OCI Cards

Guidance for OCI Cards for UK Citizens
Guidance for PIO / OCI Cards for UK Citizens

What is a PIO card?

  • The Government of India for the convenience of persons of Indian origin has launched the ‘PIO Card’ scheme, aimed at making the journey back to the roots, simpler, easier, flexible and trouble free.
  • The validity of PIO card is 15 years subject to the validity of the passport.
  •  Note: The PIO Card will be valid only when accompanied with a valid passport.
  •  Processing of the application normally takes 07 working days, certain cases may take more time.

 What is an OCI card?

A foreign national, who was eligible to become citizen of India on 26.01.1950 or was a citizen of India on or at any time after 26.01.1950 or belonged to a territory that became part of India after 15.08.1947 and his/her children and grand children, provided his/her country of citizenship allows dual citizenship in some form or other under the local laws, is eligible for registration as an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI). Minor children of such persons are also eligible for OCI. However, if the applicant had ever been a citizen of Pakistan or Bangladesh, he/she will not be eligible for OCI.
For visa questions please email to Darshan Travels – Visa Department
General information
  • (ALL APPLICANTS ARE REQUIRED TO PERSONALLY SUBMIT THEIR PIO APPLICATIONS AT THE COUNTER, ONLY EXCEPTION WILL BE FOR FAMILY MEMBERS APPLYING TOGETHER OR FOR MINORS WHERE PARENTS CAN SUBMIT THE APPLICATION ON THEIR BEHALF. THOSE WHO CANNOT COME PERSONALLY MAY SEND APPLICATION BY POST. SAME REQUIREMENT IS FOR DELIVERY ALSO WHEN THE APPLICANT MUST COME IN PERSON TO COLLECT);
  • You must write legibly;
  • You must sign the form where indicated;

    Any false statement or concealing the facts will lead to the visa being refused or been held for further information required “status”
Given below are answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)for OCI Card:
    1. Do I have to fill all columns when filling up the application online?Yes. It is mandatory that no column is left unanswered.
    2. What are the eligibility criteria for minor applicants to get OCI?One of the parents should be eligible for OCI.
    3. Are laminated documents accepted for submission?No.
    4. Are Birth Certificates issued by one of the African countries wherein the Nationality of parent is mentioned as Indian accepted?Yes, provided it is authenticated by the Indian Mission/Post in that African country on production of sufficient proof in this regard.
    5. Are Foreign Passports issued in African countries, in respect of parents, wherein the place of birth of holder is mentioned as India accepted as a proof of Indian Origin?Yes, if they are authenticated by the Indian Mission/Post in that country.
    6. Are ‘Empire of India’ Passports issued by the British authorities in India prior to Indian Independence accepted as a proof of Indian Origin?No, if they state the National Status of the holder as British subject by birth. Yes, if they state the National Status of the holder as person of British Protectorate, originally a citizen of a place in India.
    7. Are letters issued by the Indian Mission/Post in an African country in respect of parents/grandparents etc. stating that the applicant was once a citizen of India accepted as proof of Indian Origin? Yes.
    8. Can I submit my OCI application through an agent?No. For security reasons, OCI applications are accepted at the Counter from the applicants only and not through third party. Those who cannot come may send applications by post along with self-addressed envelope for sending back documents if required. Passport submitted through agents would be confiscated.
    9. Is there an emergency service for OCI?No. If you are travelling in the near future and have an emergency, please apply for visa.
    10. What is the processing time of application? Around 5-6 weeks . Applicants are required to check the status on MHA website at the following link:http://mha.nic.in/uniquepage.asp? Id_Pk=553. No separate intimation will be sent to the applicant about the status of their application.  Once the status shows “Documents received at London” with date, applicants should take action to collect the documents as per collection procedure.
    11. How long will it take for my OCI card to be ready?We expect the OCI cards to be ready for collection at High Commission of India, London in approximately 5-6weeks. No enquiry would be entertained before 6 weeks from date of submission of application.
    12. I am an OCI holder. What documents should I carry while travelling to India?OCI holders should carry both (a) the Passport bearing ‘LIFE LONG’ Visa Sticker and (b) the OCI booklet. In case this Passport has expired, there is no need to transfer ’LIFE LONG’ Visa to the new Passport, but the new Passport is to be carried along with items (a) & (b). Applicants are welcome to apply for transfer, but it will take the same 5-6 weeks as in the case of fresh applications.
    13. The status of my OCI document in the online status enquiry is ‘Granted’ and but has not been printed even after a week. What is the problem?This means that the photograph uploaded could not be printed in Delhi. To rectify this, please take a copy of the status report and paste a fresh photograph (51x51mm with 80% coverage of face) on the left hand below the status report copy & sign (thumb impression in case of infants) on the right hand side opposite to the photo and submit it at token counter of High Commission or send by post. This will be scanned and uploaded again. This process is likely to take a further period of up to two weeks and the progress can be watched through status enquiry

    1. Facing problems relating to access to online registration for fresh application or transfer through miscellaneous registration. What should I do?Please read all instructions contained in Ministry of Home Affairs Website: (http://mha.nic.in/uniquepage.asp? Id_Pk=553) with special attention to items: BROCHURE, F.A.Q. & F.A.Q.OCI MISCELLANEOUS, etc, therein. If problems persist, please contact Dr. B. N. Shetty by email shettybn@nic.in to sort out problems faced. The High Commission is an end-user like any other applicant and cannot assist in this regard.
    2. Can OCI applications be made in India?Yes. Any applicant wishing to apply in India may see details at Item no.6 at the Ministry of Home Affairs website https://passport.gov.in/oci/OnlineOCIenquiry.jsp
    3. What is the Postal address for OCI applications to be sent by Post to the High Commission?OCI Section, High Commission of India, Aldwych, London, WC2B 4NA, Postal applications may take two weeks to be acknowledged though efforts will be made to process all postal cases within the overall time of 6weeks. No telephone calls to get acknowledgement would be entertained.
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