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Documents Required for Indian PASSPORT Renewal

Information FORM FOR INDIAN PASSPORT RENEWAL

SPOUSE NAME AND NATIONALITY IF MARRIED

OCCUPATION DETAILS

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Documents Required for Indian VISA

INFORMATION FOR VISA

OCCUPATION DETAILS

SPOUSE NAME IF MARRIED

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FOR OCI PASSENGER INFORMATION

CONTACT DETAILS

IN CASE SPOUSE NATIONALITY IS INDIAN

IN CASE IF SPOUSE IS A U.S CITIZEN

NOTE

Please Write Clearly or in Bold Letters as Mistakes Might Delay Your Oci Application or Even Can Get Rejected by Indian Consulate Note: Air Tours Inc Will Not Be Held Responsible for Any Delays or Application Rejection

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OCI card - a must have for American Indians

Are you an Indian American with family members in India? If yes, then at some point of time since the onset of COVID-19 pandemic, you must have researched your options to visit India.

As a travel consultant for a leading travel agency in the US midwest region, I have been asked these questions numerous times:

  • I have a valid multiple entry tourist visa, can I travel to India?
  • I have a 5 years multiple entry E-Visa, can I travel to India?
  • Can I get a Tourist visa to travel to India?

My answer has been "No, unless you have an Entry Visa (X) or an emergency visa, you cannot enter India". The Government of India had suspended all visas to India on 13 March 2020 and this has remained in effect for tourist visas until now. Even though the latest circular issued by the Government of India on 30 March 2021 details opening many types of paper visas and e-visas to India, this has not included Tourist Visas which remain to be the most popular type of visa for US nationals visiting India without business, educational or medical necessities. As of March 2020 before the lockdown was imposed and all visas were suspended, a total of 837,721 foreign tourists had arrived in India on an E-Tourist Visa.

During this unprecedented predicament we heard many heart wrenching stories where Indian American travelers wanted to visit India immediately to care for ailing parents or hospitalized relatives and were unable to do so in time. Even though many emergency visas were issued by Indian consulates, the overwhelming demand was difficult to suffice.

On 12 June 2020, Government of India allowed the entry of OCI card holders while still suspending tourist visa holders. This saw a huge influx in the number of OCI applications since this was the only way to enter India if there came a necessity to travel on an immediate basis. All our travel consultants handled numerous calls throughout the day answering visa related questions and assisting travelers in OCI applications at the fastest pace possible.

Benefits of OCI

You may ask, apart from allowing entry in this unique pandemic situation how else does holding an OCI card come handy?

  • OCI is a lifelong visa to India
  • You can live or work in India for an indefinite period
  • You can hold bank accounts
  • You can inherit, buy, hold or sell properties except agricultural lands
  • You can pursue education in India
  • You can adopt Indian children
  • You can stay in India for as long as you want without needing to report to a local FRRO office
  • It also works as a form of ID & address proo

For a detailed list of activities allowed and disallowed for OCI card holders refer to the official website for the Bureau of Immigrations, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.

https://boi.gov.in/content/overseas-citizen-india-oci-cardholder

Who is eligible to attain an OCI card?

  • Foreign nationals who have been citizens of India in the past and have renounced their Indian citizenship
  • Children or Grandchildren of Indians or OCI card holders
  • Spouse of Indians or OCI card holders
  • Those who were eligible for citizenship on 26 January 1950 or those who used to live in a territory that became part of India on independence in 1947

OCI is not available for:

  • Those who have any family members that are or were citizens of Pakistan or Bangladesh
  • Those who are foreign spouse of a deceased or separated partner
  • Those who have worked for a foreign military in any capacity
  • Children whose Indian parent is deceased

Requirements for OCI Card Application:

Applying for an OCI is simple with the following documents

  • Current US / foreign passport
  • Passport size photograph
  • Copy of last held Indian passport
  • Renunciation Certificate
  • Proof of Current Residence

OCI Reissue:

As recently as 15 April 2021, the Ministry of Home Affairs announced simplification of OCI reissue. OCI card holders who are less than the age of 20 do not need to reissue their cards every time their US passport is renewed. They need to reissue their cards only once when they turn 20 years of age. Those who attain OCI after the age of 20 do not need to reissue their cards any more. Instead OCI card holders must upload a copy of a new US passport containing their photograph and a latest photograph once when they attain the age of 20 years and once after completing 50 years of age. OCI card holders do not need to carry old passports along with their OCI cards while boarding a flight to India.

In conclusion, OCI card is a powerful document for foreign citizens of Indian origin that gives unique benefits lifelong.

To attain one, you need to apply online, upload necessary documents, prepare for a physical submission and dispatch with payment to the closest Indian consulate in your jurisdiction. Else, simply pick up your phone and call us, Air Tours Inc at 847-301-7777 or 773-764-4544. Feel free to email us at info@airtoursinc.com. We have a team of consular service experts who can help with the entire process from application to delivery of OCI card to home address.

Sources:

https://www.statista.com/statistics/1096267/india-foreign-tourist-arrivals-e-tourist-visa/

https://boi.gov.in/content/overseas-citizen-india-oci-cardholder

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