OCI Photos for $1- get Passport Photos for "Overseas Citizenship of India" 35mm x 35mm photo requirements dimensions FAQ

OnlinePassportPhoto.com is pleased to announce the OCI Passport Service for applicants of "Overseas Citizenship of India".

OCI Photo size requirement from the Master source- Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt of India

Photograph to be affixed on the application should be of square shape of size not less than 51*51mm (with 80% coverage by face). It should have light color background (not white) without border with front view of person’s head and shoulders showing the full face in the middle of the photograph. Photographs that do not conform to these standards will be rejected and may cause a delay in processing the applications.

*IMPORTANT NOTE FOR OCI APPLICANTS: 51x51 is the same as US Passport photo size however photos taken at your local Costco, Walgreens or CVS probably will not work for most consulates as NIC above requires ***NOT WHITE*** background and 80% coverage by face in the photo. Most US Passport photos printed at local stores (Costco, Walgreens, Kinkos, CVS, Walmart etc) typically have 25%-35% face coverage with mostly white background

Step 1: Verify your photo and upload it

Make sure the photo you send us meets following requirements:

Step 2: Place your order

Step 3:

Refer to your application form and let us know what size of photo is required by the Consulate of India office where you are going to submit your application. It should be 35mmx35mm or 2 in X 2 in size. Then click here to let us know what size you are ordering. You can also include in the message address of your local Walgreens store if you want to pick photos there usually within 24 hours at NO extra charge to you.

Embassy of India, Washington DC also seems to require 2x2 photos. Not sure if they want white or colored background. (If you know this, please let us know for the benefit of other fellow Indians in the USA)

Consulate of India, New York seems to have started asking for 2x2 inch photos too (since Feb 2010). Their website asks for color backgrouond (not white) but the document with details requirements for photos (the pdf document) asks for white or off-white background!!! We wish they were consistent in their requirements throughout their website!

OCI Photo requirements from various Indian Consulates in the USA
(Not sure which Indian Consulate you should be applying to? Click here to find your consulate.)

Consulate General of India, New York, USA

The Consulate General of India, New York has outsourced the handling of OCI applications to M/s. Travisa Outsourcing. The outsourcing arrangement in respect of the area falling under the consular jurisdiction of the Consulate General of India, New York (The Jurisdiction of Consulate General of India, New York is Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont, as well as Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.) will come into effect on 15th February, 2011.

M/s Travisa Outsourcing will receive OCI applications with effect from 15th February, 2011. All applications received by Travisa Outsourcing will be acknowledged to the applicants by the next working day. For detailed guidelines on submitting the applications, documentation requirements and fee etc., kindly visit the following link: https://indiavisa.travisaoutsourcing.com/oci/homepage http://www.indiacgny.org/UserFiles/Photospecifications%20for%20OCI_applications.pdf

Consulate General of India, Chicago:

Following is taken from San Francisco Consulate:

Consulate General or India, Houston, Texas

Following is taken from Embassy of India, Washington DC:

e) Photographs- · You must also paste Two PHOTOGRAPHS of 2 inches x 2 inches IN COLOR FOR EACH APPLICANT on the space provided on the PART A. DO NOT STAPLE the photographs. Attach third photograph in an envelope with name written on the back of photograph. [Photograph should be sufficiently bright color with frontal view of full face against a light background.]

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) On Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) Scheme from
Consulate General of India San Francisco

1. Who is eligible to apply?

Any foreign national,

who was eligible to become citizen of India on 26.01.1950 or was a citizen of India on or at anytime 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, and;
provided his/her country of citizenship allows dual
citizenship in some form or other under the local laws,
Minor children of such person 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.

2. Who was eligible to become Citizen of India on 26.01.1950?

Any person who or either of whose parents or any of whose grand-parents was born in India as defined in the Government of India Act, 1935 (as originally enacted), and who was ordinarily residing in any country outside India was eligible to become citizen of India on 26.01.1950.

3. Which territories became part of India after 15.08.1947 and from what date?

The territories, which became part of India after 15.08.1947 are:

(i) Sikkim from 26.04.1975

(ii) Pondicherry from 16.08.1962

(iii) Dadra & Nagar Haveli from 11.08.1961

(iv) Goa, Daman and Diu from 20.12.1961

4. Can the spouse of the eligible person apply for OCI?

Yes, if he/she is eligible in his/her own

5. Who is a Minor?

A person who has not attained the age of 18 years is considered
minor.
6. Are minor children whose both parents are Indian citizens eligible for OCI?
No.

7. Can children of parents, wherein one of the parents is eligible for OCI?, apply for OCI?
Yes.

8. What are the documents required for obtaining OCI status?

The following documents shall be enclosed with each application:

Two copies of Part A and Part B
Two - (2" X 2") - size photographs
Current US/ foreign Passport in original
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
PIO card in original, if applicable
Two self attested copies of PIO card, if applicable
Proof of fee payment US$ 275/- for each applicant (US$ 25 for each PIO card holder)
A Self Addressed Stamped (Postage Prepaid $16.50) USPS Express Mail Envelop for Returning Documents.

9. How many copies of application have to be submitted?
Two copies each of the application and supporting documents have to be submitted.

10. Whether applicant(s) have to go in person to submit the application (s)?

No. Application (s) are received by mail. There is no provision for personal appearance.

11. Do the applicant (s) have to take oath before the Counsel of the Indian Mission/Post?

No.

12. Where to submit the application?

If under the jurisdiction of San Francisco Consulate, submit your application to-
OCI Cell,
Consulate General of India
540 Arguello Boulevard,
San Francisco, CA 94118

Otherwise, if the applicant is in India, to the FRRO Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkota or Amritsar or to CHIO, Chennai or to the Under Secretary, Citizenship section, Foreigners Division, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Jaisalmer House, 26, Mansingh Road, New Delhi-110011.

13. What are the consequences of furnishing wrong information or suppressing material information?

All the applications are subject to pre or post-enquiry. If after enquiry, an adverse record is discovered against the applicant or that OCI status was obtained by providing false information or by suppressing/concealing material information was suppressed, the registration as OCI already granted shall be canceled immediately by an order under section 7D of the Citizenship Act, 1955. In addition, the person/s will be debarred from visiting India in the future.

14. What is the fee for application for registration as OCI?

US$ 275/- (two hundred and seventy five only) by postal money order
For PIO Card holder $ 25 (twenty five) only
15. What is the time taken for registration as OCI?

We expect to receive them in about 21 business days from the time of applications. If any adverse information is available against the applicant, the decision to grant or otherwise may take longer.

16. If the registration as OCI is not granted, what amount will be refunded?

An amount of $ 250/- shall be refunded, if registration is refused. $ 25 is the processing fees, which is non-refundable.

17. Can a PIO cardholder apply?

Yes, provided he/she is otherwise eligible for grant of OCI.

18. Will the PIO card be honored till the time they are valid even after acquisition of OCI?

No. The PIO card will have to be surrendered to the Consulate concerned for granting OCI registration certificate and visa.

19. What will be issued after registration as OCI?

An OCI card and a multiple entry, multi-purpose lifelong visa.

20. Will a separate OCI passport be issued?

No.

21. Will a duplicate certificate of registration as OCI be issued?

Yes. For this purpose, an application has to be made to the Indian Mission/Post with a police report for evidence of loss of certificate. In case of mutilated/damaged certificate an application has to be made enclosing the same. The applications in both the cases have to be made to the same Indian Mission/ Post which issued the certificate along with payment of fee of $ 100/- .

22. Will a new OCI visa sticker be issued on the new foreign passport after the expiry of the old passport?

Yes. On payment of requisite fee, a new visa will be issued. Please follow OCI Miscellaneous Services instructions. As the OCI Visa is lifelong, the holder can continue to carry the old passport in which the visa sticker was affixed and the with new passport for visiting India without seeking a new visa.
23. Will the applicant lose his citizenship after registering as OCI?

No. As only citizens of those countries that allow dual citizenship under the local laws in some form or the other are eligible for applying for registration as OCI, losing of foreign citizenship does not arise.

24. Can a person holding OCI travel to protected area/restricted area without permission?

No. He/she will be required to seek Protected Area Permit (PAP)/ Restricted Area Permit (RAP) for such visits.

25. Would the Indian civil/criminal laws be applicable to persons registered as OCI?

Yes. For the period, the OCI status holder is living in India.

26. Can a person registered as OCI be granted Indian citizenship?

Yes. As per the provisions of section 5(1) (g) of the Citizenship Act, 1955, a person who is registered as OCI, remains an OCI for 5 years and is residing in India for 1 year out of the above 5 years, is eligible to apply for Indian Citizenship.

27. Will OCI be granted gratis to certain categories of people?

No.

28. Can OCI be granted to foreign nationals who are not eligible for OCI, but married to persons who are eligible for OCI?

No.

29. Will foreign-born children of PIOs be eligible to become OCI?

Yes, provided one of the parents is eligible to become OCI.

30. What are the benefits of OCI?

Following benefits will be allowed to OCI:

(a) Multi-purpose, multiple entry, lifelong visa for visiting India.

(b) Exemption from registration with local police authority for any length of stay in India.

(c) Parity with NRIs in respect of economic, financial and education fields, except
in matters relating to the acquisition of agricultural/plantation properties.

31. Will any other benefit be granted to OCI?

Any other benefits to OCI will be notified by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA) under Section 7B(1) of the Citizenship Act, 1955.

32. Whether the OCI is entitled to voting rights?

No.

33. Whether the OCI is entitled to hold a constitutional post in India?

No.

33. Whether the OCI is entitled to hold Government posts in India?

No, except for the posts specified by an order by the Central Government.

34. If a person is already holding more than one nationality, can he / she apply for OCI?

Yes, as long as the local laws of at least one of the countries allow dual citizenship in some form or other.

35. What are the advantages of OCI when compared to PIO cardholders?

(i) OCI is entitled to a life long visa for visiting India, while for a PIO cardholder, it is for 15 years.

(ii) PIO cardholder is required to register with local Police authority for stay exceeding 180 days in India on any single visit whereas OCI is exempted from registration with Police authority for any length of stay in India.

36. Whether nationals of Commonwealth countries are eligible for OCI?

Yes, if they fulfill the eligibility criteria.

37. Can a person renounce OCI?

Yes. He/she has to declare intention of renunciation to the Indian Mission/Post where OCI registration was granted. After receipt of the declaration, the Indian Mission/Post shall issue an acknowledgment.

38. Can OCI card holders seek employment?

OCI card holders can seek employment in all spheres except - mountaineering, missionary and research work and other work requiring PAP / RAP.

OCI card holders are allowed to work in the private sector.

However, as far as practice in professions, i.e. working as doctors, dentist, nurses, pharmacists, chartered accountant, architects, advocates, etc. are concerned; it is permissible only as per provision contained in relevant Acts. For the present, MCI and DCI Acts don't allow foreign nationals to practice in India. The other Acts prescribes reciprocal facility..

39. Does OCI Card holder need to get an employment visa, registration with FRRO

The OCI card does away completely with the need for an employment visa, registration with FRRO, etc. applicable to other foreign nationals.

40. Does an OCI card holder need to leave India, in case of change of employer or in case he chooses to leave the job, for which he initially came to India?

An OCI card holder need not leave India, in case of change of employer or in case he chooses to leave the job, for which he initially came to India.

Which Consulate should you apply for your OCI Card?
The addresses of the Indian Diplomatic Missions in the U.S. and their Consular Jurisdictions are given below:

EMBASSY OF INDIA,
http://www.indianembassy.org

WASHINGTON D.C.
2107, Massachusetts Ave.
Washington, D.C. 20008
Tel: (202) 939 7000
Fax: (202) 265 4351
Email: indembwash@indiagov.org

CONSULATE GENERAL OF INDIA, HOUSTON
http://www.cgihouston.org/
1990, Post Oak Blvd. Suite 600
Houston, TX 77056
Ph: (713)-626-2148/49
Fax: (713)-626-2450
Email: cgi-hou@swbell.net

DELAWARE (DE) ALABAMA (AL)

WASHINGTON D.C. ARKANSAS (AR)

KENTUCKY (KY) FLORIDA (FL)

MARYLAND (MD) GEORGIA (GA)

NORTH CAROLINA (NC) KANSAS (KS)

SOUTH CAROLINA (SC) LOUISIANA (LA)

TENNESSEE (TN) MISSISSIPPI (MS)

VIRGINIA (VA) OKLAHOMA (OK)

WEST VIRGINIA (WV) TEXAS (TX)

CONSULATE GENERAL OF INDIA,
http://www.Indiacgny.org
NEW YORK
3, East 64th Street
New York, NY 10021
Tel: (212) 774 0600
Fax: (212) 861 3788
Email: indhoccgny@aol.com CONSULATE GENERAL OF INDIA,
http://www.IndianConsulate.com
CHICAGO
455 North City Front Plaza Dr.
(NBC Tower Building) Suite 850
Chicago, IL 60611
Tel: (312)-595-0405
Fax: (312)-595-0417/18
Email: congendia@aol.com

CONNECTICUT (CT) ILLINOIS (IL)

MAINE (ME) INDIANA (IN)

MASSACHUSETTS (MA) IOWA (IA)

NEW HAMPSHIRE (NH) MICHIGAN (MI)

NEW JERSEY (NJ) MINNESOTA (MN)

NEW YORK (NY) MISSOURI (MO)

OHIO (OH) NORTH DAKOTA (ND)

PENNSYLVANIA (PA) SOUTH DAKOTA (SD)

PUERTO RICO (PR) WISCONSIN (WI)

RHODE ISLAND (RI)

VERMONT (VT)

VIRGIN ISLANDS (VI)

You may also like to visit http://www.mha.nic.in/oci/oci-main.htm (Ministry of Home Affairs website).

If further clarification is required please e-mail the consulate at oci@cgisf.org

Your Only Source in the USA and New Zealand to get OCI Passport Photos for "Overseas Citizenship of India"

OCI Photo size requirement from the Master source- Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt of India

OCI Photos - Customer Feedback

How OCI (Overseas Citizenship of India) Passport Photos work?

Step 1: Verify your photo and upload it

Make sure the photo you send us meets following requirements:

Step 2: Place your order

Step 3:

Additional Detail about OCI Photo Requirements:

OCI Photo requirements from various Indian Consulates in the USA
(Not sure which Indian Consulate you should be applying to? Click here to find your consulate.)

Consulate General of India, New York, USA

Consulate General of India, Chicago:

Following is taken from San Francisco Consulate:

Consulate General or India, Houston, Texas

Following is taken from Embassy of India, Washington DC:

Your Only Source in the USA and New Zealand to get OCI Passport Photos for "Overseas Citizenship of India"

OCI Photo size requirement from the Master source- Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt of India

OCI Photos - Customer Feedback

How OCI (Overseas Citizenship of India) Passport Photos work?

Step 1: Verify your photo and upload it

Make sure the photo you send us meets following requirements:

Step 2: Place your order

Step 3:

Additional Detail about OCI Photo Requirements:

OCI Photo requirements from various Indian Consulates in the USA (Not sure which Indian Consulate you should be applying to? Click here to find your consulate.)

Consulate General of India, New York, USA

Consulate General of India, Chicago:

Following is taken from San Francisco Consulate:

Consulate General or India, Houston, Texas

Following is taken from Embassy of India, Washington DC:

OCI Photo requirements from various Indian Consulates in the USA
(Not sure which Indian Consulate you should be applying to? Click here to find your consulate.)