Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI)

Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) who have migrated from India and acquired citizenship of a foreign country, other than Pakistan and Bangladesh are eligible for grant of Overseas Citizenship of India.
OCI Card is a multiple entry life-long visa which enables the holder to have unlimited travel and stay in India.

Benefits of applying for an OCI card are:

• Multiple entries, with multi-purpose life-long Visa being offered to visit India.
• Exception from having to report to Police authorities for any length of stay in India.
• Equality with NRIs in all spheres of financial, economic and educational fields barring the purchase of agricultural or plantation properties

Important Note: All immigration authorities in India will not insist on production of the foreign passport containing the 'U' Visa Sticker in the case of OCI Cardholders while they enter / exit India and the immigration clearance will be granted based on production of the 'OCI CARD ONLY'.

Procedure:

• The applicant shall submit the application form online and upload the recent photograph as per the correct specification, signature and PDF copy eligibility Documents -- proof of Indian Origin Documents. Birth Certificate, Surrender Certificate of Indian Passport, Marriage Certificate or any other proof of Indian Origin(if in case your application requires a Notary Affidavit please attach the original and photocopies with the application as it is retained by the High Commission) at the OCI registration website-https://ociservices.gov.in/
• After the successful registration of OCI application and uploading the pdf copy of Eligibility documents the applicants are required to submit the
  -   physical copy of duly signed application form
  -   2 photographs and the original Documents and photocopies.
  -   Applicants are required to provide/submit the same documents in original, which are uploaded on the online module after online registration
  -   Check List (www.hcizambia.gov.in - Consular Services/OCI/Check List)
• the original documents have been verified by the High Commission of India, Lusaka the original documents will be returned to the applicants.
• If there is any deficiency in the application/uploaded documents/photograph, found in the documents the Indian Mission concerned will inform notify the applicants.
• No applications will be accepted if the online registration is not completed and Supporting documents/Photographs are not uploaded successfully as per the guidelines.

OCI Miscellaneous Services: have been made available on the Ministry's website and can be availed for re-issuance/issuance of duplicate OCI Registration Certificate and Visa in the following category of cases:

• In case of issuance of new passport.
• In case of change of personal particulars viz. name, father's name, date of birth, nationality etc.
• In case of loss/damage of OCI registration certificate/visa.
• In case of change of address/occupation.
• Conversion of PIO card to OCI card.

Procedure:    These services can be availed by applying online and submitting hard copy of the application along with the requisite fee and enclosures as mentioned in the application to the High Commission. However, in case of change of address/occupation, hard copy of the application need not be submitted. Documents to be enclosed along with the application:

(a) Copy of OCI registration certificate and visa.

(b) In case of issuance of a new passport, copy of U-visa pasted on the old passport along with copy of registration certificate has to be enclosed. If the old passport is not returned by the concerned authorities while issuing new passport and copy of the U-visa had not been taken prior to the surrender of old passport, they may not be enclosed. Please also enclose copy of the new passport.

(c) In case of loss of OCI Registration Certificate and/or Visa, copy of the complaint lodged with Police authorities and copy of visa and registration certificate to be enclosed.

(d) In case of change of personal particulars e.g. wrong filling of particulars by the applicant, copy of the document (s) relevant for affecting the requisite changes viz. Nationality Certificate in case of change of nationality etc. to be enclosed.