In 2024, I applied for German citizenship in Berlin in June, got the confirmation of Einbürgerungsurkunde (Citizenship Certificate) in August and started the surrender process for Indian passport in September which was complete in January 2025.
When I traveled to India in January, I had to apply for an Indian tourist e-visa in Berlin. The alternative, long term way to obtain a visa to visit and stay in India as a former citizen would be to apply for Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) card.
What is OCI?
Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) is for former Indian nationals who have received a different citizenship - through naturalisation, marriage, descendance, etc.
OCI is valid only with your passport of the new nationality you hold
Does not allow you to vote or buy agricultural property in India
Allows you to live in India as long as you want
Allows you to work, but not in public or government jobs
Allows you to purchase commercial or residential properties, but not agricultural
Allows you to open bank accounts as NRI / NRO
Requirements for OCI
Proof of present citizenship
Copy of my German passport with at least 6 months of validity
Copy of my Einbürgerungsurkunde (Citizenship Certificate) - yes, this means that you have to surrender your Indian passport before applying for OCI.
Proof of previous Indian citizenship or origin claim
Copy of my previous Indian passport
Copy of my surrender certificate after renunciation
Proof of current address
Copy of Anmeldung or your Personalausweis (which has your current address)
Filled application form, checklist and consent for data processing (more below)
2 recent photographs of size 51 x 51 mm
Applying for OCI in Berlin
The Indian embassy in Berlin no longer handles OCI directly. They have outsourced it to an agency called Alankit Global. They are located near Potsdamer Platz - 10th floor of the South Wing.
OCI Application form
Go to OCI Services, read instructions and start the process
Click on filing new application which has two parts
Part A is filling in your information
Part B is uploading your photograph & signature
Once you have completed a page in the application, you get a temporary application number that you can use to come back and fill the remaining application
Part A: Fill down the application form as it is in your current German and previous Indian passport. Some things to watch out for:
Present Nationality: Germany
Whether holding dual nationality: No
Previous Nationality of Applicant: Indian & add Indian passport number
Relationship with the Root Indian: SELF
Passport No: Current German passport number
Place of Issue: As it is in your German passport. Usually it's not just Berlin, but something like Berlin Mitte or Berlin Pankow.
Previous Passport No: Alankit told me this has to be previous Indian passport number, even though it didn't make sense to me
Part B:
Have you/any member of your family applied for Overseas Citizen of India registration earlier?
If yes, add their details and their application numberDate and method of acquisition of present nationality (By Birth/ Descent/ Registration/ Naturalisation)
For me, this was through Naturalisation and I added the date of my naturalisation ceremonyDetails of Family members/relatives who are staying in India, if any (for Indian reference only)
I included details of my parents
Then I uploaded a photo of me and my signature which had to be really small in file size. I recommend googling and finding compressors, I did it on my Mac through some tools.
Finish the application and you will get the application number
Print out the application and when you want to write your name in declaration, use BLOCK / CAPITAL letters
Alankit has a checklist and data consent form on their documents required section. Print it, sign it
Day of applying for OCI
To go to Alankit and apply for OCI, you need an appointment. At the Indian embassy, you could just walk in. At Alankit, they ask you for an appointment and turn you away. I saw several people show up without appointments and tried to plead them to let them apply. They were turned away politely. Don't waste your time without an appointment.
Go to your appointment on or before time
On the 10 floor in the South Wing, go to the right side
At the door, someone from Alankit will check your appointment and let you in
Sit close to the person who is processing the applications close to the entrance
There is no token system initially, so you have to wait for this person working alone to call you. Alankit could use more organisation & people here.
Optionally pray / hope for a bit that you get lucky and they call you quickly
I waited an hour after my allotted time slot to be called while I watched people randomly being chosen, irrespective of when they arrived
Your documents will eventually be checked and given a token number. They requested my German passport as proof that it is me, and would not accept German national ID (Personalausweis) as proof
Go to the other desks when they call your token number, pay the fee of around 260€ (they take cards) and leave
Current waiting time for processing this is up to 8 weeks, I will post updates when I receive more information on my application.
