India · Application requirements

India OCI Requirements 2026

Foreign nationals of Indian origin (with limited exceptions for current Pakistani and Bangladeshi citizens), spouses of OCI cardholders married for 2+ years, and certain dependents who fall under the eligibility criteria in Section 7A of the Citizenship Act 1955. The PIO (Person of Indian Origin) card category was discontinued; existing PIO holders were merged into OCI by 1 January 2026.

Issued by Ministry of External Affairs (Passport Seva) · Last verified May 28, 2026 · Official source ↗

At a glance

Application fee

Fresh OCI (adult): ~USD $275
Re-issuance (most cases): ~USD $25
Lost / damaged card: ~USD $100
VFS / CKGS service fee: USD $15–$40

as of May 28, 2026 · details

Processing time

e-OCI digital (from May 2026): ~15 days
Standard physical card: 60–90 days
With extra security review: 4–6 months

details

Issuing authority

Ministry of External Affairs (Passport Seva)

Who needs a India OCI?

Where to apply

Online application via ociservices.gov.in. Since 1 May 2026 a new e-OCI option lets applicants who qualify receive a digital OCI tied to their passport, without the physical card — bringing processing down to ~15 days. Standard applications continue via CKGS (US), VFS Global (UK/Europe/Australia/most Gulf), or the Indian embassy elsewhere.

Fees

Fresh OCI (adult): ~USD $275
Re-issuance (most cases): ~USD $25
Lost / damaged card: ~USD $100
VFS / CKGS service fee: USD $15–$40

Fresh OCI: approximately USD $275 (varies slightly by country in local currency). Re-issuance for most cases (passport renewal, name change): approximately USD $25 — significantly cheaper than the legacy $100 schedule after the MEA fee revisions. Re-issuance for lost or damaged cards: approximately USD $100. Service-centre fees from CKGS (US) or VFS Global (UK/EU/Australia) add $15–$40 on top.

Fees as of May 28, 2026. Confirm current amounts on the official source before paying.

What to bring

Documents and items you'll need at the appointment or with your application.

Online OCI application printout (Parts A and B, signed)
Current foreign passport valid for 6+ months
Proof of Indian origin (your or a parent/grandparent's Indian passport copy, birth certificate showing Indian birth, etc.)
Two recent compliant 51×51 mm passport-style photos (or e-OCI digital upload)
Separate signature image on plain white paper
Renunciation certificate if you previously held Indian citizenship
Marriage certificate (for OCI through spouse, plus evidence of 2+ years)

Need the photo specs?

Exact size, head height, background, and what gets rejected.

Open photo requirements →

How long does it take?

e-OCI digital (from May 2026): ~15 days
Standard physical card: 60–90 days
With extra security review: 4–6 months

Two tracks as of May 2026: (1) e-OCI (new digital flow, available where eligible) processes in roughly 15 days. (2) Standard physical-card OCI: 60–90 days typical, occasionally 4–6 months when additional security verification is required. There is no paid expedited service — the e-OCI digital flow is the fast path.

Times vary by location, season, and individual case. Always check the official source for the current backlog before you book travel.

Official source

https://ociservices.gov.in/

Last verified May 28, 2026

Verify before applying. We compile this from official government sources and re-verify regularly. Fees, processing times, and rules change without notice — always confirm current information on the official site before you apply or pay any fee.

Frequently asked questions

Common questions about applying for a india oci.

How much does an OCI card cost? +

A fresh OCI card costs approximately USD $275 (slightly higher in some countries due to local currency conversion). Re-issuance for most reasons (passport renewal, name change) is approximately USD $25 after the MEA fee revisions — significantly less than the legacy $100. Lost or damaged card replacement remains around USD $100. Service-centre fees (CKGS, VFS Global) add $15–$40 depending on your country.

How long does it take to get an OCI card? +

The new e-OCI digital flow (launched 1 May 2026) processes in around 15 days for eligible applicants — issued as a digital OCI tied to your passport, no physical card. The traditional physical-card route is 60–90 days typical; up to 4–6 months when additional security checks are needed. There is no paid expedited service.

What is e-OCI? +

A digital OCI introduced 1 May 2026 that is issued without a physical card — your OCI status is recorded against your passport in the Indian government system. It is recognised at Indian immigration on arrival. The e-OCI flow is faster (~15 days) and has lower service-centre fees than the physical card. Eligible applicants are notified when applying via ociservices.gov.in.

Who is eligible for an OCI card? +

Former Indian citizens, persons of Indian origin going back four generations (parents, grandparents, great-grandparents), and spouses of OCI cardholders (married for at least 2 years). Current or former citizens of Pakistan and Bangladesh and their descendants are excluded.

Do OCI cardholders need a visa to visit India? +

No — OCI cardholders enjoy visa-free travel to India for life, with unlimited entries and unlimited stay duration. You only need a valid foreign passport and your OCI card (or digital e-OCI status) to enter India.

Can OCI cardholders work in India? +

Yes — OCI holders can work and run businesses in India, with parity to NRIs in most economic matters. However, OCI holders cannot vote, hold elected office, work in government service, or own agricultural/farmhouse land in India.

Do I need to update my OCI when I get a new passport? +

Once — re-issuance is now required only one time after age 20 (for OCIs obtained as a minor) and one time after age 50 (when biometric features have changed). The historical rule requiring re-issue at every new passport has been simplified. For most adult renewals the lighter ~$25 e-OCI flow applies.

What happened to PIO cards? +

PIO (Person of Indian Origin) cards were discontinued. All previously-issued PIO cards lost validity by 1 January 2026 and holders were merged into OCI. If you held a PIO card, you should now apply for an OCI card (treated as a conversion, fee schedule similar to fresh OCI).

Is OCI the same as dual citizenship? +

No — OCI is a lifelong visa-free travel and stay privilege but does not grant Indian citizenship. India does not allow dual citizenship. OCI cardholders retain only their foreign citizenship.

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