Is the OCI Card considered a visa?
Although the OCI card is considered a lifelong visa, it’s not actually a visa. It’s a document that gives you the right to work and live in India. Most visas only allow you to visit countries. This is not the case with the OCI card. Luckily, iVisa.com can help you with a fast, simple, and reliable service for your OCI card.
Do OCI cards need to be reissued after 20 years?
Most Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders do not need to have their OCI cards reissued every time they get a new passport. Those having OCI cards issued before the cardholder was 20 years old, on the other hand, only need to get a new OCI card once when they get a new passport after turning 20.
Can I travel to India with OCI card?
We think both of you got the OCI card issued (the first time) on the current passports which will expire in 2027. If yes, then no worries. Both of you can travel to India.
Can a child of foreign nationality apply for an OCI card?
The OCI card may be granted to young children of foreign nationality if they meet one of the following criteria: The Parents or Grandparents either have Indian citizenship or are OCI Visa cardholders. They were a citizen of India at the time, or at any time after, the commencement of the Constitution (January 26, 1950
What is an OCI card?
Is OCI card only available for Indian citizens?
Can I get an OCI card if I am Indian?
Is the OCI card an Indian Visa?
Can I apply for visa if I have OCI?
Yes. On payment of requisite fee, a new OCI 'U' visa sticker will be issued. However, the applicant can continue to carry the old passport wherein the OCI 'U' visa sticker was pasted along with new passport for visiting India without seeking a new visa, as the visa is lifelong.
Which is better OCI or visa?
If you want to spend some time in India, you must check the travel documents you need for your visit. The India Tourist eVisa is available for foreign travelers who want to visit India for tourism. On the other hand, the OCI Card allows you to live and work in India.
What is difference between OCI and visa?
OCI is a lifelong visa to live and work in India as any other Indian citizen or NRI. But unlike visitors on other long-term visas (for example, work permits, student visas), OCI holders do not have to register with their local FRRO. OCI holders, just like NRIs, can open bank accounts and buy property in the country.
Can I travel to India if I have OCI?
A: You will be allowed entry into India if you have a valid OCI Card and a valid foreign passport. You do not need to carry the old passport on which your "U” (OCI) Visa was stamped, if that happens to be different from your current passport.
Do I need Indian visa if I have OCI?
Does an OCI Cardholder need a visa to visit India? OCI cardholders do not need a visa to visit, live or work in India.
What are the disadvantages of OCI card?
For OCI CardholdersAdvantagesDisadvantagesLifelong multiple entries for visiting India.Not eligible for purchasing agricultural land.No requirement for registering with local police authorities after 180 days.Not eligible for a government job.2 more rows
What is the advantage of OCI?
Benefits: OCIs are entitled to a multipurpose, multiple entry, lifelong visa allowing them to visit India at any time, for any length of time and for any purpose. They are exempted from police reporting for any length of stay in the country.
How long is OCI valid?
10 yearsThe OCI card is a lifelong visa available for citizens of Indian origin. Once you get it, you will obtain all the rights any resident in India has. You can live and work in India. The OCI card is valid for 10 years after issued and it allows Multiple Entry to the country.
How long can I stay in India on OCI card?
(ii) A PIO cardholder is required to register with local Police authority for any stay exceeding 180 days in India on any single visit whereas an OCI is exempted from registration with Police authority for any length of stay in India.
Who can enter India without visa?
Bhutanese and Nepalese travelers may enter India without a passport or visa unless they arrive from mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, the Maldives or Pakistan. Citizens of these countries have the right to stay in India indefinitely, as well as to work there.
What is the new OCI rule?
A person who has got registration as OCI cardholder prior to attaining the age of 20 years will have to get the OCI card re-issued only once when a new passport is issued after his/her completing 20 years of age, so as to capture his/ her facial features on attaining adulthood.
Can OCI get Aadhar card?
Aadhaar Card enrollment is presently available to residents in India. OCI Cardholders who stay in India for a long time (over 182 days in twelve months immediately preceding the date of application for enrolment) and have an Indian address can also enroll for Aadhaar Card in India.
What is the benefit of OCI?
Benefits: OCIs are entitled to a multipurpose, multiple entry, lifelong visa allowing them to visit India at any time, for any length of time and for any purpose. They are exempted from police reporting for any length of stay in the country.
How long OCI can stay in India?
As per the provisions of section 5(1) (g) of the Citizenship Act, 1955, a person who is registered as an OCI for 5 years and is residing in India for 1 year out of the above 5 years, is eligible to apply for Indian Citizenship.
How long it will take to get OCI card in USA?
8-10 weeksOCI application normally takes 8-10 weeks for processing. The complete processing of OCI card involves a number of steps. The processing can be further delayed because of incomplete applications.
Who is eligible for OCI?
Were eligible to become an Indian citizen on or after January 26, 1950; Were Indian citizens on or after January 26, 1950; Belonged to a territory that became a part of India after August 15, 1947; or. Are a child or grandchild of a person described in any of the three above criteria.
New Rules For OCI Cardholders In 2022 - SBNRI - SBNRI
How the new OCI Notification is going to impact Overseas Citizens PAN-Aadhaar Linking for NRIs/OCIs. According to the directive from the Income Tax Department, it is compulsory to link Aadhaar with the PAN card.Failing which could have serious consequences i.e. your PAN card will become inoperative and you will be liable to pay a penalty of Rs. 1000 as per the Finance Bill 2021.
New Rules and Restrictions for OCI Card Holders - India Law Offices
Most Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders do not need to have their OCI cards reissued every time they get a new passport. Those having OCI cards issued before the cardholder was 20 years old, on the other hand, only need to get a new OCI card once when they get a new passport after turning 20.
OCI-Services
To avail Miscellaneous Service, you must be an existing OCI Card Holder. In case the existing OCI card holder wishes to update the latest information about his latest passport, Change in address/Occupation/Contact details, the OCI card holder can select the option as given below and upload the latest photograph and requisite documents.
What is the eligibility criteria to apply for an OCI card ?
One can apply for an OCI card if they satisfy any one the following criteria:
How to apply for OCI?
One can apply for an OCI by logging on to passport.gov.in/oci. The OCI requirements must be satisfied to obtain one’s OCI within 30 working days from the date of application. Every application is stringently scrutinized by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
What is an OCI card?
OCI Card or the Overseas Citizenship in India is an immigration status that permits a foreign citizen (except Bangladesh and Pakistan) with an Indian origin to indefinitely live and work in India.
Can I travel to India with an OCI?
That being said, we recommend you enter/travel India using your India visa. And, although, you may carry your old passport with your OCI, there are chances of your entry being denied into the country . Thus, we reckon OCI applicants and existing cardholders to apply for an India visa as it enables you to enter/travel the nation irrespective of the OCI discrepancies.
Can a non-ordinary passport be used for OCI?
Holders of non-ordinary passports are not eligible for an OCI. OCI not granted when either of the applicant’s parents, grandparents, great grandparents are or were citizens of Pakistan and Bangladesh. A foreign spouse of an Indian citizen or OCI card-holder is not eligible until having subsisted two years of marriage.
Is an Indian visa cheaper than an OCI?
And comparatively, the cost of acquiring an Indian online visa is far less than that of an OCI.
Can you be allowed into a country if you fail to comply with OCI?
And, these conditions must be satisfied. In fact, failure to comply would result in termination of your OCI or you may not be allowed to enter into the country.
What is an OCI card?
1. Grant of multiple entry lifelong visa for visiting India : The OCI card gives cardholders multiple entry lifelong visas to India for any purpose. However, OCI cardholders will need to seek prior permission of the Foreigner Regional Registration Officers (FRRO) to undertake the following activities:
What is the new rule for OCI cardholders?
It is believed that the new rule will place the OCI cardholders in the same category as foreign nationals concerning economic, educational and financial fields and is seen as a setback for cardholders when it comes to employment opportunities.
Can OCI cardholders travel to India?
While they give cardholders parity with Indian nationals in domestic airfare tariffs or entry fees for national parks, museums and monuments in India, overseas Indians will have to take permission to take up employment and visit the prohibited areas in India.
Is India changing its policies on NRIs?
In the last couple of months, the Government of India has made many changes in policies with respect to Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and Overseas Citizens of India (OCI). Here is everything you need to know about new rules for OCI cardholders and how could they impact them.
When did the OCI rule come into effect?
On 4th March, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs notified new rules for Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) under Section 7B of the Citizenship Act 1955. The new rules supersede three previous notifications issued in April 2005, January 2007 and January 2009.
Do I need an OCI card to travel to India?
According to a government notification, Indian diaspora holding Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) cards don’t need to carry their old, expired passports to travel to India. The OCI card is issued to people of Indian origin globally which enables them to enjoy almost all privileges as an Indian national, except for government services, right to vote and purchase of agricultural land. Benefits of having an OCI card include visa-free travel to India, multiple entry, lifelong visa to India, etc.
Does OCI have parity with Indian nationals?
2. Parity with Indian nationals: OCI cardholders will have parity with Indian nationals with respect to tariffs in airfares in domestic sectors in India and in entry fees charged for visiting national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, national monuments, historical sites and museums in India.
What is an OCI card?
OCI card can be used as ID proof for application of PAN Card and driving license and for opening a bank account if the OCI cardholder lives in India. Any future benefits extended to OCIs will be notified by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA) under section 7B (1) of the Citizenship Act, 1955. A person registered as an OCI is eligible ...
How long do you have to be a resident of India to apply for OCI?
A person registered as an OCI is eligible to apply by the Ministry of Citizenship under section 5 (1) (g) of the Citizenship Act, 1955, if they are registered as an OCI for five years and have been residing in India for one of the five years before making the application.
Can foreigners practice in India?
Currently, MCI and DCI Acts do not allow foreign nationals to practice in India.
Do OCI holders have to leave India?
In case the OCI holder came to India to work for a certain employer and later decides to leave the job and/or decides to change the employer, he/she does not have to leave India. Parity with Indian nationals in the matter of. Tariffs in air fares in domestic sectors.
Can I get OCI if I migrated to India?
You can be granted Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) status if you have migrated from India.
Is OCI becoming more complicated?
The rules are becoming more and more complicated daily. We recommend moving forward asap and applying as it since 2015, it has become so complicated to get an OCI, What was once simple has now become so complex, and within the next 5 years will only get harder.
Can a child get an OCI card?
The OCI eligibility rules are a little different for Children. The OCI card may be granted to young children of foreign nationality if they meet one of the following criteria: The Parents or Grandparents either have Indian citizenship or are OCI Visa cardholders.
What are the new restrictions for OCI cardholders?
For OCI cardholders, the new restrictions contain a combination of benefits and drawbacks. While cardholders will be treated equally to Indian nationals in terms of domestic airfare rates and entry costs to India's national parks, museums, and monuments, foreign Indians will need authorization to work and visit India's banned zones.
Who is ineligible for OCI?
Anyone who has ever been a Pakistani or Bangladeshi citizen, or who is the child, grandchild, or great-grandchild of one, is ineligible for OCI status.
What is the new OCI circular for 2021?
The March 2021 circular makes a significant change to the reporting duties of OCI cardholders in India. They must now record any changes in their residence location or occupation.
How often do you have to reissue an OCI card?
Due to biological changes in the applicant's face, the OCI card is currently required to be re-issued each time a new passport is issued up to 20 years of age and once after 50 years of age. The Government of India has decided to waive this criterion in order to make things easier for OCI cards. A person who has been registered as an OCI cardholder before the age of 20 must have the OCI card reissued just once when a new passport is issued after he or she has reached adulthood, in order for his or her facial features to be captured. There will be no need to re-issue an OCI card if a person has received registration as an OCI cardholder after reaching the age of 20.
What is the government's eased OCI card re-issuance requirements?
The government's eased OCI card re-issuance requirements decrease the administrative burden of needing to apply for a new OCI card and show the government's flexible attitude in the wake of recent restrictions for OCI card holders.
How many OCI cards are there in India?
The Indian government has issued around 37.72 lakh OCI Cards so far.
What is OCI in India?
Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) is a permanent residency status that allows people of Indian heritage and their spouses to live and work in India permanently. OCI status is not citizenship and does not provide the right to vote in Indian elections or hold public office, despite its name. The Indian government has the authority to revoke OCI status in a variety of situations. As of 2020, there are 6 million holders of OCI cards among the Indian Overseas diaspora.
How old do you have to be to get an OCI card?
The OCI card holders within the age bracket of 20 years are required to get their OCI cards reissued each time when their passport is reissued, according to the Consulate General of India. Those above 20 years of age are exempted from ensuring this criterion of validity.
Do I need to carry my passport if I am over 50?
They do also have to carry the current passport. Those above 50 years of age are required to get their OCI cards reissued only once when their passport is renewed after they turn 50. It is also recommended in the Consulate General of India’s press release that the Overseas Citizen of India card holders must always carry ...
Do I need to reissue my OCI card?
Reissue of the OCI card is not compulsory along with reissue of the passport for those within the age bracket of 21 to 50 years. But they have to carry their old passport which their OCI card was issued on, in order to prove the card validity. They do also have to carry the current passport. Those above 50 years of age are required ...
What Is an OCI Card?
Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) is a type of immigration status granted to a foreign national of Indian origin. The OCI card can be used to legally live and work in India indefinitely. This is the closest thing to dual citizenship offered by the Indian government since the Constitution of India prevents anyone from holding dual citizenship.
How long does it take to get an OCI card?
The processing time varies, but you should expect to wait at least 8 to 10 weeks. You will be informed of all the processing stages by the Consulate via email. You can also make inquiries using your reference number. After your OCI card is issued, you can visit India and get all its benefits. Above all, you will finally be home, where you have always belonged.
How old do you have to be to renew your OCI card?
OCI cardholders under the age of 20 are required to renew their OCI card each time they receive a new passport within a stipulated time frame. Along with renewing OCI documents, they have to pay applicable fees as required.
When did OCI start?
Complete Guide to OCI Renewal in the U.S. OCI has been a game-changer since it was introduced in 2005, in response to the demand for dual citizenship. While PIO has always been around, it lacked several features that a foreigner of Indian origin would expect. An OCI card functions like an Indian visa, which provides you many of the benefits ...
Do OCI cards need to be renewed?
The OCI card comes with lifetime validity and does not need to be re-applied for. But to keep records up to date, the OCI registration certificate and visa sometimes have to be re-issued. OCI cards need to be renewed in the following cases:
Can I have dual citizenship in India?
This is the closest thing to dual citizenship offered by the Indian government since the Constitution of India prevents anyone from holding dual citizenship . An OCI card certifies that you are a foreign citizen of Indian origin and are allowed to live and work in India. Per the Indian Home Ministry, you are eligible for an OCI card if: ...
Can I renew my OCI card at age 50?
Similarly, after the age of 50, it is not mandatory to renew your OCI card every time you get a new passport. You can show your old passport with the OCI “U” visa stamp along with your new passport, and it’ll be accepted.
What is an OCI card?
The Overseas Citizens of India or OCI card is issued to people of Indian origin globally which gives them almost all the privileges of an Indian national except for the right to vote, government service and buying agricultural land. The OCI card gives them a visa free travel to India.
How old do you have to be to get an OCI card?
As per the current OCI guidelines that have been in force since 2005, an OCI card is required to be re-issued each time a new passport is acquired by the cardholder up to the age of 20 years or after completing 50 years of age.
How often do I need to renew my OCI card?
Under the provisions of the OCI card, which gives the cardholder lifelong visa to India, those below 20 years and above 50 years need to renew their OCI card every time they have their passport renewed. The Indian government has relaxed the provisions since last year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
What did Bhandari say about OCI card?
Bhandari said that he had seen first-hand the inconvenience caused to members of the Indian diaspora due to certain OCI card rules as they undertook travel to India during the pandemic.
Why did Bhandari request emergency visas?
Bhandari had previously also requested Indian authorities to initiate measures such as granting emergency visas on departure to help Indian-origin families travel to their homeland for health or other emergencies amid the COVID19 pandemic.
When will OCI cards be reissued?
In a March 26 press release, the Indian missions in the US said that in order to ease the travel of OCI card holders, it has been decided that the “time line for re-issuance of OCI cards in r/o OCI card holders, who may be required to get their OCI card reissued has been extended until 31 December, 2021.”
Can OCI cards be used abroad?
In May last year, the central government had allowed certain categories of OCI card holders, who were stranded abroad, to come to the country. Earlier, according to the regulations issued by the Indian government, visas of foreign nationals and OCI cards were suspended as part of the new international travel restrictions following the COVID-19 pandemic.
What is an OCI card?
The OCI card is the Overseas Citizenship of India card. The document gives you the right to live and work in India. Also, you can visit India as many times as you would like. It’s not necessarily a visa as it allows more benefits than a simple visa.
Is OCI card only available for Indian citizens?
Remember that the OCI card is only available for citizens who have proof of Indian origin. We can help you with the question: Is the OCI card an Indian Visa?
Can I get an OCI card if I am Indian?
The eligibility for the OCI card is related to your origin. If you have documentation to prove you have Indian origin, you can go for the OCI card. We can help you with the question: Is the OCI card an Indian Visa?
Is the OCI card an Indian Visa?
Please be aware that if your visa was issued before October 7th, 2021 it is no longer valid and you will need to apply for a new visa.
