- Who is eligible to apply for an OCI card?
Foreign nationals who were eligible to become Indian citizens on or after 26 January 1950, or who were Indian citizens at any point since that date, including those who belonged to territories that became part of India after 15 August 1947, are eligible. Their children and grandchildren may also qualify, subject to the dual citizenship laws of their current country.
Note: Applicants who are or were citizens of Pakistan or Bangladesh are not eligible.
- My parents were born in undivided India but held Pakistani citizenship briefly after partition. Am I eligible for OCI?
No. Anyone whose parents or grandparents were ever citizens of Pakistan or Bangladesh is not eligible for OCI registration.
- Is a Renunciation Certificate required before applying for OCI?
Yes, you must obtain a Renunciation/Surrender Certificate before applying for an OCI card.
- My spouse is a foreign national. Can they apply for an OCI card? What about our children?
Yes. A foreign spouse of an Indian citizen or an existing OCI cardholder may apply, provided the marriage has been registered and has continuously existed for at least 2 years prior to the application date.
Minor children are also eligible if both parents or one parent holds Indian citizenship.
- Are foreign nationals serving in the military eligible for OCI?
No. Foreign military personnel, whether currently serving or retired, are not eligible to apply for an OCI card.
- What are the benefits of having an OCI card?
- Life-long, multiple entry visa to India
- Exemption from registration with local police, regardless of stay duration
- Equal treatment with NRIs in financial, economic, and educational sectors (except for agricultural/plantation land acquisition)
- Accepted as valid ID for PAN card, driving license, and bank accounts in India
- What are the restrictions on OCI cardholders?
OCI cardholders cannot:
- Vote in Indian elections
- Hold public office (e.g., President, Vice President, Member of Parliament, Judge, etc.)
- Acquire agricultural or plantation property
- Travel to Protected/Restricted Areas without PAP/RAP permits
- Undertake missionary work, journalism, or mountaineering without government clearance
- Be employed in Indian government services
- Can foreign nationals married to eligible OCI applicants apply?
Yes, as long as the marriage has been registered and has existed for 2 continuous years, foreign spouses can apply for OCI status.
- Are minor children eligible for an OCI card?
Yes, minor children with both or at least one Indian citizen parent are eligible to apply.
- Are civilian IT contractors or engineers in Ministry of Defence roles eligible?
No, even civilian personnel working in Defence are not eligible for OCI.
- Do I need to reissue my OCI card if I get a new passport?
You only need to apply for a re-issue of your OCI card once—after turning 20 and receiving a new passport.
- Do I need to update my passport details if OCI reissue is not needed?
Yes. You must update your passport information on the OCI portal within 3 months of receiving a new passport. A confirmation email is sent after the database is updated, which usually takes about 4 weeks.
- Do I need to carry my old passport with the OCI sticker while travelling?
No. As per the latest Indian government circular, OCI cardholders only need to carry their valid OCI card and current passport for travel. The old passport with the ‘U’ Visa is no longer required.
- Can an OCI cardholder renounce their status?
Yes. OCI status can be renounced by submitting Form XXII to the Indian Mission/Post that issued the OCI.
- What miscellaneous services are available at DU Digital Global ICAC in South Korea?
OCI Miscellaneous Services include:
- Reissue of OCI card due to new passport (post-20 years of age)
- Reissue due to damage or loss of the OCI card
- Updates due to change in name, nationality, address, or occupation
- Who can avail OCI Miscellaneous Services?
Only registered OCI cardholders can apply for these services.
- Under what conditions can these services be used?
- New passport issued (age-based requirement)
- Loss or damage of the OCI card
- Errors in personal details (name, DOB, nationality, etc.)
- Change in address or profession
- Application errors by Indian Mission/Office (manual cases)
- What to do if the OCI card is lost?
File a police report, and apply online for reissue under the Lost Category.
- What happens if I provide false or incomplete information?
Providing false information or hiding key facts may result in cancellation of your OCI registration under Section 7D of the Citizenship Act, 1955. You may also be blacklisted from entering India.
- Can an OCI cardholder visit restricted/protected areas in India freely?
No. OCI cardholders must obtain a Protected Area Permit (PAP) or Restricted Area Permit (RAP) just like any other foreign national.
- Are Indian civil/criminal laws applicable to OCI cardholders?
Yes. While residing in India, OCI cardholders are subject to Indian laws.
- Can OCI cardholders apply for Indian citizenship?
Yes. After holding an OCI card for 5 years, and having resided in India for at least 1 year, you may apply for Indian citizenship under Section 5(1)(g) of the Citizenship Act, 1955.
Q1. How can I correct errors in my submitted online application?
If you submitted incorrect information, you’ll need to fill out a new application online and bring the corrected printed form to the Indian Consular Application Centre (ICAC) during your appointment.
Q2. What are the working hours of the ICAC in South Korea?
Our centres are open Monday to Friday, 09:00 AM to 06:00 PM. Please check our official holiday list or contact our helpline in case of urgent queries or special closures.
Q3. How do I determine my jurisdiction within South Korea?
Jurisdiction is assigned based on your residential address. You can verify it using your area’s postal code or contact our ICAC for assistance.
Q4. What if I selected the wrong jurisdiction while filling out the form?
Submitting an application under the wrong jurisdiction may lead to rejection. A new application must be submitted with the correct jurisdiction selected. To avoid this situation, it is advisable to verify your jurisdiction before submitting your application or contact the ICAC for assistance.
Q5. Are original documents required during submission?
Yes, in certain cases, original documents are mandatory for verification. Please refer to the document checklist for your specific service type.
Q6. Can I apply for my family at the same appointment slot?
No, each applicant must book a separate appointment. Even for families, each member should have their own appointment and application form.
Q7. How can I correct my name or address in the passport?
Corrections such as name or address changes require applying for a reissue. Choose the appropriate option under “Reissue of Passport” while filling the application form.
Q8. What should I do if I lose my passport?
File a police report immediately and contact your country’s Embassy or Consulate in the host country to inform them of the situation and seek guidance. You will also need to initiate the process of obtaining a replacement passport to proceed with your travel plans or return home without delay.
Q9. How can I apply for a passport for my newborn?
To apply for a fresh passport for your newborn, navigate to the Passport Services section and select ‘Fresh Passport for Newborn Child’ to complete the application form. Prepare all necessary documents, including the child’s birth certificate, passport copies of the parent(s), proof of address, and recent passport-sized photographs of the child.
Q10. Is biometric enrollment mandatory for all services?
Yes, biometric enrollment is a mandatory part of the application process for most services including passports, visas, and OCI.
Q11. What if I miss my appointment?
If you miss your scheduled appointment, you’ll need to reschedule via the online portal. Walk-ins are not encouraged and may be subject to availability.
Q12. What payment modes are accepted at the ICAC?
We accept payments via debit/credit cards and cash (KRW only). UPI and digital wallets may be available depending on centre infrastructure.
Q13. Will I be notified once my application is processed?
Yes, updates will be sent via email and SMS at each stage. You can also track the status of your application on our website using your reference number.
Q14. Can someone else submit the application on my behalf?
No, the applicant must visit in person for services that require biometric or document verification. Only in special cases (e.g., minors or medical emergencies), limited proxy submission may be allowed with authorization.
Q15. What are the guidelines for photographs?
Photos must be recent, colored, and meet Indian government passport/visa/OCI standards. Refer to our photo specifications page for dimensions and background rules.
Q16. Can I modify my application after submission?
No changes can be made once the form is submitted. If corrections are needed, a new application must be filled and submitted.
Q17. How long does the process take once I submit my application?
Processing times vary depending on the service type. On average:
- Passport: 7–21 working days
- OCI: 6–8 weeks
- Attestation: 3–5 working days
Q18. Where can I get more help regarding my application?
For assistance, you can:
- Call our helpline during working hours
- Email us at support.southkorea@dudigitalglobal.com
- Visit our website for live chat or FAQs
- Walk into your nearest ICAC with prior appointment if needed
- Why do I need to register the birth of a newborn child?
Parents are legally required to register the birth of a child to obtain a birth certificate, establish the child’s official identity, and apply for an Indian passport.
- Is a Birth Certificate mandatory for applying for a fresh passport for the child?
Yes, a valid Birth Certificate is mandatory.
- How can I add the father’s name to the Birth Certificate if the couple is not married?
If the couple is unmarried, the father’s name can only be included if it is already mentioned in the birth certificate issued by the local authorities.
- What are the documents necessary for registration of a newborn child?
- Duly filled Application Form I
- Copy of South Korean Birth Certificate
- Proof of Residence in South Korea
- Copies of Passports of both parents
- Valid Residence Permit of both parents
- Undertaking signed by the parents <Undertaking document download Link> Click here to download
- Confirmation from relevant authority that the child does not hold any other nationality if one parent is a foreign national
- How long does it take to receive the Birth Certificate?
Typically, the process takes 1–2 weeks after receiving all required documents.
- What is the fee for the Birth Certificate and how can I pay?
Refer to the Fee Details section. Du Digital Global ICAC accepts cash, credit, and debit card payments.
- How can I make corrections to the Birth Certificate?
You must reapply with a fresh application form and all correct documents as listed in Question 4.
- What if I am a single parent? Are there additional documents required?
Yes. In such cases:
- At least one parent must be an Indian national
- A declaration from the parent or legal guardian is required <Declaration document download link> Click here to download
