About the OCI card
The OCI scheme was introduced in 2005 under Section 7A of the Citizenship Act, 1955. The OCI card is a multiple-entry, multi-purpose lifelong visa for visiting India. It is not dual citizenship and is primarily a visa document, not an identity document.
The PIO card scheme was withdrawn in 2015. PIO card holders should apply for an OCI card.
Who is eligible
- A foreign national who was a citizen of India on or after 26 January 1950, or was eligible to become one
- A child, grandchild or great-grandchild of such a person
- A foreign spouse of an Indian citizen or OCI cardholder, whose marriage is registered and has lasted at least 2 years
Not eligible: anyone who is, or whose parent, grandparent or great-grandparent is or was, a citizen of Pakistan or Bangladesh; and serving or retired foreign military personnel.
OCI cardholders cannot vote in India, hold constitutional posts, buy agricultural or plantation property, or undertake research, mountaineering, missionary or journalistic work without permission.
How to apply
- Apply online on ociservices.gov.in, then print and sign the form.
- Attach two photographs (5 × 5 cm, white background), the original and a copy of your current passport, a copy of address proof and the documents for your category below.
- Pay the fee (see the Fee Schedule of Consular Services) and submit at the Consular Section, or send by courier with a prepaid DHL return airway bill.
| Applicant | Documents |
|---|---|
| Former Indian citizen | Copy of the surrendered Indian passport, surrender certificate, certificate of foreign citizenship (apostilled), current passport |
| Foreign national of Indian origin | Proof that a parent, grandparent or great-grandparent was an Indian citizen (Indian passport or other proof) and documents proving the relationship, apostilled or attested |
| Minor child | Proof of Indian origin of a parent or ancestor, parents’ marriage certificate, apostilled birth certificate, child’s passport and copies of both parents’ passports |
| Foreign spouse | Indian spouse’s passport or OCI card, registered marriage certificate (marriage of at least 2 years), current passport |
| PIO card holder | Original PIO card and a copy, current passport |
Re-issue and passport updates
A new OCI card is needed if your name, nationality or appearance changes, or if the card is lost or damaged.
When you get a new passport, update your OCI details online on ociservices.gov.in (“OCI Miscellaneous Services”) by uploading the new passport and a recent photograph. The update is free. Foreign spouses must also upload a declaration that the marriage subsists. Please check the portal for the current rules on when an update is required.
Consular Section contacts
- Consular Officer
- Shri Aroop Gayan, Attaché (Consular) — cons.caracas[at]mea[dot]gov[dot]in
- Consular Assistant
- Mr. Alejandro González — cons1.caracas[at]mea[dot]gov[dot]in
- Telephone
- +58 212 285 7887 / 285 3806 / 286 6498 / 285 3637
- Submission and collection
- 08:30–11:30 hrs, working days — see Working Hours
- Emergency (24×7)
- +58 412 958 4288 — for genuine consular emergencies only