Everything You Need to Know About the OCI Card in UAE

For Indian origin people living with UAE citizenship, obtaining an OCI card in the UAE opens up several benefits. The Indian Embassy or Consulate provides a range of vital services to Indian nationals and UAE residents. Want to apply for an Indian OCI application in the UAE and seeking guidance for it? Then, go no further, as you have arrived at the right destination. In this blog, you will learn everything about the OCI card, including eligibility criteria, benefits, and the application process. Additionally, why is Visament the right choice for your OCI application in Dubai or any other country? So, let's start reading.

General Details About OCI Card

An Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) is a status given to foreign citizens of Indian origin. The Indian government launched the OCI scheme to fulfill the demand of foreign nationals of Indian origin who demand dual citizenship. Through the OCI card, these individuals can reside, work, and study in India for an indefinite period without requiring a visa. In simple words, you can say that it is the immigration status of these people.

This is all about the OCI card. Anyone looking for reliable OCI services in the UAE, contact Visament. We offer the best Online OCI Services with positive results within the given processing time. Do you know that, apart from providing an indefinite stay in India, the OCI card also offers several benefits to the cardholder? Want to know? Read the next section and get your answers.

Benefits of Having an OCI Card

As stated above, having an OCI card on hand offers several benefits. Let's know what these are by reading the given points:

• You can enter India multiple times for various purposes without needing to apply for a visa.
• There is no need to register with the officials for staying in India for 182 days or more.
• Like the Indian citizens, OCIs pay the same airfares for domestic flights.
• Parity with the Non-Indian residents (NRIs) in fields of economics, education, and finance.
• OCIs are allowed to practice several professions in India, such as doctors, dentists, nurses, advocates, etc.
• Like NRIs, the rules for OCIs under inter-country adoption are the same.
• For visiting Indian national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, pay the same price as Indian residents.
• Maintaining parity with Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) when visiting historical sites, museums, and national monuments in India.

These are some of the OCI card offers the cardholders in India. Additionally, the validity of an OCI card is lifetime, so unlike passports or PIO cards, you do not need to renew it. However, not every person who is foreign and of Indian origin can apply for an OCI card in the UAE. There are several eligibility criteria that you need to fulfill to obtain this card. Moving forward, let's keep an eye on it.

Eligibility Criteria to Apply for an OCI Card in UAE

Want to fill out the OCI card application in the UAE, but have you checked whether you are eligible to apply for the card or not? Yes, not only being from an Indian origin makes you eligible for the OCI card. There are several additional criteria that you must meet to obtain an OCI card. Read on the given points to know about them:

• A foreign individual who was an Indian citizen at the time or after January 26, 1950.
• A person who was eligible to become an Indian citizen on January 26, 1950.
• He/she belongs to a territory or place that became part of India on or after August 15, 1947.
• A person who is a child or grandchild of any of the mentioned individuals.
• Minor child whose both or one parent is an Indian citizen or an OCI cardholder.
• Spouses of Indian citizens or OCI cardholders can also apply for the card, provided their marriage has been completed for two or more years.

These are the people eligible to apply for an OCI card in UAE. However, there are some restrictions also on the people who cannot apply for the card. According to the Indian Central Government, individuals whose parents, grandparents, or great-grandparents are or have been Bangladesh or Pakistan citizens are not eligible to apply for the OCI card. Additionally, foreign individuals of Indian origin, while on a mountaineering, tourist, or missionary visa in India, are not eligible to apply for the card. Furthermore, foreign citizens of the UAE who wish to obtain an OCI must first become Indian residents and then complete the OCI online application form. Here, the term "ordinary residents" refers to individuals who have resided in a specific country for at least six months.

This pertains to the eligibility criteria for the OCI card. Now, moving ahead, let's know how to apply for the OCI card in the UAE.

How to Get Started with the OCI Application in Dubai

Thanks to Indian digitalization services, the process of applying for an OCI card online in the UAE has become simpler. By visiting the government website for OCI services, you can easily fill out the OCI application form online, upload the required documents, pay the fee, and schedule an appointment with officials for the physical submission of your application. So, whether you are applying for OCI miscellaneous services or a new OCI card, you can do so online without needing to go anywhere.

However, even the simple online OCI card application becomes difficult if you do not have a proper understanding of the process. In addition can result in application rejection. You can ease this process by seeking help from a reliable OCI application agency, such as Visament. We have a team of professionals who assist you throughout the OCI application process in Dubai, ensuring everything goes smoothly. From handling the documentation process to filling out the application form and booking an appointment with officials, we do it all on your behalf. So, why struggle when you have the solution by your side? This is how you can access our OCI services in the UAE from the comfort of your own home.

OCI Application Process via Visament

Here are the following steps you need to follow to apply for OCI service in UAE via Visament:

• Select the Service and Make the Payment: Visit the official Visament website. For Indian-origin people living in the UAE, please note that with UAE citizenship, you can continue the OCI application process. Use the available online payment option to pay the OCI fee that appears on your screen. For your payment convenience, we offer several online payment options, including debit card, credit card, MasterCard, and PayPal.
• Receive the Checklist and Upload the Documents: Once we receive payment confirmation, our team will send you the list of documents required for the OCI application. Scan and upload the documents on our site as per the given checklist. Do not miss uploading any of them, as failure to do so may result in the application's denial or rejection.
• Expert Verification and Documentation: After you upload the documents to our site, our experts will first verify them and check whether they comply with the sent checklist. Once they ensure everything is accurate, they will proceed with the OCI application process by completing the application form and uploading the required documents.
• Appointment Booking and File Preparation: Our experts will book your appointment with the officials for the physical submission of documents and biometric data. Additionally, our experts will also prepare your OCI application file. It consists of your filled-out OCI application form, submitted documents, and application reference number (ARN). Take a printout of it, as you will need to carry it with you to your appointment.
• Application Status and Receiving Your OCI Card: Once you have completed your OCI appointment, our experts will keep you updated via WhatsApp and email notifications on your application status. Additionally, you can also track down the application status by using the ARN number. Apart from this, within the given processing time, you will receive your OCI card in the UAE without any delay or additional document requirement.

This is how you can easily obtain your OCI card in the UAE with Visament without facing any issues. So, whether you are looking for a new OCI application in Dubai or another country, or want to Renew your OCI Card, connect with Visament and let our experts handle everything for you. Additionally, you can utilize the Visament application tracking tool to check the current status of your OCI application. It is easy to use and provides you with accurate details. Moving forward, let's review the documents required for the OCI card application in the UAE.

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Documents Required for OCI Card UAE

Depending on the type of OCI application you applied for in the UAE, the required documents vary. However, there are some common documents that you need to submit with all OCI application types. Moving ahead, let's know about them:

Mandatory Documents Required During OCI Application in the UAE

Here is the list of common documents required during any OCI application type in the UAE:

• Filled out OCI application form
• Surrender/ renunciation certificate
• Original and a copy of the Indian passport
• Two passport-size, colored photographs
• Address proof
• UAE or foreign passport
• Foreign citizenship certificate
• OCI application fee (as per OCI application type)
• Professional details of OCI applicant

Additional Documents Required as per the Type of OCI Application

In addition to the mandatory documents, depending on your OCI application type, you may also need to submit some additional documents. These are as follows:

• OCI Application for Minor: The child's birth certificate, marriage certificate of the parents, a NOC signed by both parents, and a passport copy of both parents.
• Reissuance of OCI Card/ PIO to OCI Conversion: Original damaged OCI card (in case of a damaged OCI card), copy of police report (in case of lost OCI card in UAE), and existing PIO card (original and copy).
• Foreign Spouse: Passport of the Indian partner, citizenship status of the foreign spouse in UAE (if he/she is not a citizen of UAE), and a copy of the registered marriage certificate.

These are the documents required for an OCI card in the UAE, depending on the application type. Moving forward, let's discuss the processing time and fees for the OCI card in the UAE.

Processing Time and Fees to Apply for the OCI Card in UAE

According to the type of OCI application, the processing time varies in the UAE. Generally, a new OCI application takes 5 to 6 weeks to process, and an OCI renewal takes 6 to 7 weeks. However, the processing time varies due to several factors, such as an increased volume of OCI applications, the country or city where your last passport was issued, the requirement for additional documents, or individual circumstances. 

OCI Application Fee in UAE

The OCI application fee in the UAE varies depending on the type of OCI application applied for. To provide you with an idea, here is the breakdown of the OCI fees charged in the UAE:

This article focuses on the OCI application process, including time and fees, in the UAE. Moving further, let's know how to check the OCI application status in the UAE.

How to Track OCI Application in UAE?

To stay updated on the status of your OCI card in the UAE, it is essential to track your OCI application. It also helps in knowing the estimated time to receive your OCI card. Would you like to know the current status of your application? Follow the steps and track your application:

• Step 1: To track your OCI application, first, visit the official OCI services website in the UAE.
• Step 2: On the homepage, navigate to the "Status Enquiry" option and click on it.
• Step 3: To determine the current status of your application, please provide some details. These are as follows:
  • Application Reference Number (ARN)
  • Passport number as per your OCI application
  • Date of birth as per your passport
• Step 4: After mentioning all the information, write the CAPTCHA code that appears on your screen.
• Step 5: After mentioning the code, click the "Get Status" option to check the status of your OCI application.

This is how you by following these steps you can check your current OCI card status in UAE online. Additionally, you can use the Visament application tracking tool to check your card status. It is available on our site and provides you with accurate information.

Final Thoughts

Applying for an OCI card in the UAE can seem daunting, as it involves a lengthy process and a significant amount of documentation. However, you don't need to worry about this, as Visament is here to help you. Whether you are seeking assistance with an OCI application in Abu Dhabi or OCI Miscellaneous Services in Dubai, we are here to support you at every step of the process. So, why struggle when you have the best solution by your side? Connect with us today and let us handle all your OCI application process.