The Embassy of India, Madrid hereby notifies that the scheme for Overseas Citizenship of India has been launched.

Based on the recommendation of the High Level Committee on Indian Diaspora, the Government of India decided to grant Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI). Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) of certain category, who migrated from India and acquired citizenship of a foreign country, other than Pakistan and Bangladesh, are eligible for grant of OCI. For details on eligibility criteria see section on Eligibility Criteria.

A foreign national, who was eligible to become citizen of India on 26.01.1950 or was a citizen of India on or at anytime after 26.01.1950 or belonged to a territory that became part of India after 15.08.1947; and his/her children and grand children, are eligible for registration as Overseas Citizen of India (OCI). Minor children of such person are also eligible for OCI. However, if the applicant had ever been a citizen of Pakistan or Bangladesh, he/she will not be eligible for OCI.

Spanish passport holders fulfilling eligibility criteria can apply at Embassy of India, Madrid.

Application forms are to be filled out online. You can click here or at the end of this section. A print-out of the completed form should be submitted in duplicate with one photograph pasted on each form (both sets must have original signature) along with the following documents:

1. Proof of Citizenship of applicant(s), which includes Spanish Passport and DNI Card.
2. Evidence of self or parents or grand parents:
   1. Being eligible to become a citizen of India at the time of commencement of the Constitution; or
   2. Belonging to a territory that became part of India after 15th August, 1947; or
   3. Being citizen of India on or after 26th January, 1950.

   Evidence for (iii) must be:

   • A copy of Indian passport or
   • Domicile certificate of India or
   • Any other proof, like School Certificate, Birth Certificate from India
3. Evidence of relationship as parent/grandparent, if their Indian origin is claimed as the basis for grant of OCI.
4. PIO cardholders must also submit a copy of their PIO card.
5. If you have ever been an Indian national, two self-attested copies of Surrender Certificate of your last Indian passport must be attached. If you do not have a surrender certificate please send your application for surrender certificate alongwith your Indian passport, to Consular Officer, Email: sscons@embassyindia.es Phone: 913098885, 913503095 Fax: 91 345 19 00. Also please see this important circular regarding Surrender Certificates.
6. In case of a minor applicant, one of the parents must be eligible for OCI. To facilitate verification of this, please include copies of Spanish passport and Indian passport or surrender certificate thereof in respect of a parent or copy of OCI card of a parent.

Fees:

1. Euros 243/- for each applicant
2. Fee for PIO cardholder:- Euros 25/- for each applicant.
3. Fee for minors who are PIO card holders to be registered as OCI: Euros 106/- for each applicant

Applicants can fill the application form online by clicking here.

1. Please do not sign on the photograph.
2. Please paste (not staple) the photos on both copies of the application form in the space provided for the photo. (Sample Photo)
3. Please sign within the signature box provided. Any portion of your signature outside the signature box cannot be used for scanning thus causing delay in processing your application.
4. "Application in duplicate" means all requisite documents also should be in duplicate.
5. All photocopies should be self-attested. "Self attested" means you do not need to get it attested by a notary or public office. Mere signing the copy by the applicant saying "Certified True Copy" is enough. In case of a minor, photocopies should be attested by the legal guardian (or both parents).
6. If your name has undergone a change after acquiring Spanish nationality, you are required to provide us with a declaration to this effect (Click here for a suggested format for declaration). The declaration should be signed by the applicant himself or herself, and in case of a minor, by the legal guardian (or both parents).
7. In case of a minor applicant, the application form should be signed by the legal guardian or both parents.
8. Depending on the documents submitted alongwith your application in support of your claim for OCI, the Consular Officer, if need arises, may ask you to furnish further information/documents. Please provide your email in application form to facilitate this.

OCI Miscellaneous Services are available in the event of:

1. issuance of new passport;
2. change of personal particulars viz. nationality;
3. loss/damage of OCI registration certificate/visa.
4. erroneously entering wrong personal particulars while submitting online applications;
5. manually filled in applications mistakes have been committed by the Indian Mission/Post/Office while entering the personal particulars.
6. change of address and occupation.

OCI registration certificate and visa have got to be re-issued each time a new passport is issued up to the completion of 20 years of age and once after completion of 50 years of age.

Re-issuance of OCI registration certificate and visa is not mandatory, each time a new passport is issued to a holder between 21-50 years of age. However, if the applicant wishes to obtain a new set of OCI documents, he/she can apply for the same.

Process:

1. Registered OCIs shall make the application online selecting the requisite service(s).
2. Hard copy of application along with copy of existing visa, old and new Spanish/foreign passport and new enclosures to be submitted to the Indian Embassy, Madrid.
3. Application can also be submitted in Indian Mission/Post/Office in whose jurisdiction the applicant is ordinarily residing irrespective of the fact whether the same Mission/Post/Office has issued the original OCI documents or not.

Click Here to apply Online for OCI Miscellaneous Services

Enclosures:

1. Application form
2. One photograph to be affixed on the application (Photo must conform to standards shown in this link to avoid any delay in processing of your application Link for Photo Sample)
3. New Spanish/foreign passport in original
4. Old Spanish passport
5. Old OCI card
6. vi. One photocopy of new Spanish passport, OCI card and existing visa
7. Police complaint copy in case of loss of documents
8. If applying by post, requisite fee in the form of giro postal favouring Embassy of India, Madrid
9. Self addressed pre-paid mail envelope

NOTE: If you plan to travel during the period that application is under process, you may send a copy of the requisite documents and the original will be asked for once OCI card is received from India. ALL PHOTOCOPIES SHOULD BE SELF-ATTESTED (i.e. saying "Certified True Copy" and signed by the applicant)

Fees

1. Euros 23 for re-issuance of OCI documents in case of issuance of new passport, change of personal particulars, wrong filing of particulars
2. Euros 78 for issuance of duplicate OCI documents in case of loss/damage
3. Fee should be paid in the form of postal money order or cash if application is to be submitted in person at the Embassy.

Mailing Address:
OCI Cell
Embajada de la India
Avenida Pio XII, 30-32
28016 MADRID

Email Enquiries:

We make every endeavour to dispose of OCI applications expeditiously. However, it may take upto a period of 4-8 weeks to process OCI applications. We, therefore, request that any enquiries may be made only after 8 weeks have lapsed. If you do need to contact us, you may address your queries to Assistant Consular Officer (OCI) at oci@embassyindia.es. Status of your application can also be checked with Online Status Enquiry utility on MHA website.

Registered OCIs shall be entitled to following benefits:

1. Multiple entry, multi-purpose life long visa to visit India;
2. Exemption from reporting to Police authorities for any length of stay in India; and
3. Parity with NRIs in financial, economic and educational fields except in the acquisition of agricultural or plantation properties.

Any further benefits to OCIs will be notified by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA) under section 7B(1) of the Citizenship Act, 1955.

The OCI is not entitled to vote, be a member of Legislative Assembly or Legislative Council or Parliament, cannot hold constitutional posts such as President, Vice President, Judge of Supreme Court or High Court etc. and he/she cannot normally hold employment in the Government.

An OCI Card is a life time document.

If it has been found that the registration as an OCI was obtained by means of fraud, false representation or concealment of any material fact or the registered OCI has shown disaffection towards the Constitution of India or comes under any of the provisions of section 7D of the Citizenship Act, the registration of such person will not only be cancelled forthwith but he/she will also be blacklisted for visiting India.

IMPORTANT NOTICE TO OCI CARD HOLDERS

OCI card holders traveling to India are advised to carry the Passport containing U Visa sticker and OCI Card to avoid problems at Immigration check points in India. In case registered OCI has obtained a new passport, kindly ensure to carry the passport containing U Visa sticker, new passport and OCI document during all visits to India. ALTERNATIVELY Miscellaneous Services can be availed for transfer of U Visa sticker to new passport. However, before applying for Misc Services kindly read the instructions posted under "OCI Misc Service" particularly the processing period. Since applications are processed in the order of their receipt in the Mission, this service cannot be expedited. New OCI Registration can be done online.