Q. Who is eligible to apply for OCI?
A.A foreign national, who was eligible to become a citizen of India on 26 January 1950 or was a citizen of India on or any time after 26 January 1950 or belonged to a territory that became part of India after 15 August 1947 and his/her children and grandchildren, 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.
Q. I have recently acquired a new passport; do I need to re-issue my OCI card?
A:
- OCI cardholder is required to upload ONLINE a copy of the new passport and a recent photo each time a new passport is issued up to 20 years of age and once after completing 50 years of age. The uploading of these documents may be done within three months of receipt of new passport.
- If the OCI card is issued for the first time after the age of 50 years, then there is no need for re-issuance of OCI card in case a new passport is obtained. However, if the applicant so desires at any time he/she can apply under Miscellaneous Services for re-issue of the OCI card to reflect the updated passport number, change in personal particulars etc.
- If the OCI cardholder acquired OCI card before attaining the age of 20 years and has obtained new passport after attaining the age of 20 years. The applicant must apply for OCI miscellaneous service through chargeable and application may be sent to VFS Global. Applicants may refer to https://services.vfsglobal.com/usa/en/ind/apply-oci-services for the process.
Q: I am a person of Indian origin as my parents were born in undivided India before partition. After partition, they briefly held Pakistani citizenship before moving to the United States. Am I eligible for an OCI card?
A:No. If the applicant, or his/her parents or grand-parents have ever been a citizen of Pakistan or Bangladesh, he/she will not be eligible for an OCI card.
Q: I hold a valid PIO Card. Am I required to convert this to an OCI Card? Will my PIO Card be valid beyond the conversion deadline?
Yes, the date for submission of applications for registration as OCI cardholder in lieu of PIO card online has been extended till 31st March 2020.
Q: Is a Renunciation Certificate compulsory before I apply for an OCI Card? What is the procedure to apply for a Renunciation Certificate? How long does it take to issue it?
A:Yes, a Renunciation Certificate is compulsory before applying for an OCI card. You can apply for renunciation certificate through VFS website. It takes 2-3 working days to issue Renunciation Certificate (excluding VFS mailing time).
Q: Can I travel to India with just my OCI Card, or should I also carry the passport which contains the ‘U’ Visa (OCI Visa)?
A: No need to carry the passport which contains the U visa, Vide circular No. 26011/06/2015-OCI dated 29th January, 2015 of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India has decided that, all immigration authorities in India will not insist on production of the foreign passport containing the 'U' Visa Sticker in the case of OCI Cardholders while they enter/exit India and the immigration clearance will be granted based on production of just the valid OCI card, accompanied by a valid passport (which may not have the U visa sticker).
Q: My spouse is a foreign national of non-Indian origin. I hold an OCI Card. Is my spouse entitled to an OCI Card? What about my children?
A: Yes, the spouse of foreign origin of a citizen of India or spouse of foreign origin of an Overseas Citizen of India cardholder registered under section 7A 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, can apply for an OCI card. Minor children whose both parents are citizens of India or one of whose parents is a citizen of India are eligible to apply for an OCI Card.
Q: Are foreign military personnel of Indian origin eligible for OCI cards?
A: No, foreign military personnel either in service or retired are not entitled for grant of OCI. No person who has earlier served in a foreign military organization is eligible for an OCI card.
Q: What are the benefits available to an OCI Card holder?
A: An OCI card holder gets the following benefits:
- A multiple entry, multi-purpose life-long visa for visiting India.
- Exemption from registration with local police authority for any length of stay in India.
- Parity with Non-resident Indians (NRIs) in respect of economic, financial and educational fields as per the relevant Acts, except in relation to acquisition of agricultural or plantation properties.
- OCI can be used as identity proof for application of PAN Card and driving license as well as for opening a bank account if the OCI card holder is residing in India.
Q: What are the benefits to which an OCI card holder is NOT entitled to?
A: The OCI Card holder is not entitled:
- to vote;
- to be a member of a Legislative Assembly or of a Legislative Council or of the Parliament of India;
- to hold Indian constitutional posts such as that of the President, Vice President, Judge of the Supreme Court or High Court etc.;
- He/she cannot normally hold employment in the Government
- to undertake any Missionary work, Mountaineering and Journalism without prior permission of the Govt. of India;
- OCI cardholder shall also require Protected Area Permit (PAP)/Restricted Area Permit (RAP) to visit any place which falls within the Protected/Restricted Area notified by the Government as in the case of any other foreigner.
Q: Can an OCI Card holder renounce his OCI status?
A. Yes, he/she has to declare their 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 acknowledgment in Form XXII A.
Q. I have a valid OCI Card and a valid foreign passport. Is there any minimum validity specified for my foreign passport?
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.
Q. Can foreign nationals, who are not otherwise eligible for OCI, get OCI if they are married to persons who are eligible for OCI?
A. Yes, the spouse of foreign origin of a citizen of India or spouse of foreign origin of an Overseas Citizen of India cardholder registered under section 7A 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.
Q. Are Minor children eligible for OCI Card?
A. Yes, minor children whose both parents are citizens of India or one of the parents is a citizen of India are eligible for OCI Card. OCI Card should not be granted to a minor child whose one parent is eligible for OCI and the other parent is or was ever a Pakistani or Bangladeshi national.
Q. What documents would qualify for "Any other proof" for evidence of self or parents or grandparents being eligible for grant of OCI?
A. 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.
Q. Whether civil Govt. servant working in Ministry of Defense as IT engineers/civil contractors entitled for OCI?
A. No
Q. Can a person apply in the country where he is ordinarily residing?
A. 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.
Q. Who can avail the OCI Miscellaneous services?
A. Only a registered Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card holder can avail the OCI Miscellaneous Services.
Q. Under what circumstances can the OCI Miscellaneous services be availed?
A. OCI Miscellaneous services can be availed for re-issuance/issuance of duplicate OCI Registration Certificate and Visa in the following category of cases:
(i) In case of issuance of new passport (refer to the condition according to one’s age)
(ii) In case of change of personal particulars viz. nationality etc.
(iii) In case of loss/damage of OCI registration certificate/visa.
(iv) If wrong personal particular is filled in the online application viz. name, father’s name, date of birth etc.
(v) In case of manually filled in applications (discontinued now) mistakes have been committed by the Indian Mission/Post/Office while entering the personal particulars.
(vi) In case of change of address/occupation
Q. What should be done for issuance of duplicate OCI Card in case of loss of OCI Card?
A. In case of loss of OCI documents, file a complaint with the Police authorities. Apply online for reissue of OCI under lost category through VFS. Please submit physical copy of application along with required documents (including Police Report) to VFS center by Walk-in or Mail.
Q. Can a person after acquiring OCI travel to protected area/restricted area (PAP/ RAP) without permission?
A. 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.
