Points to Note

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Points to Note:

It is informed that the consular appointments stand cancelled until further notice. Applications need to be sent and received by registered/recommended post only to the Embassy of India, Stockholm at Kornhamnstorg 4, Box 2131, 10314, Stockholmas visitors are not allowed in Embassy premises.

Presently there are some delays in the processing of cases, given the situation. It may take up to 6-8 weeks to get the OCI cards.

IMPORTANT: India does not allow dual citizenship to its nationals. It is a punishable offence under the Indian Passport Act, 1967 to hold and travel on an Indian passport after acquiring foreign passport. Therefore, an Indian national upon acquiring Swedish/Latvian or any other foreign nationality is required to renounce his/her Indian citizenship by surrendering Indian passport to the nearest Indian Consulate/ High Commission/ Embassy immediately.

Web link for surrender of Indian Passport is https://embassy.passportindia.gov.in/

(OCI card holders do not entitle to carry out research work, missionary work mountaineering, tabligh activities and journalistic activities without prior permission.)

WARNING– Cancellation of OCI card: If it is found that the registration as an OCI cardholder was obtained by means of fraud, false representation or concealment of any material fact or the registered OCI cardholder has shown disaffection towards the Constitution of India or comes under any of the provisions of Section 7D of India’s Citizenship Act, 1955, the OCI registration of such person will not only be cancelled forthwith but he/she will also be blacklisted preventing his/her future entry into India.

Who is eligible - 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 of India 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 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 (OCI) Cardholder registered under section 7A of India’s 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 OCI application.

A person who is otherwise eligible as per 1 to 7 above, should have been staying in Sweden or Latvia for a period at least six months. 

Who is not eligible - 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 Government of India may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify, shall be eligible for registration as an OCI card holder.

Revised guidelines for re-issuance of Overseas Citizen of India (OCI)

Government of India has revised instructions/guidelines on ‘Re-issuance of OCI cards due to Issuance of new foreign passports to OCI cardholders.’

(i)     Mandatory requirement of re-issuance of an OCI card each time a new passport is issued to a foreigner up to 20 years of age and once after completing 50 years of age is dispensed with. 

(ii)     OCI cardholder is required to get the OCI card re-issued only once when a new passport is issued after completing 20 years of age so as to capture his/her facial features.  

(iii)    OCI cardholder is required to upload ONLINE a copy of the new passport and a latest photo each time a new passport is issued up to 20 years of age and once after completing 50 years of age.  The uploading of these documents may be done within three months of receipt of the new passport.  

(iv)    Foreign Spouse of an Indian Citizen or spouse of foreign origin of an OCI cardholder are required to upload a copy of the new passport and also a latest photo ONLINE each time a new passport is issued along with a declaration on subsisting of marriage, copy of the Indian passport of the Indian spouse/passport & OCI card of the OCI cardholder spouse. 

(In case of (iii) and (iv), please visit https://ociservices.gov.in/welcome and select the option ‘OCI Miscellaneous Services’ for uploading copy of the passport, recent photograph and other documents.  No document submission is needed at the Embassy.  This service is Gratis/Free.

In case of (ii) applicants need to send the miscellaneous application by registered post along with supporting documents (please see details on Indian embassy website).

2. Timeline for re-issuance of OCI card in r/o OCI cardholders who may be required to get their OCI card re-issued, has been extended till December 31, 2021.

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.

Note:- Applications for re-issuance of OCI Card may be sent to the Embassy (for change of Personal Particulars viz. name, father’s name and nationality etc. and Loss/Damage of OCI Card)

Common mistakes which may result in rejection/delay of OCI application

1. Uploaded Photo/Signatures are not as per specifications.
2. All the supporting documents are not uploaded online.
3. Passport Number/Date of issue of passport is incorrect.
4. Name/place of birth/Date of birth is incorrect.
5. Full names of parents/Spouse are not mentioned.
6. Marital status/Spouse name not mentioned.
7. Applicant do not sign on the Declaration in Part –B. In case of Minor Child, both parents do not sign in Part – B.
8. Under Applicant’s passport details, Indian passport details are filled whereas it should be details of foreign passport only.
NOTE: - Both parents must sign in the last page of application for Minor Child.

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