Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI)
The Indian Government is giving Overseas Citizenship of India also it is known as “Dual Citizenship”. This can be obtained by certain category of Indian Origin people who has migrated from India and has acquired citizenship of a foreign country and the country law must allow its citizen to hold Dual Citizenship. People who immigrated to Pakistan or Bangladesh can not apply for this OCI.
Those who obtain this OCI can get
Multi purpose life long visa to visit India, which allows Multiple Entry to India.
There is no need of reporting to Police department about their stay and of its length in India.
Those who have OCI will have the same benefit as NRI’s, in the fields of financial, economic and educational sectors, but will not have the permission to buy agricultural or plantation properties.
Also an OCI registered person can apply for a Grant of Indian Citizenship, if the person had the OCI for five years and lived in India for one year of that five years.
OCI Holders don’t have the right to vote or run for Govt elections or hold Higher Judicial Posts.
Eligible people can apply online for OCI.
Here is the requirement:-
A foreign national, who was eligible to become a citizen of India on
26.01.1950 or was a citizen of India on or at anytime after 6.01.1950
or belonged to a territory that became part of India after 15.08.1947
and his/her children and grand children, provided his/her country of
citizenship allows dual citizenship in some form or other under the
local laws, is eligible for registration as an Overseas Citizen of India
(OCI). Minor children of such 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.
Theses are the necessary Documents you will need to apply.
- Proof of present citizenship
- Evidence of self or parents or grand parents,
- (a) being eligible to become a citizen of India at the time of commencement of the Constitution; or
- (b) belonging to a territory that became a part of India after 15th August, 1947; or
- (c) Being a citizen of India on or after 26th January, 1950
These could be: - (i) Copy of the passport :or
- (ii) Copy of the domicile certificate issued by the Competent authority ;or
- (iii) Any other proof.
- Evidence of relationship as parent/grand parent, if their Indian origin is claimed as basis for grant of OCI.
- Application fee by way of Demand Draft (US $ 275 for each applicant or equivalent in local currency; US $ 25 or equivalent in local currency for each PIO card holder)
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