Us Citizen Newborn: Indian Visa Requirements

If you are a US citizen with a newborn baby and are planning to travel to India, you will need to apply for an Indian visa for your newborn baby. Newborn babies and minor children are not exempt from this rule. To visit India with your newborn, you can either apply for an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) Card or a tourist visa for your baby. The OCI card is a multiple-entry, multi-purpose, lifelong visa, while the tourist visa is valid for a maximum of 6 months. The application process for both options requires specific documentation and fees, and it is recommended to plan and apply in advance of your travel date.

Applying for an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) Card

If you are a US citizen with a newborn baby and you are planning to travel to India, your baby will need their own Indian visa. One option is to apply for an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) Card for your newborn baby. The OCI card allows for a multiple-entry, multi-purpose, life-long visa to visit India.

Step 1: Complete the OCI Card Application

Visit the Online OCI Services website to complete the OCI card application. The application is divided into two parts: Part A and Part B.

Step 2: Gather Supporting Documents

Collect all the required supporting documents listed on the New OCI Card-Minor Checklist. This may include items such as the baby's birth certificate, passport, and proof of the parents' Indian citizenship (if applicable).

Step 3: Submit the Application to the Appropriate Indian Mission

Submit your application to the relevant Indian mission based on your location. For example, if you are in Georgia, you will need to apply to the Indian Consulate in Houston. A list of Indian missions in the US includes:

• Embassy of India, Washington, DC
• Consulate General of India, New York
• Consulate General of India, Chicago
• Consulate General of India, Houston
• Consulate General of India, San Francisco

Step 4: Pay the Application Fee

The OCI card fee for minors and newborn babies is $275, plus any additional applicable fees. You can find more information about the OCI card fees on the OCI Card Application Fees page or the VFS Global website.

Step 5: Allow for Processing Time

The processing time for an OCI card application is typically between 3 to 6 weeks. It is recommended to apply at least 2 months before your planned travel date to India.

Please note that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, no foreigners are allowed to visit the FRRO Office for OCI registrations without a prior appointment. Contact the respective FRRO Support Centers for more information.

Applying for a tourist visa

If you are a US citizen with a newborn baby and are planning to travel to India, your baby will need their own Indian visa. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to apply for a tourist visa for your newborn:

Step 1: Obtain Required Documents

Before initiating the visa application process, ensure you have the following documents ready:

• A US birth certificate and SSN for your newborn baby.
• A valid US passport for your baby. As a US citizen, your baby must have a US passport to re-enter the United States.

Step 2: Choose the Type of Visa

For a tourist visa, you can either apply for:

• An Indian e-Tourist Visa: This is applicable if you are travelling to India for no longer than 30 days.
• A regular Tourist Visa: This allows for a maximum stay of 6 months in India.

Step 3: Apply for the Visa

• For the e-Tourist Visa, you can apply online and submit all the required supporting documents for minors.
• For the regular Tourist Visa, you can apply online and will need to submit the necessary minor supporting documents. Alternatively, you can submit application forms for free at any of the five Visa Application Centers in Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, or New Delhi. You can also opt for a fee-based service and drop off your documents at Document Drop-off Centers located in Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chandigarh, Cochin, Jalandhar, or Pune.

Step 4: Complete DS-160 Form

Regardless of the visa type, you will need to complete the DS-160 form, which is the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application form. This form is submitted electronically to the US Department of State website. Ensure that the form is properly completed with correct information, including name, gender, visa class, date of birth, passport number, etc.

Step 5: Schedule a Visa Interview (if required)

Visa interviews are typically required for nonimmigrant visas. First-time nonimmigrant visa applicants aged 14 and older must attend the interview. Schedule your interview appointment at the US Embassy or Consulate website where you will be interviewed.

Step 6: Pay the Visa Fee

Pay the visa application processing fee as per the instructions on the US Embassy or Consulate website. The fee is non-refundable, even if your visa application is denied.

Step 7: Gather Supporting Documents

Although the visa process is interview-based, it is advisable to gather supporting documents such as affidavits of support, travel arrangements, employment letters, or financial statements. These documents can help verify the information provided during the interview.

Step 8: Attend the Visa Interview

During the visa interview, a consular officer will assess your application and determine your eligibility for the tourist visa. They will evaluate your financial, family, and economic situation, as well as your travel history and intentions for visiting India. Be prepared to clearly and concisely describe your travel plans and intentions.

Step 9: Wait for Visa Processing

After the interview, your application will undergo processing. In some cases, additional administrative processing may be required, which can take up to 60-90 days. Do not make travel plans until your visa has been issued, as processing times may vary.

Step 10: Receive Your Visa

Once your visa application is approved, you will receive your visa, which will be placed in your baby's passport. This will allow your newborn to travel to India as a tourist. Remember to also obtain travel medical insurance for your baby before your trip.

Registration of birth

The birth of a newborn US citizen in India should be registered at the Indian Consulate within one year of the child's birth. The birth should first be registered at the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) website. After registering the birth, the parents must apply for a US passport for the newborn baby.

To register the birth at the Indian Consulate, the following documents are required:

• Two copies of the printout of the duly filled-in, online MHA application form, signed by both parents, same as in their current passport (duly notarized).
• Notarized copy of the birth certificate of the newborn child issued by local authorities.
• Self-sworn Affidavit of both parents that they have not taken any other nationality for the child.
• Self-sworn Affidavit (NOC) of both parents that they have no objection to the registration and obtaining a passport for the child.
• Notarized photocopies of the first and last pages of the current Indian passports of both parents. Photocopy (notarized) of the page showing valid US Visa Status.
• Photocopy of proof of current US residence address for any parent.

The fee for registering the birth at the Indian Consulate is US$25.00 (Twenty-Five Only) plus an additional fee of US$2.00 (Two Only) towards the Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) per application. The fee should be paid by money order or cashier's cheque, drawn separately towards the fee and ICWF, in favour of the respective Indian Consulate/Embassy.

Obtaining an Indian Visa for a Newborn US Citizen

Every US citizen, including newborn babies and minor children, must have an Indian visa to visit India. To visit India with a newborn baby, parents can apply for the Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) Card for the newborn baby or a tourist visa. The OCI card allows for multiple entry and is valid for the lifetime of the cardholder. The processing time for an OCI card can take 3 to 6 weeks, and it is recommended to apply at least 2 months before the date of travel. Alternatively, parents can apply for a tourist visa for their newborn baby, which is valid for a maximum of 6 months.

Required documents for OCI Card application

To apply for an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) Card, you must submit the following supporting documents with your application:

• Proof of present citizenship – Copy of present valid passport (applicable in all cases), with validity of a minimum of 6 months at the time of submission of the application.
• In case the application is submitted in India, a copy of any type of Visa (other than Missionary Visa, Tourist Visa, and Mountaineering Visa)/Residential Permit with 3 months validity as of the date of application.
• Evidence of self, parents, grandparents, or great grandparents being a citizen of India at the time of, or at any time after the commencement of the Constitution (i.e. 26.01.1950); or being eligible to become a citizen of India at the time of the commencement of the Constitution (i.e. 26.01.1950); or belonging to a territory that became part of India after 15.08.1947. This could include:
• Copy of the Indian Passport
• Copy of the Domicile Certificate issued by the Competent Authority
• Copy of Nativity Certificate from the Competent Authority
• OCI Card/PIO card of parents/spouse along with the documents upon which the OCI/PIO card was issued
• Any other proof substantiating the request. Usually, the applicant submits a certificate of residence or place of birth of self/parents/grandparents from the First Class Magistrate/District Magistrate (DM) of the concerned place.
• Evidence of the relationship as a parent/grandparent/great grandparent, if their Indian origin is claimed as the basis for registration as an OCI Cardholder. The document of relationship could be a “Birth Certificate” issued by a competent authority mentioning both parents' names. In case the birth certificate is issued by a foreign authority, it needs to be Apostilled or endorsed by the concerned Indian Mission abroad.
• In the case of a minor child whose parents are citizens of India or one of the parents is a citizen of India:
• Copy of the child's birth certificate
• Copy of the Indian passport of the parents/one of the parents or copy of the Domicile Certificate or Nativity Certificate issued by the Competent Authority in respect of the parents/one of the parents or any other proof substantiating the status of the parents/one of the parents as being Indian citizen(s).
• If the parents are divorced, a court order of dissolution of marriage, which specifically mentions that the legal custody of the child is with the parent who is applying for the OCI card.
• Evidence as the spouse of foreign origin of a citizen of India or spouse of foreign origin of an OCI Cardholder:
• Registered marriage certificate; indicating that the marriage has taken place before 2 years from the date of application.
• In the case of the spouse of an Indian citizen - Copy of the Indian Passport of the spouse or copy of the Domicile Certificate or Nativity Certificate issued by the Competent Authority in respect of the Indian spouse or any other proof substantiating the status of the spouse as being an Indian citizen.
• In the case of the spouse of an OCI Cardholder - Copy of the present valid Passport of the spouse and copy of the OCI Card of the spouse and copies of the documents upon which the OCI Card was issued to the spouse.
• Renunciation certificate (if the applicant had Indian nationality previously)
• Naturalization certificate
• Address proof of the applicant
• Birth certificate (If born outside India)
• Name change certificate (If the applicant's name is changed)
• Marital status proof (Married - Marriage certificate, Divorced - Divorce certificate, Widowed - Death certificate of spouse)

The OCI card fee for adults as well as minors and newborn babies is $275 plus applicable fees. The processing time may take 3 to 6 weeks.

Required documents for tourist visa application

Yes, your newborn US citizen needs a visa to enter India. Here is a list of documents you will need to apply for a tourist visa:

• A valid passport: The passport must be valid for at least six months and have two blank pages.
• DS-160 Form: This is an online non-immigrant visa application form that must be properly completed with correct information, including name, gender, visa class, date of birth, passport number, etc.
• Visa fee receipt: The visa fee for a US tourist visa is $160 (approximately INR 12,000).
• Photo: The photo must meet specific requirements, which will be detailed on the application form.
• Financial and travel documents: These documents support your application and prove financial stability for the trip.
• Notarized Parental Authorization Form: For minor applicants, this form must be duly signed by both parents, along with copies of their passports and marriage certificate.

It is important to note that you should not finalize your travel arrangements before the visa is issued. Additionally, if you are applying for an OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) Card, the application process may take 3 to 6 weeks, so plan accordingly.

Frequently asked questions