In the order of their receipts in the consulate, applications are scrutinized to ensure the completeness of all required documents and information for deciding the eligibility of applicant(s) for grant of OCI status. This process can take anywhere from 6 to 12 weeks, depending upon the consulate where you applied.

On completion of this process and subject to the applicant(s) found eligible, an Acknowledgement Slip is mailed out to the applicant(s) on the address given in the application. Acknowledgement slip contains file number, web registration number, name of applicant and the fee paid. OCI documents are received in the consulate in approximately 4 weeks from the date of issuing the Acknowledgement Slip.

Incomplete applications will be returned. They can be resubmitted again with required documents, but you will have to wait for the entire processing period again.

During normal processing times, applicants are requested to refrain from making telephone/written/email enquiries regarding the status of their application.

Online Status Inquiry
(Please enter your Online Registration No USAWI.... and click go.)
The status report will show dates of "Registration Status," "Documents Printing Status," "Documents Printed On," "Documents Dispatched to concerned Mission/Office," and "Documents Received at."

File numbers whose OCI cards are ready:
New York
San Francisco

After preliminary scrutiny, if there is no adverse information available against the applicant, the Indian Mission/Post shall register a person as OCI within minimum of 42 working days (6 weeks) of application and the case shall be referred to MHA for post verification of the antecedents of the applicant. If during the post verification, any adverse information comes to the knowledge of the MHA, the registration as OCI already granted by the Indian Mission/Post shall be cancelled by an order under section 7D of the Citizenship Act, 1955. The persons will also be blacklisted, banning their entry into India.

After preliminary scrutiny, if there is any adverse information against the applicant, prior approval of MHA shall be required before granting of registration. MHA may approve or reject the grant of registration within 120 days from the date of the receipt of the application. If the grant of registration as OCI is approved by MHA, the Indian Mission/Post shall register the person as an OCI.

If the application is filed in India, registration shall be granted by MHA by following the above procedure.

If the registration as OCI is not granted, an amount of US $250, or equivalent in the local currency, shall be refunded if registration is refused. There is a non-refundable processing fee of US $25.

Only after checking the OCI application status at Online Status Inquiry, after it indicates the documents have been received at the consulate, you should either mail the passports and other documents to the consulate (or FRRO if you are in India) or visit it in person. Documents are to be mailed or submitted in person only to the consulate where your application is getting processed or to the FRRO if you are in India. No letter will be sent regarding the OCI status. There is no need of further confirmation by phone/fax/email.

You need the following documents:

• US/foreign passport, the details of which were furnished in the application.
  In case you have acquired a new US/Foreign passport since you applied for OCI, provide expired US/Foreign passport and a photocopy of the new US/Foreign Passport. The "U" visa sticker will be pasted on the passport with which the application was made.
• Acknowledgement slip sent by consulate
• Valid Indian passport - if it hasn't already been cancelled
• PIO card - if it hasn't already been cancelled

Failure to submit a valid Indian Passport or PIO card will result in delay in issuing the OCI certificate. Failure to do so will lead to inconvenience at Immigration Check Points.

By Mail:
Along with the documents mentioned above, write a cover letter and mention the file number on it. Clearly mark the envelope "COLLECTION OF OCI DOCUMENTS" or "OCI Dispatch" (San Francisco).

In Person:
One adult member of the family can collect the OCI Cards on behalf of all members of the family.
Washington, DC: Not available.
New York: You can visit the consulate between 9:30 AM and 11:00 AM along with your passports to get OCI Cards stamped. Passports will be returned within 3 hours.
Chicago: Persons can visit the consulate between 4:00 PM and 5:00 PM.
Houston: Deposit the documents at the counter from 9:00 AM-12:30 PM and collect the OCI Card from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM on the same day.
San Francisco: Not available.

A multiple entry, multi-purpose lifelong OCI "U" ("U" for Universal) visa sticker will be pasted on the foreign passport of the applicant. A registration certificate will also be issued. Registration certificate is printed like an Indian passport, but in a different color.
These two documents will have the photograph of the individual and all necessary security features. A separate OCI passport will NOT be issued.