Guidelines for Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) Application

  

Consulate of India - San Francisco will accept OCI applications ONLY BY MAIL.

 

The OCI booklets will be sent from India and we expect to receive them in about 80 Days from the time of applications, complete in all aspects.

 

Jurisdiction of the Consulate General of India, San Francisco are: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. To apply at this Consulate Office, you must reside in one of the above States.  If your State is not mentioned, please click here.       

 

 

STEPS TO APPLY FOR OCI 

 

 

            (a)       You must register and complete the form (Part-A) ONLINE (link mentioned at the end of these instructions).

 

(b)       When you have completed filling in Part A, click Save. A Print Window would appear. Click OK to print out your application form consisting of Part-A (which you completed as Online Registration). The blank form of Part-B will automatically print itself.  
 

(c)       You must then complete Part-B, preferably TYPED.  It may also be handwritten but in CAPITAL LETTERS with Blue or Black Ink. 

 

(d)       The completed application form (Part-A & Part-B) must be submitted in DUPLICATE for each applicant to the Consulate.

 

(e)       You must also submit TOTAL THREE (3) PASSPORT SIZE PHOTOGRAPHS IN COLOR FOR EACH APPLICANT with LIGHT  BACKGROUND. THE PHOTOGRAPH MUST SHOW FULL FRONT VIEW OF THE PERSON’S HEAD AND SHOULDERS. Each photograph should be of (SIZE 2" inches X 2" inches) Out of the Three One ORIGINAL photograph must be pasted to each copy of your application. (DO NOT STAPLE the photograph)

 

 

PLEASE SEE THE REQUIREMENT ABOUT THE SPECIMEN PHOTOGRAPH AND SIGNATURE AS SHOWN IN THE ILLUSTRATION BELOW SINCE MANY APPLICATIONS HAVE BEEN REJECTED BECAUSE THE FORMAT IS NOT BEING FOLLOWED: 

 

               

 

Applicants should follow these guidelines before pasting the photographs to the form:

1. Face should be in the center.

2. Face area should not be big or small as compared to the photo.

3. Top of the head should not be cut.

4. The face should not be too bright – should not have too much light falling on the face.

5. There should not be too much color on the face.

6. Clarity of the image should be there.

7. If wearing glasses or spectacles, glare/ light should not be falling on the glasses.

8. Facial features should be clearly visible.

9. No shadow should be falling on the face.

10. No shadow should be falling at the background.

11. Do not wear any white/ light colored shirt as it blends with light background.

12. Light should not be reflecting on the hair.

 

Please check the following link for more specimen pictures and specifications:

http://ociindia.nic.in/ociindia/ICAO-Photo.pdf

 

 

NOTE: HOME PRINTED / DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHS ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE.

 

(f)       At the end of Part-B, a list of Documents that may be required at the time you submit your OCI application form.

Please ensure that copy of your passport [USA & INDIA (first page only) is self- attested.

Self attestation means- signing the photocopy of the required documents stating as "true copy of the original".

Only the first two and the last two pages of the Passports should be photocopied.

Please DO NOT PHOTOCOPY EMPTY PAGES OF THE PASSPORT

Note: For children born in USA, please attach a copy of the birth certificate as a proof of relationship with the child. This should be attested by either of the parent. ALL DOCUMENTS SHOULD BE SUBMITTED IN DUPLICATE. MAKE INDIVIDUAL SETS FOR EACH APPLICANT.  

(g)      The signature of the applicant should be WITHIN AND IN THE CENTER of the Signature box of Part A of the OCI Application form. For children who cannot sign or write their name, left hand THUMB IMPRESSION must be put within the signature box. Make sure it is DARK PRINT. Parents should not sign for children in the signature box.

 

(h)      Application fee for OCI is US $275(per applicant) + A SELF ADDRESSED STAMPED USPS EXPRESS MAIL ENVELOPE SHOULD BE SENT FOR RETURNING CARDS LATER.

For PIO Card Holders, the fee for OCI is US $25(per applicant) + A SELF ADDRESSED STAMPED USPS EXPRESS MAIL ENVELOPE SHOULD BE SENT FOR RETURNING CARDS LATER.

One SELF ADDRESSED STAMPED USPS EXPRESS MAIL ENVELOPE is applicable for the entire family.

Fee will ONLY be accepted through MONEY ORDERS & CERTIFIED/CASHIERS CHECKS in favor of Consulate General of India, San Francisco.
CASH and Personal Checks WILL NOT be accepted.

 

(i)       You can mail your application and all required enclosures to:

OCI Cell
Consulate General of India
540 Arguello Blvd.
San Francisco, CA 94118. 
 

NOTE FOR PIO CARD HOLDERS:  

(i) You are required to surrender your PIO Card, only if OCI has been granted to you.

PLEASE NOTE: You are not required to surrender your PIO at the time of  submission of OCI application. Once OCI is received from India, you will be asked to mail in your PIO card and US passport. The U- visa sticker will be pasted on it and OCI and the passport will be mailed to you using the mailing back fee that is required to be submitted along with the application form etc.

(ii) You MUST SUBMIT a notarized copy of your PIO Card WITH your OCI application. Copy of your old Indian passport (first page) is also required. 

 

Important:

• Save a copy of the OCI Applications for your records.
• Do not email/call regarding receipt of application at the Consulate.
• Do not pay personal visits regarding queries/status of OCI Application at the Consulate.

 

If further clarification of the guidelines is required please e-mail us at oci@cgisf.org

   

 

You may also like to visit http://www.mha.nic.in/oci/oci-main.htm (Ministry of Home Affairs website)

 

If you are ready to apply for OCI, please click “Online Registration” 

 

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