Embassy of India, Paramaribo, Suriname
OCI Services OCI Services

OCI Services

General Information on Overseas Citizen of India (OCI)

The Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) Scheme was introduced by amending the Citizenship Act, 1955 in August 2005. The Scheme provides for registration as Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) of all Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) who were citizens of India on 26th January, 1950 or there after or were eligible to become citizens of India on 26th January, 1950 except who is or had been a citizen of Pakistan, Bangladesh or such other country as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify.

OCI is not to be misconstrued as 'dual citizenship'. OCI does not confer political rights. The registered Overseas Citizens of India shall not be entitled to the rights conferred on a citizen of India under article 16 of the Constitution with regard to equality of opportunity in matters of public employment. Detailed instructions and procedures on the OCI Scheme are available on the MHA's website: www.mha.nic.in.

A registered Overseas Citizen of India is granted multiple entry, multi-purpose, life-long visa for visiting India, he/she is exempted from registration with Foreign Regional Registration Officer or Foreign Registration Officer for any length of stay in India, and is entitled to general 'parity with Non-Resident Indians in respect of all facilities available to them in economic, financial and educational fields except in matters relating to the acquisition of Agricultural land or Farm house or Plantation properties. Specific benefits/parity is notified by the Ministry from time to time. Detailed instructions and procedures/benefits of the OCI Scheme are available on the OCI website: https://ociservices.gov.in/

Process for submission of OCI application:

Step 1- Submission of application online

Please register & submit the OCI application online following the guidelines at the below link. Please read carefully the details and various provisions provided on the OCI website and follow while submitting application for OCI.

https://ociservices.gov.in/

https://ociservices.gov.in/welcome

A step wise process can be seen at the below link:

(Step wise process for OCI Application)

Step 2 – (i) Duly filled online, printed and signed application must be submitted in person along with the supporting documents and prescribed Fee at Embassy of India, Dr. Sophie Redmondstraat No. 239, Paramaribo.

(ii) Biometrics data of applicant(s) will be captured at the time of submission of physical application at the Embassy.

(iii) The Embassy will no longer accept OCI application(s) via postal mail or courier service.

3. ELIGIBILITY:-

  • Any foreigner, who, is a child, grandchild or great grandchild of such citizen of mentioned the above at S. No.1.
  • 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.

  • Foreign Military/Police personnel either serving or retired will not be registered as OCI card holder

4. OCI cardholder is NOT entitled to:-

  • OCI is not to be misconstrued as 'dual citizenship'. OCI does not confer political rights to vote;
  • to be a member of a Legislative Assembly or of a Legislative Council or of the Parliament of India;
  • to hold Indian constitutional posts such as that of the President, Vice President, Judge of the Supreme Court or

High Court etc.;

  • He/she cannot normally hold employment in the Government;
  • to undertake any Missionary work, Mountaineering and Journalism work without prior permission of the

Govt. of India;

  • OCI cardholder shall also require Protected Area Permit (PAP)/Restricted Area Permit (RAP) to visit any place

which falls within the Protected/Restricted Area notified by the Government as in the case of any other foreigner.

Conversion of PIO card to OCI card

PIO to OCI conversation scheme is no longer be available after 31st December 2025. PIO card holders who wish to obtain OCI card after expiry of the above deadline may apply for fresh OCI registration following the guidelines for the new applicant.

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://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:

Step-by-step procedure for updating details of OCI can be seen at below link :

Stepwise process for updating details of OCI

  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.

Please see the below link for the correctness of the Photograph. Photo Specification (pdf)

The uploading of these documents may be done within three months of receipt/issue of the new passport. After the expiry of three months deadlines a Fee of US$ 25/- + US$ 3/- (ICWF) will be applicable.

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/

2. Surrendered Indian Passport copy.

3. Surrender Certificate original and copy (Renunciation of Indian Citizenship Certificate)

4. Original & copy of Certificate of Citizenship (apostle by local Foreign Office).

5. Present Passport copy and original.

6. Two recent photographs.

  1. 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.).
  2. Declaration form by Application

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. Two 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

2 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.

3. 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).

4. Birth Certificate apostle by Foreign Office.

5. Current Passport copy and original of Minor.

6. Copy of current Passport of both Parents.

7. Notarized Parental Authorization

8. Two photographs.

9. Copy of Address proof of current place of stay (such as Utility Bill/ Rent Lease/ Driving License/ Bank Statement etc).

10 In case of minor applicants, both parents should also sign on the application form on the indicated part of the form. Signatures on the form must match with signatures on their Passports.

11. A consent form (FORM) in the prescribed format must be signed by both parents, uploaded & submitted with the application.

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.

  1. Notarized Sworn Affidavit - declaration on subsisting of marriage.
  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).

Note: "If approved, First OCI will be issued with a validity of five years to foreign spouse applicants. After expiry of validity of first OCI, an Miscellaneous OCI Application has to be submitted with Embassy.

OCI card fees:

New OCI card:

i) In cash at Embassy’s counter is US$ 278/- [US$ 275/- OCI Fees + US$ 3/- (ICWF)]

ii) By Bank draft/Banker’s cheque of US$288/- [US$ 275/-+ US$10/- (Bank charges) + US$ 3/- (ICWF)] in favour of Embassy of India, Paramaribo

OCI Miscellaneous Service

i) In cash at Embassy’s counter is US$ 28/- [US$ 25/- OCI Misc. service Fees + US$ 3/- (ICWF)]

ii) By Bank draft/Banker’s cheque of US$ 38/- [US$ 25/-+ US$10/- (Bank charges) + US$ 3/- (ICWF)] in favour of Embassy of India, Paramaribo.

**Government of India has introduced additional consular fee of US$ 3/- for OCI application as contribution towards Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF). The charges are effective from May 14, 2010.

More information about OCI can be seen at the following links :

https://ociservices.gov.in/

https://www.mha.gov.in/sites/default/files/OCIIntroduction_23072021.pdf

https://www.mha.gov.in/sites/default/files/OCIBrochure_23072021.pdf

https://www.mha.gov.in/sites/default/files/OCIMiscellaneousService_Introduction_16072021.pdf