An Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card is an essential document for individuals of Indian origin living in the USA, as it allows for a lifetime visa for visiting India, eliminating the need for a visa for each trip. The OCI card provides a multiple-entry, multi-purpose lifelong visa for visiting India. An OCI card makes your travel to India easier and provides some economic benefits, while also exempting you from police registration. Therefore, it is essential to apply for an OCI card, as it offers numerous advantages to individuals. However, not everyone is eligible to apply for an OCI card; specific eligibility criteria must be met to obtain one. This guide will tell you about the process of applying for the OCI Application from the USA. Read this blog to the end to learn about the best OCI Service.
How to Apply for OCI from the USA?
To apply for an OCI Card from the USA, follow these steps:
- The first step is to complete the application form for an OCI. Visit the Visament website, which also provides services through the VFS Global center, but Visament helps you to fill out your application form more easily and simply.
- It is essential to verify that all eligibility criteria are met before completing the form, regardless of whether you are eligible for an OCI card or not.
- Collect all the necessary documents after completing your OCI Card Application in the USA. Check all your documents carefully before submitting them with your application, as a single mistake can result in the rejection of your card.
- Pay the required fees after the process is completed. Carry all your documents so they can be checked and verified.
- When your application is approved, it is sent for further processing, and the typical processing time for an OCI card is 6 to 8 weeks. With the help of the reference number, you can check the status of your OCI Card application in the US.
- You can visit the Visament website after checking your OCI Application to get the printout of your form.
- The last step is that after your OCI card gets approved, you will receive your Card at your address.
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Importance of applying for an OCI Card in the USA
The Government of India has issued the Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) Card, which provides numerous benefits to foreign nationals of Indian origin.
Being an OCI Cardholder, you can:
- It allows you to enter India freely with a lifelong multiple-entry visa.
- You can freely stay in India without the need for a Visa.
- You can take property, study, work, or business in India without any problems.
- It also helps you to skip long immigration lines at airports.
- You can easily travel to India without any restrictions on the duration of stay.
- It also helps you avoid police registration by evading the police authorities.
Eligibility Criteria for an OCI Card in the USA
The eligibility criteria for an OCI Card are essential because they ensure that those who are eligible to receive the benefits and privileges associated with the card. The individuals who meet all the criteria are crucial for making their travel easy and simple, and they gain access to other benefits, such as in educational and economic fields.
The eligibility criteria are:
- You are eligible if you were a citizen of India before or after the Constitution came into effect.
- If you were a citizen of India after August 15, 1947, then you are eligible for an OCI card.
- If you are the spouse of an OCI Cardholder and have been married for at least two years, you are also eligible.
- If your parents or great-grandparents are not citizens of Bangladesh or Pakistan, but were part of the Indian Population, you are also eligible.
- You are eligible if you are a minor child of an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) Cardholder.
- If you once held an Indian passport but later obtained foreign citizenship, you are also eligible.
Required OCI Documents for the USA
It is essential to have all the necessary documents with you when submitting your OCI card application and ensure that all your documents contain accurate and complete information, as any false information can lead to rejection. So, to avoid rejection, check all your documents twice.
The required Documents are:
- Your Valid passport photocopy
- Two passport-sized photographs
- Document that proves that you are of Indian Origin.
- Birth Certificate
- If you are applying based on your parents’ sponsorship, you are required to carry a photocopy of their passports.
- A copy of the Surrender Certificate of the Indian passport will also be required.
- The parents or one parent should provide a photocopy of the passport in the case of a minor.
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To Sum Up
In this guide, we will learn about the application process, eligibility criteria, and the documents required for an OCI card. Many people find it challenging to complete the application form. But don’t worry, Visament is there to help you. Visament and their team of experts will help you fill out your application and provide assistance with other services. Their team of experts is available 24*7 to help their users with their problems. They provide you with an easy and best solution to your question regarding your application or about the documents. They make your trip hassle-free and stress-free. Connect with Visament to make your work easier and help you understand the problems related to the OCI service or any other service.
