Just submitted your OCI application in Sydney and feeling a mix of relief and anticipation. You’ve taken a significant step towards solidifying your connection with India, but what exactly happens now?
Many applicants find themselves wondering about the journey their application for an OCI card takes after hitting that submit button.
This blog will clearly explain what you can expect after you apply for OCI in Sydney.
The Initial Processing Phase
After you submit your OCI application in Sydney, your application is now ready for the initial processing phase. This is a very important first step, as it involves the verification of all uploaded documents and confirmation that your application satisfies the minimal requirements.
Your application is first assigned a unique reference number for your application for an OCI card. This number will be your lifeblood in tracking your application status online. The online portal gets updated every so often, though not in real-time; thus, a little attributes some degree of patience.
The initial review primarily involves verification of document completeness. Officers check each document before finally deciding whether each has been included in order for it to meet the specified requirements.
Document Verification Timeline
The time required for verification varies based on application volume and complexity. Here’s what you can expect:
| Processing Stage | Key Activities |
|---|---|
| Initial Review | Document completeness check, application reference number assignment |
| Detailed Verification | Background verification, document authenticity check |
| Application Approval | Final review by authorised officials |
| Card Printing | Physical card production |
| Dispatch to Sydney | Shipping to Sydney Consulate |
Background Verification Process
When you apply for OCI, your application undergoes thorough background verification. The consulate staff checks the authenticity of your documents through coordination with authorities in India.
This verification process includes confirming your previous Indian citizenship or eligibility through ancestral connections. Your passport details receive special scrutiny to ensure identity confirmation. The process might seem lengthy, but this thoroughness ensures the integrity of the OCI program.
The Sydney consulate handles applications in batches, which explains why some applications submitted later might occasionally process faster than earlier ones. This batch-processing approach optimises the workflow but can sometimes lead to varying processing times.
The Approval Stage
Once your OCI application in Australia passes verification, it enters the approval stage. Senior officials review the verified documents before giving final approval. This approval happens at two levels – first at the consulate level and then at the Ministry of Home Affairs in India.
The approval stage typically takes one to two weeks, though delays can occur during high-volume periods or holiday seasons. After approval, your application status changes to “Approved” on the tracking portal.
This status change signals the start of the card printing process. Your OCI card begins production with your photograph, personal details, and security features embedded into the physical card.
Card Production And Dispatch
The physical production of your OCI card takes place in India, not Sydney. Modern printing facilities handle the same, doing it with most advanced machines and designers, using various security features that are fool-proof.
Once printed, the cards are dispatched in batches to the consulate in Sydney. This generally takes between one and two weeks depending on the courier and customs clearance.
The cards are processed and organised for distribution upon their arrival at the Sydney consulate. The consulate will then update the online status of your OCI card with either “Dispatched” or “Ready for Collection.”
The Collection Process
When the status of your OCI application shows “Ready for Collection,” you may proceed to the Sydney consulate to collect your card.
The consulate requires you to bring:
- Original passport
- Copy of acknowledgement receipt
- Copy of online status showing “Ready for Collection”
Some applicants prefer the postal option for the submission of the initial application. In such cases, the OCI card is sent in the registered post to the address as provided by the applicant.
Post-Approval Requirements
After receiving your OCI card, you must register it with the local FRRO (Foreigners Regional Registration Office) if you plan to stay in India for extended periods. This registration step, though often overlooked, remains an important legal requirement.
Your OCI card requires safekeeping similar to your passport. The card remains valid for your lifetime, though you need to update it when you get a new passport if you’re under 20 or over 50 years of age.
Common Delays And How To Address Them
Although a system or process exists, delays in processing may happen due to some factors:
- Differences in documents whereby information is not matched across different documents
- Problems with background verification and the request for supplementary information
- Technical problems with online portals
- Increase in the volume of applications during peak seasons
If it appears that there is a prolonged delay in the processing of your application beyond the usual time frames, you may contact the Sydney consulate via their official email. Always include your application reference number and submission date when contacting, as this will help the staff in locating your application easily.
Looking For A Hassle Free Way To Apply For A New OCI Card?
Bharat Suvidha believes in the ease of getting your New OCI Card, whereby our process provides minimal trouble on your part and maximum accuracy and efficiency: this is how the whole process works in three easy steps.
Step 1: Sign Up & Provide Details
In step one, you sign up and provide your personal details. Our expert will then collect all the required information to fill in your form accurately. This is an essential step because it forms the foundation for a correct application.
Step 2: Experts Handle Your Application
Your details filled in, our experts take over. They will fill in your OCI card application with the utmost precision, ensuring every detail is accurate and filled according to requirements. This whole intent will prevent those oversights that help make the process easier.
Step 3: Application Lodged
Once your application is completed and checked, we will send it back to you for your consent before it is lodged with the concerned authorities. This final step establishes that your application is all set to be filed smoothly.
This three-step procedure comes together to ensure your New OCI Card is filed and processed smoothly, without further delays.
