Complete Purchase” and pay the India OCI fee via credit or debit card.
  • Fill out the intake form with correct and complete details.
  • Please review your application form and then submit it.
  • You will receive your India OCI card within seven (7) to Eleven (11) weeks.

We provide end-to-end assistance in filling out and submitting your application form, ensuring it complies with Indian immigration rules and regulations. By availing our services, you can avoid unnecessary delays and legal issues. Our team of experts is committed to providing you with a seamless experience, ensuring that your application is handled with utmost care and accuracy.


What We’re Offering

We offer OCI card processing services. Our service will process your application within two business days, after which you will receive your OCI card within seven to eleven weeks.

An OCI card is a document that grants you many benefits and privileges in India, such as:

  • You can travel to India unlimited times without a visa and stay as long as you want.
  • You have the right to live and work in India indefinitely, just like Non-resident Indians. You can enjoy the same economic, financial, and educational benefits.
  • You do not have to register with the local police authorities (FRRO/FRO) in India every time you stay there for more than 180 days.
  • $368 fee (Including Government fee).
  • Form validation included.
  • We plant a tree for every OCI sold.

Why choose us

Our visa forms are easy and simple.
We validate your application.
We answer your questions.
We plant a tree!

Processing Time for an Indian OCI Card Application: From Submission To Approval

After you have submitted your application, it will begin processing it within two business days. Review your application and ensure all necessary information is provided.

Once this is complete, it will proceed with issuing your OCI card. Note that your OCI card’s delivery typically takes seven to eleven weeks from the processing date.

Here is an estimated timeline for the different stages of the OCI application process:

1. Application submission: The BOI website acknowledges your application submission within 24 hours.

2. Verification: Verification of submitted documents and payment confirmation may take 7-10 days.

3. Police clearance: Depending on your country of residence, police clearance verification can take 4-8 weeks.

4. Biometrics appointment: You will receive an invitation to schedule a biometric appointment after verification.

5. Processing: Once your biometrics are completed, your application enters the final processing stage, which may take 4-6 weeks.

6. Approval and card issuance: You will receive an email notification once your application is approved. The OCI card is to be delivered to your address within 2-4 weeks.

What Are The Steps Involved in The Processing Time?

Here are the stages of the OCI application process:

  • Application submission.
  • Application verification.
  • Police clearance verification.
  • Biometrics appointment.
  • Processing of OCI Card application.
  • Approval and card issuance.

What are The Factors That may Affect the Timeline of the Application?

The processing time for an OCI card application in India may vary depending on several factors.

1. Current application workload: The Indian Bureau of Immigration (BOI) processes many OCI applications. If they are experiencing a high volume of applications, your processing time may be longer.

2. Application completeness: Submitting a complete application with all required documentation helps to avoid delays and ensures faster processing times.

3. Biometrics appointment availability: It is essential to schedule and attend your biometrics appointment on time as it helps to keep your application moving forward.

4. Location: The processing times for your application differ depending on the location where you submit it.


Frequently Ask Questions

Can I travel to India while OCI is in process?

You need to consider your current visa status:
Existing valid Indian visa: If you hold a valid Indian visa, Travel to India remains possible while your OCI application undergoes processing. You will need to enter and exit India based on the terms of your visa rather than the OCI card.
No valid Indian visa: If you do not have a valid Indian visa, you cannot travel to India while your OCI application is pending. Before traveling to India, you must wait until your OCI card is issued and activated. Click here to apply for India eVisa.

Can I travel to India without an OCI card?

Yes, you can travel to India without an OCI card, but you must apply for a visa. The type of visa you need will depend on your nationality and the purpose of your visit. Click here to apply for India eVisa.

Can I stay in India permanently with OCI?

You have the right to live and work in India indefinitely, just like Non-resident Indians. You can enjoy the same economic, financial, and educational benefits.

Can I apply for an Indian visa and OCI at the same time?

No, you cannot apply for an Indian visa and an OCI card simultaneously, as the application processes for these two documents are separate and distinct.1


  1. Embassy of India, Manila, Philippines. (2022, June 12). Www.eoimanila.gov.in. https://www.eoimanila.gov.in/eoi.php?id=oci/ [] []

Ask a question

If you still have a question about this topic after reading the article, let us know and we'll update the article. Include your email if you want us to reply to you.

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
Wences Orcales
Written by

Wences has been working home-based for 7 years in the Visa industry. As a content writer in Visas for Future, she makes sure the information she provides is useful for her readers. Once a quarter she does visa fulfillment for Turkey and India visas. She makes sure that clients are satisfied with their orders through customer service. She loves learning new things and hates procrastination.

Glen Vidania
Managed by Glen Vidania

Glen Vidania is the Content Manager at Visas for Future, a company that offers online visa services for eco-friendly travelers. He is a certified Content Marketer and an experienced academic writer. He writes and promotes content that is informative, engaging, and relevant to the readers. He had work experience and gained skills in writing articles, data entry, SEO email marketing, and guest posting. He is also an expert in applying for visas for Turkey and India.

Glen Vidania
Published by Visas for Future

Visas for Future strives to help you virtually, so that your research is complete in one visit. Our articles are informative, complete and to-the-point. We write in an accessible way, so that non-native English speakers will understand. Our website is accessible for the visually impaired. We have full oversight of our articles and are unbiased in writing. Check our editorial guidelines.

Send fan mail

We love to hear from you! If our article helped you in anyway, let us know and we'll share it with the team on our Friday meetings.

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

Cite this article

MLA Style

Orcales, Wences. "How Long Does It Take To Get an OCI Card in India?." Visas For Future, https://www.visasforfuture.com/india-oci-application-timeline/. Accessed on 6 October 2023.

Chicago Style

Orcales, Wences. "How Long Does It Take To Get an OCI Card in India?." Visas For Future. October 6, 2023. https://www.visasforfuture.com/india-oci-application-timeline/.

Published: 6 Oct 2023 5:48 UTC

Last modified: 23 Mar 2024 6:51 UTC

Reading time: 5 minutes

Check our editorial guidelines


How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate it!

Average rating 0 / 5. Vote count: 0

No votes so far! Be the first to rate this post.