5

| OCI Home | The Scheme | The Process | FAQ's | Help | Status Enquiry | OCI Miscellaneous Services |

The Process

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3 Important Information on OCI process:

1. PROCESSING TIME:

OCI Application Process takes 45 business days from the time the application is accepted at the consulate.

NOTE:

While applying for OCI with this Consulate, the applicant should ensure that they are in the jurisdiction of the Consulate till the issuance of the OCI CARD. Cards will not be fprwarded beyond this Consulates jurisdiction.



2. SUBMISSION OF US AND INDIAN PASSPORTS IN ORIGINAL:

In order to save dispatch time of US/foreign passport and OCI card, the applicants are requested to mail their passports in original along with OCI application. However, if the applicant is traveling or has any plan to travel while OCI application is in process, i.e. within 45 business days, kindly do not send US/foreign passport in original. Mail your US passport once the file number appears on http://www.cgisf.org/oc/granted_oci.html 

3. INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS:

If any application/information is incomplete, your application will be sent back or you will be contacted by phone or email provided on the application.

4. OCI CARDS:

OCI cards and lifelong visa stickers are printed in Delhi.  As soon as they are received at the Consulate, file numbers of the persons whose documents have been received will be posted on the Consulate’s website and can be accessed at http://www.cgisf.org/oc/granted_oci.html

NOTE:

Reference or online registration number begins with "USASI......" (alphabetical I) and not "USAS1.." (numeric one). OCI File number will begin from "USAS0...." (numeric zero)

5. STATUS OF OCI APPLICATIONS AND OCI CARD:

As the Consulate processes a large number of OCI applications, it will not be possible to provide individual interim Status/Acknowledgement/File number to applicants. Cooperation of applicants is, therefore, solicited to refrain from making interim status enquiries and calls. Enquiries and status calls will be attended to only after 45 business days of acceptance of the application.

 

 

BACK TO TOP

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3 Jurisdiction :

Jurisdiction of the Consulate General of India, San Francisco are: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Guam, 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.

 

BACK TO TOP

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3 Guidance for Completing Online Application :

(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 the application form consisting of Part-A and Part-B will be printed along with.    

(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 TWO SETS for each applicant to the Consulate.

 (e)    Photographs :

  • You must also paste TOTAL TWO (2) PHOTOGRAPHS of 2 inches x 2 inches or 35mm x 35mm IN COLOR FOR EACH APPLICANT on the space provided on the PART A. DO NOT STAPLE the photographs.
  • Sufficiently bright color photo with frontal view of full face against a light background
  • Close-up of head and top of shoulders with the face filling up 70% to 80% of the photo
  • Sharp focus, clear, and of high quality
  • Photograph should be recent and in no case more than six months old

Following kinds of photographs are not accepted

    • Black and white photographs
    • Photographs with colored or dark glasses
    • With dark background or in uniform
    • Polaroid, home-shot or home-scanned, or unduly large/small photographs are not accepted

* As your photograph is scanned and printed on the OCI card and lifelong visa, it should be of a high quality for reproduction and conform to International Civil Aviation Organization specifications

 (f)     At the end of Part-B, a list of Documents that are required is mentioned. These are -

  • Current US/ foreign passport in Original and self attested copy of first and last page of US/ foreign passport
  • Indian passport in Original and self attested copy of first two and last two pages of Indian Passport. In case, the Indian passport is not available, kindly check “WHAT IS REQUIRED” link under OCI.
  • Self Attested copy of the birth certificate for foreign born children as a proof of relationship with the child.
  • PIO card in Original and self- attested copy of PIO card, if applicable.

 

* Self attestation means- signing the photocopy of the required documents stating as "true copy of the original". In case of minors, documents should be attested by either of the parent.

* All documents should be submitted in two individual sets for all the applicants. Each set should comprise of Part A, Part B and supporting documents.

(g)   Signature-    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 a DARK PRINT.
       Parents should not sign for children in the signature box.

Important:

  • Save a copy of the OCI Applications for your records.
  • Do not email/call regarding receipt of application at the Consulate.
  • The entire process of OCI applications is handled via postal mail.  Please, therefore, refrain from making personal appearance for handing over applications; making enquiries/seeking status; or collection of the finished documents.  

If you have understood the instructions properly and are ready to apply for OCI, please click “Online Registration” to continue

 

BACK TO TOP

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3What is required :

  • Two copies of Part A and Part B
  • Current US/ foreign Passport in original
  • Proof of Residence:
    • Driving license or
    • PG&E, Water or landline telephone bill displaying applicant’s address or
    • House Lease Agreement

    Note: Bank/credit card/mobile phone statements are not accepted as residence proof

  • Two self-attested photocopies of the first and last pages of the current US/ foreign passport for determining  present citizenship of applicant (s).
  • Two photocopies of the birth certificate of US/foreign born children. This should be attested by either of the parent.
  • Last  Indian Passport held in original
  • Two self-attested photocopies of the first two and last two pages of the Indian passport.

In the event, the Indian passport is not available, we require the following:

  • Copy of domicile certificate, or any photo ID issued by the Government of India or of a State of India such as: Voter ID, or
  • Copy of Indian Birth Certificate, and
  • Copy of Indian Educational certificates, and
  • Copy of Naturalization certificate issued by the country of current nationality of the applicant, and
  • Affidavit

IMPORTANT

IF YOUR NAME IN YOUR US PASSPORT IS DIFFERENT FROM THE ONE IN THE INDIAN PASSPORT, YOU ARE REQUIRED TO ADVERTISE CHANGE OF NAME IN A NEWSPAPER IN YOUR LOCALITY IN USA, AND IN INDIA. COMPLETE AND NOTARIZE THE CHANGE OF NAME AFFIDAVIT.

What is not valid as proof of Indian Nationality:

  • Indian bank statements; Indian cellphone provider statements; Indian lease agreements; Indian credit card statements, etc
  • A Self Addressed Stamped USPS Express Mail Envelop for Returning Documents.  Please record with you the USPS tracking number for tracking documents when mailed by the Consulate.

Note:

All mail applications submitted to the Consulate for consular services with a non-trackable return mailing envelope will be returned to the applicant without services. Please ensure to send a trackable return mailing envelope (e.g. Fedex, UPS, USPS, etc..) to ensure traceability of documents after dispatch.

 

BACK TO TOP

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3 Fee:

  • Postal money order of $ 275 (two hundred and seventy five only) per applicant
  • It should be payable to “Consulate General of India, San Francisco”
  • One Postal money order for entire amount is sufficient

 

Cash, Personal Cheques, credit cards or any other form of banking instruments are not accepted.

 

BACK TO TOP

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3 Where to apply:

Before mailing, check the following enclosures: (Please enclosed this Checklist on your application)

  • Two copies of Part A and Part B
  • Two - (2" X 2") - size photographs
  • Current US/ foreign Passport in original
  • Proof of Residence:
    • Driving license or
    • PG&E, Water or landline telephone bill displaying applicant’s address or
    • House Lease Agreement

    Note: Bank/credit card/mobile phone statements are not accepted as residence proof

  • Two self-attested photocopies of the first and last pages of the current US/ foreign passport for determining  present citizenship of applicant (s)
  • Two photocopies of the birth certificate of US/foreign born children. This should be attested by either of the parent.
  • Last Indian Passport held in original
  • Two self-attested photocopies of the first two and last two pages of the Indian passport.
  • PIO card in original, if applicable
  • Two self attested copies of PIO card, if applicable
  • Requisite Fee in the form of postal money order
  • A Self Addressed Stamped USPS Express Mail Envelop for Returning Documents.  

Mail the above documents to-
OCI Cell,
Consulate General of India
540 Arguello Boulevard,
San Francisco, CA 94118

NOTE:
Applications for OCI are accepted by mail only.  OCI cards and the passports are despatched also by mail only. We earnestly and humbly request you not to make personal appearance at the Consulate. In case above enclosures are not complete, the application will be return at applicants cost.

BACK TO TOP

 

 

 

 

 

 

3OCI for PIO Card Holder :

  • PIO card holders who are otherwise eligible for registration as OCI should follow the above process and apply similarly as the OCI applicant.
  • In addition to other supporting documents, PIO card holders shall also submit a self attested copy of their PIO card.
  • PIO card holders will be required to surrender their PIO Card once OCI status is accorded.  A PIO card holder cannot hold the PIO and OCI cards at the same time.
  • A PIO card holder applying for OCI status will pay a fee of US$ 145/- (minors) & US$ 25/- (adults) by postal money order.

 

BACK TO TOP

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3 Applying in India or elsewhere :

  • If the applicant is in India, he/she can apply to the Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (FRRO) at Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata or Amritsar or Chief Immigration Officer (CHIO) Chennai or to the Under Secretary, Citizenship Section, Foreigners Division, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Jaisalmer House, 26 Mansingh Road, New Delhi-110011.
  • If the applicant is abroad, he/she should submit the application to the Indian Mission/Post of the country of applicant’s citizenship, or ; where he/she is not in the country of citizenship, to the Indian mission/post of the country in which he/she is ordinarily resident.

 

BACK TO TOP