| *Please click on questions' title to read the answer |
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| Q.1 |
Who is eligible to apply for OCI? |
| Ans |
A foreign national, who was eligible to become a citizen of India on 26.01.1950 or was a citizen of India on or 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, provided their country of citizenship allows dual citizenship in some form or the other under the local laws, is eligible for registration as an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI). Minor children of such a person 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. |
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"Non Resident Indian" (NRI) means a person who is a resident of a foreign country but is a citizen of India. |
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| Q.3 |
Who is PIO or Person of Indian origin? |
| Ans |
"Person of Indian Origin " means a citizen of any country (not being a citizen of Pakistan, Bangladesh) if:
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he/she at any time held an Indian passport; or |
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he/she or either of his/her parents or grand parents or great grand parents were born in and were permanent residents of India as defined in the Government of India Act, 1935, and other territories that became part of India thereafter provided neither was at any time a citizen of any of the specified countries; or |
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he/she is a spouse of a citizen of India or a person of Indian origin covered under (1.) and (2.) above. |
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| Q.4 |
Who was eligible to become Citizen of India on 26.01.1950? |
| Ans |
Any person who or either of whose parents or grand-parents were born in India as defined in the Government of India Act, 1935 (as originally Enacted), and who was ordinarily residing in any country outside India but was eligible to become citizen of India as on 26.01.1950. |
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| Q.5 |
Which territories became part of India after 15.08.1947 and from what Date? |
| Ans |
The territories which became part of India after 15.08.1947 are:
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Sikkim from 26.04.1975 |
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Pondicherry from 16.08.1962 |
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Dadra & Nagar Haveli from 11.08.1961 |
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Goa, Daman and Diu from 20.12.1961 |
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| Q.6 |
Can the spouse of the eligible person apply for OCI? |
| Ans |
Yes, if he/she is eligible in his/her own capacity. |
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| Q.7 |
Can children of parents, wherein one of the parents is eligible for OCI, Can apply for OCI? |
| Ans |
Yes. Children can apply on the basis of the parent who is eligible for OCI. |
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| Q.8 |
What documents would qualify for "Any other proof" for evidence of self or parents or grand parents being eligible for grant of OCI? |
| Ans |
Any documentary evidence by which the Officer equivalent to Under Secretary to the Government of India in the Indian Mission/Post can diligently arrive at the decision. Documents may vary from person to person depending on the personal circumstances. |
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| Q.9 |
Whether applicant(s) have to go in person to submit the application(s)? |
| Ans |
Application can be submitted in person/Travel agent/Representative or by Post/Courier. |
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| Q.10 |
Whether the applicant (s) have to take oath before the Counsel of the Indian Mission/Post? |
| Ans |
No. Earlier provision in this regard has been done away with. |
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| Q.11 |
Can a person apply in the country where he is ordinarily residing? |
| Ans |
Yes. The person needs to ensure that he/she is available in the country for collection as the OCI cannot be applied for in one country/Indian Mission and collected from another. |
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| Q.12 |
What are the consequences of furnishing wrong information or suppressing material information? |
| Ans |
All the applications will be subject to pre or post enquiry depending on whether any adverse information is available or not. If at any time the Government comes to know that any false information was furnished or material information was suppressed, the registration as OCI already granted shall be cancelled by an Order under section 7D of the Citizenship Act, 1955. The persons concerned will also be blacklisted, banning their entry into India. |
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| Q.13 |
What is the time taken for registration as OCI? |
| Ans |
Within 8 weeks of the application, if there is no adverse information available against the applicant, an OCI will be granted. If any adverse information is available against the Applicant, the decision to grant or otherwise is taken within 120 days. |
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| Q.14 |
Can a PIO cardholder apply? |
| Ans |
Provided he/she is otherwise eligible for grant of OCI like any other applicant. |
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| Q.15 |
Will the PIO card be honored till the time they are valid even after acquisition of OCI? |
| Ans |
No. PIO card will have to be surrendered to Indian Mission/Post/MHA for grant of OCI registration certificate and OCI 'U' visa sticker. |
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| Q.16 |
What will be issued after registration as OCI? |
| Ans |
A registration certificate in the form of a booklet will be issued and a multiple entry, multi-purpose OCI 'U' visa sticker will be pasted on the foreign passport of the applicant. For this purpose, the applicant has to send the original passport to the India Passport & Visa Services Centre after online status shows a date against documents delivery in mission/ post as per the jurisdiction of your application. |
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| Q.17 |
Will a separate OCI passport be issued? |
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No. A separate registration Certificate in the form of a Booklet will be issued. This booklet cannot be used for travel without the Foreign Passport of the applicant on which the OCI ‘U’ Visa Sticker is stamped. |
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| Q.18 |
In case of loss/ damage/ change in details, will a duplicate certificate of registration as OCI be issued? |
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Yes. For this purpose, an application has to be made directly to the Indian High Commission or Consulate General concerned with evidence for reasons of request for duplicate certificate. The details for this service can be found under Miscellaneous OCI services from the Indian High Commission or Consulate General concerned website. |
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| Q.19 |
Will a new OCI visa sticker be issued on the new foreign passport after the expiry of the old passport? |
| Ans |
Yes. On payment of a requisite fee, a new OCI 'U' visa sticker will be issued. The details for this service can be found under Miscellaneous OCI services from the Indian High Commission or Consulate General concerned website. |
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| Q.20 |
Will the applicant lose his current foreign citizenship after registering as OCI? |
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No. As only citizens of those countries which allow dual citizenship under the local laws in some form or the other are eligible for applying for registration as OCI, the question of losing current foreign citizenship does not arise. |
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| Q.21 |
Can a person after acquiring OCI travel to protected area/restricted area (PAP/ RAP) without permission? |
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No. He/she will be required to seek PAP/RAP for such visits. Such permissions may be issued by FRRO on arrival into India on providing a confirmed itinerary. |
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| Q.22 |
Would the Indian civil/criminal laws be applicable to persons Registered as OCI? |
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Yes, for the period a person registered as OCI is living in India. |
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| Q.23 |
Can a person registered as OCI be granted Indian citizenship? |
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As per the provisions of section 5(1) (g) of the Citizenship Act, 1955, a Person who is registered as OCI for 5 years and is residing in India for 1 year out of those 5 years, is eligible to apply for Indian Citizenship. In such a case, the person will have to renounce his / her current foreign citizenship as Indian law does not permit Dual Citizenship. |
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| Q.24 |
Will OCI be granted gratis to certain categories of people? |
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No. Charges are applicable in each and every case. |
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| Q.25 |
Can OCI be granted to foreign nationals who are not eligible for OCI, but married to persons who are eligible for OCI? |
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No. Such people should apply for a PIO card. |
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| Q.26 |
Will foreign-born children of PIOs be eligible to become OCI? |
| Ans |
Yes, provided one of the parents is eligible to become OCI. |
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| Q.27 |
What are the benefits of OCI? |
| Ans |
Following benefits will be allowed to OCI: (a) Multi-purpose, multiple entry, lifelong visa for visiting India. (b) Exemption from registration with local police authorities for any length of stay in India. (c) Parity with NRIs in respect of economic, financial and education fields except in matters relating to the acquisition of agricultural/plantation properties. |
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| Q.28 |
Will any other benefit be granted to OCI? |
| Ans |
Any other benefits to OCI will be notified by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA) under Section 7B(1) of the Citizenship Act, 1955. |
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| Q.29 |
Whether the OCI is entitled to voting rights? |
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| Q.30 |
Whether the OCI is entitled to hold constitutional post in India? |
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| Q.31 |
Whether the OCI is entitled to hold Government posts in India? |
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No, except for the posts specified by an order by the Central Government. |
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| Q.32 |
If a person is already holding more than one nationality, can he/she apply for OCI? |
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Yes, as long as the local laws of at least one of the countries allow dual Citizenship in some form or other. |
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| Q.33 |
What are the advantages of OCI when compared to PIO cardholders? |
| Ans |
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OCI is entitled to life long visa free travel to India whereas for PIO Cardholder, it is for 15 years. |
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PIO cardholder is required to register with local Police authority for Stay exceeding 180 days in India on any single visit whereas OCI is exempted from registration with Police authorities for any length of Stay in India. |
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| Q.34 |
Whether an OCI be entitled to apply for and obtain a normal Indian passport which is given to a citizen of India? |
| Ans |
Yes. As per the provisions of section 5(1) (g) of the Citizenship Act, 1955, a person who is registered as OCI for 5 years and has resided in India for 1 year out of the above 5 years, is eligible to apply for Indian Citizenship. In such a case, the applicant will have to renounce his / her current foreign citizenship as Indian law does not permit Dual Citizenship. |
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| Q.35 |
Whether nationals of Commonwealth countries are eligible for OCI? |
| Ans |
Yes, if they fulfill the eligibility criteria. |
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| Q.36 |
Should PIO holders give a copy of PIO card and also proof of Indian origin, while applying for OCI? |
| Ans |
Yes. Copy of PIO card is to be submitted to become eligible for fee concession for OCI by an individual. However, proof of eligibility for OCI should also be submitted to demonstrate the eligibility to get an OCI. |
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| Q.37 |
Can a person renounce OCI? |
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Yes. He/she has to declare intention of renunciation in Form XXII to the Indian Mission/Post where OCI registration was granted. After receipt of the declaration, the Indian Mission/Post shall issue an acknowledgement in Form XXII A |
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| Q.38 |
Who can avail the OCI Miscellaneous services? |
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Only a registered Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) can avail the OCI Miscellaneous Services. |
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| Q.39 |
Under what circumstances can the services be availed? |
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OCI Miscellaneous services can be availed for re-issuance/issuance of duplicate OCI Registration Certificate and Visa in the following category of cases:
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In case of issuance of new passport. |
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In case of change of personal particulars viz. nationality etc., |
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In case of loss/damage of OCI registration certificate/visa. |
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In case of filling of wrong personal particulars while submitting online applications viz. name, father's name, date of birth etc., |
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In case of manually filled in applications (discontinued now) mistakes have been committed by the Indian Mission/Post/Office while entering the personal particulars. |
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In case of change of address/occupation |
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| Q.40 |
How to avail the services? |
| Ans |
Miscellaneous OCI Service is available directly with the High Commission/Consulate General of India after completing the Miscellaneous Services form and paying the requisite fees. Details for this service can be found under Miscellaneous OCI services from the Indian High Commission or Consulate General concerned website. |
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| Q.41 |
Does the OCI document have to be re-issued each time a new passport is taken? |
| Ans |
OCI registration Certificate and Visa have got to be re-issued each time a new passport is issued up to the completion of 20 years of age and once after completion of 50 years of age.
Re-issuance of OCI registration certificate and visa is not mandatory, each time a new passport is issued between 21-50 years of age. However, if the applicant wishes to obtain a new set of OCI documents, he/she can apply for the same. |
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