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OCI Scheme
has been launched formally by
the Hon’ble Prime Minister of
India during “PBD 2006”
celebrations at Hyderabad.
Accordingly, Consulate General
of India at Chicago started
accepting applications for the
OCI Scheme. The applications,
complete in all respects, should
be mailed to:
OCI Cell, 455 North Cityfront
Plaza Drive, NBC Tower Bulding,
Suite # 850, Chicago IL 6061.
Kindly ensure that your
application(s) should be
complete in all respects and
arranged in the order as
detailed in instructions below.
Application(s) not arranged in
prescribed order or incomplete
in any way will be mailed back.
Consulate does not bear any kind
of responsibility for loss of
documents during transit in
mail.
A.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE SCHEME
The Constitution of India
does not allow holding Indian
citizenship and citizenship of a
foreign country simultaneously.
Based on the recommendation of
the High Level committee on
Indian Diaspora, the Government
of India decided to grant
Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI)
commonly known as ‘Dual
Citizenship’. Persons of
Indian Origin (PIOs) of certain
category as has been specified
in the Brochure who migrated
from India and acquired
citizenship of a foreign country
other than Pakistan and
Bangladesh, are eligible for
grant of OCI as long as their
home countries allow dual
citizenship in some form or the
other under their local laws.
2.
Persons registered as OCI have
not been given any voting
rights, election to Lok Sabha/Rajya
Sabha/Legislative
Assembly/Council, holding
Constitutional posts such as
President, Vice President, Judge
of Supreme Court/High Court etc.
Registered OCIs shall be
entitled to following benefits:
(i) Multiple
entry, multi-purpose life long
visa to visit India;
(ii) Exemption
from reporting to Police
authorities for any length of
stay in India; and
(iii)
Parity with NRIs in
financial, economic and
educational fields, except in
the acquisition of
agricultural or plantation
properties.
(iv) Any further
benefits to OCIs, as and when
granted, will be notified by
the Ministry of Overseas Indian
Affairs (MOIA) under section
7B(1) of the Citizenship Act,
1955.
(v)
A person registered as OCI is
eligible to apply for grant of
Indian citizenship under section
5(1)(g) of the Citizenship Act,
1955 if he/she is registered as
OCI for five years and has been
residing in India for one year
out of the five years before
making the application.
B.
IMPLEMENTATION
The Scheme has been
implemented by CGI Chicago,
alongwith Indian Embassy at
Washington and other Indian
Posts in USA, w.e.f. 9th
January, 2006, coinciding the
handing-over of first OCI
documents by Hon’ble Prime
Minister of India in “PBD 2006”
at Hyderabad. Applicants
residing within the jurisdiction
of this Post i.e. in either of
the States of Illinois, Indiana,
Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, North
Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin
and Missouri may forward their
applications to: OCI Cell,
Consulate General of India, 455
North City Front Plaza Drive,
Suite # 850, Chicago, Illinois
– 60611.
2. OCI application
consists of two parts i.e. ‘A’
& ‘B’. It is advisable to fill
part A on line to ensure
accuracy and completeness in
submission of important personal
particulars. Such a step not
only help transmit personal
particulars directly to the OCI
Cell in New Delhi but also
ensures early commencement of
the procedure of processing the
request.
C.
INSTRUCTION FOR COMPLETETION OF
APPLICATION ON LINE:
Step 1:
Fill Part ‘A’ on line (Note:
“Online Registration”
link is provided below at the
end of instructions.)
Step 2:
As soon as the link
“Online Registration”
is
activated/clicked, Part ‘A’ of
application appears on screen.
It provides two options
(indicated by radio buttons in
the first row) (i) individual
applicant, and (ii) family
group. Option (i) if selected,
will permit only one applicant
to fill details. Option (ii)
permits a family of 4 (spouses
and two minor children) to
fill-in part A in one go. If a
family consists of more than 2
minor children, application for
third minor child be filled-in
as an individual by selecting
option (i). In cases where
child/children is/are not minor,
independent application in r/o
of each such child need to be
filled-in. Family Group option
should be opted if only one of
the parents is applying
alongwith one/two minor
children. In this situation
individual applications should
be filled.
Step 3:
On completion of Part A,
it needs to be submitted. This
option is available at the end
of Part A.
Caution:
before selecting the option
“submit” please recheck the
information furnished for
accuracy and completeness
because information once
submitted cannot be retrieved
for addition/deletion. If
everything is OK, only then
click “submit”.
Step 4:
As soon as “submit” command is
executed, a dialogue box appears
on the screen. This is to get a
print out of information
furnished in Part A. Click on
‘Print’. The computer will
generate a complete print out
of Part A as well as a
blank Part B.
BEFORE PROCEEDING FURTHER
PLEASE CHECK ONCE AGAIN THE
DETAILS PRINTED IN PART ‘A’. IN
CASE THERE IS SOME ERROR PLEASE
RE-REGISTER ON-LINE WITH CORRECT
DETAILS. IN CASE OF
RE-REGISTRATION (BECAUSE OF AN
ERROR IN THE FIRST
REGISTRATION), DISCARD THE
FIRST PRINT OUT. TAKE A PRINT
OUT OF CORRECT VERSION.
NOTE:
THE INFORMATION FURNISHED BY THE
APPLICANT IN PART ‘A’ CANNOT BE
MANIPULATED EITHER AT THE TIME
OF PROCESSING IN THE CONSULATE
OR AT THE TIME OF PRINTING OF
OCI DOCUMENT AND ‘U’ VISA
STICKER. CONSULATE GENERAL OF
INDIA WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE
FOR ERRORS IN THE DOCUMENT/VISA
STICKER DUE TO FURNISHING OF
WRONG INFORMATION BY THE
APPLICANT IN PART ‘A’. THUS
REQUEST FOR ISSUE OF FRESH
DOCUMENT/VISA STICKER WILL BE
ENTERTAINED ONLY AGAINST
RESUBMISSION OF APPLICATION ON
LINE AND SENDING A HARD COPY,
COMPLETE IN ALL RESPECTS,
ALONGWITH A FEE OF $ 25/- IN
EACH CASE (BY WAY OF CC/MO/PO IN
FAVOUR OF THE CONSULATE) PLUS
MAILING CHARGES AND ALLOWING
PROCESSING TIME.
Step 5:
The main applicant(s) may then
fill Part B in capital letters
in black ink only. Irrespective
of number of applicants in Part
A, Part B will be a single form
which needs to be signed by the
main applicant i.e. if Part A
contains particulars of an
individual, he/she should sign
at the end of Part B. If Part A
contains particulars of spouses,
both should sign at the end of
Part B. Minor children need not
sign at the end of Part B. In
case of independent application
for a minor, parents may not
sign at site indicated for
signature of the applicant.
Here the applicant should sign
or put thumb impression (left
thumb for male and right thumb
for female)
Note:
Do not forget to indicate the
date
and mode of
acquisition
of foreign citizenship under
column 19 in Part B.
D.
ORDER IN WHICH APPLICATION(S)
MUST BE ARRANGED:
If applying as a family
group please ensure that PART
‘A’ of each applicant should be
put together followed by only
one PART ‘B’. Thereafter the
supporting documents should be
arranged in the same order as
Part A of each applicant.
Prepare two sets of application
in this order. Example:
i.
Applications under Family Group
1.
Part A + A + A + A.
2.
Part B – only one, irrespective
of number of applicants under
Family Group
(pl do not include the pages
containing instructions after
Part B)
3.
Proof of present nationality
(copy of first two and last two
pages of US/foreign passport)
4.
Copy of birth certificate –
applicable only if born abroad
5.
Proof of previous nationality
(copy of first three and last
two pages of last Indian
passport held) or any other
documentary evidence like a
notarized copy of school
certificate, land ownership
certificate by which
eligibility may be reasonably
ascertained or a duly notarised
affidavit to that effect.
Or
If
parents/grand parents origin is
being claimed as basis for grant
of OCI, enclose the following
documents:
Ř
Evidence of relationship with
the applicant as parent/grand
parent;
Ř
Copy of their Indian passport,
or
Ř
Copy of their domicile
certificate issue by the
competent authority; or
Ř
Any
other documentary evidence like
a notarized copy of school
certificate, land ownership
certificate by which
eligibility may be reasonably
ascertained.
2. The additional
photographs (3 Nos) should be
stappled on Part A of
respective applicant
on
first set of application only.
Pl do not place the additional
photographs in any kind of
envelope or folder.
3. Fee of all the applicants
to be put with Part A of the
first/main applicant only and
not with the Part A of
respective applicant.
Note:
In case of minor applying with
their parents under “Family
Group”, copies of parents’
Indian passports need not be
again enclosed with the
documents of these children.
ii. Applications as
Indvidual
-
Part A.
-
Part B – only one
(pl do not include the pages
containing instructions
after Part B)
-
Proof of present nationality
(copy of first two and last
two pages of US/foreign
passport)
-
Copy of birth certificate –
applicable only if born
abroad
-
Proof of previous
nationality (copy of first
three and last three pages
of last Indian passport
held) or any other
documentary evidence like a
notarized copy of
educational certificate
issued by an institution in
India and land ownership
certificate by which
eligibility may be
reasonably ascertained or a
duly notarised affidavit to
that effect.
OR
If parents’/grand
parents’ origin is being claimed
as basis for grant of OCI,
enclose the following documents:
Ř
Evidence of relationship with
the applicant as parent/grand
parent;
Ř
Copy of their Indian passport,
or
Ř
Copy of their domicile
certificate issue by the
competent authority;
or
Ř
Any other documentary evidence
like a notarized copy of school
certificate, land ownership
certificate by which
eligibility may be reasonably
ascertained.
NOTE:
Applications not arranged in
above manner and order
will be returned unprocessed to
applicant(s). Consulate will
not be responsible for any kind
loss of documents during transit
mail.
OCI
related telephonic queries are
handled only between 11.30 am
to 12.30 pm
E.
FEE
AND MODE OF PAYMENTt:
(i)
Fee:
a. IN
CASE APPLICANT(S) IS/ARE HOLDING
PIO CARD(S)
(i) US citizens :
$25.00 + mailing fee
(ii) Non-US citizens :
$45.00 + mailing fee
(Referral fee of $20.00 is for
seeking addl
information from Indian
Mission/Post in the country of
applicant’s
citizenship).
b.
APPLICANT(S) NOT HOLDING PIO
CARD(S)
(i) US citizens :
$275.00 + mailing fee
(ii) Non-US citizens :
$295.00 + mailing fee (Referral
fee of $20.00 is for seeking
addl
information from Indian
Mission/Post in the country of
applicant’s
citizenship).
(ii)
Mailing Fee
:
(
i ) Individual applicant : US
$ 20 /- ( Dollars Twenty )
( ii )
Family Group : $ 20 /- for
first applicant plus $
1/- for each additional
applicant i.e. for a
family of 3 persons : $ 22.00
( $ 20+$1+$1 ); for a family
of 4 persons : $ 23.00 ( $
20+$1+$1+$1 )
NOTE:
Applications received without
mailing fee will not be
processed and the same will be
sent back at applicant(s) risk
without any responsibility of
loss in mail.
(iii)
Mode of Payment:
Cashier Check or Money
Order or Postal Order
drawn in favour of
Consulate General of India,
Chicago.
PERSONAL CHECKS ARE NOT
ACCEPTABLE.
Application fee plus mailing fee
can be paid together through one
CC/MO/PO by an individual
applicant or family
group.
Do not club together the fee of
applicant(s) not covered under
Family Group
F.
Photographs:
A total of five
photographs, 3.5 cms X 3.5 cms
each, are required for each
application. One each to be
pasted
(not
stappled) on
application forms (original and
duplicate) and remaining three
to be attached as additional
photographs. Please ensure to
attach these additional
photographs with the first copy
of respective application(s) and
not in a bunch with the
application of first applicant
when applying as a group of
family. The specimen and
specifications are given below:
o
Photograph should measure 3.5 cm
X 3.5 cm without border
o
Full frontal view with all
facial features clearly visible.
o
Face should be in the center of
the photograph
o
Face area should not be big or
small as compared to the photo.
o
Top of the head should not be
too close to the upper border.
o
Face should neither be too
bright nor too dark
o
If wearing spectacles –
reflection of light from the
glasses should not be visible.
o
Facial features should be
clearly visible.
o
No visible shadow on the face
or background.
o
Do not wear white/ light colored
shirt as it blends with light
background.
o
Light reflection from hair
should not be visible.
NOTE: HOME PRINTED DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHS OR PHOTOGRAPHS WITH DARK
BACKGROUND, UNDERSIZE/OVERSIZE
PHOTOGRAPHS & PHOTOGRAPHS
SHOWING SIDEVIEW ARE NOT
ACCEPTABLE. APPLICATIONS
CONTAINING SUCH PHOTOGRAPHS WILL
BE SENT BACK AT APPLICANT’S COST.
ALL PHOTOGRAPHS SHOULD BE
SIMILAR AND WITH FRONT VIEW.
G.
Acknowledgement of Applications
As soon as the application is
processed, a file number is
assigned to each application.
Applicants are requested to
kindly keep checking the status
of their applications with their
web registration number starting
with USACIxxxxx. File number of
application(s) will appear in
the box above the box containing
registration number of the
applicant. No individual
acknowledgements are mailed
out. On line status check link
is provided at sl.no.7 of the
contents box at the top of this
page. Depending upon number of
applications received, the
processing time may vary between
10 week to 14 weeks. Applications
returned to applicant(s) on
previous occasion(s) due to any
reason will again have to wait
for the processing period
indicated in the above.
H. On-line
Status Enquiry
Applicant(s) can check the
status of application(s) by
posting the File Number
(contained in the
acknowledgement slip) in the
space provided at designated
site.
For On Line Status Enquiry
CLICK HERE..
Please
Click Here
to check if
your OCI document(s) has/have
been received in the Consulate
at: 455 N Cityfront Plaza Drive,
NBC Tower Bldg, Suite # 850,
Chicago 60611. If the status
page indicates a date of receipt
of OCI document in the Consulate
then
only you may make
arrangements to collect the same
in either of the following
modes:
(a) In person:
The documents can be collected
in person from the Consulate
(455 N Cityfront Plaza Drive,
NBC Tower Bldg, Suite # 850,
Chicago 60611) by the applicant
(or through a duly authorized
representative) on any working
day
strictly between 11.30am. to
12.30 pm.
Please ensure to bring the
following:
(i)
A print out of the status
page (indicating the date of
arrival of OCI document in the
Consulate) or copy of
acknowledgement.
(ii)
Applicant’s US/foreign
passport indicated in his/her
application.
(iii)
Indian Passport and/or PIO
card if still valid. After
cancellation the Indian Passport
and/or PIO card is returned to
the applicant.
(b) Via mail:
Those who have paid the mailing
charges with their application,
can collect OCI documents via
mail. For doing so please
forward the following documents
to the Consulate at : 455
N Cityfront Plaza Drive, NBC
Tower Bldg, Suite # 850,
Chicago 60611 clearly indicating
on the envelope “COLLECTION
OF OCI DOCUMENTS” :
·
US/foreign passport, the details
of which were furnished in the
application;
·
Print out of the Status Page
from on-line status enquiry
(indicating the date of receipt
of OCI document in the Consulate
·
Indian passport/PIO Card – if
still valid. After cancellation
these are handed back to
applicant.
CAUTION:
It is
obligatory to get the
valid Indian Passport and/or PIO
card cancelled before using the
OCI document, to avoid
inconvenience at Immigration
Check Points.
J.
Dos & Don’ts:
·
Do not sign on behalf of the
applicant (including a minor
child), in the box near the
photograph, in Part A.
·
Do place thumb impression (Right
Thumb for female and Left Thumb
for male) in center of the box,
if the applicant (including
minor child) cannot sign.
·
Do
not place both, signature and
thumb impression in the box. It
should contain either signature
or thumb impression of the
applicant.
·
Don’t staple photograph in Part
A.
Photo should be pasted.
Additional photographs may be
stapled.
·
Do not send assorted
photographs.
·
Do use photographs only as
detailed above (under photograph
portion).
·
Don’t obtain Thumb impression
in black ink. Thumb impression
be obtained in blue/navy blue
ink.
·
Do make two independent sets of
application(s) familygroup/individual,
each containing: (i) application
form, (ii) photocopy of foreign
passport (first two pages only),
(iii) photocopy of Indian
passport (first two and last two
pages only) , (iv) photocopy of
PIO card, if held (v) photocopy
of birth certificate (applicable
in cases of applicants born
abroad), (vi) photocopy of
document on the basis of which
OCI is being claimed, if unable
to furnish copy of last Indian
Passport, (vii) if parents/grand
parents Indian origin being
claimed for grant of OCI,
furnish a copy of their
(parents/grand parents) passport
or notarized copy of their
domicile certificate or
notarized copy of immovable
property in their name or any
other document to establish
beyond doubt their Indian
origin.
If applying as a family group
PLEASE ENSURE THAT FORM ‘A’ OF
EACH APPLICANT SHOULD BE PUT
TOGETHER FOLLOWED BY ONLY ONE
FORM ‘B’. This should then be
accompanied by supporting
documents of each applicant.
Both set of applications should
be in this order only.
· Don’t
forget to send application and
mailing fee in the form of
CC/MO/PO (to be enclosed with
first set only).
Fee and mailing fee can be paid
under one check/money
order/postal order. Kindly
indicate the registration
number(s) of applicant(s) at the
back of the check/mo/po.
·
Do indicate in bold letters “OCI
APPLICATION” on the envelope
containing above documents.
· Do
indicate, in bold letters, on
the envelope “For Collection
OCI Documents” at the time
of mailing passports for ‘U Visa
Sticker’ and OCI Document. This
should be done only after
ensuring that your OCI document
has reached the Consulate
(kindly read the portion above
titled “Collection of OCI
Document)
· Don’t
forget to include a print out of
status page from On-line Enquiry
or acknowledgement slip issued
by the Consulate.
·
Don’t sendi passport(s) until a
date of receipt of documents in
the Consulate is indicated on
the Status Page when you log on
to On-line Status Enquiry.
· Don’t
forget to include valid Indian
passports/PIO cards for
cancellation, if not already
cancelled. Failure to do so,
will delay issuance of OCI
document.
K.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
Applicants who filed their
applications for OCI during late
2004 and early 2005 and have
thereafter shifted to India,
should approach the nearest FRRO
Office 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.
L.
SUMMARY OF PROCESS:
i.
Submission of Part A on line,
ii.
Submission
of complete application (Parts A
& B) along with all the
enclosures (read Order in which
application must be arranged),
by mail ONLY to the Consulate
clearly indicating on the
envelope “OCI application”.
iii.
Acknowledgement Slip to be
mailed by the Consulate if
application(s) is/are found in
order.
iv. Incomplete
applications or applications not
arranged in the order indicated
above will be returned to
applicant(s) at his/her cost.
Consulate will not be
responsible for loss of
documents in mail.
v. Keep
checking the status on line at
regular intervals with your web
registration number starting
with USACIxxxxx.
vi. Mail
passports for OCI document and U
Visa sticker
only after
a date of receipt at Chicago
appears on the Status Page.
Documents can be collected in
person from the Consulate on any
working day ONLY between 11.30
am to 12.30pm.
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