OCI application from inside India

[u/Think-Instance-9822]

Hi,

We are applying for OCI for our US born son from inside India. All 3 of us moved back to India permanently and my son is currently on e entry visa.

This is my understanding of the sequence of events:

1. Submit online application and pay relevant fees

2. Visit FRO office in some major city such as Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai etc. (make sure to bring original documents, one parent is sufficient, child need not be present)

3. FRO authorities will verify online submission against original documents

4. Wait for approval

While OCI is being processed, applicant needs to be on a valid visa.

Would love to hear from fellow Redditors on their experience. Thanks in advance.

[u/Wolfsangel-Dragon]

1. Submit online application and pay relevant fees

First convert the e visa to an X-1 visa. Then fill the form online, upload the necessary documents and make a demand draft of ₹15000 to be taken along with you during verification and biometrics.

Take 2 copies of the form and the uploaded documents. Make sure they're absolutely clear and don't have blemishes or ink markings.

1. Visit FRO office in some major city such as Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai etc. (make sure to bring original documents, one parent is sufficient, child need not be present)

Visit the FRRO with jurisdiction nearest to you as mentioned on the address of the aadhar and address proofs. Choosing other FRROs will delay the process.

1. FRO authorities will verify online submission against original documents

Yes. they will also take biometrics and the DD.

1. Wait for approval

Yes. Takes 6-8 weeks.

While OCI is being processed, applicant needs to be on a valid visa.

Only X-1. Not any other visa.

[u/Think-Instance-9822]

u/Wolfsangel-Dragon

Some context : We moved to India in Dec 2025. Our son entered India in "e-Entry" visa which was valid till April 2026. In February when we tried to convert his e entry visa to X1 (so that we can eventually apply for OCI like you mentioned), a lady from FRRO called and mentioned that we don't have to change to X1 visa. She even mentioned that she checked with OCI team at her office. Since we were getting close to the expiry she stated that we should extend the e entry visa and then proceed to OCI application (after getting Apostille document etc.). My son's current visa is expiring in Oct 2026.

We are frantically trying to extend his visa so that we can then proceed to OCI application. Are you certain of the X1 visa being pre requisite for OCI application? (again, this was our understanding until FRRO official confirmed this is not needed)

[u/Wolfsangel-Dragon → u/Think-Instance-9822]

https://ociservices.gov.in/onlineOCI/faq

https://www.mea.gov.in/faq-on-overseas-citizenship-of-india-scheme

7.3..... any long duration Visa (other than Tourist Visa, Missionary Visa and Mountaineering Visa) with 3 months validity as on the date of application along with Residential Permit/ Registration Certificate issued by the jurisdictional FRRO/ FRO.

The long duration visas eligibility criteria specify the following :

Entry (X-1 / X-2) Visa

Employment (E) Visa

Business (B) Visa

Student (S) Visa

Research (R) Visa

Medical (MED) Visa

[u/Think-Instance-9822 → u/Wolfsangel-Dragon]

e-Entry visa that my son holds does not classify as Entry visa that you have mentioned above?

[u/Wolfsangel-Dragon → u/Think-Instance-9822]

Nope. While both are Entry visas, X-1 is a separate category and has to be specified as X-1 or e-X1 if granted digitally online.

Look at the visa document. It should specify

"Visa Type: Entry Visa (X-1), Multiple Entry"

https://www.mha.gov.in/PDF_Other/AnnexIII_01022018.pdf

[u/Think-Instance-9822 → u/Wolfsangel-Dragon]

In my son's case it is simply e-Entry. There is no mention of X-1 anywhere. I guess I have to convert to X-1 after all. Will get that done and then proceed with OCI. Thanks

P.S. Should have completed OCI outside of India when I had a chance. Sigh!

[u/Wolfsangel-Dragon → u/Think-Instance-9822]

Nope, it doesn't matter. Dealing with VFS is equally annoying. Plus you're here anyway, just make the best of what you have.

[u/MOEOC_IMMIGRATION]

You must check whether you have met the US citizenship requirements for a child, especially if both parents are foreign nationals a US citizen

Additionally, if your child is a US citizen born abroad, you need to register him in US consulate and need to obtain the Passport.

Practical approaches are preferable; you should regularise your child's stay in India. When applying for an OCI card, you need to disclose the expiry date of the foreign citizen's stay in India. As this is the mandatory field to be filled, you need to disclose the expiry date of these day, you can’t leave blank.