OCI Card
Overseas Citizenship of India
Eligibility
A foreign national, - (i) who was a citizen of India at the time of, or at any time after 26th January, 1950; or (ii) who was eligible to become a citizen of India on 26th January, 1950; or (iii) who belonged to a territory that became part of India after 15th August, 1947; or (iv) who is a child or a grandchild or a great grandchild of such a citizen; or (v) who is a minor child of such persons mentioned above; or (vi) who is a minor child and whose both parents are citizens of India or one of the parents is a citizen of India - is eligible for registration as OCI cardholder. Besides, spouse of foreign origin of a citizen of India or spouse of foreign origin of an Overseas Citizen of India Cardholder 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 is also eligible for registration as OCI cardholder. However, no person, who or either of whose parents or grandparents or great grandparents is or had been a citizen of Pakistan, Bangladesh or such other country as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify, shall be eligible for registration as an Overseas Citizen of India Cardholder.
The following OCI guidelines may be noted :
OCI card needs to be re-issued each time a new passport is acquired by the cardholder up to the age of 20 years.
OCI card is required to be re-issued once on acquiring a new passport after completing 50 years of age.
Re-issuance of OCI card is not required each time a passport is issued to a cardholder between 21 and 50 years of age.
The benefits of an OCI card are :
(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.
How to apply:
An applicant needs to apply directly online at the following link: https://ociservices.gov.in/welcome.While applying online the applicant should upload all the necessary documents including proof of Indian origin, photograph and signature. After submitting the online OCI Card application, the applicant will come to the Embassy with the original documents and the web-file number of the application, for verification for the documents, personal interview, providing biometric data and depositing the requisite fees (in cash). The applicant is advised to come to the Embassy having sufficient time and not in hurry, since the process of submission of application, which includes personal interview and biometrics, may last longer.
Application form, procedure, brochure and FAQs for acquiring OCI have been posted on MHA’s website: OCI Services.
For OCI related services please visit OCI Website
