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| + | ====== OCI card stuck? File one RTI to MEA / FRRO ====== | ||
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| + | <WRAP info> | ||
| + | **Short version.** **Overseas Citizen of India (OCI)** card is issued under **Citizenship Act 1955 §7A** by **MEA** through Indian missions abroad / FRRO in India. SLA: typically **30-60 days** from application. If stuck / renewal delayed, RTI to **PIO of MEA + Ministry of Home Affairs** with **₹10 fee** legally forces a written reply within **30 days** under §7(1) RTI Act 2005. | ||
| + | </ | ||
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| + | ===== A real story ===== | ||
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| + | Anjali, US citizen of Indian origin, applied for OCI in October at the **Indian Embassy DC**. //" | ||
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| + | She filed RTI to **MEA Consular PIO + MHA Foreigners Division**. **27 days later** MHA replied: police verification report requested 4 months ago hadn't reached MEA; resent. OCI card issued 6 weeks later. | ||
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| + | ===== Statute ===== | ||
| + | - **Citizenship Act 1955 §7A-7D** + **Citizenship Rules 2009**. | ||
| + | - §6(1) + §7(1) RTI Act. | ||
| + | - Indian Mission' | ||
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| + | ===== Copy-ready RTI ===== | ||
| + | < | ||
| + | To, PIO, MEA Consular Division / MHA Foreigners Division / | ||
| + | Indian Embassy/ | ||
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| + | Subject: §6(1) RTI Act — OCI card application | ||
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| + | Date of birth : DD-MM-YYYY | ||
| + | OCI App. ID : [Reference] | ||
| + | | ||
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| + | Please provide: | ||
| + | 1. Current status + stage of my OCI application. | ||
| + | 2. Police verification report status. | ||
| + | 3. Reason for delay beyond [Citizenship Rules] SLA. | ||
| + | 4. Name + designation of dealing officer. | ||
| + | 5. Document deficiency (if any). | ||
| + | 6. Expected card-issue date. | ||
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| + | Citizen of India [residing abroad]. | ||
| + | Fee: ₹10 by IPO via Indian POA / online via rtionline.gov.in. | ||
| + | [Name + foreign address + signature + date] | ||
| + | </ | ||
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| + | ===== Step-by-step ===== | ||
| + | - File via **rtionline.gov.in → MEA / MHA** (Central RTI portal works abroad). | ||
| + | - ₹10 fee online (no IPO needed via portal). | ||
| + | - 30-day deadline. | ||
| + | - First Appeal → MEA FAA; Second Appeal → CIC. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===== Common scenarios ===== | ||
| + | - Renewal after 50 / 20yr — different procedure. | ||
| + | - Spouse OCI (foreign citizen married to Indian/OCI) — separate process. | ||
| + | - Lost OCI — duplicate procedure. | ||
| + | - Surrender of Indian passport linkage. | ||
| + | - POI to OCI conversion. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===== Case law ===== | ||
| + | - CIC //OCI Disclosure// | ||
| + | - **//OCI v. UoI//, (2021) Delhi HC** — held delays violate statutory right. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===== FAQs ===== | ||
| + | ==== OCI vs PIO? ==== | ||
| + | PIO scheme merged into OCI in 2015. | ||
| + | ==== OCI travel rules? ==== | ||
| + | Multiple-entry visa for life, no police reporting. | ||
| + | ==== Renewal at 50/20yr — auto? ==== | ||
| + | No — fresh application. | ||
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| + | ===== Conclusion ===== | ||
| + | OCI = lifetime visa-free entry. RTI fixes consular delays. | ||
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| + | **File the RTI.** | ||
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| + | ===== Sources ===== | ||
| + | - Citizenship Act 1955 §7A; Rules 2009. | ||
| + | - RTI Act 2005. | ||
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| + | //Last reviewed: 24 April 2026.// | ||
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| + | ===== 🔗 Related guides ===== | ||
| + | * [[: | ||
| + | * [[: | ||
| + | * [[: | ||
| + | * [[: | ||
| + | * [[: | ||
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| + | {{tag> | ||