Every document you need for a first-time OCI card from the UK — tick them off as you gather them, and print or save your progress.
Most OCI rejections come from a small set of avoidable document errors. Work through this checklist before you apply — it covers the self route (former Indian passport) and the parent/ancestry route, plus the photo and signature specification VFS enforces.
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The core documents every applicant needs.
Use whichever route applies to you.
Missing something or unsure if a document qualifies? We check every file before submission so nothing gets rejected at VFS.
This checklist is a guide based on current UK High Commission requirements. Exact documents can vary by route and case — we send a tailored checklist within one working day when you start your application.
The single most common reason OCI applications stall is a non-compliant photo. Unlike an Indian passport photo, the OCI portal wants a plain light-coloured background — not pure white — a square crop, and a file under 200 KB. The signature must sit on plain white paper at roughly a 3:1 ratio. We pre-format both to the exact specification so they're never the reason for a rejection.
The services this tool relates to — handled end to end, with document checks and VFS booking included.
Get your first OCI card from the UK. We handle forms, documents, and VFS booking — 98% first-time approval.
From £100Surrender your Indian passport and apply for your OCI card in one guided bundle. Fixed £130 service fee. Pre-filled forms, VFS booking, and full document review.
From £160You need your current British passport (6+ months validity), your previous Indian passport or a Surrender Certificate, proof of Indian origin (yours or a parent's), a recent photo and signature to the Indian specification, and UK proof of address from the last three months. UK-born applicants link their birth certificate to a parent's Indian documents.
The OCI portal requires a square JPEG between 200×200 and 900×900 pixels, under 200 KB, on a plain light-coloured background (not pure white), with the face filling about 80% of the frame. The signature must be on plain white paper at roughly a 3:1 width-to-height ratio, also under 200 KB.
If your birth certificate was issued outside the UK or India, it usually needs to be apostilled or legalised by the issuing country before VFS will accept it. UK-issued civil documents generally don't need further apostille for a UK application. We confirm exactly what's needed for your case.