The Consulate General of India in Atlanta has responded to popular demand by releasing a detailed video tutorial on the application process for the Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card. The OCI card allows foreign citizens of Indian origin to live and work in India indefinitely, primarily serving Indian Americans who wish to bypass the visa application process.
The video outlines the initial steps, guiding users on how to access the consulate's official website and navigate to the OCI application section through the VFS Global platform. It details eligibility criteria and offers options for applying by mail or in person. Applicants are instructed to complete the government online form, emphasizing the importance of document preparation according to the VFS checklist.
It further explains the process of filling out the OCI form, including necessary personal information and relationship details with the root Indian. Special attention is given to ensuring accuracy before submission. The video also covers the uploading of photos, signatures, and thumb impressions if needed, along with the correct format for supporting documents.
In addition, the video emphasizes the need to arrange documents per the VFS checklist and outlines the fees associated with different OCI applications. It instructs applicants on making payments and generating shipping labels for the submission of their applications.
Finally, the video guides users through the submission process, stressing the importance of tracking their application status to ensure all documents are processed by the consulate. It also mentions an optional step for speeding up the application process.