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OCI applications:

If you wish to obtain an OCI or make any changes to your existing OCI, such as changing your photo due to an appearance change, Lead NRI and Immigration services have experienced staff who can deal with your OCI needs at any time. If you are unsure whether an OCI will be of any benefit to you, please contact our team to discuss the benefits and disadvantages of having an OCI and whether the benefits outweigh the disadvantages for your personal needs.

Eligibility

Following categories of foreign nationals are eligible for registration as Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) Cardholder:-

(1) Who was a citizen of India at the time of, or at any time after the commencement of the Constitution i.e. 26.01.1950; or

(2) who was eligible to become a citizen of India on 26.01.1950; or

(3) who belonged to a territory that became part of India after 15.08.1947; or

(4) who is a child or a grandchild or a great grandchild of such a citizen; or

(5) who is a minor child of such persons mentioned above; or

(6) who is a minor child and whose both parents are citizens of India or one of the parents is a citizen of India; or

(7) spouse of foreign origin of a citizen of India or spouse of foreign origin of an Overseas Citizen of India Cardholder registered under section 7A of the Citizenship Act, 1955 and whose marriage has been registered and subsisted for a continuous period of not less than two years immediately preceding the presentation of the application.

Benefits of applying for an OCI card are:

  • Multiple entries, with multi-purpose life-long Visa being offered to visit India.
  • Exception from having to report to Police authorities for any length of stay in India
  • Equality with NRIs in all spheres of financial, economic and educational fields barring the purchase of agricultural or plantation properties
  • Registered Overseas Citizen of India Cardholder shall be treated at par with NonResident-Indians in the matter of inter-country adoption of Indian children.
  • Registered Overseas Citizen of India Cardholder shall be treated at par with resident Indian nationals in the matter of tariffs in air fares in domestic sectors in India.
  • Registered Overseas Citizen of India Cardholder shall be charged the same entry fee as domestic Indian visitors to visit national parks and wildlife sanctuaries in India.
  • State Governments should ensure that the OCI Cardholder registration booklets of OCI Cardholders are treated as their identification for any services rendered to them. In case proof of residence is required, Overseas Citizens of India Cardholder 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.

Note- Any other benefits to an OCI Cardholder will be notified by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) under section 7B(1) of the Citizenship Act, 1955.

Benefits to which OCI Cardholder is not entitled to:

The OCI Cardholder is not entitled to vote, be a member of Legislative Assembly or Legislative Council or Parliament, cannot hold Constitutional posts such as President, Vice President, Judge of Supreme Court or High Court etc. The OCI Cardholder shall not be entitled for appointment to public services and posts in connection with the affairs of the Union or of any State except for appointment in such services and posts as the Central Government may, by special order, in that behalf, specify. Further, as stated in para 5 above, the OCI Cardholder cannot acquire agricultural or plantation properties in India.

New OCI cardholders vs Indian citizens

New OCI cardholders are withheld from having some of the rights available to Indian citizens, including:

  • Work opportunity with public enterprises.
  • Standing in elections for Vice President or President of India.
  • As judges in High Courts or the Supreme Court.
  • Voting rights for elections.
  • As a member of Legislative Council or Legislative Assembly of any Indian state.
  • As a member of Rajya Sabha or Lok Sabha.
  • As an appointed member in public posts or services in lieu of affairs of the Centre or any State.
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