Registration of Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI)

Constitution of India does not allow dual citizenship. Government of India (GOI) introduced OCI Scheme on December 2, 2005. GOI decided to register Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) of certain category as specified in Section 7A of the Citizenship Act, 1955 as Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) Cardholder.

OCI card is multiple entry and multi-purpose life-long visa for visiting India. The OCI card is primarily a visa document and not an identity document for a foreigner.

Link for online OCI Application Form https://ociservices.gov.in/welcome

(Please select INDIAN MISSION: Suriname)

Link for checking status of OCI application https://ociservices.gov.in/statusEnquiry

ELIGIBILITY

1. Any foreign national who was citizen of India or eligible to become citizen of India on 26^th, 1950.
2. Any foreigner, who, is a child, grandchild or great grandchild of such citizen of mentioned the above at S. No.1.
3. Foreign origin Spouse of a citizen of India or foreign origin spouse of an OCI cardholder and whose marriage has been registered and subsisted for a continuous period of not less than 2 years.
4. No person, who or either of whose parent or grandparent or great grandparent is or had been citizen of Pakistan or Bangladesh.
5. Foreign Military/Police personnel either serving or retired will not be registered as OCI card holder

OCI card holders are not entitled for the following:

1. OCI cardholders are not entitled to vote in India.
2. OCI cardholders need special permission to undertake Research Work, Mountaineering, Missionary Work and Journalism.
3. OCI card holder need permission to visit Protected/Restricted Area Notified by Government of India.
4. OCI cardholder cannot acquire agricultural and plantation properties in India.

PIO card holders can apply for OCI in lieu of valid PIO

The Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) Card Scheme has been withdrawn since January 9, 2015. Indian Immigration Check Post(s) will continue to consider all PIO cards valid to travel to India till 31^st December, 2021.

PIO Card holders are advised to apply for issuance of OCI card (In Lieu of valid PIO cards) before 31^st December, 2022.

 Required documents for OCI in lieu of valid PIO:

1. Duly filled online, printed and signed application:

https://ociservices.gov.in/welcome

1. Valid original PIO card and copy.
2. Original and copy of current Passport.
3. 2 photographs.
4. Copy and original attested by notary of Address proof of current place of stay (such as Utility Bill/ Rent Lease/ Driving License/ Bank Statement etc).

RE-ISSUE OF OCI CARD

OCI Miscellaneous Services can be availed for re-issuance/issuance of duplicate OCI Card in the following category of cases:

• In case of change of personal particulars viz. marital status, name, father's name, date of birth, nationality etc.
• In case of loss/damage of OCI registration certificate/visa
• Procedure: OCI Miscellaneous services have been made available on the Ministry's website https://www.ociservices.gov.in/ and can be availed by applying online and submitting application along with the requisite fee and original documents for verification to Embassy of India, Paramaribo.

Documents to be uploaded along with the application:

• Copy of passport and Resident Visa is to be furnished along with the application.
• Original OCI registration certificate and a copy of the same.
• In case of loss of OCI Card, copy of the complaint lodged with Police authorities (to be legally translated in English and attested) and copy of OCI to be enclosed.
• In case of change of personal particulars e.g. marital status, wrong filling of particulars by the applicant, attested document (s) relevant for affecting the requisite changes viz. Attested Marriage Certificate in case of change of marital status etc. to be enclosed.

https://ociservices.gov.in/welcome

Upload documents in online system only in following cases:

1. Each time when a new passport is issued up to the age of 20 years of age.
2. Once after completing 50 years of age.

In the above cases, an OCI cardholder is required to upload on the OCI Portal online a copy of the new passport and most recent photograph each time when a new passport is issued up to 20 years of age and once after completing 50 years of age. 

1. Foreign origin Spouse of citizen of India or OCI cardholder, each time a new passport is issued.

In this case following documents need to be uploaded on the OCI portal:

• Copy and original of new Passport.
• Latest photograph.
• Notarized declaration that their marriage is still subsisting.
• Copy of previous OCI card.
• Copy of Indian Passport or OCI Card of Indian spouse.

          For the updating of OCI information cases on the OCI Portal, all the above services will be provided on gratis basis. 

The uploading of these documents may be done within three months of receipt of the new passport.

There will be no restriction on the OCI cardholder to travel to/from India during the period from the date of issue of new passport till the date of final acknowledgment of his/her documents in the online system.

Required documents for OCI Card for Adult (former Indian National):

1. Duly filled online, printed and signed application:

https://ociservices.gov.in/

1. Surrendered Indian Passport copy.
2. Surrender Certificate original and copy (Renunciation of Indian Citizenship Certificate)
3. Original & copy of Certificate of Citizenship (apostle by local Foreign Office).
4. Present Passport copy and original.
5. 2 photographs.
6. Copy and original attested by notary of of Address proof of current place of stay (such as Utility Bill/ Rent Lease/ Driving License/ Bank Statement etc.).

Required documents for OCI Card for Adult (who never held Indian Passport/ Foreign Nationals with Indian Ancestors):

1. Duly filled online, printed and signed application:

https://ociservices.gov.in/welcome

1. Indian Passport original and copy, Immigration CBB letter or any other proof of Person of Indian Origin of Parents/Grandparents/Great Grandparents with documentary proof of relationship with them such as Birth Certificate (all documents must be apostle by Foreign Office and if issued in India, must be attested by concerned authorities).
2. Current Passport copy and Original.
3. 2 photographs.
4. Copy and original attested by notary of Address proof of current place of stay (such as Utility Bill/ Rent Lease/ Driving License/ Bank Statement etc.).

Required documents for Minor (who never held Indian Passport/

Foreign Nationals with Indian Ancestors):

1. Duly filled online, printed and signed application:

https://ociservices.gov.in/welcome

1. Indian Passport copy, Immigration Pass or any other proof of Person of Indian Origin of Parents/Grandparents/Great Grandparents with documentary proof of relationship with them such as Birth Certificate (all documents must be apostle by Foreign Office if issued out of India and if issued in India, must be attested by concerned authorities.
2. Parents’ Marriage Certificate (must be apostle by Foreign Office if issued out of India and if issued in India, must be attested by concerned authorities).
3. Birth Certificate apostle by Foreign Office.
4. Current Passport copy and original of Minor.
5. Copy of current Passport of both Parents.
6. Notarized Parental Authorization
7. 2 photographs.
8. Copy of Address proof of current place of stay (such as Utility Bill/ Rent Lease/ Driving License/ Bank Statement etc).

Required documents for Foreign Spouse of Person of Indian Origin

(Holder of Indian Passport of OCI Card):

1. Copy of Indian Passport or OCI Card of Indian Spouse.
2. Marriage Certificate, issued outside India, must be apostle by Foreign Office and if issued in India, must be attested by concerned State Home Department.
3. Notarized Sworn Affidavit
4. Current Passport copy and Original.
5. 2 photographs.
6. Copy and original attested by notary of Address proof of current place of stay (such as Utility Bill/ Rent Lease/ Driving License/ Bank Statement etc).

FEEs

 ***Bank charges - US$5.00 with all the services if the fee is paid through bank draft/banker’s cheque in favour of Embassy of India, Paramaribo.

OCI card fees

New OCI card

Bank draft/Banker’s cheque of US$283/- [275+5 (Bank charges) +3** (ICWF)] in favour of Embassy of India, Paramaribo

OCI in lieu of valid PIO card

Bank draft/Banker’s cheque of US$108/- [100+5 (Bank charges) +3** (ICWF)] in favour of Embassy of India, Paramaribo.

OCI in lieu of lost PIO card

Bank draft/Banker’s cheque of US$108/- [100+5 (Bank charges) +3** (ICWF)] in favour of Embassy of India, Paramaribo.

OCI Miscellaneous Service

Bank draft/Banker’s cheque of US$33/- 25+5 (Bank charges) +3** (ICWF)] in favour of Embassy of India, Paramaribo

**Government of India has introduced additional consular fee of US$ 3.00 for OCI application as contribution towards Indian Community Welfare Fund. The charges are effective from May 14, 2010.