Consulate General of India, St. Petersburg

OCI Card Scheme (Guidelines for required Documents dated 06th September 2022):
i) OCI Registration Form (Part A & B duly filled online: https://passport.gov.in/oci/welcome and signed by the applicant)

ii) Three recent photographs of the size of 3x4 cm. without border and showing full frontal view of applicant’s head/shoulder, white/light background. No glare if wearing glasses;

iii) Copy of the Russian Internal Passport (Proof of Acquisition of Russian nationality) with official notarized translation in English;

iv) Copy of the Russian International passport;

v) Copy of Renunciation certificate (if applicant was an Indian citizen) with copy of the cancelled Indian passport.

vi) Copy of all pages of Marriage Certificate with Apostilled page. Marriage Certificate with official notarized translation in English (if applicant is a spouse of an Indian citizen / former Indian national / OCI card holder).

vii) Copy of Apostilled Birth Certificate (if applicant is a child of an Indian citizen / former Indian national / OCI card holder) with official notarized translation in English.

viii) Original of “No Criminal Record Certificate” issued by Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russian Federation or the Russian authority competent to issue such a certificate, with its official notarized English translation.

ix) In case of OCI application on a foreign spouse basis, a Joint Declaration is to be submitted at the time of application stating that: “We, …… (full Name)……….and ……..(full Name)…….. are married on………. (date). We are living together as husband/wife at ……..(address)……., Russia.
In case of separation/divorce, the OCI card to be issued in favour of Mr / Mrs……………… (full name) will be returned to the Embassy / Consulate for cancellation.

Please note that self-attested photocopies of all the relevant supporting documents along with the application should be enclosed with the application form. For minors, the Parent must self-attest the documents, otherwise application will not be accepted. Applicant should fill all fields in the application form including Mobile Number.

Fees: 17875 Roubles + ICWF 195 Roubles (two precise, separate, amounts in cash) –
fee wef 19 July 2022.

Eligibility of OCI under Foreign Spouse Category – Only after minimum period of two years of sustained marriage and the marriage should be registered with a Government authority (marriages registered with religious organisations will not be valid): Foreign nationals shall not be eligible for OCI card, if they want to apply on spouse basis category, if they have undergone any military / police conscription or they are undergoing such military / police conscription at the time of application.

If the applicant had ever been a citizen of Pakistan or Bangladesh, he/she will not be eligible for OCI.

Note: Online application is non-editable, in case of any error, applicant will have to apply afresh.
____

OCI Card Scheme (Guidelines dated 16th April 2021)

Re-issuance of OCI Cards due to Issuance of new foreign passports to OCI Cardholders - Relaxation in OCI Guidelines till 31st December 2021

1. The following OCI guidelines have been in force since 2005:

• OCI card is required to be re-issued each time a new passport is acquired by the cardholder up to the age of 20 years.

• OCI card is required to be re-issued once on acquiring a new passport after completing 50 years of age.

2. The Government of India has decided to grant further extension of time till 31st December, 2021 to get the OCI cards re-issued in accordance with above guidelines.

3. The requirement of carrying old and new passports, along with the OCI card, has been done away with. Henceforth, an OCI cardholder traveling on the strength of existing OCI card bearing old passport number is not required to carry the old passport. However, carrying the new (current) passport is mandatory.

4. An OCI cardholder may upload a copy of the new passport containing the photo of the passport holder and also a latest photo on the online system under the OCI Miscellaneous Services each time when a new passport is issued up to 20 years of age and once after completing 50 years of age of the applicant. These documents may be uploaded by the OCI cardholder within three months of receipt of the new passport. This service will be provided on gratis basis.

5. OCI Cardholders registered as spouse of foreign origin of a citizen of India or spouse of foreign origin of an OCI Cardholder, under Section 7A(1)(d) of The Citizenship Act, 1955, the OCI cardholder shall upload a copy of the new passport containing the photo of the passport holder and also a latest photo on the online system under OCI Miscellaneous Services each time a new passport is issued. In such cases, the OCI cardholder and his / her Indian spouse or OCI cardholder spouse will have to give a Declaration that their marriage is still subsisting. Copy of the Indian passport of the Indian spouse / passport and OCI card of the OCI cardholder spouse shall also be uploaded in such cases. These documents may be uploaded by the OCI cardholder foreigner spouse within three months of receipt of his / her new passport. This service will be provided on gratis basis.

Press Release Regarding OCI Guidelines

Guidelines on re-issuance of OCI card when the OCI cardholder acquires a new passport

Guidelines on re-issuance of OCI card when the OCI cardholder acquires a new passport

OCI card needs to be re-issued each time a new passport is acquired by the cardholder up to the age of 20 years.

OCI card is required to be re-issued mandatory only once after completing 50 years of age irrespective of the fact whether the cardholder has obtained a new passport or not.

Re-issuance of OCI card is not required each time a passport is issued to a cardholder between 21 to 50 years of age. There is no mandatory requirement of carrying the old passport but may be advisable to carry as part of abundant precaution.

Guidelines on OCI Card

Guidelines on OCI Card are on the following website of MHA:

www.ociservices.gov.in

Requirement of re-submission of documents for re-issuance of OCI card

Requirement of re-submission of documents for re-issuance of OCI card

Requirement of re-submission of documents for re-issuance of OCI card after attaining the age of 50 years only following two documents will be required for uploading in the OCI portal from 20th September, 2019:

(i) Copy of OCI card presently held by the applicant

(ii) Copy of valid foreign passport held by the applicant

NPS for OCI card holders

NPS for OCI card holders

Ministry of Finance of the Government of India has informed ( March 18) the Ministry of External Affairs of India that the proposal for inclusion of Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) card Holders as an eligible category of individuals who could subscribe to National Pension Scheme ( NPS) in parity with NRIs has been approved by the Board of Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA). For further details on the NPS and the related forms you may like to visit the https://www.pfrda.org.in or http://www.npstrust.org.in or https://www.egov-nsdl.co.in/

Overseas Citizens of India (OCI)

Registration as OCI cardholder by erstwhile PIO cardholder

The deadline for free conversion of PIO cards into OCI cards is set to expire on 31st December, 2017. After 31st December, 2017, the PIO card holders can convert their PIO cards to OCI cards only with payment of 6003 RUB.

From October 2018, ICAO will accept only machine-readable OCI Cards. Hence, existing handwritten PIO Cards will become invalid.

All PIO cardholders are advised to obtain machine-readable OCI Cards in lieu of existing hand written PIO Cards before October 2018 to avoid inconvenience.

A separate online application form for submission of application for registration as OCI cardholder in lieu of PIO card is available in the website https://passport.gov.in/oci/

Consul and HOC

Extension of deadline for registration as OCI cardholder by erstwhile PIO cardholder

The date for submission of applications for online registration as OCI cardholder in lieu of the PIO card on gratis basis has been extended till 31 December, 2017.

From October 2018, International Civil Aviation Organization will accept only machine readable travel documents. Erstwhile PIO cards which are hand written will become invalid travel documents. All PIO cardholders are therefore, requested to shift to machine readable OCI cards before deadline of 31st December, 2017 to avoid any inconvenience.

A separate online application form for submission of application for registration as OCI cardholder in lieu of PIO card is available in the website https://passport.gov.in/oci/

Consul and HOC

OVERSEAS CITIZENS OF INDIA (OCI) SCHEME

OCI application can be submitted directly to the Consulate General of India, St. Petersburg.

In pursuance of the Prime Minister of India’s statement, Citizenship Act 1955 has been amended to extend the scope of OCIto Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) of all nationalities other than Pakistan and Bangladesh that allow dual citizenship under their local laws in some form or the other. Citizenship Rules, 1956 have been amended to simplify the procedure and application form for grant of OCI registration. Necessary amendments have also been carried out in the Passport (Entry into India) Act 1920 and Registration of Foreigners Act, 1939 to spell out the following benefits to registered OCIs.

Multi-purpose, multi entry, lifelong visas for visiting India.
Exemption from registration with Foreigners Regional Registration officer / Foreigners Registration Officer for any length of stay in India.
Parity with NRIs in respect of all facilities to the latter in economic, financial and educational fields except in matters relating to the acquisition of agricultural/plantation properties.

Such registered OCIs shall not be entitled to the rights conferred on a citizen of India under article 16 of Constitution with regard to equality of opportunity in matters of public employment, election to Constitutional offices like President/Vice president/Judges of Supreme Court or High Courts/Members of Parliament or Legislative Assembly/Council or right to vote under Representation of the People Act, 1950. And it is also to be noted that holders of the OCI card are not entitled to undertake any missionary work, mountaineering and research work without prior permission of the Government of India in accordance with the instructions issued from time to time.

Every registered OCI will be issued a registration certificate which is printed like an Indian passport in different colour.

Russian nationals of Indian origin who are eligible for the OCI would be required to pay Rbls. 16022/- as well as ICWF fee Rbls. 177/- .

Requirement for issue of OCI card

Proof of present citizenship of applicant e.g. copy of Passport.
Evidence of self or parents or grand parents, being eligible to become a citizen of India at the time of commencement of the Constitution i.e. on 26th January, 1950; or Belonging to a territory that became part of India after 15th August, 1947;or Being citizen of India on or after 26th January, 1950.
These could be: Copy of the passport; or Copy of the domicile certificate issued by the Competent Authority; or Any other proof. (Any documentary evidence like School certificate, land ownership certificate, birth certificate etc. by which eligibility may be reasonably ascertained)
Evidence of relationship as parent/grandparent, if their Indian origin is claimed as basis for grant of Overseas Citizenship of India.
PIO Card holder should submit a copy of his/her PIO Card.
The documents enclosed with the application should be self attested.
The application should be in prescribed Form XIX which can be downloaded from MHA’s website www.mha.nic.in. A family consisting of spouses and upto two minor children can apply in the same form.
It may also be noted that, as of May 13, 2010, the Ministry of Home Affairs decided that a 'Nativity Certificate' issued by State Government in India by an authority not below a District Collector/District Magistrate about an applicant being PIOeligible for registration as OCI may be accepted as sufficient proof.

Instructions for filling application form

Please write/print fields in BLOCK LETTERS.
A person who has not attained the age of 18 years is considered as minor. In case of minor who cannot sign, his/her left thumb impression may be placed in the Signature Box. Parents should not sign on behalf of minors. A minor child will be eligible for OCI only if either parent is also eligible.
Photograph to be affixed on the application should be of square shape of size not less than 35*35mm (with 80% coverage by face). It should have light colour background (not white) without border with front view of person's head and shoulders showing the  face in the middle of the photograph. It should not be stapled and should not have any signature.
After submission of Part A online, a copy of Part A with an online Registration Number will be printed along with Part B of application form. Details in Part B can be typed or hand written in BLOCK LETTERS. In case the space provided is not sufficient, additional sheets may be used for providing requisite details. Application form on Parts A and B, complete in all respects, along with all relevant enclosures, may be submitted. Please ensure 2 sets are submitted. Part A is to be in original in both sets.
Please ensure all enclosures are self-attested. In case of minors, parent may attest the enclosures.
For any problem in filing application, please e-mail: cons.spburg@mea.gov.in
For further details visit web-site at http://www.mha.nic.in/

Please CLICK HERE for online registration of OCI APPLICATION

Instruction for filling application form

Miscellaneous Services for OCI

Miscellaneous Services for OCI includes re-issuance/issuance of duplicate OCI documents in following cases:a) If a new passport has been issued.b) Change of personal particulars like nationality etc.c) Loss/damage of OCI registration certificate/Visa.d) If wrong personal particulars were filled up during online submission of application eg. Father's name, date of birth etc.e) If the Indian mission/office has committed any manual mistake earlier while entering the personal particulars.f) Change of Address/Occupation.

CLICK HERE FOR ONLINE APPLICATION FOR DUPLICATE OCI DOCUMENTS

FAQ for OCI

1. Who is eligible to apply?

Following categories of foreign nationals are eligible for registration as Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) Cardholder:-

(1) Who was a citizen of India at the time of, or at any time after the commencement of the Constitution i.e. 26.01.1950; or

(2) who was eligible to become a citizen of India on 26.01.1950; or

(3) who belonged to a territory that became part of India after 15.08.1947; or

(4) who is a child or a grandchild or a great grandchild of such a citizen; or

(5) who is a minor child of such persons mentioned above; or

(6) who is a minor child and whose both parents are citizens of India or one of the parents is a citizen of India; or

(7) spouse of foreign origin of a citizen of India or spouse of foreign origin of an Overseas Citizen of India Cardholder registered under section 7A of the Citizenship Act, 1955 and whose marriage has been registered and subsisted for a continuous period of not less than two years immediately preceding the presentation of the application.

Note : No person, who or either of whose parents or grandparents or great grandparents is or had been a citizen of Pakistan, Bangladesh or such other country as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify, shall be eligible for registration as an Overseas Citizen of India Cardholder.

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 capacity.

5. Can the children of parents, one of whom is eligible for OCI, apply for OCI?

Yes.

6. In what form should a person apply for OCI?

Applications for registration as OCI Cardholder is to be submitted only on the online system. For this purpose, please log on to https://passport.gov.in/oci/welcome

7. What documents have to be attached with the application?

The following documents shall be enclosed with each application:

All applicants should bring Original documents i.e. Russian & Indian passports etc. which will be returned to them after verifying.

(1) Five additional stamp size photographs for each applicant. (2) Proof of citizenship of each applicant, such as Russian passport. (3) Evidence of self or parents or grand parents

(a) being eligible to become a citizen of India at the time of commencement of the Constitution; or (b) belonging to a territory that became part of India after 15th August, 1947; or  (c) being a citizen of India on or after 26th January, 1950.

These are :– (i) Copy of the passport (or) (ii) Copy of the domicile certificate issued by the Competent authority (or) (iii) Any other proof acceptable to the Consular Officer

(4) Evidence of relationship as parent/grand parent, if their Indian origin is claimed as basis for grant of OCI. (5) Proof of fee payment Rbls.16022/- for each applicant. (6) PIO card holders must also submit a copy of their PIO card.

8. What documents would qualify for “Any other proof” for evidence of self or parents or grand parents being eligible for grant of OCI?

Any documentary evidence by which the officer equivalent to Under Secretary to the Government of India in the Indian Mission/Post can diligently arrive at the decision.

9. How many copies of application have to be submitted?

Applications have to be submitted in duplicate.

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

Yes.

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

No. The earlier provision in this regard has been done away with.

12. Where should the application be submitted?

To the Indian Mission/ Post of the country of citizenship of the applicant. If the applicant is not in the country of citizenship, to the Indian Mission/Post of the country where he is ordinarily residing. If the applicant is in India, to the FRRO Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata 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. Can a person apply in the country where he is ordinarily residing?

Yes.

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

All the applications will be subject to pre or post enquiry depending on whether any adverse information is available or not. If the Government comes to the knowledge that any false information was furnished or material information was suppressed, the registration as OCI already granted shall be cancelled by an order under section 7D of the Citizenship Act, 1955. The persons will also be blacklisted banning his/her entry into India.

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

Rbls.16022/- (plus ICWF fee Rbls.177/-).

16. What is the time taken for registration as OCI?

Within 30 days of the application, if there is no adverse information available against the applicant. If any adverse information is available against the applicant, the decision to grant or otherwise is taken within 4 months.

17. Can a PIO cardholder apply?

Yes, provided he/she is otherwise eligible for grant of OCI like any other applicant.

18. Will the PIO Cardholder be granted OCI registration gratis?

No. The deadline for free conversion of PIO cards into OCI cards is set to expire on 31st December, 2017. After 31st December, 2017, the PIO card holders can convert their PIO cards to OCI cards only with payment of Rbls.16022/- (plus ICWF fee Rbls.177/-).

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

No. The PIO card will have to be surrendered to the Indian Mission/MHA at the time of the grant of the OCI registration certificate.

20. What will be issued after registration as OCI?

A Registration Certificate, like the Indian passport in appearance, will be issued, and a multiple entry, multi-purpose OCI ‘U’ visa sticker will be pasted on the foreign passport of the applicant. For this purpose, the applicant has to send the original foreign passport to the Indian Mission/Post after receipt of the acceptance letter/OCI Registration Certificate.

21. Will a separate OCI passport be issued?

No.

22. 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 evidence for loss of certificate. In case of a mutilated/damaged certificate, an application has to be made enclosing the damaged document, along with payment of a fee of Rbls.5826/- as well as ICWF fee Rbls.177/-.

The applications in both cases have to be made to the same Indian Mission/ Post which issued the certificate.

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

No. Instructions have been issued on 29th January, 2015 to all Indian Missions/ Posts, FRROs etc. conveying the decision to dispense with the ‘U’ (Universal) visa sticker on the foreign passport of OCI card holders with immediate effect. It has been advised that immigration authorities in ICPs should not insist on production of foreign passport containing the ‘U’ visa sticker in the case of OCI cardholders while they enter/ exit India.

24. Will the applicant lose his citizenship after registering as OCI?

No. As only citizens of countries which allows dual citizenship under their local laws in some form or the other are eligible for applying for registration as OCIs, the question of their losing their foreign citizenship does not arise.

25. 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.

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

Yes. For the period the OCI is living in India.

27. 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 for 5 years and is residing in India for 1 year out of the above 5 years, is eligible to apply for Indian Citizenship.

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

No.

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

No.

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

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

31. 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.

32. 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.

33. Whether the OCI is entitled to voting rights?

No.

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

No.

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

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

36. 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.

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

Apart from the fact that OCI confers on the recipient the status of an Indian overseas citizen,  (i) an OCI is entitled to life long visa free travel to India whereas for a PIO cardholder, it is only for 15 years. (ii) a PIO cardholder is required to register with the local Police authority for stays exceeding 180 days in India on any single visit, whereas an OCI is exempted from registration with the Police authority for any length of stay in India.

38. Will an OCI be entitled to apply for and obtain a normal Indian passport which is given to a citizen of India?

No. An Indian Passport is given only to an Indian citizen.

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

Yes, if they fulfill the eligibility criteria.

40. Can a person renounce OCI?

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

41. Do the applicants who have applied on the earlier prescribed application form have to apply again in the new form?

No. All such applications will be considered for registration as OCI without seeking fresh application and fee.

Overseas Citizens of India (OCI)

Guidelines on re-issuance of OCI card when the OCI cardholder acquires a new passport

Guidelines on OCI Card

Requirement of re-submission of documents for re-issuance of OCI card

NPS for OCI card holders

Overseas Citizens of India (OCI)

Consular Service