How to apply OCI from India?
Step 1: Fill in OCI Card Application Online
- Visit the OCI Website for OCI Registration Online. The official OCI website is where you can fill in your application, upload the documents and submit it.
- Fill in OCI Application Part A. One important field here is your connection to India. ...
- Upload Image and Signature. ...
- Complete OCI Part B. ...
- Upload the Required OCI Documents. ...
Is OCI considered dual citizenship?
Usually, the grant of OCI to a PIO whose local or domestic laws allow for some sort of double citizenship, is mistakenly referred to as double citizenship. However, the differences between the status of an OCI and a citizen are varied and significant.
How long does it take for OCI?
OCI 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. Following is the general processing time and steps involved in applying for an OCI card:
Can OCI work in India?
Can OCI Work in India? Yes, they can. As an OCI holder, you can easily work in the private sector, while there are some limitations to working in Government jobs and the Military. You can work as long as you want, in any capacity, hold multiple jobs- basically anything that applies to an Indian citizen. You wouldn’t need a work visa.
Can OCI travel to India without visa?
As per the latest guidelines, all OCI card holders (with valid reason) holding US Passport are permitted to enter India. You may also refer to https://www.cgisf.gov.in/news_detail/?newsid=81 OCI Card holders do not require Emergency visa to enter India.
Can I travel to India with 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 u need a visa on OCI card?
It's not necessarily a visa as it allows more benefits than a simple visa. 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.
How long can a person with OCI stay in India?
An OCI card holder does not need a visa to live or work in India. An OCI card holder can stay in India for life time. It is important for an OCI card holder to ensure that they hold valid passports from their home country.
Who can enter India without visa?
List of Countries where Visa is not Required for Indian CitizensBhutanNepalIndonesiaSeychelles (permit on arrival)JamaicaSenegalSerbiaTrinidad and TobagoHaiti (for up to 90 days)Micronesia6 more rows
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
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 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.
Can OCI have 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.
Can OCI buy property in India?
A: OCI card holders can purchase residential and commercial properties in India. But they are not permitted to purchase agricultural land, including farmland or any kind of plantation property.
Is OCI card for lifetime?
The 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.
What is new rules for OCI card holders?
OCI cardholder is required to upload ONLINE a copy of the new passport and a latest photo each time a new passport is issued upto 20 years of age and once after completing 50 years of age. The uploading of these documents on the OCI portal may be done within three months of receipt of the new passport.
Is OCI still valid?
Yes, for the period OCI is living in India.
Who can go to India right now?
Entry and Exit Requirements Travel to India for tourism and other short-term purposes resumed fully for individuals holding tourist or e-tourist visas. Valid visas, which were previously suspended due to COVID-19 precautions, have been fully reinstated and are valid for travel until their printed expiration dates.
Does OCI card expire?
The 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.
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.
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 the eligibility criteria to apply for an OCI card ?
One can apply for an OCI card if they satisfy any one the following criteria:
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.
How long can a foreigner marry an Indian?
A foreign spouse of an Indian citizen or OCI card-holder is not eligible until having subsisted two years of marriage. Military personnel with a foreign passport are not eligible for an OCI if serving retired or otherwise. Entry/exit from the country is determined by the authenticity of the foreign passport.
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.
What is OCI Indian visa?
Overseas Citizenship of India ( OCI) is a form of permanent residency available to people of Indian origin and their spouses which allows them to live and work in India indefinitely. Despite the name, OCI status is not citizenship and does not grant the right to vote in Indian elections or hold public office.
Can OCI open bank account in India?
Further, an OCI can open all types of accounts allowed to a Resident customer.
Is OCI better than Visa?
If you require an OCI card for staying in India for under five years, opting for an India visa is an ideal choice. Thus, it saves you both time and money unlike applying for an OCI card. Moreover, in the case of your stay exceeding the 5-year mark, you can always apply for a new visa.
Can OCI get Aadhar card?
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.
Is OCI card valid for life?
What is the validity period of PIO (now considered OCI cards )? The existing PIO Cards are now valid for life of the holder. 4 дня назад
Can OCI get Indian citizenship back?
If you give up Indian citizenship you can apply instead for an OCI card which you can hold alongside your foreign nationality. If you want to reclaim your Indian citizenship after renouncing it, you can do so by fulfilling a residency requirement and applying.
Do OCI holders need visa India?
Overseas Citizen of India ( OCI) card holders and foreign nationals can visit India for any purpose , except on tourist visa, the government said today as it eased visa and travel restrictions imposed amid the coronavirus pandemic.
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.
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 ...
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.
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.
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.
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.
Why did the OCI scheme start?
The OCI scheme was introduced by The Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2005 in response to demands for dual citizenship by the Indian diaspora. It gives Overseas citizens many of the same privileges as local citizens.
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.
Can I invest in NPS in India?
The government of India has also decided to allow the OCI card holders’ investment in the tax-saving national pension scheme (NPS), adding value to the OCI card beyond its primary use as a lifelong visa to India for multiple entries.
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 ...