OVERSEAS CITIZEN OF INDIA (OCI) CARDHOLDER SCHEME

Applications for OCI cards will be received only by post and those required to come to the Embassy for verification of documents/capture of Biometric Features/Interviews will be informed by Email.

Please read the instruction carefully before filling up the form and all required documents should be uploaded at the OCI portal. Please note that  incomplete applications will be returned to the applicant.

The supporting documents should be uploaded on the portal before submitting the application at the consulate (Please Choose any of the available options from the dropdown if the uploading document category is not available), if any of the supporting documents are not uploaded, the application will be rejected.

You are requested to send a copy of the signed application form along with the supporting documents to Embassy of India, Consular Wing - OCI, Tiergartenstr.17, 10785 Berlin by POST.

Please include a self-addressed envelope with sufficient postal stamps (Euro 4.25) (not digital postal stamps) with the application so that the OCI card can be sent back to the applicant.

Marriage certificates and Birth certificates:

(i) if issued in Germany should be attested by the district court (Landgericht) and then by the Embassy of India in Berlin.

(ii) if issued in India should be attested by the Ministry of External Affairs and

(iii) if issued in a third country, it should be apostilled by the concerned country.

Processing time:

• Persons of Indian Origin:8-10 weeks from the date of the submission of the completed application at the Embassy.
• Foreign Spouse Category: There is no fixed timeline for processing OCI applications under Foreign Spouse category as processing time depends on receipt of clearances from various authorities in India.

For all queries relating to OCI application, kindly send an email to oci.berlin@mea.gov.in

A Complete check list of required documents for the different OCI services is attached. (OCI Check List )

Important information regarding OCI Cards

OCI-General Information: Fees Effective April 1, 2021

OVERSEAS CITIZEN OF INDIA (OCI) CARDHOLDER SCHEME

Every registered OCI will be issued a booklet printed like an Indian passport in different colour which will have the photograph of the individual and security features.

Benefits :

(i) Multiple entry lifelong visa for visiting India for any purpose.

(Please note that OCI Cardholders are not entitled to undertake any Research, Missionary, Tabligi, Mountaineering or Journalistic activities or undertake internship in any foreign diplomatic mission or foreign government organisations in India or take up employment in any diplomatic missions in India without special permission or permit from 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 notified by the Government.)

(ii) Exemption from registration with the Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (FRRO) or Foreigners Registration Officer (FRO) for any length of stay in India.

(Provided that the OCI cardholders who are normally resident in India shall intimate the jurisdictional FRRO or FRO by email whenever there is a change in permanent residential address and in their occupation.)

(iii) Parity with Indian nationals in the matter of tariffs in airfares in domestic sectors in India and entry fees for visiting national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, national monuments, historical sites and museums in India.

(iv) Parity with Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) in the matter of inter-country adoption of Indian children, subject to the compliance of the procedure as laid down by the competent authority for such adoption; appearing for all Indian entrance tests such as National Eligibility cum Entrance Test, Joint Entrance Examination (Mains), Joint Entrance Examination (Advanced) or such other tests to make them eligible for admission only against any NRI seat or any supernumerary seat, but not against seats reserved exclusively for Indian citizens; purchase or sale of immovable properties other than agricultural land or farm house or plantation property; and pursuing the following professions in India, in pursuance of the provisions contained in the applicable relevant Statutes or Acts, namely :-

(a) Doctors, dentists, nurses and pharmacists ;

(b) Advocates ;

(c) Architects ;

(d) Chartered Accountants

(v)  In respect of all other economic, financial and educational fields not specified above or rights and privileges not covered by the notifications made by the Reserve Bank of India under the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1992 (42 of 1999), the OCI cardholder shall have the same rights and privileges as a foreigner.

Biometrics:

Capturing of biometrics of fingerprints & face in case of OCI card applicants is mandatory. In case of applications submitted to the Embassy, the applicants will have the option of giving biometrics at the application stage or at the Immigration Check Posts on arrival in India. Applicants are, however, advised to give biometrics at the Embassy at the application stage itself, i.e. document verification stage, and if for any reason the applicant is not able to give the biometrics at the application stage, this may be given in writing to the Embassy.

In all cases where biometrics are captured at the application stage, the applications for registration as OCI cardholders would be acknowledged on the online module only after the biometrics are captured and uploaded on the system.

Biometrics captured would be valid for next 5 years from the date of enrolment. Applicants with no fingerprints or poor fingerprints will be exempted and only facial traits would be captured for them. Applicants with less number of fingers shall give fingerprints of existing fingers only. Applicants above 70 years of age or below 12 years of age would be exempted from biometric capturing.

Eligibility :

Citizen of another country but was citizen/eligible to become citizen of India on or after 26.1.1950;

OR Minor child of above person.

Citizen of another country but belonged to a territory that became part of India after 15.08.1947 ; OR
who is a child/grandchild/great grandchild of above person ; OR

Minor child whose both/one of the parents are/is a citizen of India ; OR

Spouse of foreign origin of a citizen of India/OCI cardholder and whose marriage has been registered and subsisted for a continuous period of not less than 2 years immediately preceding the presentation of the application.

NO PERSON WHO OR EITHER OF WHOSE PARENTS/GRANDPARENTS/GREAT GRAND PARENTS IS OR HAD BEEN A CITIZEN OF PAKISTAN OR BANGLADESH SHALL BE ELIGIBLE FOR REGISTRATION AS AN OCI CARDHOLDER.

FOREIGN MILITARY OR POLICE PERSONNEL EITHER SERVING/RETIRED WILL NOT BE REGISTERED AS OCI CARDHOLDER.

Registration :

Log on to https://ociservices.gov.in

Upload documents (self attested), photograph, [not less than 51x51 mm with 80% coverage of face, light colour background (not white), without border, front view, minimum dimensions are 200 x 200 pixels and maximum dimensions are 900 pixels x 900 pixels] and signature [ in the case of a minor, the application form may be signed by either of the parents or by the person to whom the legal custody of the minor has been granted or by the legal guardian of such minor ]. Photograph and signature must be in JPEG/JPG format with max size 200 KB.

After submission of complete application online, the applicant should send the OCI application in PDF format, alongwith proof of the fee paid to the Embassy by email to cons.berlin@mea.gov.in. Do mention your contact number in the email. The Embassy will examine the OCI application on the OCI portal and inform the applicant regarding deficiency, if any, in the application by email/telephone. After all required documents are uploaded on the OCI portal, the applicant will be asked to appear personally at the Embassy for verification of the original documents already uploaded, interview, capturing of biometrics and depositing OCI fee (cash only, if not paid earlier through bank transfer).  

Date and time of appointment would be conveyed to the applicant by the Embassy.

After verification of the original documents and confirmation that the OCI application is in order, the application would be approved on the online system. Simultaneously, an auto email will be sent to the applicant informing “Application received and is under process”.

Documents to be submitted :

(Please note that if the documents are in a foreign language, translation in English language by an authorized translator would be required. Documents issued in Germany require to be first attested by the District Court (landgerischt) concerned and thereafter attested by the Embassy before uploading on the online portal.)

In cases where applicant was holding Indian passport and has obtained foreign nationality

Copy of foreign Passport with validity of 6 months.

Copy of certificate of registration of foreign citizenship.

Cancelled/surrendered Indian Passport with Certificate of Renunciation of Indian citizenship. For information on Citizenship Renunciation/Surrender of Indian Passport and downloading of Citizenship Renunciation Form, please
Click HERE.

Address Proof : Copy of Anmeldung or Lease License or electricity bill/telephone bill.

In cases where OCI is being sought on basis of parents/grandparents/great grandparents being Indian citizens or foreigners of Indian origin

Copy of Indian Passport(s) / PIO or OCI Card(s) / Domicile/Nativity Certificate(s) / certificate(s) of residence/place of birth issued by a Magistrate/DM.

Birth Certificate mentioning names of both parents.

Marriage certificate of parents. If parents are divorced, court order of dissolution of marriage, which specifically mentions that the legal custody of the child is with the parent who is applying for the OCI card. If the court order is in any foreign language, translation in English by an authorized translator is to be enclosed.

In cases of minor children whose both or one of the parents is a citizen of India

Copy of child’s Birth Certificate.

Marriage Certificate of parents. If parents are divorced, court order of dissolution of marriage, which specifically mentions that the legal custody of the child is with the parent who is applying for the OCI card. If the court order is in any foreign language, translation in English/Hindi by an authorized translator is to be enclosed.

Copy of Indian Passport of parents or one of the parents/Domicile Certificate/Nativity Certificate/any other proof substantiating the status of the parents or one of the parents as being Indian citizen(s).

In cases of foreigner spouse of a citizen of India/OCI Cardholder whose marriage has been registered and subsisted for a continuous period of not less than 2 years immediately preceding the presentation of the application

Registered Marriage Certificate, if marriage solemnized in India. If marriage is solemnized in foreign country, the certificate should be attested by the local Indian Mission. If the certificate is issued in Germany, it should be first attested by the District Court (landgerischt) concerned and thereafter attested by the Embassy.

In case of foreign spouse of an Indian citizen, copy of Indian Passport of spouse/Domicile Certificate/Nativity Certificate of the Indian spouse/any other proof of him/her being an Indian citizen.

In case of foreign spouse of an OCI cardholder, copy of present valid Passport of spouse, copy of OCI card of spouse and documents based upon which OCI card was issued to Indian origin spouse.

Declaration from Indian citizen/OCI cardholder spouse stating that in case of divorce/separation/death of foreign spouse, it is his/her responsibility to surrender the OCI card to the Govt. of India.

OCI Fees and Bank Details

Services	Fee (Including 3 Euro ICWF)	BANK DETAILS
Fresh OCI	Euro 233	IBAN:DE59100100100631068104 BIC: PBNKDEFF Bank: Postbank Berlin Account No. 631068104 BLZ: 10010010   REMARKS To be entered in ‘Payment Description’/ Zahlungsbeschreibung column   Please use the following format in the payment description: Visa_ApplicationNumber_Applicants Name (First 14 characters) For Example: Visa_DEUE000N21_RajeshKumarMis
OCI card in lieu of PIO card	Euro 87
OCI Miscellaneous services	Euro 24
Loss/damage of OCI Card	Euro 87

OCI Miscellaneous Services

Revised Guidelines for Re-issuance of OCI Cards

• An OCI cardholder is required to get OCI card re issued once when new passport is issued after completion of 20 years of age. For this purpose, the OCI cardholder should submit an application under OCI miscellaneous services with Fee.

• An OCI cardholder may upload a copy of the new passport containing the photo of the passport holder and the latest photo on the online portal each time a new passport is issued up to 20 years of age and once after completing 50 years of age. These documents may be uploaded by the OCI cardholder within 3 months of receipt of the new passport. This service is provided gratis.

• In the case of those who have been registered as OCI cardholder as spouse of foreign origin of a citizen of India or an OCI card holder, the OCI card holder is required 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 services each time a new passport is issued. In such cases, the OCI cardholder and his/her Indian spouse or OCI cardholder spouse are required to give a declaration that their marriage is still subsisting. Copy of the Indian passport of the Indian spouse / passport and OCI card of the OCI cardholder spouse are required to be also uploaded in such cases. These documents may be uploaded by the OCI cardholder foreigner spouse within 3 months of receipt of his/her new passport. This service is provided gratis.

• Immediately on uploading the required documents, an email will be automatically sent to the OCI cardholder confirming that the documents have been successfully uploaded. Subsequently, upon clearance from the concerned Indian authority, an acknowledgement through email will be sent automatically to the OCI cardholder informing that the updated details have been taken on record.

• There will be no restriction on the OCI cardholder to travel to/from India during the period from the date of issue of new passport till the date of final acknowledgement of his/her documents in the online system.

• In case of change of nationality of the OCI cardholder, the same procedure as outlined above shall be followed provided the new nationality is not that of Pakistan and Bangladesh.

OCI Misc services can also be availed by OCI cardholders for the following reasons:

• Change of personal particulars. (In case of change of nationality, he/she can be permitted to enter/exit on the strength of the OCI Card and valid passport of the new nationality provided the new nationality is not of that of Pakistan or Bangladesh)

• Loss/damage of OCI card

• Filling of wrong personal particulars while submitting online application

• Change of address/occupation of the OCI cardholder

Procedure :

Applicants should log on to https://ociservices.gov.in

Applications under OCI Miscellaneous services should be submitted along with documents, photograph [not less than 51x51 mm with 80% coverage of face, light colour background (not white), without border, front view, minimum dimensions are 200 x 200 pixels and maximum dimensions are 900 pixels x 900 pixels] and signature [in case of minors who cannot sign, left hand thumb impression is required]. Photograph and signature must be in JPEG/JPG format with max size 200 KB. The original of the supporting documents are required to be submitted to the Embassy for verification. No hard copy of the application need be submitted.

Documents to be uploaded :

In case of re-issuance of OCI Card on acquiring new passport (No FEE for ages up to 20 years and after 50 years):

Copy each of (i) OCI Card, (ii) new foreign passport, and (iii) old foreign passport.

In case of re-issuance of OCI card after attaining the age of 20 years (with FEE)

Copy each of (i) OCI card, and (b) newly issued foreign passport.

In case of re-issuance of OCI Card for foreign origin spouse on acquiring new passport (No FEE)

Copy each of OCI Card, old passport and new passport of applicant.

Copy of Indian spouse’s current passport and OCI card and declaration by both the applicant and the Indian or Indian origin spouse that the marriage is still subsisting.

In case of change of personal particulars

Proof for each requested service like change of name, change of address and occupation. In case of change of address/occupation, new OCI document will not be issued. Upon submission of online application, the data will be captured and new address/occupation will be printed which may be kept in the OCI booklet for record purpose. This service is provided gratis.

In case of theft/loss of OCI Card

(i) Copy of the complaint lodged with police authorities. If the report is in foreign language, authorized translation is required.

(ii) Copy of lost OCI card.

In case of loss/damage of OCI document, applicant would be called to the Embassy for personal interview.

The grant or otherwise of the service(s) sought will ordinarily be decided in one month from the date of acknowledgement of the application on the online system. Fee will not be refunded if the requisite service(s) is/are not granted. The new OCI card will be issued only after cancellation of the old OCI card.

Verification of supporting documents :

Originals of the supporting documents are required to be submitted for verification at the time of interview.

After verification of the documents and after the application is found to be in order, the application will be automatically acknowledged on the online system.

 Simultaneously, an auto email will be sent to the applicant informing “Application received and is under process”.