OCI Services
Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI)
OCI Scheme is operational from 02.12.2005
The Constitution of India does not allow holding Indian citizenship and citizenship of a foreign country simultaneously. Based on the recommendation of the High Level committee on Indian Diaspora, the Government of India decided to grant Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) commonly known as ‘dual citizenship’. Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) of certain category as has been specified in the Brochure who migrated from India and acquired citizenship of a foreign country other than Pakistan and Bangladesh, are eligible for grant of OCI as long as their home countries allow dual citizenship in some form or the other under their local laws.
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.
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.
