Consulate General of India, Hong Kong & Macau

OCI/PIO

OVERSEAS CITIZEN OF INDIA (OCI) CARD

(Please carefully read General Guidelines/Instructions before filling the application form)

The Consulate General of India, Hong Kong issues Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) Card to eligible applicants. Please visit https://ociservices.gov.in/ to apply for first time issue of OCI Card and for reissue of OCI card under miscellaneous services of existing OCI Cards.
After completion of online registration and uploading all requisite documents and photographs as per photo specifications (PDF - 967.46 KB, English) online, applicants are required to write an email to ocipio[dot]hongkong[at]mea[dot]gov[dot]in for an appointment for interview (verification of documents). Please ensure to attach duly-filled OCI application(s) and current Passport.
At the time of interview, please bring all the originals and self-attested copy of each of the supporting documents to the Consulate General of India, Hong Kong, 16-D, United Centre, 95, Queensway, Admiralty, Hong Kong.
OCI card to foreign spouse shall only be issued initially for a period of five years only. Thereafter, renewal shall be subject to a fresh investigation and a personal interview with both husband and wife at the concerned Indian Mission/Post/FRRO.
Fee
- First issue of OCI : HKD 2167
- Reissue of OCI under miscellaneous Services : HKD 219
- Reissue of OCI against Loss/Damage of OCI : HKD 804
- Renewal of OCI card to Foreign Spouse : HKD 219
- Updation of the new Passport No. within three months of issue of the new passport: Nil (Gratis Service)
- Updation of the new Passport No. after three months of issue of the new passport: HKD 219 (Shall be applied under Gratis service only)
The processing time for fresh OCI application is 4-6 weeks from the date of submission of documents/required fee at the Consulate.

2. Who is eligible

Following categories of foreign nationals are eligible for registration as Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) Cardholder.

Who was a citizen of India at the time of, or at any time after the commencement of the Constitution of India i.e. 26.01.1950; or
Who was eligible to become a citizen of India on 26.01.1950; or
Who belongs to a territory that became part of India after 15.08.1947; or
Who is a child or grandchild or great grandchild of such a citizen; or
Who is a minor child of such persons mentioned above; or
Who is a minor child and whose both parents are citizens of India or one of the parents is a citizen of India; or

Spouse of foreign origin of a citizen of India or spouse of foreign origin of an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) Cardholder registered under section 7A of India's Citizenship Act, 1955 and whose marriage has been registered and subsisted for a continuous period of not less than two years immediately preceding the presentation of the OCI application.

3. Who is not eligible

Person, who or either of whose parents or grandparents or great grandparents is or had been a citizen of Pakistan, Bangladesh or such other country as the Government of India may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify, shall not be eligible for registration as an OCI Cardholder.

4. Types of OCI applications and documentations required

A) Person who was Indian national and has renounced Indian nationality

Documentation required:

Printout of the completed online registration form with no corrections /overwriting /Soft Editing
One recent photograph as per photo specifications (PDF - 967.46 KB, English)
Self-attested copy of Valid Passport and original to be shown
Self-attested copy of HK ID / Macau ID / Valid visa and original to be shown
Self-attested copy of Renunciation / Surrender Certificate of Indian nationality and original to be shown
Self-attested copy of last cancelled Indian Passport (Front & Back) and original to be shown
Self-attested copy of Naturalization / Registration Certificate of foreign nationality and original to be shown
Self-attested copy of Parents Passports and HK ID/ Macau ID / Valid visa (in case of Minor) and original to be shown
Self-attested copy of Birth Certificate and original to be shown
Self-attested copy of marriage certificate (for married applicants only), issued by the Registrar of Marriages or District Administration and original to be shown
Self-attested copy of Divorce decree issued by Court (in case of Divorcee applicants) and original to be shown
Self-attested copy of Declaration/Sworn Affidavit/Deed Poll duly attested by Commissioner of Oaths/Notary (in case if the name is different/changed at any point of time) and original to be shown
Self-attested copy of Court order of dissolution of marriage, which specifically mentions that the legal custody of the child is with the parent, who is applying for OCI card for Minor child with legal custody and original to be shown
Self-attested copy of Address proof, Utility Bill (Gas/Electric/Water/Broadband) which is not more than two months old or tenancy agreement and original to be shown
A written declaration that the applicant has surrendered/ never held Indian voter card and ration card.

B) Person who never held Indian nationality

Category (I) On the basis of spouse being Indian national/OCI card holder

Documentation required:

Printout of the completed online registration form with no corrections /overwriting/soft editing
One recent photograph as per photo specifications (PDF - 967.46 KB, English)
Self-attested copy of Valid Passport and original to be shown
Self-attested copy of HK ID / Macau ID / Valid visa and original to be shown
Self-attested copy of Naturalization / Registration Certificate of foreign nationality and original to be shown
Self-attested copy of Spouse's Indian Passport (front & back) or OCI (front & back) and HK ID/ Macau ID / Valid visa and original to be shown
Self-attested copy of Apostilled Birth Certificate of applicant, applicant's parents/grandparents/great grandparents, and original to be shown
Self-attested copy of Declaration/Sworn Affidavit/Deed Poll duly attested by Commissioner of Oaths/Notary and original to be shown
Self-attested copy of evidence of spouse being citizen of India at the time of, or at any time after the commencement of the Constitution i.e. 26.01.1950; or being eligible to become citizen of India; belonging to a territory that became part of India after 15.08.1947.
Original Suitably worded Notarized Affidavit for the applicant who have never applied for or been issued an Indian Passport
Self-attested copy of Marriage certificate issued by the Registrar of Marriages from the concerned Indian State Government. If the Marriage Certificate is issued by the Foreign Governments, it should be first Apostilled / authenticated by the concerned Diplomatic Mission and original to be shown.
A written declaration that in the event of dissolution of marriage or death of the Indian spouse, the applicant shall notify and return the OCI card forthwith to the Consulate General of India, Hong Kong or the nearest Indian Mission.

Self-attested copy of Address Proof, Utility Bill (Gas/Electric/Water/Broadband) which is not more than two months old or tenancy agreement and original to be shown.

Note: OCI card to foreign spouse shall only be issued initially for a period of five years only.

Category (II) On the basis of either parents being Indian national/OCI card holder

Documentation required:

Printout of the completed online registration form with no corrections/overwriting/soft editing
One recent photograph as per photo specifications (PDF - 967.46 KB, English)
Self-attested copy of Valid Passport and original to be shown
Self-attested copy Naturalization / Registration Certificate of foreign nationality and original to be shown
Self-attested copy of Parents' Passports and HK ID/ Macau ID / Valid visa and original to be shown
Self-attested copy of Birth Certificate and original to be shown
Self-attested copy of Declaration/Sworn Affidavit/Deed Poll duly attested by Commissioner of Oaths/Notary and original to be shown
Self-attested copy of evidence of parents or grandparents or great grandparents being citizens of India at the time of, or at any time after the commencement of the Constitution i.e. 26.01.1950; or being eligible to become citizen of India; belonging to a territory that became part of India after 15.08.1947.
Declaration by parents on behalf of their minor children for never having applied for or been issued an Indian Passport
Self-attested copy of Marriage certificate issued by the Registrar of Marriages from the concerned Indian State Government.
Self-attested copy of Address Proof, Utility Bill (Gas/Electric/Water/Broadband) which is not more than two months old or tenancy agreement and original to be shown

C) Reissue of OCI on account of Change of Passport and Personal Particulars

The earlier requirement to re-issue an OCI card each time a new passport is issued to a foreigner up to 20 years of age and once after completing 50 years of age has been dispensed with. However, an OCI cardholder shall have to get the OCI card re-issued once when a new passport is issued after completing 20 years of age so as to capture his/her facial features on attaining adulthood.

Documentation required:

Printout of the completed online registration form with no corrections/Overwriting/Soft Editing
One recent photograph as per photo specifications PDF
Self-attested copy of Valid Passport and original to be shown
Self-attested copy of Hong Kong ID / Macau ID/ Valid visa and original to be shown
Self-attested copy of OCI card (front and back) and original to be shown
Self-attested copy of Old Passport which is mentioned in the OCI card and original to be shown
Self-attested copy of Parents' Passports and HK ID (in case of Minor) and original to be shown
Self-attested copy of Marriage Certificate and spouse's Passport in case the marital status of applicant is changed and original to be shown
Self-attested copy of Declaration/Sworn Affidavit/Deed Poll duly attested by Commissioner of Oaths/Notary and original to be shown
Self-attested copy of Address Proof, Utility Bill (Gas/Electric/Water/Broadband) which is not more than two months old or Tenancy Agreement and original to be shown

D) Reissue of OCI on account of loss/Damage of OCI

Documentation required:

Printout of the completed online registration form with no corrections/Overwriting/Editing
One recent photograph as per photo specifications PDF
Self-attested copy of Valid Passport, if different from the one mentioned in OCI and original to be shown
Self-attested copy of Hong Kong ID / Macau ID/ HK valid visa and original to be shown
Self-attested copy of OCI card (front and back) if copy is available
Self-attested copy of Passport which is mentioned in the OCI card and original to be shown
Self-attested copy of complaint lodged with Police, if the report is in foreign language authorized translation is required and original to be shown
Self-attested copy of Parents Passports and HK ID in case of Minor and original to be shown
Self-attested copy of Marriage Certificate and spouse Passport in case the marital status of applicant is changed and original to be shown
Self-attested copy of Declaration/Sworn Affidavit/Deed Poll duly attested by Commissioner of Oaths/Notary and original to be shown
Self-attested copy of Address Proof, Utility Bill (Gas/Electric/Water/Broadband) which is not more than two months old or Tenancy Agreement and original to be shown

E) Conversion of PIO to OCI

Note: Deadline to Convert the PIO to OCI is over (last Date was 31 December, 2025). In view of the same the PIO card holders will have to get Visa from the Indian Missions / Posts abroad for travel to India and service of 'New Visa' from FRROs on E-FRRO online portal if they are already living in India.

5. General Guidelines/ Instructions

Please ensure that your application is complete in all respects before bringing documents for submission during the interview. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
All personal particulars of the applicants such as name, DOB, place of birth, parent's names, appearance, etc. must be the same as in passport. If there is any change, an affidavit, duly attested by Office of Oath commissioner of Hong Kong/Macau or notary public, is required to be submitted.
PIO Card scheme has been withdrawn by the Government of India vide its Gazette Notification No.25024/9/2014F.I dated 09.01.2015. Henceforth, PIOs are advised to get their PIO cards converted to OCI card.
Please note that the Machine-Readable electronic travel document is mandated by the International Civil Aviation Organization. However, hand-written PIO cards will be accepted as a valid document for travel to India till 31st December 2025.
PIO Card holders who have not yet converted their PIO Cards to OCI Cards are advised to do so at the earliest to avoid difficulty at Indian Immigration.
A person who has not attained the age of 18 years is considered to be a minor. In case a minor cannot sign, clear left thumb impression for boys and clear right thumb impression for girls is to be uploaded only in the prescribed box for signature. Parents should not sign on behalf of their children.
Eligibility for OCI is based on Indian lineage. If applicants have never possessed an Indian Passport and are applying on the basis of their parents'/grandparents' eligibility, proof of the same is required.
Spouse of foreign origin of a citizen of India or spouse of foreign origin of an OCI Card holder and whose marriage has been registered and has subsisted for a continuous period of not less than two years can submit an application for OCI card.
Applicants will be interviewed as part of processing of the OCI card application. After interview and subject to approval, applicants would be asked to deposit the OCI Card fee in cash and a receipt would be issued.
Applicants residing in Hong Kong SAR and Macau SAR may apply online for conversion of PIO to OCI card at https://ociservices.gov.in and after uploading the application form and required documents, take an appointment for interview at the Consulate.
Photograph to be uploaded on the application should be of square shape of size not less than 51x51 mm. The image must be in jpg or jpeg with max size 200 KB.
The earlier requirement to re-issue an OCI card each time a new passport is issued to a foreigner up to 20 years of age and once after completing 50 years of age has been dispensed with.
An OCI cardholder has to upload a copy of the new passport containing the photo of the passport holder and also a latest photo on the online system under OCI miscellaneous-gratis services.
OCI Miscellaneous Services can be availed of, only by the registered OCI cardholders for re-issuance of OCI booklet in the following circumstances:

In case of issuance of new passport;
In case of change in personal particulars, nationality etc;
In case of loss/damage of OCI booklet;
In case of filing wrong personal particulars while submitting online applications.

Please note that affixing of U visa stickers on the passport has already been discontinued.
In case of loss of OCI, the applicant is required to submit an FIR from the Hong Kong / Macau Police Authority.
Benefits to an OCI cardholder:
Lifelong visa for visiting India for different purposes;
Aadhar Card is not required by OCI cardholders.
Exemption from registration with FRRO for any length of stay in India;
Parity with NRIs in respect of facilities available to them, except in matters relating to acquisition of agricultural or plantation properties.
Parity with NRIs in matter of inter-country adoption of Indian children;
Parity with NRIs in matters of tariffs in air fares in domestic sectors in India;
Parity with NRIs for entry fee to visit national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, historical sites and monuments, etc.
Parity with NRIs for pursuing specified professions.

OCI cardholders are not entitled to

Not entitled to Right to vote in India;
Not entitled to become a Member of Parliament, Legislative Assembly or Council;
Not entitled to acquire agricultural or plantation properties in India;
Not entitled to undertake research work in India without special permission;
Not entitled to undertake Missionary, Mountaineering, journalism & tabligh activities without prior permission of the Government of India.

Not entitled to visit any place which falls within the Protected/Restricted area notified by the Government as in the case of any other foreigner.However, OCI cardholder may apply for Protected Area Permit (PAP)/ Restricted Area Permit (RAP) to visit any place which falls within the Protected/ Restricted Area.

6. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)

FAQ on OCI Card Holder

1. Who is eligible to apply for registration as OCI cardholder?

Following categories of foreign nationals are eligible for registration as Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) Cardholder:-

(1) Who was a citizen of India at the time of, or at any time after the commencement of the Constitution i.e. 26.01.1950; or

(2) Who was eligible to become a citizen of India on 26.01.1950; or

Who belonged to a territory that became part of India after 15.08.1947; or

Who is a child or a grandchild or a great grandchild of such a citizen.

Who is a minor child of such persons mentioned above; or
Who is a minor child and whose both parents are citizens of India or one of the parents is a citizen of India; or
Spouse of foreign origin of a citizen of India or spouse of foreign origin of an Overseas Citizen of India Cardholder.

Note: No person, who or either of whose parents or grandparents or great grandparents is or had been a citizen of Pakistan, Bangladesh or such other country as the Central Government may specify, shall be eligible for registration as an Overseas Citizen of India Cardholder.

2. Who was eligible to become Citizen of India on 26.01.1950?

Any person who, or either of whose parents or any of whose grandparents was born in India as defined in the Government of India Act, 1935 and who was ordinarily residing in any country outside India was eligible to become citizen of India on 26.01.1950.

3. Which territories became part of India after 15.08.1947 and from what date?

The territories which became part of India after 15.08.1947 are:

Dadra & Nagar Haveli - 11.08.1961
Goa, Daman and Diu - 20.12.1961
Puducherry - 16.08.1962
Sikkim - 26.04.1975

4. Can the spouse of the eligible person apply for registration as OCI Cardholder?

A spouse of eligible person can apply if he/she is eligible in his/her own capacity.

Further, spouse of foreign origin of a citizen of India or spouse of foreign origin of an Overseas Citizen of India Cardholder registered under section 7A of the Citizenship Act, 1955 and whose marriage has been registered and subsisted for a continuous period of not less than two years immediately preceding the presentation of the application can apply.

5. Can minor children apply for registration as OCI Cardholder?

Yes. However, if either of the child's parents or grandparents or great grandparents is or had been a citizen of Pakistan, Bangladesh or such other country as the Central Government may specify, the child will not be eligible for registration as an Overseas Citizen of India Cardholder.

6. In what form should a person apply for registration as an OCI Cardholder and where are the forms available?

Applications for registration as OCI Cardholder is to be submitted only on the online system. For this purpose, please log on to https://ociservices.gov.in.

7. What documents have to be submitted with the application?

List of supporting documents to be uploaded along with the application are :-

Proof of present citizenship

Copy of present valid passport applicable in all cases, with validity of minimum 6 months at the time of submission of application.
Copy of certificate of registration of citizenship/Naturalization.
Cancelled/Surrendered Indian passport with Surrender Certificate.

Evidence of address of the place of application

Copy of Electricity Bill / Telephone Bill in own/parents/grandparents/spouse name.
If the above is in any other relative's name, undertaking from the relative.
Lease License in case of tenants.

In case application is submitted in India

Copy of any long duration Visa other than Tourist Visa, Missionary Visa and Mountaineering Visa with 3 months validity as on the date of application along with Residential Permit/Registration Certificate issued by the jurisdictional FRRO/FRO.

Foreign nationals holding Tourist Visa, Missionary visa and Mountaineering visa cannot apply for registration as OCI cardholder in India.

Evidence of self or parents or grandparents or great grandparents

Copy of the Indian Passport;
Copy of the Domicile Certificate issued by the Competent Authority;
Copy of Nativity Certificate from the competent authority;
PIO/OCI card of parents/spouse along with documents to prove Indian origin;
Any other proof substantiating the request.

Evidence of relationship as parent/grandparent/great grandparent, if their Indian origin is claimed as basis for registration as OCI Cardholder.

Birth Certificate issued from competent authority mentioning both parents' name.
Marriage certificate of parents.
Copy of child's birth certificate in case of minor child.
Copy of Indian passport of the parents/one of the parents or other proof substantiating Indian citizenship.

Evidence as spouse of foreign origin of a citizen of India or spouse of foreign origin of an OCI Cardholder

(i) Registered marriage certificate;

(ii) Copy of Indian Passport of the spouse or other proof of Indian citizenship;

(iii) In case of spouse of OCI Cardholder, copy of valid passport and OCI Card of spouse.

8. What is the application fee payable for registration as OCI cardholder?

In case of application submitted in Indian Mission/Post abroad - By way of Demand Draft for US$275 for each applicant or equivalent in local currency.
In case application is submitted in India - a fee of Rs.15,000/- by way of Demand Draft drawn in favour of "Pay and Accounts Officer (Secretariat), Ministry of Home Affairs".

9. What are the specifications of the photograph to be uploaded with the application?

Photograph should be square shape of size not less than 51x51 mm with 80% coverage of face.
Minimum dimensions are 200 x 200 pixels.
Maximum dimensions are 900 x 900 pixels.
JPEG/JPG format with maximum size 200 KB.

Photographs that do not conform to the above standards will be rejected and may cause delay in processing of the applications.

10. Whether applicant(s) have to go to the Indian Mission/Post/FRRO concerned to submit hard copy?

After submission of the complete application online including documents, photograph and signature, applicants are required to bring only the originals of the supporting documents to the Indian Mission/Post/FRRO concerned for prior verification. They are not required to bring hard copies/printouts of the application or photocopies of the uploaded documents.

11. Whether the applicant(s) have to take oath before the Counsel of the Indian Mission/Post?

No. Earlier provision in this regard has been done away with.

12. Where the applicant has to bring the original documents for verification?

The originals of the documents are to be submitted to the Indian Mission/Post having jurisdiction over the country of which the applicant is a citizen or if he/she is not living in the country of his/her citizenship, to the Indian Mission/Post having jurisdiction over the country of which the applicant is ordinarily a resident.

In case the applicant is residing in India, the originals of the documents will have to be submitted to the FRRO concerned.

S. No.	FRRO Office	States/ UTs (jurisdiction)
1.	FRRO, Amritsar	Punjab, Jammu & Kashmir and Chandigarh
2.	FRRO, Bengaluru	Karnataka
3.	FRRO, Chennai	Tamilnadu, Puducherry and Andaman & Nicobar islands
4.	FRRO, Delhi	Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand
5.	FRRO, Hyderabad	Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha and Chhattisgarh
6.	FRRO, Kochi	Kerala (excluding jurisdiction of other FRROs in Kerala)
7.	FRRO, Kolkata	West Bengal, Sikkim, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Nagaland, Manipur, Meghalaya and Tripura
8.	FRRO, Kozhikode	Kerala (excluding jurisdiction of other FRROs in Kerala)
9.	FRRO, Lucknow	Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand
10.	FRRO, Mumbai	Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Daman & Diu. Till further orders, cases pertaining to Goa and Dadra & Nagar Haveli will also be handled by FRRO, Mumbai
11.	FRRO, Thiruvananthapuram	Kerala (excluding jurisdiction of other FRROs in Kerala) and Lakshadweep
12.	FRRO, Ahmedabad	Gujarat

For addresses and contact details of FRROs, please log on to https://boi.gov.in/content/frro-contact-list

Note: 'ordinarily resident' will mean a person staying in a particular country or in India for a continuous period of 6 months.

13. Will there be a personal interview at the Indian Mission/FRRO concerned?

There will be a mandatory verification step of personal interview either physical or through video conference of all OCI applicants who apply for registration as OCI cardholder under section 7A(1)(d) of the Citizenship Act, 1955, i.e. spouse basis.

In other cases, there will be no personal interview.

14. Will the biometrics be captured at the time of submission of the application?

Capturing of biometrics of fingerprints and face, if technically feasible, in case of applicants for registration as OCI cardholders is mandatory.

Applicants above 70 years of age or below 12 years of age would be exempted from biometric capturing.

15. What is the procedure for collecting the OCI cardholder registration booklet?

After grant of registration, a registration certificate in the form of a booklet will be issued. For collection of the OCI Cardholder registration booklet, the applicant is required to be present at the concerned Indian Mission/FRRO in person or he/she can send a duly authorized person, along with his/her passport for this purpose.

16. Will the 'U' Visa sticker be pasted on the foreign passport?

'U' (Universal) visa sticker on the foreign passport of OCI card holders has been dispensed with from 29 January, 2015.

17. What are the requirements to be fulfilled by erstwhile PIO cardholders for registration as OCI Cardholder?

All PIO cardholders with valid PIO cards as on 09.01.2015 are deemed to be OCI cardholders.

OCI card is a smart card
Possession of an OCI card will facilitate quicker immigration clearance
It will help in obtaining various Consular Services from Indian Missions
For those resident in India, it will facilitate availing various services in India.

18. What are the consequences of furnishing wrong information or suppressing material information?

If registration as an OCI Cardholder was obtained by means of fraud, false representation or concealment of any material fact, the registration shall be cancelled under section 7D of the Citizenship Act, 1955. The person will also be blacklisted thereby banning future entry into India.

19. What is the time taken for registration as OCI?

Normally, the time taken for issue of OCI registration booklet is about 30 days from the date of acknowledgement of the application on the online system.

20. If the registration as an OCI Cardholder is not granted, what amount will be refunded?

If registration is refused, an amount of US $ 250 or equivalent in local currency shall be refunded. US $ 25 is the processing fee, which is non-refundable.

21. Will a duplicate certificate of registration as an OCI Cardholder be issued in the event of loss of the original certificate?

Yes. For this purpose, an application has to be made to the Indian Mission/Post/FRRO with evidence for loss of certificate of registration under OCI Miscellaneous Services.

22. Will the applicant lose his citizenship after registering as an OCI Cardholder?

No.

23. Would the Indian civil/criminal laws be applicable to persons registered as OCI Cardholder?

Yes, for the period the OCI Cardholder is living in India.

24. Can a person registered as an OCI Cardholder be granted Indian citizenship?

Yes. As per section 5(1)(g) of the Citizenship Act, 1955, a person registered as an OCI cardholder for 5 years and who is ordinarily resident in India for twelve months before making an application for registration is eligible for grant of Indian citizenship.

25. Will any category of persons be registered as an OCI Cardholder on gratis basis?

No.

26. What are the benefits to an OCI Cardholder?

Multiple entry lifelong visa for visiting India for any purpose.
Exemption from registration with Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (FRRO) or FRO for any length of stay in India.
Parity with Non-Resident Indians in respect of facilities available to them in economic, financial and educational fields.
Parity with NRIs in inter-country adoption of Indian children.
Parity with resident Indian nationals in tariffs in air fares in domestic sectors in India.
Same entry fee as domestic Indian visitors to visit national parks and wildlife sanctuaries in India.
Parity with NRIs for entry fees to national monuments, historical sites and museums.
Parity with NRIs for specified professions.

However, OCI Cardholders will require special permission to undertake research work in India.

OCI cardholders are also not entitled to undertake Missionary, Mountaineering, journalism & tabligh activities without prior permission of the Government 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.

27. What are the benefits to which the OCI Cardholder is not entitled to?

The OCI Cardholder is not entitled to vote, be a member of Legislative Assembly or Legislative Council or Parliament, cannot hold Constitutional posts such as President, Vice President, Judge of Supreme Court or High Court etc. The OCI Cardholder cannot acquire agricultural or plantation properties in India.

28. If a person is already holding more than one nationality, can he/she apply for registration as OCI Cardholder?

Yes.

29. Whether an OCI Cardholder be entitled to apply for and obtain normal Indian passport?

No. Indian Passport is given only to an Indian citizen. An OCI cardholder can be registered as a citizen of India under section 5(1)(g) of the Citizenship Act, 1955 as explained in reply to Question 24 above.

30. Whether nationals of Commonwealth countries are eligible for registration as OCI Cardholder?

Yes, if they fulfill the eligibility criteria.

31. Can a person renounce his/her registration as OCI Cardholder?

Yes. He/she has to make a declaration renouncing the Card registering him/her as an OCI Cardholder to the Indian Mission/Post/FRRO from where the registration as OCI Cardholder was granted.

32. Can an OCI holder undertake Research work in India? Will they require a separate Research visa?

OCI cardholders do not require a separate visa for undertaking research activities. However, they would require special permission to undertake research work in India.

33. What are the other activities for which OCI cardholder would require separate permission?

OCI cardholders are not entitled to undertake Missionary, Mountaineering, journalism & tabligh activities without prior permission of the Government 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.

34. Do OCI cardholders undertaking journalistic activities in India require permission to visit J&K and North Eastern States?

As per extant policy of the Government of India, a foreign journalist, TV cameraman etc., including a foreign journalist already based in India who desires to visit restricted or protected areas or Jammu & Kashmir or North Eastern States has to apply for a special permit.

35. Whether foreign military/Police personnel are eligible for grant of OCI?

Foreign Military/Police Personnel either serving or retired will not be registered as OCI Cardholder.
Israeli citizens who are otherwise eligible for registration as OCI cardholder and do no more than compulsory years of conscription may be considered subject to applicable conditions.
Other foreign nationals of Indian origin who have undergone only compulsory military/police conscription may also be considered subject to applicable conditions.
Children and spouse of foreign military/police personnel may be considered subject to fulfilling the eligibility criteria under Section 7A of the Citizenship Act, 1955.

36. Whether application for registration as OCI cardholder of a foreigner spouse whose Indian spouse is not alive will be accepted?

Application may be accepted by Indian Missions/Posts/FRROs and decision taken on case to case basis subject to applicable conditions.

The foreign spouse has children born from marriage with the deceased Indian spouse who are Indian citizens/OCI cardholders;
The foreign spouse has acquired property individually or jointly with the Indian spouse;
If any other such ground prevails.

37. Whether foreign national children of such Indian national who is not alive will be registered as OCI cardholder?

The foreign national children of such Indian national who is not alive will be entitled to registration as OCI cardholder as per section 7A of the Citizenship Act, 1955 on the basis of their Indian origin.

38. Whether a foreign national holding Diplomatic Passport will be registered as OCI cardholder?

A foreign national holding Diplomatic Passport will not be registered as OCI cardholder. However, foreign diplomatic and official passport holders not assigned in India can travel on the strength of their OCI cards.

39. Whether OCI cardholders living in India should have a valid passport?

Yes. Passport is the primary travel document. OCI is only a life-long visa. Stay of a foreigner in India without a valid passport is illegal even if he or she is an OCI cardholder.

FAQ on OCI Misc Service

1. Who can avail the OCI Miscellaneous services?

Only a registered Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholder can avail the OCI Miscellaneous Services.

2. Under what circumstances can the services be availed?

OCI Miscellaneous Services can be availed only by registered OCI cardholders for re-issuance/issuance of duplicate OCI documents in the following contingencies:

Issuance of new passport;
Change of personal particulars viz. nationality etc;
Loss/damage of OCI registration certificate;
Filling of wrong personal particulars while submitting online application;
Change of address/occupation of the OCI cardholder.

3. How to avail the services?

For submission of application under OCI Miscellaneous Services online, the applicants may log on to https://ociservices.gov.in.

Applicants outside India

The Indian Mission/Post having jurisdiction over the country of which applicant is a citizen; or
If he/she is not living in the country of citizenship, to the Indian Mission/Post having jurisdiction over the country of which the applicant is ordinarily resident.

Applicants who are ordinarily resident in India

To the FRROs according to their jurisdictional control as mentioned below:

S. No.	FRRO Office	States/ UTs (jurisdiction)
1.	FRRO, Amritsar	Punjab, Jammu & Kashmir and Chandigarh
2.	FRRO, Bengaluru	Karnataka
3.	FRRO, Chennai	Tamilnadu, Puducherry and Andaman & Nicobar islands
4.	FRRO, Delhi	Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand
5.	FRRO, Hyderabad	Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha and Chhattisgarh
6.	FRRO, Kochi	Kerala (excluding jurisdiction of other FRROs in Kerala)
7.	FRRO, Kolkata	West Bengal, Sikkim, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Nagaland, Manipur, Meghalaya and Tripura
8.	FRRO, Kozhikode	Kerala (excluding jurisdiction of other FRROs in Kerala)
9.	FRRO, Lucknow	Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand
10.	FRRO, Mumbai	Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Daman & Diu. Till further orders, cases pertaining to Goa and Dadra & Nagar Haveli will also be handled by FRRO, Mumbai
11.	FRRO, Thiruvananthapuram	Kerala (excluding jurisdiction of other FRROs in Kerala) and Lakshadweep
12.	FRRO, Ahmedabad	Gujarat

For addresses and contact details of FRROs, please log on to https://boi.gov.in/content/frro-contact-list

4. Whether hard copy of the application is required to be submitted for the change of address/occupation?

No. Please see reply to Qn. 3 above.

5. Whether a family can apply in the same form?

No. Each person has to individually apply online for availing the services.

6. What are the documents to be uploaded?

In case of issuance of new passport: A copy each of OCI card, new passport and old passport.
In case of loss of OCI Card: A copy of complaint lodged with Police authorities and a copy of the OCI card.
In case of change of personal particulars: Copy of documents relevant for effecting the requisite changes.

Address proof — electricity bill or landline phone bill or undertaking letter of concerned person or rent/lease agreement.

7. What is the fee for availing the services?

A fee of US $25 or equivalent in local currency is charged for re-issuance of an OCI card.
A fee of US $100 or equivalent in local currency is charged for issuance of duplicate OCI card in case of loss/damage.

8. Whether the fee would be refunded in case the requisite service(s) are not granted?

No.

9. Will there be a personal interview in the Mission/FRRO?

Only in case of loss/damage of OCI documents, the service would be granted after personal interview.

10. How to verify the status of the application?

The applicant can verify the status of the application online on Online Status Enquiry by quoting the Registration Number or File (Acknowledgement) Number.

11. What will be issued after availing the services?

OCI Card shall be issued in respect of any/all service(s) except in cases of change of address/occupation.
In case of change of address/occupation, new OCI documents shall not be issued.
A new OCI Registration Certificate would be issued after surrender of the old OCI documents.

12. Whether the applicant has to go in person to the Indian Mission/Post/Office for obtaining the new OCI documents?

If the requisite service(s) have been granted, please contact the Indian Mission/Post/FRRO where you have applied for OCI registration after receipt of the documents.

13. What should be done for issuance of duplicate OCI documents in case of loss of OCI registration certificate?

In case of loss of OCI documents, file a complaint with the Police authorities and enclose a copy of the complaint with the application along with the requisite fee.

14. What is the time period for grant of the requisite service(s)?

The grant or otherwise of the service(s) sought shall be ordinarily decided in one month from the date of acknowledgement of the application on the online system.

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