An Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) card is a special immigration documents granted under Section 7A of the Citizenship Act to eligible foreign citizens of Indian origin.
Applicant who are planning to apply for an OCI Card, first thing they are search for is: How much does an Cost of OCI Card?
The standard OCI Card application fee is US$275 (or its equivalent in local currency) for a fresh OCI registration. However, the total cost may vary by country because additional service, processing, courier, or other applicable charges may be added.
In this guide, we’ll break down the complete cost OCI Card in 2026, including the application fee for different locations, what you can expect to pay depending on where you apply, and the additional charges that may apply during the application process.
Note: Fee information in this guide was last checked in October 2026. Missions and service providers can revise charges, so always confirm on your consulate’s website before paying.
What Is an OCI Card?
OCI stands for Overseas Citizenship of India. It is issued to foreign nationals who are of Indian origin, or who are spouses of Indian citizens or OCI holders. Minor children of eligible parents can apply too.
Some of the benefits of OCI card are:
- Travel to India with a multiple-entry, lifelong visa-free facility
- Live and work in India without a separate visa
- Skip registration with the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) for most stays
Note: OCI does not allow dual citizenship.
Cost of OCI Card in 2026
OCI application fees vary depending on the country of application.
Typical fee structure includes:
| Category | Approximate Fee |
| Adult Applicant | USD 275 |
| Minor Applicant | USD 100 |
| Foreign Spouse | USD 275 |
| PIO to OCI Conversion | Nil (as per applicable policy) |
| OCI Re-issue | USD 25 |
| In-India Processing (where applicable) | Approximately ₹15,000–₹22,000 |
| Courier and Miscellaneous Charges | Country-specific |
Note: Applicants should verify the latest fees applicable in their country before submitting the application.
Additional costs to budget for:
- Professional passport photos matching OCI specifications
- Document attestation, apostille, or notary services
- Certified English or Hindi translation services
- Visa center service charges (VFS Global or regional partners)
- Secure postage and courier for submission and return
Above is the basic cost, Now read County wide OCI card application cost from Below.
OCI Card Fees by Country
OCI Card Fees in the USA
Below is a complete cost of OCI card in USA:
| Item | Amount |
| Fresh OCI (adult) | USD 275 |
| Minor OCI | USD 275 |
| Reissue (new passport / personal details) | USD 25 |
| Lost or damaged card | USD 100 |
| ICWF levy | USD 3 per application |
| VFS service charge | USD 19 (some older listings still show USD 15.90) |
| Courier | Optional, extra |
| Estimated total (fresh adult) | ~USD 297 |
Payment is accepted at VFS centres through approved methods. Some centres add a small surcharge for card payments.
OCI Card Fees in Canada
Below is a complete cost of OCI card in Canada:
| Item | Amount |
| Fresh OCI (adult / minor) | About CAD 371 consular fee + CAD 5 ICWF = CAD 376 |
| Reissue (new passport / personal details) | About CAD 34 + CAD 5 ICWF = CAD 39 |
| Lost or damaged card | About CAD 135 + CAD 5 ICWF = CAD 140 |
| BLS service fee | CAD 1.70 |
| Courier | Optional (BLS lists CAD 40 within province, CAD 60 out of province) |
| Estimated total (fresh adult) | ~CAD 378 before courier |
Canadian figures vary slightly between the Ottawa, Toronto and Vancouver jurisdictions, and with the exchange rate. Since April 2026, OCI applications in Canada must be submitted in person at BLS centres for biometrics, and postal submissions are not accepted.
OCI Card Fees in the UK
Below is a complete cost of OCI card in UK:
| Item | Amount |
| Fresh OCI (adult / minor) | USD 275 + USD 3 ICWF, roughly £218–£231 depending on the exchange rate |
| Reissue | USD 25 + USD 3, converted to pounds |
| VFS service charge | £7.44 per application |
| Courier | Optional, extra |
| Estimated total (fresh adult) | ~£226–£239 before courier |
OCI Card Fees in Australia
Below is a complete cost of OCI card in Australia:
| Item | Amount |
| Fresh OCI (adult / minor) | USD 275 equivalent in AUD, plus AUD 5 ICWF |
| Reissue (new passport) | USD 25 equivalent in AUD, plus ICWF |
| VFS service charge | AUD 115 per application (new rate from 23 July 2026) |
| Courier | Check VFS Australia |
| Estimated total | Government fee in AUD + AUD 5 + AUD 115 |
Australia saw a big change this year. Since July 2026, VFS Global runs the Indian consular application centres across Australia, and its service charge is noticeably higher than before. Always check the AUD amount on the High Commission or VFS page on the day you apply.
OCI Card Fees in the UAE
Below is a complete cost of OCI card in UAE:
| Item | Amount |
| Fresh OCI | AED 1,002 (includes ICWF) |
| Lost or damaged card replacement | AED 372 |
| PIO to OCI conversion | AED 372 |
| Other miscellaneous services / reissue | AED 102 |
| BLS service charge | Charged separately, check BLS UAE |
| Courier | Optional where offered |
UAE applicants should note that applying through the Consulate General in Dubai generally requires a UAE resident visa held for at least six months. Fresh applications and minors’ cases often need an appointment.
How to Pay the OCI Card Application Fee
There are two options to pay fees:
1.If you are Applying from Outside India (via VFS Global), Follow these given Steps:
- Go to the VFS Global India Portal.
- Select your country and click on OCI Services.
- Create an account and enter your Government File Reference Number.
- Proceed to the payment gateway.
- Pay the fees (Consular Fee + ICWF + VFS Service Charge) using a Credit/Debit Card or Banker’s Check/Money Order (where permitted)
2. If you are Applying from Within India (via FRRO), Follow these steps:
- Log in to the Online OCI Services Portal.
- Check your application status under the FRRO section.
- Once documents are verified, click the Pay Online
- Complete the transaction via SBIePay using Net Banking, UPI, or Credit/Debit Card.
Reminder: keep proof of payment until your OCI is issued. You may need it if anything goes wrong.
Common Mistakes When Paying OCI Fees
- Looking only at the government fee. The service charge and ICWF levy add to your total.
- Ignoring service provider charges. They are mandatory in most countries.
- Paying the wrong fee. A fresh application, a reissue and a lost-card replacement all have different amounts.
- Using outdated fee information. Fees and VFS charges change, and Australia’s VFS fee changed in July 2026.
- Not checking country-specific instructions. Payment modes, drafts and payees differ by mission.
- Not saving the payment receipt. You may need it for tracking or disputes.
- Assuming minor applications are free. They are not, and each child needs a separate payment.
- Forgetting courier or convenience charges. These small extras can surprise you at the counter.
Final Takeaway: Understanding the Total OCI Card Cost
The real cost of an OCI card is more than the headline USD 275. To budget properly, remember:
- Government application fee: USD 275 for a fresh application, USD 25 for most reissues and updates, USD 100 for lost or damaged cards.
- Service-provider charges: VFS or BLS fees vary widely by country.
- Courier and other charges: optional, but they add up.
- Country-specific differences: the same service can total very different amounts in the USA, UK, Canada, Australia and the UAE.
- Fresh vs reissue: a reissue costs a fraction of a fresh application.
- Minors: children pay the standard fee and are not exempt.
Fees and service charges change, so always confirm the latest amounts on your consulate’s website before you pay. If you’d rather not deal with forms, fee calculations and document checks on your own, HelpOCI can guide you through your OCI application so you can avoid costly mistakes.
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How to Apply for OCI Miscellaneous Services Online: Step-by-Step Guide
