A: How to do on-line application?

B: How to arrange the application(s)?

C: How much is fees and how to pay?

D: Photograph specifications

E: Where to send the application and things not to forget.

F: How the OCI documents look like?

G: OCI application on-line registration link

A: HOW TO DO ON-LINE APPLICATION?
1.       You have to apply on-line for the OCI application, means the on-line registration form is available on the website that you have to fill it up first and then send the hard copy to the Consulate. Unless you send hard copy of the application to the Consulate with the requisite documents and fees, the Consulate will not come to know about your application and your application will not get processed at all.
2.       Please note that downloaded forms are not accepted repeat not accepted as the data filled by you in the on-line application goes in the world-wide on-line internet OCI system.
3.       After reading all the instructions carefully, you can click on the on-line OCI Registration form. The on-line OCI Registration format is been given below, such form will appear when you click the OCI – Registration link. Sometimes the Internet browser will say that website does not have security certificate, do not worry, accept the same and go ahead.

• You can apply as an individual or as a family.
• Family comprises of Husband, wife and two minor  (below 18 years)  children
• First select one of the options from Individual or Family.

4. When you select “Individual” option the fields in the on-line registration form will appear like first two pages shown below:

When you select the on-line registration form as “Family” option, the on-line registration form will appear like next 4 formats shown below, which will ask data for family of four persons (that is First Applicant, Spouse, Minor Child 1  and Minor Child 2).

Family Group option should be opted if only one of the parents is applying along with one/two minor children or husband & wife are applying otherwise you have to always opt an individual option. If there are more members in the family or children are not minor then their applications should be filed as individuals.

5.       Then select a place of submission or select office: For Chicago, you have to select USA-Chicago; if you select another option, our consulate will not able to process your application as this will be registered under different office registration number.

6.       Please fill all the fields in the on-line registration OCI form, please check once again before pressing SAVE command. Once you press the save command “PART A” of the OCI registration form will appear on the screen. Then give print command in a dialogue box that appears on the screen. After this you will get “Part-A” & “Part-B” printouts. Please note that you have to fill up all the essential blank fields in Part A and part B manually, otherwise your application will be incomplete. Please fill up all the information in BOLD (capital) letters.

7.       For seeing sample duly filled individual OCI application (Part-A & Part-B only without supporting documents) please click:

8.       After taking printout of the application, if you find that you had made a mistake while filling the on-line application and there is a wrong data entry, please re-do the on-line registration. Re-doing on-line registration will not create any problems with your OCI application as the Consulate will consider your application only when you send the duly filled hard copy of your OCI application along with requisite documents and fees. When you are re-doing on-line registration, please trash the “Part-A & Part-B” which was generated earlier with wrong data, otherwise that will create confusion.

9.       Please note that the data which enter in the system directly goes in the on-line OCI system and Consulate officials do not interfere with the data. Hence if there are errors in the information being printed in the OCI documents, it is because of applicant’s wrong entries. The Consulate will not be responsible for the same. Thus request for issue of fresh document/visa sticker for name corrections will be entertained only against resubmission of application on line and sending a hard copy, complete in all respects, under OCI Miscellaneous Services from. Do not manipulate the data on the hard copy by any means and then make argument stating that hard copy data shows the correct data and how the Consulate has made a mistake while printing the data.

10.     The main applicant(s) may then fill Part B in capital letters only. Irrespective of number of applicants in Part A, Part B  will be a single form which needs to be signed by the main applicant i.e. if Part-A contains particulars of an individual, he/she should sign at the end of Part B.If Part-A contains particulars of spouses, both should sign at the end of Part B.

11.     Minor children need not sign at the end of Part-B. In the box provided for signature near photo, only applicant should sign or put his/her thumb impression precisely in the box, not spilling out of the box.Parents should not sign in case of minors. If minors can sign, then let them sign. In case of Minors both parents should sign and provide photocopy of their passports (with signature page).

12.     The signature should be made using thick pen with blue or black ink and thumb impression (left thumb for male and right thumb for female) should also be clearly visible.

13.     Do not forget to indicate the date and mode of acquisition of foreign citizenship under column 19 in Part-B.
Please furnish US/foreign passport detail against column 8 and 9 of part A as per your present nationality. When you are applying for OCI card, that means you are not Indian national, hence put your current (US/Foreign) nationality in the on-line registration form.

B: HOW TO ARRANGE THE APPLICATION(S)?

 (a) “Individual” Application Option

1. Part-A.
2.Part-B – only one (pl do not include the pages containing instructions after Part B)
3. Proof of present nationality (copy of first two and last two pages of US/foreign passport)
4.Copy of birth certificate – applicable only if applicant is born abroad
5. Copy of the PIO card (if you are holding)
6.Proof of address (copy of utility bill like electricity or telephone bill or driving license where your address is mentioned)
7.Proof of previous nationality (copy of first three and last three pages of last Indian passport held) or any other documentary evidence like a notarized copy of educational certificate issued by an institution in India and land ownership certificate by which eligibility may be reasonably ascertained or a duly notarized affidavit to that effect. The decision of the Consular Officer (deciding your Indian identity) will be final in such cases.

                                                                        OR

If parents’/grand parents’ origin is being claimed as basis for grant of OCI, enclose the following documents:

1. Evidence of relationship with the applicant as parent/grand parent: If you are claiming OCI card on the basis of parent Indian origin then your birth certificate (where parents name is mentioned) is required, if you are claiming the same with your grand-parents’ origin then you have to submit your birth certificate as well as your parents’ birth certificate showing the parents names clearly so that it establishes the relation with your parents and grand parents.

2. Copy of their Indian passport, or

3. Copy of their domicile certificate issue by the competent authority; or any other documentary evidence like a notarized copy of school certificate, land ownership certificate by which eligibility may be reasonably ascertained. The decision of the Consular Officer will be final in such cases.

(b) “Family” Application option

1. Part A (First Applicant) + Part A (Spouse)+ Part A (Minor Child 1) + Part A (Minor Child 2)
2. Part B – only one (as only one part B comes with four part A from the system), irrespective of number of applicants under Family Group (pl do not include the pages containing instructions after Part B)
3. Proof of present nationality (copy of first two and last two pages of US/foreign passport)
4. Copy of birth certificate – applicable only if applicant is born abroad.
5. Copy of the PIO card (if you are holding)
6. Proof of address (copy of utility bill like electricity or telephone bill or driving license where your address mentioned)
7. Proof of previous nationality (copy of first three and last two pages of last Indian passport held) or any other documentary evidence like a notarized copy of school certificate, land ownership certificate by which eligibility may be reasonably ascertained or a duly notarized affidavit to that effect. The decision of the Consular Officer will be final in such cases.

                                                                        OR

            If parents’/grand parents’ origin is being claimed as basis for grant of OCI, enclose the following documents:

• Evidence of relationship with the applicant as parent/grand parent; If you are claiming OCI card on the basis of parent Indian origin then your birth certificate (where parents name is mentioned) is required, if you are claiming the same with your grand-parents’ origin then you have to submit your birth certificate as well as your parents’ birth certificate showing the parents names clearly so that it establishes the relation with your parents and grand parents.
• Copy of their Indian passport, or
• Copy of their domicile certificate issue by the competent authority; or any other documentary evidence like a notarized copy of school certificate, land ownership certificate by which eligibility may be reasonably ascertained. The decision of the Consular Officer will be final in such cases.