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OCI SERVICES
IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE APPLYING FOR NEW OCI CARD
(for REISSUE / TRANSFER/ ONLINE UPDATION please go to following page: https://www.hciwellington.gov.in/page/oci-misc-services-transfer-of-oci/)
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.
5. Prescribed fee and mode of payment:
Service per application for minor/adult |
Fee in NZ$ |
Fresh OCI Application (Overseas Citizenship of India) |
382 |
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 duly filled 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, if you want to receive OCI by post.
6B. Documents for Minor applicants (under 18 years of age) who held Indian passport earlier:
Print-out of duly filled 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, if you want to receive OCI by post.
6C. Documents for adult applicants (over 18 years of age) who held Indian passport earlier:
Print-out of duly filled Part A and Part B of online application.
Copy of current New Zealand / foreign passport and Citizenship 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.
Self-addressed courier envelope with tracking facility, if you want to receive OCI by post.
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 duly filled 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 Certificat/ Surrender 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, if you want to receive OCI by post.
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 duly filled 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, if you want to receive OCI by post.
7. Where and how to send the application?
OCI Section
High Commission of India,
72 Pipitea Street, Thorndon,
PO Box 12211, Wellington 6011.
8. Checking status of the application:
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.
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
NOTE: If your query is still not answered above, you may drop us an email at oci[dot]wellington[at]mea[dot]gov[dot]in. It may be appreciated that because of large volume of telephone calls, it is not always possible to answer telephone calls. However, it is our endeavour to reply to all emails promptly.
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 to fill/answer all the column and 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 see the information provided above for the relevant category.
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, it 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 acknowledgement.Certain complex cases may take much longer time & no fixed timeframe can be given for processing them. It is therefore advised NOT to book travel tickets before the OCI card is issued.
Can I print blank OCI application form and fill it by hand?
=> No. The Application form must filled online and all the prescribed documents to be uploaded. Thereafter, the printed and signed form must be sent to the High Commission along with all prescribed documents, photographs and fees for processing.
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.
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 after acknowledgement. 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 .
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 card 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[dot]wellington[at]mea[dot]gov[dot]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/