OCI Documents Requirements for your OCI Application – OCI Help

The OCI card provides the bearer with the right of multiple entry and a life-long visa to India however the OCI application process has strict OCI documents that are required with an online OCI application form to be completed. But the Online application process has proven tricky with a large amount of declined applications.

Reload Internet has provided an online guide below on the OCI Application documents required as each individual circumstance will require different documents, example, whether you are applying for a Fresh OCI application, transferring from a PIO to OCI or even transferring an OCI visa to a new passport.

 

Documents Required for a New OCI Application

This list is for Applicants applying for a fresh OCI Application and have never previously applied for an OCI card.

Your parents should be of Indian origin OR your parents are of Indian origin, applying for their son or daughters first OCI card.

Please also ensure if you select this case that you have never applied for a PIO (Person of Indian Origin Card) previously.

Please note: Some items are optional and depend on your specific circumstances. At our Reload OCI Help Service, we provide a personalised document list for our Paddington clients tailored to their exact situation.

1. Current Valid Passport: A high-quality copy of the information page.

2. Naturalisation Certificate: Required if you have acquired British Citizenship (or the equivalent for other nationalities).

3. Registration Certificate: Required if you have changed to a European or other non-British citizenship.

4. Indian Passport Surrender Certificate: Required if you previously held an Indian passport and have since surrendered it.

5. Proof of Indian Origin: (e.g., A full UK/Foreign Birth Certificate showing parents’ names, or parents’ Indian passports).

6. Family OCI Copies: A copy of the OCI card of any family member who already holds one (if applicable).

7. Address Details: Proof of your current residence in the UK and your native address/contact address in India.

8. Aadhaar Card: Provide the number only if you possess one (Optional).

9. Applicant’s Signature: A clean digital or physical copy (Required if the applicant is not present during the service).

10. Spouse Details: A copy of your spouse’s passport and your Marriage Certificate (if applicable).

11. Employment Letter: A recent letter from your employer (if currently employed).

12. Professional Photos: Two 2″ x 2″ (51mm x 51mm) Indian-standard photos.

    • Note: If you visit us in-store, we will take these for you to ensure they meet the strict VFS/High Commission standards.

 

Need help to obtaining your OCI Visa?

Visit us in Paddington, London & our team will be on hand to take care of the entire OCI application process for you.

Whatever your circumstances – our team will complete the right OCI application forms for you (of your Family) whether you are applying for your OCI on the basis of your Parents / Grand Parents / Spouse Indian Heritage or your previous Indian Passport / PIO to OCI – we have you covered.

Book an appointment for our complete OCI Help Service in London

Step 1: MAKE A BOOKING below to visit us in our office in Paddington office at a time that suits you.

Step 2: After you have made a booking to visit us, we will send you an exact OCI document list based on your requirements.

Step 3: At your appointment with us, we will complete all the OCI applications for you, including taking photos & scanning and uploading your documents to the VFS portal.

Step 4: Once we have completed the OCII application for you, we will book your OCI appointment at a VFS center next to you and you will receive your OCI Visa in 4 – 6 weeks after that. Nothing could be simpler, and if you face any issues at all, we will always be at hand to assist you. Our guarantee will ensure that you do not have to pay anything extra to us no matter what.

 

OCI COST and OCI Card Fee at VFS in the UK

The total cost to get an OCI card in the UK is £201.44.

The OCI application fee is £194

The OCI application VFS Service fee is £7.44.

You can pay the OCI fees using Cash, Debit Card or via Postal Order or Bank Draft payable to “VF Services UK Ltd.”

Source: https://www.vfsglobal.com/india/uk/OCI.html

 

Transfer OCI to New passport cost

The price at VFS for the transfer of your OCI Visa/Card to a new passport (example lost your old passport or it has expired it will cost the following:

£21.00 (£18+£3) for changing any details in the card

If you have lost or damaged your OCI and you are also looking for a replacement then the cost will be £73.00 (£70+£3)

PIO to OCI Cost

The cost of a transfer of your PIO to OCI is broadly in line with a Fresh OCI application. It costs £194.00 (£191+£3)

Lost PIO Card cost

£66.00(£63+£3)

Mode of payment to VFS could be Online (if made an application online) Cash, Debit Card (we do not accept credit card), Postal Order or Bank Draft payable to “VF Services UK Ltd

Lost your Indian Passport and require a Surrender Certificate

If you have lost your indian passport and require a surrender certificate please follow this link: surrender certificate lost passport

Documents required for an OCI application for a Minor / Child

As well as above OCI Documents in Application 1, you will require the following documents:
1. Birth certificate (In case you are applying for a Minor Applicant)
2. Parents Indian origin proof. Ex: Indian Passport copy/OCI Copy/passport surrender certificate (In case of Minor Applicants).
3. Thumb impression (In case of Minor Applicants).
4. A Current Valid passport for your child

OCI documents required for transfer of your OLD passport OCI to your NEW passport (Passport expiring or Renewal of Passport)

These OCI documents are required for the applicants who are transferring the valid OCI (Overseas Citizen of India Card) from old passport to their newly issued passport.

OCI DOCUMENTS that are required for your OCI Application

1. Current valid passport copy
2. Naturalisation or registration certificate of a British certificate copy
3. Copy of OCI card.
4. Copy of signature (If applicant is not present at the time of application)
5. Thumb impression (In case of Minor Applicants).
6. Photograph of applicant (If applicant is not present at the time of application).

OCI documents required for Transferring PIO to OCI

The reason this can happen is because the PIO VISA will not be accepted in the Indian Embassy, so it is a requirement to transfer your PIO to your OCI. As stated above this list is only for the applicants who are transferring the valid PIO (Person of Indian Origin Card) to OCI (Overseas Citizen of India Card).

OCI Documents that you will require for your OCI Application

1. Current valid passport copy
2. Naturalisation certificate copy
3. Copy of PIO (Person of Indian Origin Card)
4. Copy of signature (If applicant is not present at the time of application)
5. Photograph of applicant (If applicant is not present at the time of application)
6. Spouse OCI card copy (Optional)
7. Adhaar card number (Optional)
8. Address of native place (Optional).

Does an OCI visa last for life / forever?

While your OCI Visa will last a lifetime there are some record upkeeps you will have to do. (Take OCI lasting for a lifetime with some caution – India and its bureaucratic process is a constantly changing beast that can change with Governments – Think PIO Visa – again meant to last forever, now defunct).

To keep your OCI Lifetime records in order, the OCI registration Certificate and visa have to be re-issued in some cases and a

Renewal of OCI is required when:

• A new OCI Renewal will be required everytime you renew your passport and your OCI documents will have to be re-issued and payment of appropriate fee is required.
• Once the OCI Holder turns 50 years old you will have to re-issue your OCI under miscellaneous services.
• When you are between the ages of 21 and 50, you will not have to get your documents re-issued. We have been told that if you travel to India you would simply carry your own old PASSPORT with your new passport which will show the OCI number matching with the old passport.
• We would recommend always renewing it as a matter of convenience, however a small appropriate fee will be due for OCI renewal.
• Once you get your NEW OCI, then the requirement to carry your previous passport will not be required as the OCI ‘U’ visa will be stamped on your new passport.

Got your OCI at aged 50? No need to renew OCI after age 50

While your OCI will have to be renewed by those who obtained their OCI visa prior the age of 50 years old, you will not be required to get your first OCI visa if you were already 50 years or above when you first got your OCI.