How Can Indians Get An OCI Card & What Are The Eligibility Criteria & Benefits?

OCI's full form is Overseas Citizenship of India. It is issued by the government of India and means that a non-resident or foreigner has been permitted to stay and work within Indian boundaries.

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OCI card gives them almost all the privileges of an Indian national except for the right to vote, government service and buying agricultural land. The OCI card also allows visa-free travel to India.

Citizens who lived outside India initially had the choice to apply for OCI card, which acted as long-term identity and travel documents in place of an Indian visa.

About OCI Card & Eligibility Criteria | indianeagle

Here's everything about the OCI card and a detailed guide to the OCI process like where to apply, how to apply, and eligibility and benefits of the OCI card.

About OCI Card

The OCI (Overseas Citizenship of India) Scheme was introduced by amending the Citizenship Act, 1955 in August 2005 in response to demands for dual citizenship by the Indian diaspora, particularly in developed countries. This Scheme was launched in Hyderabad during the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas convention in 2006.

OCI Card Eligibility

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The government of India defines an OCI card holder who was a citizen of India on or after January 26, 1950; was eligible to become a citizen of India on that date; or who is a child or grandchild of such a person, among other eligibility criteria. Take a look:

- OCI card applicant must be a citizen of a territory that became part of India after August 15, 1947.

- According to Section 7A of the OCI card rules, an applicant is not eligible for the OCI card if he, his parents or grandparents have ever been a citizen of Pakistan or Bangladesh.

- You are a child with one parent who is a citizen of India. This was the reason cited by the government when revoking the OCI card granted to Taseer, whose father was a Pakistani national. Taseer grew up in India and holds a British passport and a Green Card in the US.

OCI card requirements

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Here's the list of supporting documents required to be submitted the OCI card application are:

1. 4 Passport Photographs

2. Previous Indian passport

If they don¡¯t have a passport, they are required to submit other documents, such as a nativity certificate, which will be sent to India for authentication and verification purposes.

3. Birth certificate

4. Proof of citizenship in their current country, i.e., passport and local residence proof.

5. If the applicant is applying based on their parent¡¯s Indian citizenship, they are required to offer proof of their relationship.

6. In the case of a minor child whose both parents are citizens of India or one of the parents is a citizen of India

- Copy of the child¡¯s birth certificate

- Copy of the Indian passport of the parents

- If the parents are divorced, a court order of dissolution of marriage, which specifically mentions that the legal custody of the child is with the parent who is applying for the OCI card.

- Parental Authorization form (for minors)

- Parents' valid visa status in the USA (for minors)

7. Apart from all the documents, a duplicate of the same should be attached to the application.

How to apply for OCI card

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You will be required to provide proof demonstrating that you, your parents, grandparents, or great-grandparents meet the eligibility requirements listed in the section above. The following forms of proof are accepted:

- Indian passport

- Copy of a valid Domicile Certificate

- Copy of a valid Nativity Certificate

- OCI/PIO card of spouse

After collecting these proofs you need to follow these steps

File your application online at the government of India website, follow these steps:

STEP 1: An OCI card can be applied online by logging in at https://passport.gov.in/oci.

STEP 2: Know your OCI type and the documentation required for OCI types

How to apply for OCI card

STEP 3: Read the instructions carefully

How to apply for OCI card

STEP 4: Fill out the required details

STEP 5: Click on fresh application, if you have the temporary number, please put it here to complete your application

How to apply for OCI card

STEP 6: Fill out all the details carefully

How to apply for OCI card

STEP 7: Press save and continue

STEP 8: Fill out the required information

STEP 9: After verifying all the details click on submit

STEP 10: After that upload a copy of the photo and signature

How to apply for OCI card | hciwellington

STEP 11: Fill out the application PART B

How to Apply OCI Card | hciwellington

STEP 12: Select the applicable answers

STEP 13: Generate your form and take a printout

STEP 14: Upload the required documents

How to apply for OCI card | hciwellington

All documents must be duly attested by the Justice of Peace before uploading online.

STEP 15: Final submit

OCI card fees

In case of OCI application to be submitted outside India, by way of Demand Draft for US$ 275 for each applicant or equivalent in local currency.

In case of OCI application is submitted in India, a fee of Rs 15,00/- by way of a Demand Draft drawn in favour of "Pay and Accounts Officer (Secretariat), Ministry of Home Affairs" payable at New Delhi.

OCI card application processing time

The estimated processing time is a minimum of around 30 to 40 working days, from the date of application submission.

OCI card renewal

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Here's the procedure to be followed for the re-issuance of the OCI Card:

Renewal of OCI registration certificate is not mandatory each time a new passport is issued between 21-50 years of age. However, if the applicant wishes to obtain a new set of OCI documents, he/she can apply for the same. If the OCI card is issued at the age of 50 years, there is no need for renewal of the OCI card.

For the Re-issue of the OCI Card please visit the GOI OCI website: https://ociservices.gov.in/

OCI card validity

The OCI card is a life-long visa available for Indian-origin citizens. After getting an OCI card, you will be benefited from major things which are not available to other foreigners.

Benefits of an OCI card holder

The OCI card offers the utmost convenience to those foreign individuals who intend to reside in India but still maintain their citizenship in another country.

- Section 7 B of the Citizenship Act allows individual multi-purpose, multiple entries and a lifelong visa for visiting India.

- No restriction from foreigner registration obligation for any length of stay in India.

- The OCI cardholder professionals have the opportunity to pursue the profession in pursuance of the provisions contained in the relevant act.

- If OCI card holders wish to undertake Missionary, Mountaineering and Journalism they must take prior permission from the Indian government.

- Receives equal rights with non-resident Indians (NRIs) in financial, economic and educational fields

- Parity with NRIs in the matter of inter-country adoption of Indian children.

OCI card holder disadvantages

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In parallel to various benefits of having an OCI car, the card-holders have many limitations, Take a look:

- They don't have the right to acquire agricultural land and plantation property or farmhouses.

- OCI card holders can't vote.

- Government jobs are not meant for them

- Certain regions and places are considered the restricted zone for them

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