OCI card for US citizens of Indian origin

The citizens of the United States are eligible to apply for an OCI card if they are a citizen with Indian origin/ancestry. Still, it depends on specific details about your background and family history. Here are the possible ways you could qualify:¹

Direct Eligibility

• If you were a citizen of India on or after January 26, 1950, This includes anyone who held an Indian passport before that date.
•  If you were eligible to obtain Indian citizenship on January 26, 1950, This could apply if you or your ancestors belonged to a princely state that merged with India or if you had other qualifications for Indian citizenship then.
•  Suppose you belong to a territory that became part of India after August 15, 1947. In that case, This covers people from places like Burma, Pakistan, or Bangladesh who became Indian citizens due to independence or border changes.
•  If you are a child, grandchild, or great-grandchild of such a citizen, This includes both direct descendants and adopted children.
•  If you are a minor child and both your parents are Indian citizens, or one parent is an Indian citizen, This applies even if you were born outside of India.

Indirect Eligibility

• If you are the spouse of an Indian citizen or an OCI cardholder, This applies if your marriage has been registered and lasted for at least two years before using.

If you’re planning to apply for an OCI Card, Visas for Future can make the process easier for you. Our application process is simple. After you submit your application, our team will process it within two business days, and you can expect to receive your OCI card within seven to eleven weeks. If you have any questions or encounter any difficulties during the application process, our dedicated customer support team will always be available to assist you.

What We’re Offering

If you are a US national of Indian origin, you may want to consider applying for an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card, our service will process your application within two business days, after which you will receive your OCI card within seven to eleven weeks.

• Unlimited stay.
• Multiple entries.
• $368 fee (Including Government fee).

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How to apply for an OCI card for US citizens of Indian origin?

US citizens can easily apply for an Overseas Citizen of India Card (OCI) with Visas for Future.

Step 1: Go to Visas for Future and select India OCI then click “Get India OCI Now“

Step 2: Complete the online application form by providing:

• Personal information.
• Email.
• Place of submission.

Step 3: Pay the fee using credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover) or debit cards (Visa or MasterCard).

Step 4: Complete the intake form by providing your passport number, travel dates, travel plans, accommodation preferences, and the cities of intended arrival and departure.

Step 5: Review your personal information, intake form answers, and uploaded documents before submitting your application to ensure accuracy and completeness.

Requirements and documents needed in applying for an OCI card for US citizens of Indian origin

The requirements and documents needed for applying for an OCI card for US citizens of Indian origin can vary slightly depending on your specific circumstances, but here’s a general overview:¹

• Completed OCI application form: Downloadable from the Indian Ministry of External Affairs website.
• Two recent passport-size photographs: With specifications listed on the OCI website.
• Original and photocopy of valid US passport: Valid for at least six months beyond the expected date of OCI card issue.
• Proof of Indian origin:
  • Indian passport (current or expired).
  • Birth certificate issued by the Indian government.
  • Marriage certificate of parents to an Indian citizen (if applicable).
  • PIO card (if applicable).
• Proof of US address: Utility bill, rental agreement, bank statement, etc.
• A copy of any long-duration Visa is required, in case the application is submitted in India.
• Minor 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.
• Other documents: Depending on your circumstances, you may also need to provide additional documents like proof of relationship to an Indian citizen, renunciation of foreign citizenship certificate (if applicable), etc.

Cost and Processing time for an Indian OCI card

To obtain an OCI Card, there is a fee of $368 which covers the government fee. The processing time for an OCI card is usually two (2) business days. However, receiving the final card may take approximately seven to eleven weeks.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. OVERSEAS CITIZENSHIP OF INDIA (OCI) CARDHOLDER FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs). (2021). <https://www.mha.gov.in/sites/default/files/OCIFAQs_23072021.pdf> [↩] [↩]

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Written by Rosalie Santos

Rosalie is a content writer who loves to learn and share knowledge. She has a background in education and teaching, which helps her write clear, accurate, and engaging content. She writes about travel, culture, and education topics. She also handles Turkey and India visa applications, which she learned from Lei Achumbre, the COO of Visas for Future and a visa expert. She fulfills visa orders and answers customer service questions once a quarter.

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.

Published by Visas for Future

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Cite this article

MLA Style

Santos, Rosalie. "OCI card for US citizens of Indian origin." Visas For Future, https://www.visasforfuture.com/oci-card-for-us-citizens-of-indian-origin/. Accessed on 5 October 2023.

Chicago Style

Santos, Rosalie. "OCI card for US citizens of Indian origin." Visas For Future. October 5, 2023. https://www.visasforfuture.com/oci-card-for-us-citizens-of-indian-origin/.