Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) |
Details on the OCI CARD SCHEME can be obtained from https://passport.gov.in/oci/ 1. Being eligible to become a citizen of India at the time of commencement of Indian Constitution i.e. 26.01.1950. OR
NOTE :- 2. If the OCI card holder acquires nationality of a different country after obtaining OCI card, except that of Pakistan and Bangladesh, he/she is also allowed to enter into India provided he/she is carrying his/her old passport having lifelong India 'U' visa sticker pasted on it along with the new passport of the recently acquired nationality. 3. If OCI card holder is carrying only OCI card without carrying old/cancelled foreign passport bearing 'U' visa sticker, may be granted Temporary Landing Permit in India for a period of 30 days extendable upto 180 days by FRRO/FRO concerned without levying any charge after verification from the OCI database. Also, if they are not carrying OCI card, but carrying foreign passport bearing 'U' visa sticker, the entry is allowed.
INTRODUCTION Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) OCI Scheme is operational from 02.12.2005 The Constitution of India does not allow holding Indian citizenship and 2. Application for registration as OCI can be made Online. Before filling the application, Instructions may be perused so that there is no mistake in submission of application. Further, the details regarding Fee and Offices where applications have to be filed may also be perused. 3. Persons registered as OCI have not been given any voting rights, election to Lok Sabha/Rajya Sabha/Legislative Assembly/Council, holding Constitutional posts such as President, Vice President, Judge of Supreme Court/High Court etc. Registered OCIs shall be entitled to following benefits: (i) Multiple entry, multi-purpose life long visa to visit India; (ii) Exemption from reporting to Police authorities for any length of stay in India; and (iii) Parity with NRIs in financial, economic and educational fields except in the acquisition of agricultural or plantation properties. (iv) Registered Overseas Citizen of India shall be treated at par with Non-Resident Indian in the matter of inter-country adoption of Indian children. (v) Registered Overseas Citizens of India shall be treated at par with resident Indian nationals in the matter of tariffs in air fares in domestic sectors in India. (vi) Registered Overseas Citizens of India shall be charged the same entry fee as domestic Indian visitors to visit national parks and wildlife sanctuaries in India (vii) Parity with Non-Resident Indian in respect of entry fees to be charged for visiting the national monuments, historical sites and museums in India; Pursuing the following professions in India, in pursuance of the provisions contained in the relevant Acts, namely:- (a) Doctors, dentists, nurses and pharmacists; (b) Advocates; (c) Architects; (d) Chartered Accountants; (viii) Parity with Non-Resident Indian to appear for the All India Pre-medical Test or such other tests to make them eligible for admission in pursuance of the provisions contained in the relevant Acts. (ix) “State Governments should ensure that the OCI registration booklets of OCIs are treated as their identification for any services rendered to them. In case proof of residence is required, Overseas Citizens of India may give an affidavit attested by a notary public stating that a particular/specific address may be treated as their place of residence in India and may also in their affidavit give their overseas residential address as well as e-mail address, if any” 4. Any further benefits to OCIs will be notified by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA) under section 7B (1) of the Citizenship Act,1955. 5. A person registered as OCI is eligible to apply for grant of Indian citizenship under section 5(1) (g) of the Citizenship Act, 1955 if he/she is registered as OCI for five years and has been residing in India for one year out of the five years before making the application. BROCHURE A foreign national, who was eligible to become citizen of India on 26.01.1950 or was a citizen of India on or at anytime after 26.01.1950 or belonged to a territory that became part of India after 15.08.1947 and his/her children and grand children, is eligible for registration as an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI). Minor children of such persons are also eligible for OCI. However, if the applicant had ever been a citizen of Pakistan or Bangladesh, he/she will not be eligible for OCI. 2. Application Form and Procedure: Part B can be downloaded and filled by hand in block letters. The following documents must be enclosed in each application: 1. Proof of present citizenship. In case application is filled in India, a copy of valid visa/Residential permit for a minimum valid period of three months should also be enclosed. 2. Evidence of self or parents or grandparents, (a) Being eligible to become a citizen of India at the time of commencement of the Constitution (i.e. 26th January 1950); or (b) Belonging to a territory that became part of India after 15th August, 1947; or (c) Being citizen of India on or after 26th January, 1950 These could be: (ii) Domicile certificate issued by the Competent authority in India; or (iii) Any other proof substantiating the request. (Usually applicants are able to submit a certificate of residence and place of birth of self/parents/grandparents from First Class Magistrate/District Magistrate (DM) of the concerned place). 4. Application fee of US$ 275 for each applicant (US$ 25 for each PIO card holder). 5. PIO card holder should submit a copy of his/her PIO card. The application form, completed in all respects, along with enclosures should be submitted to the Indian Mission/Post of the country of applicant’s citizenship or where he/she is not in the country of citizenship, to the Indian Mission/Post of the country in which he/she is ordinarily a resident. 3. Procedure for Granting Registration: After preliminary scrutiny, if there is any adverse information against the applicant, prior approval of the MHA shall be required before grant of registration. The MHA may approve or reject the grant of registration within 120 days from the date of the receipt of the application. If the grant of registration as an OCI is approved by the MHA, the Indian Mission/Post/FRRO shall register the person as an OCI. If the application is filed in India, registration shall be granted by FRROs by following the above procedure. After grant of registration, a registration certificate in the form of a booklet will be issued and a multiple entry, multi-purpose life long OCI ‘U” visa sticker will be pasted on the foreign passport of the applicant. 5. Collection of OCI documents: 5. OCI for PIO Card Holders: 6. OCI for persons who have applied on the earlier prescribed application form: 7. Cancellation of OCI Registration: 8. Benefits to an OCI: (ii) Exemption from reporting to Police authorities for any length of stay in India; and (iii) Parity with NRIs in financial, economic and educational fields except in the acquisition of agricultural or plantation properties. (iv) Registered Overseas Citizen of India shall be treated at par with Non-Resident-Indian in the matter of inter-country adoption of Indian children. (v) Registered Overseas Citizens of India shall be treated at par with resident Indian nationals in the matter of tariffs in air fares in domestic sectors in India. (vi) Registered Overseas Citizens of India shall be charged the same entry fee as domestic Indian visitors to visit national parks and wildlife sanctuaries in India (vii) Parity with Non-Resident Indian in respect of entry fees to be charged for visiting the national monuments, historical sites and museums in India; Pursuing the following professions in India, in pursuance of the provisions contained in the relevant Acts, namely:- (a) Doctors, Dentists, Nurses and Pharmacists; (viii) Parity with Non-Resident Indian to appear for the All India Pre-medical Test or such other tests to make them eligible for admission in pursuance of the provisions contained in the relevant Acts. (ix) “State Governments should ensure that the OCI registration booklets of OCIs are treated as their identification for any services rendered to them. In case proof of residence is required, Overseas Citizens of India may give an affidavit attested by a notary public stating that a particular/specific address may be treated as their place of residence in India and may also in their affidavit give their overseas residential address as well as e-mail address, if any” Any other benefits to an OCI will be notified by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA) under Section 7B (1) of the Citizenship Act, 1955.8. Benefits to which OCI is not entitled to: 9. Help Desk: |
Embassy of India, Harare, Zimbabwe |