dociya

OCI Card (Overseas Citizen of India)

A lifelong multiple-entry India visa & residency document for foreign nationals of Indian origin (and certain spouses). Handled online via OCI Services, with originals verified at an Indian Mission/FRRO.

Do it on the official site

Ministry of Home Affairs via Indian Missions/FRRO — ociservices.gov.in

Fees

New OCI registration US$275 (₹15,000 within India); re-issue (loss/damage) US$100; re-issue on new passport after 20 US$25; Miscellaneous Services (mandatory-window updates) gratis [confirmed]

Processing time

Ordinarily decided within ~1 month of receipt; collection ~10 days after dispatch from Delhi

How long it lasts

Lifelong (card doesn't expire), subject to the mandatory re-issue rule

What to know first

  • Mandatory re-issue: a new OCI card each time a new passport is issued up to age 20, and once after completing age 50.
  • Updating passport details via OCI Miscellaneous Services is gratis (free) within those windows.
  • Present passport must have ≥6 months validity; bring originals for verification.
  • OCI is not citizenship — no voting/government-job rights.

How to do it

  1. 1ociservices.gov.in → Apply Online (Part A registration, then Part B).
  2. 2Fill the form; upload passport copy, photo, signature per specs.
  3. 3Pay the fee online (USD / local equivalent).
  4. 4Submit; bring originals to the Indian Mission/Post/FRRO for verification.
  5. 5Track via Status Enquiry; collect after grant + dispatch.

What you need to bring

  • Present foreign passport (6+ mo) — copy + original
  • Recent photo + signature per specs
  • Proof of Indian origin / former Indian citizenship (old Indian passport, parent/grandparent's passport, birth cert; marriage cert for spouse)
  • For re-issue: existing OCI card + new passport copy

In person

Nearest Indian Mission/Embassy/Consulate, the designated VFS/BLS OCI centre, or the FRRO (in India)

Questions people ask

New OCI card every passport renewal?
Only up to age 20 and once after 50.
Fresh OCI cost?
US$275.
Is OCI Indian citizenship?
No — a lifelong visa.

Documents that travel with it

Save this deadline

Dociya will remind you on the first day you can file — not the day it expires.

OCI re-issue checker — do you need a new card after renewing your passport?

Sources

  • ociservices.gov.in faq + misc; mha.gov.in OCI fee PDFs (accessed 2026-06-26)