Overseas Citizens of India
Who are OCI?
- The Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) Scheme was introduced by amending the Citizenship Act, 1955 in 2005.
- The scheme provides for the registration of Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) as Overseas Citizens of India, provided they were citizens of India on or after 26th January 1950, or were eligible to become citizens on that date.
- A PIO means a foreign citizen whose ancestors were a permanent Indian resident and, at some point, held an Indian passport.
- However, individuals who are or had been or whose parent or grandparent or great grandparent citizens of Pakistan or Bangladesh (or such other country as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify) are not eligible.
Benefits & Restrictions:
- A registered OCI is granted multiple entry, multipurpose, life-long visa for visiting India and he/she is exempted from registration with Foreign Regional Registration Officer or Foreign Registration Officer for any length of stay in India.
- OCI is entitled to general parity with Non-Resident Indians in respect of all facilities available to them in economic, financial and educational fields except in matters relating to the acquisition of agricultural or plantation properties.
- 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 work 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.