OCI services
OCI through spouse — UK applications
If you are the foreign spouse of an Indian citizen or OCI cardholder, you may be eligible to apply for OCI in your own name. The process is stricter than a standard Fresh OCI and requires additional supporting documents. Matrix Solutions guides you through eligibility, documents, and your High Commission appointment from the UK.
- Flat £150 service fee
- Invitation-based HCI interview
- Both spouses must attend
Spouse OCI is at the High Commission's discretion
Even when eligibility criteria are met, applications can be queried or held for further checks. The following situations frequently need extra evidence or a different route:
- Marriage less than two years old at the time of application.
- Marriage certificate issued outside the UK and not yet apostilled.
- Limited evidence of cohabitation (separate addresses, no joint accounts).
- Spouse holds OCI through their own parent/grandparent — original ancestry documents may also be requested.
- Previous OCI rejection in any name — disclosure is required.
- Birth certificate: applicants born in India generally use it as it is. If you were born outside India, it may need to be apostilled in the country of birth. If you were born in the UK, our team will guide you on where to obtain the correct apostille or attestation accepted by the High Commission. Any apostille or attestation cost is paid by the applicant — our fee covers file preparation and guidance only. Where a notarised document or affidavit is needed, we provide the template; the notarisation is arranged by the applicant.
WhatsApp us with your situation — we will outline the documents most likely to satisfy the High Commission before you start the application.
Who can apply through spouse
Foreign spouse of an Indian citizen
You hold a non-Indian passport and your spouse holds a valid Indian passport. Marriage must have subsisted for a continuous period of at least two years immediately preceding the application.
Foreign spouse of an OCI cardholder
Your spouse already holds an OCI card. The two-year continuous marriage requirement still applies and the High Commission will verify both partners' documents.
Marriage registered and provable
You hold an officially registered marriage certificate (UK, India, or third country) and can provide supporting evidence such as joint address, joint accounts, and family photos.
Not sure this is the right route? Message us — we confirm before you pay anything.
What your fee includes
- Completion of application forms — we prepare and email them to you.
- Spouse-eligibility documentation guidance — declaration of subsisting marriage and supporting affidavits.
- Photo and signature formatted to current OCI portal specification.
- High Commission appointment support — we track your invitation and prepare you both for the interview.
- 24-hour preparation turnaround after we receive your documents.
- Free rework if rejection occurs due to our error.
What happens after payment
Free eligibility check
Share your marriage date, both passports, and your spouse's OCI/Indian passport on WhatsApp. We confirm whether Spouse OCI is the correct route or whether another option (such as visa) suits your travel plans better.
Personalised document list
We send a tailored checklist: marriage certificate, apostille guidance, joint address proofs, family photos, and identity documents for both partners. No originals at this stage.
We prepare your application
Online application completed, photos and signatures formatted to OCI portal specifications, supporting affidavit drafted where required, and your file made ready for the High Commission. The High Commission then issues an invitation for your appointment — we let you know as soon as it arrives.
Attend your High Commission appointment together
You and your spouse attend the High Commission interview on the invited date with the prepared package. The £218 government fee is paid to the High Commission — at your appointment, or by a payment link the High Commission emails you to settle the following day. We remain on WhatsApp during the appointment for live support.
Track to delivery
We monitor the application until your e-OCI is issued. Processing is typically longer than Fresh OCI applications.
Fees, in plain terms
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Matrix service fee | £150 per applicant |
| Government fees | £218 (£215 OCI card fee + £3 ICWF), paid to the High Commission at or after your appointment. |
| Our turnaround | Portal upload in 24–48 hrs |
| Authority processing | Typically several months |
Our flat £150 fee covers document review, the online application, photo and signature formatting, High Commission appointment support, and WhatsApp support through to OCI delivery. The government fee of £218 (£215 OCI card fee + £3 ICWF) is paid to the High Commission. Payment is taken at your appointment, or the High Commission may email you a payment link to settle the following day.
Timelines are conditional and confirmed for your case.
Government fee breakdown
What the High Commission collects
Per applicant, paid to the High Commission at or after your appointment. Payment is taken at your appointment, or the High Commission may email you a payment link to settle the following day.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| OCI Card Fee | £215.00 |
| ICWF (Indian Community Welfare Fund) | £3.00 |
| Total payable to the High Commission (per applicant) | £218.00 |
These figures are indicative and based on the current Government of India fee schedule. The current fee applies on the day and is paid directly to the High Commission — separately from the Matrix service fee.
Common questions
How long must we be married before applying?
The marriage must have subsisted for a continuous period of at least two years immediately preceding the application. Applications submitted earlier are typically refused.
Does our marriage need to be registered in India?
No. A marriage registered in the UK (or another country) is accepted, but the certificate usually needs to be apostilled before submission. To legalise a document issued by a UK authority, you will need to submit your UK marriage certificate to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) Legalisation Office — for more on document legalisation, see gov.uk/get-document-legalised. We confirm the exact requirements for your case.
Do I need my birth certificate apostilled for OCI?
If you were born in India, your birth certificate is generally accepted as it is. If you were born outside India, it may need to be apostilled in the country of birth. For applicants born in the UK, our team will guide you on where to obtain the correct apostille or attestation. The cost is paid directly to the relevant authority; our service fee covers your file preparation and guidance. If a notarised document or affidavit is required, we provide the template.
Do we both need to attend the High Commission?
Yes — both spouses attend the interview at the High Commission. The High Commission issues an invitation for the appointment, and you attend together on the invited date. We confirm the details in your checklist.
How long does processing take?
Spouse OCI processing varies and is typically longer than a standard Fresh OCI. Plan for several months and avoid booking non-refundable travel until your OCI is issued.
Important notes
- Final decisions and timelines sit with the relevant authority — we prepare and guide; we do not guarantee outcomes.
- Matrix Solutions (UK Matrix Solutions Ltd) is not affiliated with VFS Global, the Indian High Commission, or the Government of India.
- Companies House no. 13295750 · ICO ZC142664.
Unsure which service fits? Contact us — we confirm before you pay.