OVERSEAS CITIZENS OF INDIA
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OVERSEAS CITIZENS OF INDIA
Overseas Citizens of India (“OCI”) is a status granted by the Indian government to individuals of Indian descent and their spouses. It offers certain benefits but does not grant full citizenship. Indian nationals and their spouses may live and work in India permanently with OCI, a type of permanent residency. Along with privileges like land ownership and other investment opportunities, it grants cardholders lifetime entrance into the nation.
Despite its name, OCI is not recognized as citizenship by the Republic of India or by most other countries in the globe. There are several different situations in which the Indian government may remove OCI status. Furthermore, the OCI card can only be used with a current foreign passport.
ELIGIBILITY
- Indian nationals who have previously held citizenship but have not actively renounced it.
- Children born abroad to parents who were eligible for OCI.
- Spouses of those with OCI cards.
BENEFITS
Multiple Entry Lifetime Visa: The Multiple Entry Lifetime Visa permits unlimited stays and multiple visits to India for any reason.
Exemption from Registration: Unless one is relocating permanently or changing their occupation, there is no requirement to register with local authorities upon arrival or for extended stays.
Parity with Indians who are not residents : It gives equal treatment in the majority of financial, educational, and economic domains (agricultural property buying is an exception).
Equitable Domestic Airfare and Entry Fees: It provides same discounts on domestic travel and park and monument admission as Indian nationals.
APPLICATION
Online Application Form: Person is needed to fill out an online application form on the designated website, https://ociservices.gov.in/
Two Photographs: Passport-sized photographs meeting specific size and background requirements.
Copy of Passport: A clear photocopy of the biographical data page (with photo and passport details) of current valid passport.
Proof of Indian Origin: Documents proving connection to India. The specific documents required depend on the eligibility category. Here are some common examples:
- Birth certificate or a parent/grandparent born in India.
- Marriage certificate of a parent/grandparent married to an Indian citizen.
- Any document issued by the Indian government to parents/grandparents proving their Indian origin (e.g., passport, ration card, school leaving certificate).
RESTRICTIONS
From a constitutional perspective, OCI holders are not citizens of India and, even if they choose to live there, they will not be entitled to the following rights:
- They do not have the right to vote.
- They do not have the right to hold the offices of Prime Minister, President, Vice President, Chief Minister, Governor, Judge of Hon’ble Supreme Court and High Court, member of Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha Legislative Assembly, or Council.
- They do not have the right to any public services (government jobs).
- They do not have the right to invest in farmland (agricultural property). However, they can still inherit farmland.
- They are not eligible for an Inner Line Permit. Overseas Citizens of India need to apply for a protected area permits to perform certain activities and visit certain areas in India.
KEY POINTS
An Indian national who has registered abroad is granted a multiple entry, multipurpose, lifetime visa to visit the country. They are also exempted from registering with the Foreign Registration Officer or Foreign Regional Registration Officer for the duration of their stay in the country and are entitled to general parity with Non-Resident Indians in respect of all facilities available to them in economic, financial, and educational fields, except in matters relating to the acquisition of Agricultural land or Farm house or Plantation properties.
Legislation For Overseas Citizen Of India
An Overseas Citizen of India (“OCI”) is a foreign citizen who has a special status in India granted by the OCI scheme. People of Indian origin and their spouses may live and work in India permanently with OCI, a type of permanent residency. Along with the privileges like land ownership and other investment opportunities, it grants cardholders lifetime entrance into the nation. This scheme was introduced by the Indian government in 2005 to connect with the Indian diaspora and offer them certain privileges. The main legislation for OCI is the Citizenship Act, 1955, specifically the OCI Scheme introduced in 2005 by Ministry of External Affairs, India….
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