Home / New OCI Card
Apply for a New
OCI Card in the UK
Applying for your first OCI card? OCI Gateway helps you check your eligibility, gather the right documents and prepare your new OCI application from the UK. We complete the online form, prepare your photograph and signature for upload, and help you get ready for the required appointment.
Our UK-based team supports adults, children and families, including former Indian passport holders and applicants applying through their parents, grandparents or spouse.
Start with a free document checklist tailored to your circumstances. Tell us who is applying, their current nationality and the Indian-origin or spouse documents available, and we will explain what to prepare.
PERSONAL SUPPORT. CLEAR NEXT STEPS.
A clear checklist for your case.
Support at each step.
Who can apply for a new OCI card in the UK?
OCI stands for Overseas Citizen of India. British citizens and other foreign nationals may qualify through their own Indian origin, an eligible family connection or marriage. We review your circumstances against the official OCI eligibility rules before preparing the application.
Former Indian citizens
If you previously held Indian citizenship and have acquired British or another foreign citizenship, you may qualify through your own Indian origin. We review your Indian passport history, naturalisation documents and any passport-surrender requirement.
Applicants with Indian parents or ancestors
You may qualify through an eligible parent, grandparent or great-grandparent, even if you were born in the UK and have never held an Indian passport. The documents must establish the qualifying Indian origin and connect you to that relative.
Children applying for their first OCI
A child may qualify through an eligible parent or family connection. We check the child’s nationality, birth certificate and parents’ documents, and explain the consent and supporting evidence needed for their application.
Applicants applying through a spouse
A foreign spouse of an Indian citizen or OCI cardholder may qualify where the registered marriage has continued for at least two years immediately before applying. This route includes additional checks and a joint interview. If you also have your own Indian-origin connection, tell us so we can review the appropriate category.
Eligibility restrictions apply. A person who has held Pakistani or Bangladeshi citizenship, or whose parent, grandparent or great-grandparent has held it, is not eligible under the published OCI rules. Tell us about any military or police service so we can check the applicable requirements.
Already have OCI and need to update your passport or personal details? See our OCI renewal and update service.
Documents required for a new OCI application
Your full OCI document checklist depends on how you qualify, your nationality and your family circumstances. These are the standard items we ask you to have ready, where applicable. Contact us for your complete checklist, free of charge.
Additional documents for your circumstances
Your checklist may also include full birth certificates linking family members, parents’ passports and consent, naturalisation or registration certificates, an Indian passport surrender certificate, or evidence of your UK immigration status if you are not a British citizen.
We also check whether certificates need an apostille, attestation or translation, and whether any name differences need to be resolved. You do not need to collect every possible document before contacting us.
Current passport
A clear copy of your current British or other foreign passport. It should have at least six months’ validity when the application is submitted. We explain which pages are needed.
Photograph
A recent photograph suitable for the OCI application. We check and prepare the digital image for upload and explain the printed-photo requirements for your appointment.
Signature
A clear signature image. For a child who cannot sign, we explain the thumb-impression requirement and how to prepare it.
Marriage certificate, if married
Have your registered marriage certificate ready, including when applying through your own Indian origin. Your spouse’s passport and other supporting documents may also be needed.
Employment proof
An employment letter confirming your work details. We provide the employment-letter template for your employer to complete. If you are self-employed, retired, studying or not currently working, tell us so we can explain the appropriate evidence.
Address proof
Evidence of your current UK address, such as a suitable utility bill or driving licence. We check the accepted documents for your application and that the address matches the form.
Indian-origin or spouse evidence
Documents supporting the basis of your application, such as an Indian passport, relevant family records or your spouse’s Indian passport or OCI. The next section explains the main options.
What can I use as proof of Indian origin for OCI?
The evidence needs to support the category under which you are applying. Depending on your circumstances, relevant documents can include:
Indian passport
Your own, a parent’s or grandparent’s Indian passport; or your spouse’s Indian passport when applying through marriage.
OCI card
A parent’s, grandparent’s or spouse’s OCI card, together with any required evidence of Indian origin and your relationship to that person.
Indian birth certificate
A certificate issued by the relevant birth-registration authority. Depending on the case, further records, such as education or inherited-property documents, may be needed.
Domicile or nativity certificate
A certificate issued or certified by the competent Indian authority, such as the District Magistrate or Collector for the relevant area.
When applying through an ancestor, birth certificates may be needed to show each link in the family. A spouse-based application instead requires evidence of the qualifying marriage and your spouse’s status.
Have different documents, missing family records or a great-grandparent connection?
Contact us with the documents available. We will review what they establish and explain any further evidence needed.
Name discrepancies and OCI affidavits
Does your name, or a parent’s name, appear differently across your passport, birth certificate, marriage certificate or other records? Differences in spelling, middle names or name order need to be addressed before submission.
A formal legal name change can also require a name-change deed or other supporting evidence. We explain what is needed for your case before you arrange notarisation.
For a name-discrepancy affidavit, we help you through three steps:
Review the differences
We compare the documents and identify the names and records that need to be explained.
Prepare the affidavit
We draft the wording for your circumstances in line with the relevant OCI requirements.
Arrange notarisation
Once we have drafted it, we send you a list of nearby notaries. You then arrange for the affidavit to be notarised by a UK Notary Public.
How to apply for an OCI card from the UK with our help
Your application starts online, followed by the document-verification and appointment steps for your category. Here is how our new OCI application service works.
Personal support
at every step.
Tell us who is applying
Send an enquiry with the applicant’s nationality, place of birth, UK postcode and the Indian-origin or spouse documents available. Tell us about any planned travel or application already started. We explain the next steps and provide your free checklist.
We review your supporting documents
We check your copies for missing evidence, unclear scans and differences between records. We explain any additional documents and help with the employment-letter template or affidavit preparation where needed.
We prepare the OCI application form and uploads
We complete the relevant online application, format your photograph and signature, and prepare the supporting files for upload. We check the details with you before finalising the application and explain what needs to be printed and signed.
We help you prepare for your appointment
For a standard Indian-origin application, we help arrange the appropriate VFS appointment and explain the originals, copies and other items to take. You attend the required appointment and complete any personal verification. For spouse-based cases, we explain the relevant Indian Mission’s interview and submission procedure.
We help you follow the application through
We explain how to check your application status and respond if the authorities request further documents. Once approved, we help you access your eOCI and check that your recorded details are correct.
How long does it take to get an OCI card in the UK?
For a standard new OCI application based on Indian origin, OCI Gateway recommends allowing around 6–8 weeks from submission at a VFS centre.
Allow separate time beforehand for gathering documents, any notarisation or legalisation, application preparation and appointment availability. The 6–8 weeks does not start when you first contact us or begin filling in the online form.
Processing can take longer if the authorities email you for additional documents or carry out further checks. Check your registered email, including your spam folder, and share any request with us so we can help you prepare the response.
Spouse-based applications follow a separate process and can take longer. London currently publishes an estimate of around 10–12 weeks for that route. We explain the relevant Mission’s arrangements for your case.
These are planning estimates, not guaranteed completion dates. Tell us your intended departure date when you enquire.
Can I travel to India while my new OCI application is processing?
A pending first-time OCI application does not itself authorise travel to India. You need an appropriate visa or another valid entitlement for your journey.
If you need to travel before your OCI is approved, you may be eligible for an Indian eVisa. Eligibility depends on your nationality, passport, purpose of travel and other requirements. An eVisa must be granted before you travel; a submitted application or payment confirmation is not enough.
Tell us your travel dates and the stage your OCI application has reached. We can review the available options and help eligible travellers prepare the appropriate visa application.
How will I receive my new eOCI?
New OCI registrations are now issued digitally as eOCI. After approval, you can access the electronic card through the official OCI portal using the email linked to your record.
Keep access to that email account throughout the application. We help you understand the approval notification, access your eOCI and check the name, passport details and other particulars shown.
An application reference or acknowledgement is not an approved eOCI. If something is incorrect after approval, tell us so we can help you identify the next step.
Your approved details, available digitally.
Why use OCI Gateway for your new OCI application?
Our service helps you work through the application with a clear checklist and practical support at each stage.
Speak to our UK-based team by phone, email or WhatsApp. We support applicants across the UK, so your application preparation can be handled remotely.
A checklist for your case
Get your full document list free of charge before gathering everything.
Careful document review
We check the evidence, family connections and differences between records.
Help with supporting paperwork
We provide an employment-letter template and draft name-discrepancy affidavits where required, then help you find nearby notaries.
Form and upload preparation
We complete the application details and prepare your photograph, signature and supporting files.
Appointment and follow-up support
We explain what happens next, what to take and how to respond to further requests.
Can I apply for OCI if I was born in the UK and have never held an Indian passport?
You may qualify through an eligible parent, grandparent or great-grandparent, or through a qualifying spouse. We review the evidence of that connection. Your British passport establishes your current nationality; separate documents are needed to establish your eligibility for OCI.
Does my child need a separate OCI application?
Yes. Each child needs their own application and supporting documents. We explain the child’s passport, photograph and signature or thumb-impression requirements, together with the parents’ documents, birth certificate and any consent or custody evidence needed.
Do I need to surrender my Indian passport before applying for OCI?
If you previously held an Indian passport and acquired foreign citizenship, the surrender requirements need to be addressed before your OCI application. Have your naturalisation date, old Indian passport and any surrender certificate ready. Tell us if the passport or certificate is missing, as the evidence required can depend on your history and when you acquired foreign nationality.
Do birth and marriage certificates need an apostille for OCI?
Certificates issued outside India generally need an apostille or the applicable attestation process. The issuing country and relevant Mission’s requirements determine the route. We check this as part of your checklist. An apostille and a notarised affidavit serve different purposes, so tell us what you already have before arranging either.
Can I complete a new OCI application entirely online?
The form and document uploads are completed online, but a standard new Indian-origin application also requires submission at VFS. Spouse-based applications include an interview and follow the relevant Mission’s arrangements. Using an application-support service does not remove the required personal-verification steps.
Do I need to send original documents to OCI Gateway?
Clear copies allow us to review and prepare your application. Keep the originals available for official verification. We explain which originals and copies to take to the required appointment; you do not need to visit our office for the preparation service.
Can I apply if I am retired, self-employed or not currently working?
Your work circumstances affect the supporting evidence needed. Tell us your current situation and any relevant employment history. We explain the appropriate documents rather than asking you to obtain an employment letter that does not reflect your circumstances.
What if I have already applied or received a request for more documents?
Send us your application reference, the current status and the exact request received. We can review the outstanding issue and explain the next steps. Contact us before starting another application, so we can understand the work already completed.
Ready to start your new OCI application?
Tell OCI Gateway who is applying and which Indian-origin or spouse documents you have. We will explain the next steps and provide your complete document checklist free of charge.
If you have already started an application, include its reference and any instructions received. Let us know about planned travel and any differences in names across your documents.