OCI Card Contains Printing Error – What Was the Correction Process?

I'd also check the digital OCI record if you can access the application details.

There are potentially three versions of the information:

1. What you originally entered in the OCI application.
2. What appears in the approved/processed OCI record.
3. What is physically printed on the OCI card.

If the first two are correct and only the physical card is wrong, that's useful information when contacting the issuing authority.

If the mistake appears everywhere, then it may be a personal-particular correction instead.

I wouldn't assume that a printing error automatically means you have to pay the normal OCI reissue fee. The applicable fee and correction process can depend on whether the error was made by the applicant or occurred during processing/issuance.

Also, don't assume that the VFS centre can independently correct the OCI record. VFS is an application centre and the Indian authorities are responsible for the OCI decision and document issuance.

Keep your application acknowledgement, copy of the submitted form, current OCI card and the documents showing the correct information together.

I would contact the authority handling your jurisdiction before submitting another Miscellaneous Services application. If they tell you to use Miscellaneous Services, then follow that specific route.

And if you have upcoming international travel, I'd mention the travel date when contacting them rather than waiting until the last minute.

Mine was actually caused by an error in the original application, not the printed card.

My middle name was entered incorrectly when I submitted the OCI application. I didn't notice it until the OCI was issued. Because the information itself was wrong in the application, I had to follow the procedure for correcting the personal particulars rather than simply reporting a printing mistake.

That's why I think the first thing you should establish is where the error occurred.

If your submitted OCI application shows “Suresh Kumar Patel” and the final OCI card shows “Suresh K. Patel,” save a copy of the application/acknowledgement showing the original information. That could help demonstrate that the discrepancy wasn't introduced by you.

If the application itself says “Suresh K. Patel,” then it may be considered a correction of the information submitted in the OCI application instead.

I would also avoid altering or trying to fix the physical card yourself. Don't write on it or make any changes to the printed information.

For my correction, I followed the instructions from the Indian Mission rather than relying on a forum checklist because they wanted specific supporting documents.

So I'd contact the Mission/VFS first and ask specifically: “The approved OCI application contains the correct information, but the issued OCI card has a printing error. What is the procedure for correcting an issuance/printing error?”

That wording makes the issue pretty clear.

I had a similar problem, although mine was a spelling error in my own name.

The name on my OCI application was correct, but the physical OCI document I received had one letter missing. I first assumed I needed to apply for a new OCI card through Miscellaneous Services, but I contacted the Indian Mission/VFS centre handling my application before doing that.

They asked me to provide the details of the error and keep the OCI document available. Since the information on my original application and supporting documents was correct, they treated it differently from a situation where an applicant is requesting a new change to their personal details.

That's why I'd suggest checking whether the mistake was actually made during printing or whether the incorrect information was already present in the approved application.

I sent them a copy of the relevant documents showing the correct spelling. I didn't submit a completely new OCI application.

The exact procedure can vary depending on which Mission issued the OCI, so I wouldn't rely entirely on another person's experience. VFS also doesn't make the OCI decision, so if the card has already been issued, the Indian Mission/Consulate may need to determine how the correction should be handled.

I'd contact them with your OCI application/reference number and clearly explain that the information entered in the application was correct but the issued document contains the error.