by Diya Ayu
An Overseas Citizen of India is a lifetime visa status. It is the closest thing to dual citizenship that India offers.
Who can be an OCI?
(This list was expanded as of 9 January 2015)
- A person who used to be an Indian citizen
- A person with at least one parent, grandparent, or great-grandparent who is/was an Indian citizen
- A person married to an Indian citizen or an existing OCI for at least two continuous years
The following groups of people can not have OCI status:
- Anyone who was ever a citizen of Pakistan or Bangladesh
- Anyone whose parents or grandparents were citizens of Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, China, or Sri Lanka
- Anyone who served in a foreign military or worked in a foreign defense department
What are the benefits of being an OCI?
- Lifelong multiple entry visa to India
- You never have to report to the FRRO regardless of the length of your stay
- You can eventually become a citizen of India if you remain an OCI for 5 years and live in India for at least 1 year (short breaks are now allowed)
- You can use special counters during immigration
- You don’t need a student visa to study in India
- You don’t need an employment visa to get a job
- You can open a special bank account in India, just like an NRI
- You can make investments in India
- You can buy non-farm property and exercise property ownership rights
- Your can use your OCI card to apply for a driver’s license, open a bank account, or get a PAN card
- You get the same economic, financial, and education benefits as NRIs (e.g. reserved admission quotas), and you can adopt children like an NRI
- You pay the Indian resident fee when visiting a national parks, monuments, museums or wildlife sanctuary (of course it is ultimately up to the discretion of the man issuing tickets)
What are the drawbacks?
- You may not purchase agricultural land or farm houses
- You may not vote
- You may not hold a government job
- You may not be elected to a political position
- You may not travel to restricted areas without permission
How do you become an OCI?
You can apply through the Indian embassy in your country of residence or within India at the local FRRO.
Here is a sample of documentation you will need (see your local consulate for a specific list):
- Proof of present citizenship
- Proof of former Indian citizenship (for you or your relative)
- Proof of renunciation of Indian citizenship (if applicable)
- Proof of relationship to an Indian citizen
The entire process can take several months in some cases. Fees vary from nationality to nationality. If you apply in India, the fee is Rs. 15,000 for an adult or Rs. 8,000 for a minor. You can convert a PIO card to an OCI card if you qualify, and the fees are very nominal.
You can start the process by going to http://passport.gov.in/oci/.
Sources:
http://learningindia.in
http://www.immihelp.com
