Overseas Citizen Of India (OCI) Card for Minor

An India OCI card for the minor is a document that grants overseas citizenship of India to a child who has at least one parent, grandparent, or great-grandparent of Indian origin, except for those from Pakistan and Bangladesh. An OCI card allows the child to travel to India without a visa and enjoy certain benefits and privileges in India.¹

A minor is eligible for registration as an OCI cardholder if he/she:

• A child or a grandchild or a great-grandchild of such a citizen.
• A minor child of such persons mentioned above.
• A minor child whose both parents are citizens of India or one of the parents is a citizen of India.

Documents required:²

• Minor’s birth certificate.
• Copy of parent’s passports (if one or both parents are Indian citizens).
• Proof of address (utility bill, bank statement, etc.) for minor and parents.
• Marriage certificate (if applicable).
• OCI application form completed by a parent or legal guardian.

Additional requirements:

• Minor must be present for in-person registration at an Indian embassy or consulate.
• One parent or legal guardian must be present for the registration.
• All documents must be translated into English if they are not originally in English.

Visas for Future makes it easy for minors to obtain an India OCI Card. Follow these effortless steps:

1. Visit our official website, Visas for Future.
2. Click the ‘Get India OCI’ button.
3. Fill out the form accurately.
4. Provide your travel information.
5. Pay the required fee.
6. Upload a recent passport-size photo that meets government guidelines.
7. Carefully review your information before submission.

Once your application form is submitted, our team will process your India OCI application on your behalf. We’ll notify you via email once your application is approved and your OCI is ready for download.

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What We’re Offering

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

• Grants unlimited stay in India.
• Multiple entries.
• $368 fee (Including Government fee).
• Form validation included.
• We plant a tree for every OCI sold.

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The most recent OCI checklist for minors

For Minor Applicants:

• Current Passport: A copy of the minor’s current passport, including the information page and any endorsement/amendment pages. The passport should be valid for at least six months from the date of application submission.
• Birth Certificate: A copy of the minor’s birth certificate, reflecting the names of the parents, date of birth, and nationality. Hospital-issued birth certificates are not accepted.
• Indian Origin Proof:
  • If the minor’s parents are Indian citizens: A copy of the first two and last two pages of the parents’ Indian passports.
  • If the minor’s parents are OCI cardholders: A copy of the parents’ OCI cards.
  • If the minor’s parents are PIO cardholders: A copy of the parents’ PIO cards.
• Proof of Address: A copy of a recent utility bill (water, gas, or electricity), lease agreement, mortgage, income tax return, or valid driver’s license that matches the minor’s present address as per the application.
• Marriage Certificate (if applicable): A copy of the marriage certificate if the minor’s address is in the spouse’s name.
• Consent Letter: A signed consent letter from both parents authorizing the minor to apply for an OCI card.

Additional Notes:

• All documents must be single-sided and printed on A4 paper.
• Applicants are advised to ensure the accuracy of the details entered in the online application form. Any errors cannot be modified after submission.
• Applicants must sign the declaration page of the application form as per their current passport.
• Applicants should provide accurate contact details (telephone/mobile number) for further communication.

Validity of OCI Card for Minors

OCI cards for minors are valid for the same period as adults. However, as soon as they turn 20 years old, they must apply for a re-issued OCI card. It is mandatory to renew the OCI card when getting a new passport. This step is essential to ensure that the Indian Government has the most up-to-date and accurate information, including facial features. Moreover, individuals may need to undergo a re-issuance of the OCI card after turning 50 years old.³

Required Documents for OCI Card

The documents required for an India OCI are as follows:²

• Proof of present citizenship.
• Evidence of address of the place of application.
• In case the application is submitted in India, a copy of any long-duration Visa is required.
• Evidence of self or parents or grandparents or great grandparents.
• Evidence of relationship as parent/ grandparent/great-grandparent, if their Indian origin is claimed as basis for registration as OCI Cardholder.
• In the case of a child whose both parents are citizens of India or one of the parents is a citizen of India,
  • Copy of child’s Birth Certificate
  • Marriage Certificate of parents (if no marriage certificate is available, reasons for same to be indicated)
  • Copy of Indian passport of the parents / one of the parents or copy of the Domicile Certificate or Nativity Certificate issued by the Competent Authority in respect of the parents/ one of the parents or any other proof substantiating the status of the parents/ one of the parents as being Indian citizen(s).
  • If the parents are divorced, the court orders the dissolution of marriage, which specifically mentions that the legal custody of the child is with the parent who is applying for the OCI Card. If the court order is in any foreign language, translation in English or Hindi by an authorized translator is to be enclosed.
• Evidence as spouse of foreign origin of a citizen of India or spouse of foreign.
• Origin of an OCI Cardholder.

OCI Card Photo Specification

Photographs must adhere strictly to the specifications outlined below:

• Color: Photographs should be in color.
• Size: Two photographs of 2 inches x 2 inches.
• Composition: The face should cover approximately 70 to 80% of the photo area.
• Pose: Frame the subject with a full face, front view, and eyes open.
• Currency: Ensure the latest photo reflects your current appearance.

Additional Guidelines:

• Clarity: Photographs must be clear, well-defined, and taken against a light background.
• Brightness and Contrast: Maintain appropriate brightness and contrast to depict natural skin tones.
• Facial Expression: The face must be square to the camera with a neutral expression, neither frowning nor smiling and with the mouth closed.
• Head Covering: If wearing a head covering for religious reasons, ensure full facial features are not obscured.
• Glasses: Non-tinted prescription glasses are allowed, provided eyes are clearly visible. The frame should not cover any part of the eyes. Sunglasses are not acceptable.
• Accessories: Headphones, wireless hands-free devices, or similar items are not acceptable in the photo.

Photograph Guidelines for Children/Babies:

• Awake and Alert: The photograph should show the baby or child awake, looking straight at the camera, with a closed mouth and no obstruction covering it.
• Clear Visibility: The photo should clearly show both edges of the face, without toys, blankets, chair backs, or other people visible. Additionally, no hair should cover the eyes.

Process of OCI cards Re-issuance

Reissuance due to lost or stolen OCI card:

1. File a police report: Report the lost or stolen OCI card to the local police.
2. Complete the online application form: You can visit the embassy or consulate to fill out the online application form for the reissuance of an OCI card.
3. Upload documents: Upload a copy of the police report, a copy of your current passport, and a recent passport-sized photograph.
4. Submit the application: Pay the applicable fee and submit the application form.
5. Attend the appointment: Once your application is processed, you will be required to attend an appointment at the Indian embassy or consulate to submit your original documents and provide fingerprints.

Reissuance due to change in personal details:

1. Complete the online application form: You can visit the embassy or consulate to fill out the online application form for the reissuance of an OCI card.
2. Upload documents: Upload a copy of your current passport, a copy of the document reflecting the change in personal details (e.g., marriage certificate, name change certificate), and a recent passport-sized photograph.
3. Submit the application: Pay the applicable fee and submit the application form.
4. Attend the appointment: Once your application is processed, you will be required to attend an appointment at the Indian embassy or consulate to submit your original documents and provide fingerprints.

Reissuance due to the acquisition of a new passport:

1. Complete the online application form: You can visit the embassy or consulate to fill out the online application form for the reissuance of an OCI card.
2. Upload documents: Upload a copy of your new passport, a copy of your old passport, and a recent passport-sized photograph.
3. Submit the application: Pay the applicable fee and submit the application form.
4. Attend the appointment: Once your application is processed, you will be required to attend an appointment at the Indian embassy or consulate to submit your original documents and provide fingerprints.

Benefits of Being an OCI Cardholder

An OCI cardholder gets the following benefits:

1. A multiple entry, multi-purpose life-long visa for visiting India.
2. Exemption from registration with local police authority for any length of stay in India.
3. Parity with Non-resident Indians (NRIs) in respect of economic, financial, and educational fields as per the relevant Acts, except in relation to acquisition of agricultural or plantation properties.
4. OCI can be used as identity proof for the application for a PAN Card and driving license as well as for opening a bank account if the OCI card holder is residing in India.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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1. Embassy of India, Manila, Philippines. (2022, June 12). Www.eoimanila.gov.in. https://www.eoimanila.gov.in/eoi.php?id=oci/ [↩]
2. Embassy of India, Manila, Philippines. (2021, April 22). Www.eoimanila.gov.in. https://www.eoimanila.gov.in/eoi.php?id=oci/ [↩] [↩]
3. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). (n.d.). Retrieved December 5, 2023, from https://www.mha.gov.in/sites/default/files/2022-07/oci-faq.pdf [↩]

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Cite this article

MLA Style

Orcales, Wences. "Overseas Citizen Of India (OCI) Card for Minor." Visas For Future, https://www.visasforfuture.com/india-oci-card-for-minor/. Accessed on 6 October 2023.

Chicago Style

Orcales, Wences. "Overseas Citizen Of India (OCI) Card for Minor." Visas For Future. October 6, 2023. https://www.visasforfuture.com/india-oci-card-for-minor/.