The OCI checklist that won't get rejected.
Eligibility, photo specs (where everyone fails), document list, online application, VFS / CKGS submission. For new OCI, renewal, and minors. Tick as you go — saves locally.
Born abroad to Indian-origin parents? Your child is OCI-eligible — and getting it sooner is easier.
If at least one parent is an OCI cardholder or Indian citizen at the time of the child's birth, the child qualifies for OCI under Section 7A of the Citizenship Act. Apply before age 5 if possible — under-5 applications skip the biometrics step and process faster (~6-8 weeks vs 10-14 weeks for adults).
- Birth certificate — Long-form (with parents' names) from the country of birth, attested if non-Hague
- Both parents' passports — copies of biographic page + last-stamp page
- Indian-origin proof — your OCI card, parent's old Indian passport, or grandparent's Indian birth/passport documentation
- Marriage certificate — if parents married after migration
- Photo specs — same as adult OCI but newborn-specific framing (eyes open, plain background, no toys/blanket visible)
- No biometrics needed — under-5 applicants don't visit VFS for fingerprinting
For US-born children: get the US passport first (typically 6-8 weeks post-birth at any USPS Acceptance facility), THEN apply for OCI — OCI requires a foreign passport number. Single parents qualify; the application form has separate fields.
The 5 reasons OCI applications get rejected
- Photo specs mismatch (60-70% of rejections). Most common: photo edges cropped, glasses on, smile visible, off-white background, file size outside 200KB-1MB. Use a passport-photo studio that knows OCI specs — don't DIY with a phone.
- Signature on minors under 5. The signature box must be left blank for children under 5. Thumb impressions are explicitly not accepted and trigger immediate rejection.
- Missing surrender certificate. If the applicant naturalised after 1950, the original Indian passport must be surrendered first via VFS / CKGS (separate process, takes 4-6 weeks). OCI cannot be issued without proof of surrender.
- Name mismatch. Names across current foreign passport, old Indian passport, and OCI application must match exactly — including middle initials, hyphens, and order. A wife's "maiden name" appearing on old Indian passport but married name on US passport requires a marriage certificate as supporting proof.
- Personal cheque payment. VFS / CKGS only accept money order or cashier's check. Personal cheques are returned and the application stalls. Use USPS money order — it's the cheapest accepted form.
If the application is rejected, the fee is forfeited and you re-apply from scratch. Expect another 16 weeks. Get the photo and signature right the first time.