1. Implementation & Application Procedure
   Initially, applications are to be filled on line as per procedure given below and mailed to the Consulate General of India, Houston (in respect of applicants resident in the Consulate’s jurisdiction - for details see heading “jurisdiction”). Applicants who wish to apply for OCI registration in person, should send their brief particulars including their name, passport details by e-mail on the following address: cgi-hou@swbell.net.  The mail would be acknowledged and the date for a personal appointment in the Consular Wing will be communicated to them.    
   
   Dedicated telephone for making OCI Scheme related enquiries in respect of applications mailed to Consulate General of India, Houston:   Contact –713-871-1727 (between 1400-1600 hrs. only)
   
2. Application procedure:  
   In order to register as an OCI, an applicant should follow the steps given below:-
   
   Step 1
   
   The applicant should access Ministry of Home Affairs’ website at www.mha.nic.in and the OCI link to our website at www.cgihouston.org where details about the OCI Scheme are available.
   
   Step 2    
   Applicants are advised to ensure that they have already obtained a "Surrender of Indian Nationality Certificate", a copy of which should be attached with the application. Applicants should visit relevant link on this website under the heading "Latest Advisory Regarding Renunciation of Indian Nationality".
   To fill up the application :-  
   
   1. Visit MHA OCI page
   2. Click Online registration and complete the form (Part A) online.
   3. After Part A is filled out, click save. A print window would appear. Click OK to print out the requisite application form consisting of Part A (which has been completed as online registration). The blank form of Part-B will automatically print itself alongwith Part A.
   4. The applicant must then fill-in Part B, which should be preferably TYPED Alternatively, it may be handwritten in capital letters with Blue or Black Ink only
   5. The completed application form (Part A & Part B) along with supporting documents must be submitted in duplicate (two sets) by mail to the Consulate. Besides affixing photographs on the application forms, the applicant must submit Four (4) colour Photographs (size 3.5 cm X 3.5 cm), taken against a light colour background. Two ofthem should be pasted on application(original and duplicate) and two stapled with the application.  
3. Important Notes
   
   1. The applicants should ensure that the application form is complete in all respects and is supported by all required documents and photographs which should be mailed alongwith the required enclosures to Consulate General of India, 1990 Post Oak Blvd. # 600 Three Post Oak Central, Houston, TX-77056.  There is a checklist given at the end of Part B, which gives the list of documents that have to be enclosed at the time of submitting the OCI application form.It may be ensured that the applicant submits notarized or self attested (i.e. attested by applicant himself/herself) photocopies of his/her passport, PIO card and other supporting documents.  
   2. The application fee for registration under the OCI Scheme is US$ 275. An additional amount of US$ 20 towards return mailing charges should also be sent alongwith a self-addressed envelope accompanying the application. For PIO card holder (adults),the fee for OCI is US$ 25 and for PIO Card holders(minors), the fee is $145 which should be sent alongwith the application. An additional fee of US$ 20/- for return mailing charges may also be sent along with the application.  Fee will be accepted in the form of money orders & certified cheques only. Personal Cheques will not be accepted.
   3. Note for PIO Card-holders
      A copy of PIO Card and copy of his/her cancelled Indian passport should be attached alongwith the application.  
      The PIO Card will have to be surrendered  at the time of receipt of the OCI registration certificate.
   4. A large number of cases are being rejected due to poor quality of photographs thereby causing delay in processing of OCI applications. Applicants may kindly ensure that professionally clicked, high-resolution with good contrast photographs only are sent.
4. Jurisdiction
   
   
   • Embassy of India, Washington, DC
     (Consular Jurisdiction: Bermuda, Delaware, District of Columbia, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia
   • Consulate General of India - New York Homepage
     (Consular Jurisdiction: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virgin Islands)  
   • Consulate General of India - San Francisco Homepage
     (Consular Jurisdiction: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming)  
   • Consulate General of India - Chicago Homepage
     (Consular Jurisdiction: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin)  
   • Consulate General of India - Houston Homepage
     (Consular Jurisdiction: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Texas)  

              If the applicant is in India, he/she can apply to the Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (FRRO) at Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata or Amritsar or Chief Immigration Officer (CHIO) Chennai or to the Under Secretary, Citizenship Section, Foreigners Division, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Jaisalmer House, 26 Mansingh Road, New Delhi-110011.
   
   

CLARIFICATIONS ON OCI APPLICATIONS

1. Application form to be submitted filled up legibly in capital letters (two sets of the application i.e. application form and documents properly tagged and listed should be submitted).
2. Photographs: Four recently taken and identical colour photographs with light background of 3.5 cm x 3.5 cm size. The photographs should show the front view of full face and should be in civil dress. Polaroid photographs, poor quality photographs and photographs taken in uniform or with dark glasses will be rejected. Two photographs should be pasted on the application form(original and duplicate) and two stapled with the application. (Photograph Specifications)
.
3. Signatures: Specimen signature of applicant should be within the box. In case of children who cannot write or sign, thumb impression (left thumb impression of boys and right thumb impression of girls) should be given in the box. Parents can sign the application, but not in the box meant for specimen signatures.
4. Documents:

   • Copy of first and last pages/pages containing personal details of Indian Passport held by the applicant prior to acquiring foreign citizenship. Please do not attach photocopy of all pages of the passport.

     OR

     Birth Certificate in case of minors and applicants born outside India who did not possess Indian Passport; and copy of Indian passports of parents or grand parents (pages containing personal particulars only) where applicable (please do not attach photocopy of all pages of passport.

     OR

     Copy of PIO card in case of PIO card holders along with documents submitted as proof of PIO status while obtaining PIO card (those who obtained PIO card on the basis of he/she being spouse of a PIO is not eligible for OCI scheme).

     OR

     Any other proof of PIO status i.e. Birth Certificate and Domicile Certificate/Land ownership Certificate issued by the competent authority in India along with copy of any other document as evidence of PIO status and sworn affidavit. Acceptance of application with such documents would depend on the authenticity verification or prior clearance from the authorities concerned as considered necessary.

   • Copy of US or current nationality Passport. (Please attach copies of pages containing personal particulars only).
   • Photocopies of all documents enclosed with the application may either be notarized or self attested i.e. signed by the applicant himself/herself.

   (Note: Minors (below 18 years) whose both parents are indian nationals are not eligible for registration as OCI. Atleast one parent of the minor should be a PIO having foreign citizenship to become eligible for the OCI scheme.)

5. Fee:
   • Fee for OCI Card is $ 275 Cashier's Cheque or Money Order
   • For PIO Card holders (Adults): $ 25 Cashier's Cheque or Money Order
   • For PIO Card holders (Minors): $ 145 Cashier's Cheque or Money Order
   • Mailing Fee: $ 20 towards return mailing fee by FEDEX(in case applicant desires that the documents be sent back to him by post). This fee is applicable for one family and not for each individual
   • All Cashier's Cheques or Money Orders should be payable to the "Consulate General of India, Houston"
   • Please enclose photocopy of moneyorder, check or bank draft

   NOTE: OCI Card holders must carry the OCI Card as well as their nationality passport on which ‘U’ Visa has been affixed. In case the OCI Card holder has obtained new passport after expiry of the validity of the passport on which ‘U’ Visa had been affixed, he must carry both the old and the new passport along with the OCI Card for travel to India.

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