Damon Mcknight
The OCI card, or Overseas Citizenship of India, is a lifelong travel document issued by the governing body of India to people of Indian birth or their spouses. It simplifies the process of travelling to India for Australian Indians living in Australia, as they will not need to apply for visas repeatedly. The OCI application process in Australia consists of two steps: online application and physical submission. The application form can be completed online on the official OCI services website of the Ministry of Internal Affairs or the Government of India. However, it is important to note that the Consulate does not accept OCI applications directly, and applicants must submit their applications through VFS Global, the outsourced agency authorised to accept, verify, and forward OCI applications to the Consulate.
OCI Card Application Process in Australia
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who can apply? | Spouses of Indian citizens, or people of Indian birth |
| Application Process | Two-step: Online application and physical submission |
| Online Application | Complete the application form on the official OCI services website of the Ministry of Internal Affairs or the Government of India |
| Physical Submission | Hand in the filled-in printouts (Part A & Part B) and essential documents to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship Agency |
| Supporting Documents | All documents must be uploaded to the Government of India's OCI portal |
| Application Fee | Payments are accepted through bank cheque, demand draft, money order, or postal order |
| Processing Time | 45 days to 4 months |
| Additional Support | Services like Bharat Suvidha can provide application guidance and support for an additional cost |
Explore related products
Online application
Applying for an OCI (Overseas Citizenship of India) card in Australia involves a two-step procedure. The first step is the Online Application, and the second step involves the physical submission of the filled-in printouts and essential documents. Here is a detailed guide to the online application process:
The OCI online application form can be completed on the official OCI services website of the Ministry of Internal Affairs or the Government of India OCI portal. The application form requires applicants to fill in their personal details, such as their given name, surname, passport number, and date of birth. These details must match the information on their foreign passport. If applicants have previously held an Indian passport and have since changed their name, they must enter their previous name as per their Indian passport. Additionally, they must submit a copy of the name change court order or a notarized affidavit explaining the name change.
Once the online application form is completed, applicants should note down the Application Registration Number (ARN), which will be in the format of AUSS. After that, applicants must upload all the supporting documents to the Government of India OCI online portal. The required documents may vary depending on individual circumstances, so it is important to review the requirements thoroughly.
Finally, applicants should take a printout of the completed application form. This printout will be required for the second step of the OCI application process, which involves physical submission to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship Agency.
Applying for Australian Jobs: A Guide for Malaysians
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Physical submission
The OCI application process in Australia is a two-step procedure. The first step is to complete the online application. The second step is the physical submission of the filled-in printouts (Part A and Part B) and the essential documents.
The physical submission is to be made to the Indian Passport and Visa Services Centre (VFS Global). VFS Global is the outsourced agency that accepts, verifies, and forwards OCI applications to the Consulate. The address for the centre in QLD is: Jubilee Place, Suite-401, Level 1/470 St Pauls Terrace, Fortitude Valley QLD 4006.
It is important to note that the Consulate does not accept OCI applications directly. All the supporting documents must be uploaded on the Government of India OCI online portal as well. The application process can be completed on the VFS website.
The processing time for OCI applications can range from 45 days to 4 months. The general processing time for re-issuance of a passport is 6 to 8 weeks.
Applying for NICOP: A Guide for Australians
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Documentation
The Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) application process can be completed online via the Government of India OCI portal. The OCI card is a valuable document for children born in Australia with Indian parents, simplifying travel to India. The OCI card is also available for Australian-born children if one or both parents meet the following criteria: Indian Citizen, Former Indian Citizen (held citizenship on or after 26 January 1950), or OCI Cardholder.
The OCI application process requires a range of supporting documents to be uploaded to the portal. These include a photograph of the applicant, a scanned image of their signature, and scanned copies of other necessary documents. The application fee is between $300 and $500, depending on additional services chosen, such as card courier or SMS tracking.
The following is a list of documents that may be required for the OCI application:
- Proof of Indian origin: This can be a copy of an Indian passport, an International Movement Record, an Indian Domicile Certificate, an Indian Educational Certificate, an Indian Marriage Certificate, an Indian Ration Card, an Indian Voter’s Identity Card, Indian Government Employee records, or Agricultural Land ownership documents.
- Foreign passport: Details on the application form must match the given name, surname, passport number, and date of birth on the foreign passport.
- Previous Indian passports: If the applicant's name has changed from their previous Indian passport, they must enter their previous name on the application form and submit a copy of the name change court order or notarized affidavit.
- OCI Checklist, Form XXII – Declaration of Renunciation of Indian Citizenship, and Form S (Undertaking).
Applying for MRT in Australia: A Comprehensive Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Processing time
The processing time for OCI applications can vary. Some sources state that it can take anywhere from 45 days to 4 months, while others state that the Indian Consulate takes between 4 to 8 weeks to process applications for new OCI cards. The time frame also depends on whether all the required documents have been submitted.
It is important to note that there may be delays during the processing time, so it is recommended to review the provided information and complete all the necessary steps before submitting the application. Additionally, applicants can track their OCI application status online or enable notifications via SMS or email to stay updated on their application's progress.
In some cases, the application may be sent for pre-approval to the Consulate General of India in Sydney, which can add to the processing time. According to an applicant on an expat forum, their application was submitted in July 2021 and they had not received a reply after three months. Another applicant mentioned that they were told the processing time for pre-approval applications is around 4-8 weeks.
The processing time for OCI card renewal applications is different. If there is no adverse information available against the applicant, the decision will be made within 30 days. However, if there is adverse information, the decision can take up to 120 days.
Humanitarian Asylum: Australia's Application Process Explained
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Collection
The OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) card is a lifelong travel document issued by the governing body of India to people of Indian birth or their spouses. It simplifies the process of travelling to India for Australian Indians living in Australia, as they will not need to apply for visas repeatedly.
Passports can be collected from the place where the application was made, which is VFS Global Services. If you cannot collect it in person, you can authorise someone else to collect it on your behalf by providing a signed authorisation letter and photo ID. VFS can also return the passport by courier or post for an additional fee. The general processing time for re-issuing a passport is 6 to 8 weeks.
Supporting Documentation
It is important to ensure that all details on the OCI online application form match the applicant's foreign passport (given name, surname, passport number, date of birth, etc.). If there are any changes in the applicant's name from their previously held Indian passport, their previous name must be entered on the application form. A copy of the name change court order or notarized affidavit must also be submitted.
Additional Support
The process of obtaining an OCI card can be challenging due to the tedious documentation and effort required. However, services like Bharat Suvidha can provide valuable assistance. They offer application guidance, help to minimise errors, and streamline the submission process. It is important to note that Bharat Suvidha is an independent service provider not affiliated with VFS Global, the Consulate General of India, or the Indian Government. Their services are optional and come at an additional cost.
Applying for a Master's in Australia: A Step-by-Step Guide
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The OCI application process in Australia is a two-step procedure. First, complete the application form online directly from the official OCI services website of the Ministry of Internal Affairs or on the Government of India website. Second, hand in the filled-in printouts (Part A and Part B) and the essential documents to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship Agency, the governing body in the country that prepares OCI applications.
The OCI card is available to people of Indian birth or their spouses. It is a lifelong travel document that allows multiple entry privileges to India without the need to apply for visas repeatedly.
All the necessary documents must be uploaded to the Government of India’s OCI portal. Make sure that all your details match your foreign passport (given name, surname, passport number, date of birth, etc.). If there are any changes to the applicant's name from their previously held Indian passports, they must enter their previous name as per their Indian passport on the application form.
