High Commission of India

Wellington, New Zealand
Concurrently accredited to Samoa, Niue, the Cook Islands & Vanuatu

OCI SERVICES

IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE APPLYING FOR OCI CARD

• For those applicants who have at any time held an Indian passport, if your Indian passport is not yet cancelled or you have not yet renounced Indian citizenship, then please apply for renunciation of your Indian citizenship & cancellation of your Indian passport as per guidelines given at the link: https://www.hciwellington.gov.in/eoi.php?id=cancellation-passport

• Applicant should be present in New Zealand at the time of applying and at the time of collecting the OCI card. An applicant who has travelled to India on a visa after applying for OCI card should leave India before expiry of the said visa.

• OCI applicants NEED NOT submit their original documents, i.e. current passport, birth certificate, marriage certificate, cancelled Indian passports, etc. However, it is mandatory to upload and submit copies of original documents duly attested by Justice of Peace (JP) of New Zealand. The High Commission may ask applicants for producing original documents for verification at any stage of processing of OCI application, if deemed necessary.

• In case of divorce/death of a foreign spouse, it is the responsibility of person of Indian origin on whose basis OCI was granted to the spouse, to immediately surrender the OCI card of the divorced/deceased spouse.

For complete Step-by-Step guide and Checklist please click here.

Applications should be duly signed at the end of the application form. In case of minors, application must be signed by both the parents at the place provided for “Signature of the applicant”.

1. About OCI
2. Eligibility
3. Benefits of OCI Card
4. How to apply
5. Prescribed fee and mode of payment
6. Documents to be uploaded online and to be sent along with the application
7. Where and how to send the application
8.  Checking status of the application
9. Processing time
10. Jurisdiction
11. Important links
12. Frequently asked questions regarding OCI card

1. About OCI:
In keeping with Government of India’s commitment to fulfilling the aspirations and expectations of ‘Overseas Indians’, Overseas Citizenship of India scheme was introduced by amending the Citizenship Act, 1955 in August 2005, granting certain privileges to the foreigners of Indian origin for travelling to and staying in India, acquiring property in India and in certain financial, economic and educational matters. It is however clarified that the Constitution of India does not allow for “dual citizenship” and OCI must not be mistaken as “dual citizenship” of India. 

For more information on OCI scheme, kindly visit the following link: http://www.mea.gov.in/overseas-citizenship-of-india-scheme.htm

2. Eligibility
Any foreign national, except a national of Pakistan or Bangladesh, who was eligible to be citizen of India on or before 26.1.1950 or was a citizen of India at any time on or after 26.1.1950, or who belonged to a territory that became part of India after 15.8.1947 and her/his children or grandchildren or great grandchildren, provided his/her country of citizenship allows dual citizenship in some form or other under the local laws, is eligible for registration as Overseas Citizen of India. Minor children of such a person are also eligible for OCI. However, serving or retired defence personnel cannot be registered as OCI, even if otherwise eligible.

Those who travelled to New Zealand on their mother’s / father’s passport may also apply after getting the said passport cancelled.

A person who is already holding more than one nationality may also apply, if otherwise eligible.

3. Benefits of OCI Card:

OCI Card holders are entitled to:

• Multiple-entry multi-purpose life-long visa to visit India (Special approval is required for research, mountaineering, missionary activities, journalism and to visit Restricted / Protected Areas).

• Exemption from reporting to police authorities / FRRO for any length of stay in India; equality with NRIs in certain financial, economic and educational matters except for acquisition of agricultural or plantation land and in matters pertaining to inter-country adoption of Indian children.

• Equality with domestic Indian in entry to national parks and wildlife sanctuaries and in matter of tariffs in air fares in domestic sectors in India.

• Eligible for grant of Indian citizenship under Section 5(1)(g) of the Citizenship Act, 1955 after completion of 5 years as OCI card holder, provided he has resided in India for one year out of 5 years before making the application.

• OCI cardholders are now also eligible to enroll in the National Pension Scheme (NPS) at par with Non-Resident Indians.

• However, OCI card holders do not have any voting rights and are not eligible for election to Union Parliament or State Legislatures or for holding Constitutional posts such as President, Vice President, Judges of Supreme Court / High Court etc or to hold any Public Office under the Union or any of the State Governments.

To view MHA's gazette notification dated 04.03.2021 on rights of OCI cardholders, please click here.

4. How to apply:
[Please read the instructions carefully before applying to avoid any mistakes]

For complete Step-by-Step guide and Checklist please click here.

Applications must be filled and submitted online and a printout of the same along with copies of required documents to be submitted / sent to the High Commission of India, Wellington. No handwritten application for registration as OCI cardholder or for OCI miscellaneous service will be accepted or processed. Only one set of application and documents needs to be sent.

Please use Google Chrome or Internet Explorer browsers. Online OCI form is not compatible with Safari browser. It may not work on mobile phone browsers or Apple devices.

Furnishing wrong information and suppression of material information will result in rejection of application/cancellation of OCI card if already issued and blacklisting of the person.

Copies of all documents must be first attested by Justice of Peace and uploaded only after attestation. A document uploaded without attestation will not be considered valid.

Applicant must complete online registration by filling-up online application form at the link https://ociservices.gov.in/ under “New OCI Registration”, uploading his/her photograph and signature, and all the mandatory documents duly attested by Justice of Peace (JP). No column in the application form should be left blank.

In case of application for minors who cannot sign, thumb impression of the left hand must be uploaded and “Declaration” on the last page of the application form must be signed by both the parents in the column “signature of the applicant”.

Specification guidelines for uploading of documents: The maximum size allowed for a document file is 500 kb. The document file must be in PDF format. (For sake of comparison, an A-4 size page document color scanned at 100 dots per inch resolution will generate a file of about 200-250 kb.) Each category of document must be uploaded in a single file.

Guidelines for uploading of photo: The image must be in JPEG or JPG format with maximum size of 200 kb. The minimum resolution of the photo must be 360 pixels (width) X 360 pixels (height) and the maximum resolution must be 900 pixels (width) X 900 pixels (height).

Guidelines for uploading the signatures: The signatures must be in jpeg or jpg format with maximum size of 200 kb. The height and width of the signature photo must have aspect ratio of 3:1. The minimum resolution of the signature photo must be 360 pixels (width) X 120 pixels (height) and the maximum resolution must be 900 pixels (width) X 300 pixels (height).

Please watch the video for uploading photo and signatures

5. Prescribed fee and mode of payment:

Mode of Payment of Fees: 

6. Copies of documents are to be attested by JP before uploading online and to be sent along with the application:

6A. For Minor / newborn applicants (under 18 years of age) who never held Indian passport

• Print-out of Part A and Part B of online application. 

• Copy of current New Zealand / foreign passport of the applicant.

• Copy of Birth Certificate of the applicant.

• Copy of Parent’s Marriage Certificate.

• Copies of Parents’ Indian Passports (first page, last page, and current New Zealand visa page, if applicable). If Indian origin parents have changed their nationality, copies of their Surrender Certificate/Indian Citizenship Renunciation Certificate or current OCI cards or any other documents to prove their Indian origin must be submitted. If only one parent is of Indian origin, then submit copy of his Surrender Certificate/Indian Citizenship Renunciation Certificate or OCI card and foreign passport of the other parent.

• Part B (declaration) of the OCI application form must be signed by both the parents.

• One square photograph (to be clipped and not stapled or pasted) of size 2” inch X 2” inch, having front view of person’s face and shoulders in the middle of the photograph and light color background. For detailed specifications of photo, please visit https://www.hciwellington.gov.in/docs/Photo-Spec-FINAL.pdf.

• Confirmation of fee payment.

• Self-addressed courier envelope with tracking facility.

6B. Documents for Minor applicants (under 18 years of age) who held Indian passport earlier:

• Print-out of Part A and Part B of online application. 

• Copy of current New Zealand / foreign passport and Citizenship Certificate of the applicant.

• Copy of cancelled Indian passport (first and last page) and copy of Indian Citizenship

• Surrender Certificate/Indian Citizenship Renunciation Certificate of the applicant.

• Copy of Birth Certificate of the applicant.

• Copy of Parent’s Marriage Certificate.

• Part B (declaration) of the OCI application form must be signed by both the parents.

• One square photograph (to be clipped and not stapled or pasted) of size 2” inch X 2” inch, having front view of person’s face and shoulders in the middle of the photograph and light color background. For detailed specifications of photo, please visit https://www.hciwellington.gov.in/docs/Photo-Spec-FINAL.pdf

• Confirmation of fee payment.

• Self-addressed courier envelope with tracking facility.

6C.  Documents for adult applicants (over 18 years of age) who held Indian passport earlier:

• Print-out of Part A and Part B of online application.

• Copy of current New Zealand / foreign passport and Citizenship Certificate of the applicant.

• Surrender Certificate/Indian Citizenship Renunciation Certificate of the applicant.

• Marriage certificate, if applicable.

• One square photograph (to be clipped and not stapled or pasted) of size 2” inch X 2” inch, having front view of person’s face and shoulders in the middle of the photograph and light color background. For detailed specifications of photo, please visit https://www.hciwellington.gov.in/docs/Photo-Spec-FINAL.pdf.

• Confirmation of fee payment.

• Self-addressed courier envelope with tracking facility.

NOTE: If you ever held Indian passport and now unable to locate it then submit copies of the following documents or any other relevant documents attested by JP to prove your Indian origin. First three of the following documents are compulsory:

• Travel summary (If travelled on Indian passport to NZ) obtained from New Zealand Immigration Department.

• Copy of Indian Passport.

• Copy of police report regarding loss of Indian passport.

• Indian domicile certificate from competent authorities (District Magistrate, Sub Divisional Magistrate, Executive Magistrate, etc.)

• Indian Passport or OCI Card of parents / grandparents. 

• Indian Birth Certificate

• Indian educational certificates (submission of more than one certificate will be considered as one proof only).

• Indian marriage certificate.

• Aadhaar Card.

• Indian Ration card

• Indian government employment record

• Indian voter’s identity card

• Agricultural land documents

6D. Documents for OCI applicants over 18 years of age who never held Indian passport and are applying on the basis of Indian origin of parents / grandparents or great grandparents:

• Print-out of Part A and Part B of online application.

• Copy of current New Zealand / foreign passport.

• Copy of Birth Certificate of the applicant.

• Copies of Parents’ / Grandparents’ / great Grandparents’ Indian Passports (first page, last page). If Indian origin parents have changed their nationality, copies of their Surrender Certificate/Indian Citizenship Renunciation Certificate or current OCI cards. If only one parent is of Indian origin, then submit copy of his/her Indian Citizenship Renunciation Certificate or OCI card and other parent’s current passport copy.

• Parents’ Marriage certificate.

• Marriage Certificate of the applicant, if applicable.

• One square photograph (to be clipped and not stapled or pasted) of size 2” inch X 2” inch, having front view of person’s face and shoulders in the middle of the photograph and light color background. For detailed specifications of photo, please visit https://www.hciwellington.gov.in/docs/Photo-Spec-FINAL.pdf.

• Confirmation of fee payment.

• Self-addressed courier envelope with tracking facility.

6E. Documents for OCI applicants applying on the basis of Indian origin of their spouse:

IMPORTANT: Foreign spouse of OCI card holder is eligible to apply for OCI provided that the applicant’s marriage is registered and has subsisted for a continuous period of not less than 2 years immediately preceding the application. OCI card under this category will be granted only after personal interview of both husband and wife.

• Print-out of Part A and Part B of online application.

• Copy of current New Zealand / foreign passport.

• Copy of Spouse’s Indian Passport (first and last page) or OCI Card.

• Copy of Marriage Certificate – Apostilled / authenticated by the Government of the country of issue if marriage is registered in a foreign country.

• Copy of applicant’s birth certificate.

• Undertaking form for spouse. (Link to the form)

• If already a PIO Card holder then the copy of the PIO Card.

• Previous Indian Visa (if available).

• One square photograph (to be clipped and not stapled or pasted) of size 2” inch X 2” inch, having front view of person’s face and shoulders in the middle of the photograph and light color background. For detailed specifications of photo, please visit https://www.hciwellington.gov.in/docs/Photo-Spec-FINAL.pdf.

• Confirmation of fee payment.

• Self-addressed courier envelope with tracking facility.

7. Where and how to send the application?

After completing the online application, applicants must take a print out of Part A and Part B of the application, sign and send it along with JP attested copies of all mandatory documents as mentioned above and one self-addressed pre-paid return courier bag with tracking facility (to post back the new OCI card) to the High Commission of India by registered courier with tracking facility at the following address:

       OCI Section
       High Commission of India,
       72 Pipitea Street, Thorndon,
       PO Box 4045, Wellington 6011.

Applicants can also submit their applications in person between 9:30 AM to 12:00 Noon from Monday to Friday at the reception counter of the High Commission of India, Wellington. The High Commission of India will not accept any responsibility in case the courier is lost / misplaced / damaged or delayed.

OCI applications received with complete documentation will be acknowledged within 10-15 working days by an automated email.

8. Checking status of the application:
Once the application is acknowledged by the High Commission of India, applicants can check status of their applications online at “Status inquiry”. Kindly note that there is no urgent or fast track service for OCI. In case of an emergency please apply for relevant visa.

9. Processing time:

The standard processing time is 45 working days from the date of acknowledgement. However, this timeframe is only indicative and some cases which need approval of concerned authorities may take much longer & no fixed timeframe can be given for processing such application. For example all the spouse based OCI applications are referred to Ministry of Home Affairs of Government of India and therefore no timeframe can be given for such cases. It is therefore advised NOT to book travel tickets before the OCI card is issued.

NOTE: All applicants are advised to make their travel plans / bookings only after the issue of OCI card as no urgent /tatkaal service is available for OCI application. In case of emergency, you may apply for visa even if your OCI application is being processed.

10. Jurisdiction:
The High Commission of India, Wellington has jurisdiction over New Zealand, Republic of Samoa, Niue, Vanuatu & the Cook Islands and will be able to accept OCI applications only from those applicants who are present in its jurisdiction. Those who are not residing in the jurisdiction of this High Commission may contact the Indian Embassy / High Commission / Consulate General having jurisdiction over the area of their residence.

11. Important links:

i) Online registration form: https://ociservices.gov.in
ii) How to upload signature and photograph: Go to ociservices.gov.in  and then click on "OCI Image/Re-upload" button.
iii) How to upload documents: Go to http://ociservices.gov.in and then Click on "OCI document upload/Re-upload" button.
iv) Link for “undertaking” form for spouse case: https://www.hciwellington.gov.in/docs/OCI-UNDERTAKING.pdf
v) Status inquiry: http://ociservices.gov.in

12. Frequently asked questions regarding Overseas Citizen of India Card

• Are minor children eligible for OCI Card?
  => Yes.

• Do I have to fill all columns when filling up the application online?
  => Yes. It is mandatory that no column is left unanswered.

• What documents need to be submitted along with the application? What documents would qualify for “any other proof” for evidence of self or parents or grandparents to be eligible for grant of OCI?
  => You may kindly visit the link https://www.hciwellington.gov.in/eoi.php?id=OCI for detailed information about the documents required for different categories of applicants.

• Can I submit my OCI application through an agent?
  => No. OCI application can be submitted either at the Counter of the High Commission of India, Wellington by the applicants in person or by the spouse of the applicant or by the parents in case of minors. Alternatively, they can also be submitted by post along with a self-addressed prepaid return courier.

• What is the processing time of an OCI application?
  => In view of the fact that OCI applications are processed in consultation with concerned authorities in India, it takes upto 45 days for processing an OCI application after the application complete in all respects is received by the High Commission. Applicants are requested to carefully read the detailed guidelines available at https://www.hciwellington.gov.in/eoi.php?id=OCI and submit the application correctly and complete in all respects to avoid unnecessary delay. It is therefore advised NOT to book travel tickets before the OCI card is issued.
  
  Certain complex cases may take much longer time & no fixed timeframe can be given for processing them.

• Can I print blank OCI application form and fill it by hand?
  => No. An online registration needs to be completed before printing the application. The Application form has to be filled online and all the prescribed documents to be uploaded. Thereafter, the printed and signed form may be sent to the High Commission along with all prescribed documents, photographs and fees.

• I / my child cannot sign; can we leave the signature box empty?
  => No. The signature box should not be left blank. Thumb impression of the left hand of the applicant should be provided in case the applicant cannot sign.

• How many copies of application have to be submitted?
  => Only one set of application has to be submitted for each applicant.

• Where can application be submitted?
  => Applications can be submitted in the High Commission of India, Wellington by applicants normally residing in New Zealand, Samoa, Niue, Vanuatu and the Cook Islands between 9.30am to 12.30pm (Monday to Friday). However, if the applicant is in India, he / she can apply with the nearest Foreigners Regional Registration Office. Kindly visit the link https://boi.gov.in/content/frro-contact-list for the list of FRROs in India.

• Can foreign nationals who are married to OCI card holders or married to persons of Indian origin eligible to apply for OCI?
  => Yes, provided that the marriage is continuing for at least two years immediately prior to making such an application. For detailed guidelines, kindly visit the link https://www.hciwellington.gov.in/eoi.php?id=OCI and go to 6E.

• Is a national of Pakistan or Bangladesh eligible for OCI?
  => No.

• Are ‘Empire of India’ passports issued by the British authorities in India prior to Indian Independence accepted as proof of Indian origin?
  => Such passports are acceptable only if they state the national status of the holder as a person of British Protectorate who is originally a citizen of a place in India. They are not acceptable if the nationality status of the holder is British subject by birth.

• Is there an emergency service for OCI?
  =>No. The standard processing time of OCI application is 45 working days. Appropriate visa should be applied for in case of emergencies. It is therefore advised NOT to book travel tickets before the OCI card is issued.

• I am an OCI cardholder. What documents should I carry while travelling to India?
  => Valid foreign passport and OCI card are the only documents required for travel to India, apart, of course from the air ticket.

• Can I travel to India immediately after applying for OCI card with an Indian Embassy / High Commission?
  => Yes, you can travel after obtaining an appropriate visa. However, it is advisable to check the status of the OCI application before applying for visa. Status can be checked on https://ociservices.gov.in

• I travelled to New Zealand on my mother’s / father’s passport. Can I apply?
  => Yes but only after surrendering the said passport with the High Commission of India and applying for renunciation of Indian citizenship as per the procedure given at the link https://www.hciwellington.gov.in/eoi.php?id=cancellation-passport .

• Can a person holding more than one nationality apply for OCI?
  => Yes.

• Is an OCI card holder entitled to apply for an Indian passport and will the OCI card holder lose his existing citizenship
  => No. OCI scheme should not be confused with Indian citizenship. Indian passports can be granted only to Indian nationals and rules do not allow for dual nationality. OCI card holder will therefore NOT lose his existing citizenship.

• Can an OCI holder undertake Research work / mountaineering / missionary activities / journalism and visit to Restricted / Protected areas in India?
  => Yes but only after obtaining necessary approval of the competent authorities in India.

• Can OCI card be surrendered / renounced?
  => Yes. The cardholder has to declare his / her intention to renounced on Form XXXI to the Indian Mission / Post where OCI Registration was granted along with a fee of NZ $40. Application form for this purpose may be requested by email at oci.wellington@mea.gov.in.

• I have a PIO card, do I need to apply for OCI?
  => Yes. The PIO card scheme has been withdrawn and all PIO cardholders are advised to convert their PIO cards to OCI cards. Procedure for the same is given at the link https://www.hciwellington.gov.in/eoi.php?id=PIO.

• Whether a foreign military personnel / civil Govt. servant working in Ministry of Defence as IT engineer / civil contractor is entitled for OCI?
  => No.

• Would the civil / criminal laws be applicable to persons registered as OCI?
  => Yes.

• What are the consequences of furnishing wrong information and suppressing material information while applying for OCI?
  => Furnishing wrong information or suppressing material information while applying for OCI will result in rejection of the application or if OCI card is already issued, will result in cancellation of the same as per Section 7D of the Citizenship Act, 1955. The person will also be blacklisted, thereby banning his entry into India.

• Can a person registered as an OCI be granted Indian citizenship
  =>Yes. As per provisions of section 5(1)(g) of the Citizenship Act 1955, a person who is registered as an OCI for 5 years and has resided in India for one year out of those five years is eligible to apply for Indian citizenship. However, it is reiterated that India does not provide for dual citizenship and the person will have to renounce his foreign citizenship before getting Indian citizenship. For more details, you may visit the link: https://indiancitizenshiponline.nic.in/