Advantages of Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) Card for Global Indians

The Government of India used to issue Person of Indian Origin (PIO) Cards to eligible foreign nationals. However, this practice had one major drawback.

The PIO expires in 15 years, so you must renew your PIO card every 15 years. The Indian Diaspora was quite happy with the Government's introduction of Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) Cards.

By applying for an OCI Card, you can earn a valid lifetime visa and exercise rights similar to those of an NRI.

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Who Is An Overseas Citizen of India (OCI)?

An overseas citizen of India is a person of Indian origin or his / her spouse holding foreign citizenship.

The Government of India grants OCI rights similar to an NRI, except that OCI is ineligible to cast a vote.

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What Is An OCI Card?

If you are a person of Indian origin and decide to visit India, there is a lengthy Visa process to follow.

Indian Diaspora residing abroad used to demand the Indian government to enact ‘dual citizenship’ persistently.

In August 2006, the Government introduced the Overseas Citizen of India Card to showcase India's deep commitment to the Indian diaspora.

The Government ensures that you are entitled ‘to rights in parity with NRIs’, even though it couldn’t grant ‘dual citizenship.’

According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the Indian government issued a whopping 40.68 lakh OCI Cards as of January 2022.

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Benefits Of Having An OCI Card

By applying for an OCI Card, you will benefit in the following ways,

Multiple entry, multi-purpose, life-long Visa for visiting India
Exemption from registering with the Foreign Regional Registration Officer / Foreign Registration Officer if you plan to extend your stay in India
Access to economic, financial, and educational fields
Parity with NRIs, if you wish to adopt Indian children (inter-country adoption)
Parity with Resident Indians (RIs) with respect to domestic tariffs in domestic airfares.
Parity with Resident Indians in respect to fee collected, on your visit to national parks and wildlife sanctuaries in India.
Parity with NRIs, in respect to fee collected, on your visit to national monuments, historical sites and museums in India.
Parity with NRIs, if you wish to practice as medic, advocate, architect or Chartered Accountant (provisions mentioned in relevant Acts).

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However, as is in the case of an NRI, you cannot purchase Agricultural land / Farm house / Plantation properties.

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Eligibility Criteria For An OCI Card

As a foreign national residing abroad, you are eligible to apply for an OCI Card if you fall into any of the below categories,

Who was a citizen of India during or after the commencement of the Indian Constitution, i.e., 26/01/1950 or
Who had the eligibility to become a citizen of India on 26/01/1950 or
Who hails from a territory that eventually became part of India after the Indian independence; or
Who is a child or a grandchild or a great-grandchild of such eligible citizen or
Who is a minor child of such citizens mentioned above, or
Who is a minor child and one of the child’s parents or both the parents is an Indian citizen or
Spouse of an Indian citizen or spouse of an OCI Cardholder registered under Sec 7A of the Citizenship Act, 1955.

Note:

If you are a PIO cardholder, the updated deadline to apply for OCI Card is 31st December 2024
A spouse can apply, considering the marriage being registered and subsisted for a continuous period of at least two years immediately preceding the presentation of the application.
No person who or either of whose parents/grandparents/ great grandparents is or had been a citizen of Pakistan / Bangladesh is eligible for an OCI-Card.

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How To Obtain An OCI Card?

There are three categories under which you can register as an Overseas Citizen of India.

New OCI Registration - If you are of Indian origin and have never applied for a PIO Card,
OCI Registration (In-lieu-of Valid PIO Card) - If you possess a valid PIO Card
OCI Registration (In-lieu-of Lost PIO Card) - If you possessed a PIO Card but lost it.

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OCI Registration Part A

After confirming your eligibility to apply for an OCI Card, you need to follow the below steps,

Visit the OCI Services web portal and select ‘New OCI registration
Go through the below instructions,some text
- Before you start - Check your eligibility instructions and the documents required
- Prerequisites - Adhere to the guidelines w.r.t image and document sizes for faster approval
- After registration - Collect and print your application form with the Online Application Number.
A pop-up appears once you click ‘Proceed’ that includes all the information related to the documents required,
Mark the box stating ‘I have read the instructions’ and click ‘Accept.’
Next, go through the ‘Steps for successful registration’ and enter ‘Captcha.’
Select ‘Fill New Application’ if you are filling out a new form, or click ‘Complete Partially Filled Application.’
A new window pop-up appears. Select ‘Place of Submission and Mission,’ and enter your basic details, including passport and family details.
Click ‘Save and Continue’
Fill-out your occupation & address details (keep a note of the Temporary Application ID displayed on the top-right corner), click ‘Next’
Verify Your Information and submit Part A Registration Form
Next on the ‘OCI Image Upload’ page read through the instructions and select ‘Yes I am ready with the image’
A pop-up window appears - Upload your photo and signature here.
Next, you will be redirected to the ‘OCI Registration Confirmation’ page which includes,some text
- Your name
- Document list
- Indian origin document
Go through the list of documents and click ‘Proceed to Part B’

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OCI Registration Part B

As the OCI Registration Part B appears follow the below steps,

Answer the questions displayed on the screen based on yes or no w.r.t citizenship detail
Scroll down to the ‘Nationality Details’ and choose your acquisition method, namely,
Respond to the other basic questions and click ‘Submit’
Next, upload the necessary documents and click ‘Final Submit’
The final step is to select ‘Generate Registration Form’

‍A form will be automatically downloaded

Next, you need to present the application’s hardcopy at the Mission’s office which you opted for.

If you find the above process to be tedious, you can apply for an OCI Card through iNRI.

iNRI charges a nominal fee to render these services but the process involved is completely digital.

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Link Button Apply for OCI Card

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Renewal and Reissuance of OCI Cards

The OCI Card offers you a lifelong Visa. Hence, renewal might not be necessary.

The Government of India issues or re-issues OCI Cards in the following cases,

If there is a change in your personal particulars, such as a change in nationality, father’s name, DOB, address, etc.,
During the loss or damage of the OCI registration certificate

Here is how you can apply for re-issuance of your OCI Card,

Once you visit, click ‘OCI Miscellaneous Services’ to apply for renewal and re-issuance services,
Next, fill out the application form and upload the requisite self-attested documents, including a photograph and signature
You can upload a minor's left-thumb impression if he/she does not know how to sign.
For prior verification, you need to submit a hard copy of the above docs alongside the original docs to the Indian Mission.

Are NRIs Eligible for Dual Citizenship?

No, you are not eligible for holding dual citizenship.

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The Constitution of India doesn’t allow you to hold Indian citizenship and citizenship of a foreign nation simultaneously.

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The then government, led by former PM Manmohan Singh, introduced the OCI Card to assist persons of Indian origin with life-long Visas and other parties.

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Therefore, the Consulate General of India reiterates that holding an OCI Card is not equivalent to holding dual citizenship.

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Conclusion

Applying for an OCI Card is that simple. Once you obtain an OCI Card, you will no longer need to pay a visit to the Foreign Regional Registration Office to request an extension of your stay.

You will also be able to exercise rights similar to those of an NRI, except with respect to casting a vote.

Most importantly, attaining OCI status does not mean that you possess dual citizenship; it means just having a lifelong valid Visa.

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OCI Status for Global Indians: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can the spouse of the eligible person apply for OCI?

Yes, your spouse can apply for an OCI Card in his / her own capacity, provided you are an eligible person. A spouse can apply, considering the marriage being registered and subsisted for a continuous period of at least two years immediately preceding the presentation of the application.

Can the minor children apply for the OCI?

Yes, the minor can apply for the OCI if either of the parents is a Person of Indian Origin.

What does OCI status mean?

OCI is an immigration status granted by the Government of India to a Person of Indian Origin with foreign citizenship.

The Government of India introduced OCI status mainly to cater to the needs of the Indian Diaspora requesting dual citizenship. Having an OCI means having a lifelong visa to visit India.

How long can OCI stay in India?

As an OCI cardholder, you can stay in India for an indefinite period of time.

You will exercise rights similar to those of an NRI, but you remain ineligible to cast a vote because you hold foreign citizenship.

Can OCI get an Aadhaar?

Yes, as an OCI, you can apply for an Aadhaar if you have resided in India for 182 days or more in the previous year and possess a valid Indian address.

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