Passports · OCI · Visas · Certificates
Indian consular services, finally made simple.
Independent, plain-English guidance for the global Indian community and everyone travelling to India: what to apply for, what to bring, which official portal to use, and how to avoid delays and scams.
- Free & independent
- Updated for the 2026 OCI rules
- Links only to official .gov.in portals
Consular services
Every major service, explained step by step
Who needs it, the documents to gather, where to apply officially, and the mistakes that cause rejections.
OCI & e-OCI
Lifelong visa-free travel for people of Indian origin — now issued digitally.
Passport renewal abroad
Renew, re-issue or replace an Indian passport from any country.
Visa & e-Visa
e-Tourist, e-Business, e-Medical and regular visas, plus the e-Arrival card.
Surrender certificate
Mandatory paperwork after you acquire foreign citizenship.
Attestation & apostille
Get degrees, certificates and affidavits accepted across borders.
Police clearance (PCC)
For work permits, residency and immigration applications.
Emergencies
Lost passports, Emergency Certificates, deaths abroad and distress help.
NRI services
Life certificates, PAN & Aadhaar, birth registration, voting from abroad.
What changed in 2026
The OCI went digital. Here’s what that means for you.
- e-OCI for new applicants. Missions announced in July 2026 that new OCI applicants receive a digital e-OCI; existing physical cards stay valid.
- Online filing. The Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2026 moved applications, renewals and renunciations online at ociservices.gov.in.
- Three-month update window. Update your OCI record free within three months of a new passport; later updates attract a fee.
- Minors and two passports. The rules now state plainly that a minor cannot hold an Indian and a foreign passport at the same time.
Free OCI eligibility check
Am I eligible for an OCI?
Six quick questions. An instant answer, plus the paperwork you’ll need.
Check in 60 seconds →Tip of the day
Book your appointment only on the official mission site or its named service provider.
Free tools
Do the hard part in minutes
Service finder
Answer two questions; get the exact service and official portal.
Start →Document checklist builder
A tick-box list for your case that saves your progress and prints to PDF.
Build my list →Photo checker
Test your OCI or e-Visa photo for size, shape and background — privately, in your browser.
Check my photo →OCI eligibility check
Instant screening against the published eligibility grounds.
Check →Passport & trip planner
Validity warnings, start-by dates and calendar reminders.
Plan →Consulate finder
83 Indian embassies, high commissions and consulates.
Search →Expert help, when you want it
From confused to submitted in three steps
Tell us your situation
A 60-second form: the service, your country and your timeline. No passport numbers needed.
Get a personal checklist
An independent documentation specialist replies with your exact document list and the official portal to use.
Apply with confidence
Optional hands-on help with forms and document review. You always pay government fees on official portals only.
Latest updates
Consular news, refreshed daily
- Latest OCI News: India removes late OCI passport update fee and relaxes travel rules — Indian Eagle ·
- Key updates on OCI rules — Embassy of India, Minsk ·
- e-OCI: Electronic Overseas Citizen of India card — Consulate General of India, Chicago ·
- India: Electronic Overseas Citizen of India card launch to reduce administrative hurdles — Fragomen ·
- Launch of electronic Overseas Citizen of India (e-OCI) cards — public notice — Consulate General of India, Auckland ·
- Indian Consulate in Houston hosts information session on OCIs — Indo American News ·
Stay safe
Spot a fake “visa” or “consulate” site
- Never pay a caller claiming to be from an embassy.
- Check the URL before you type card details.
- Government fees are paid on the official portal or at the mission’s named application centre.
Guides
Most-read guides
OCI in 2026: The e-OCI, the New Rules and What to Do Now
A practical breakdown of the 2026 OCI changes — digital e-OCI cards, online filing, the three-month passport update window, the minors rule and in-person submission — with an action plan for each type of cardholder.
Read guide →PassportsIndian Passport Renewal in the USA, UK, Canada, UAE & Australia Compared
How renewing an Indian passport differs by country — who runs the application centres, in-person vs postal, typical documents, and the local quirks that cause delays.
Read guide →CitizenshipBecame a Foreign Citizen? The Right Order for Surrender Certificate and OCI
Former Indian citizens: the exact sequence for surrendering your Indian passport, getting your surrender certificate and applying for an OCI — plus how to avoid penalties and a rejected OCI.
Read guide →Join the project
Built with the community
FAQ
Quick answers
Is IndianConsulate.com an official government website?
No. We are an independent, privately run information service. We are not affiliated with the Government of India or any embassy or consulate, and we never collect government fees. We link you to the official .gov.in portals to apply.
Can I renew my Indian passport from abroad?
Yes. Indian citizens abroad apply through the Passport Seva portal for Indian missions and then submit to their mission or its application centre. See our passport renewal guide.
Do I need a surrender certificate for an OCI?
If you held an Indian passport and later acquired foreign citizenship, a surrender (or renunciation) certificate is normally required. Our surrender certificate guide explains when and how.
Is my existing physical OCI card still valid after the e-OCI launch?
Mission notices state that existing physical OCI cards remain valid; the digital e-OCI is issued to new applicants, and existing cardholders can also keep a digital copy.
How much does your help cost?
All guides and tools are free. The first checklist review is free and without obligation. If you choose hands-on help from an independent specialist, they quote you before any work begins.