The Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) is an immigration status authorising a foreign citizen of Indian origin to live and work in the Republic of India indefinitely. The OCI was introduced in response to demands for dual citizenship by the Indian diaspora, particularly in developed countries. It was introduced by The Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2005 in August 2005.

Indian government has empowered foreigners, Person of Indian Origin and non-residents’ diaspora with hurdle-free traveling through OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) card.

However, foreigners are eligible to get this card but there are certain exceptions. For example, the citizens of Bangladesh, Pakistan or any such nation that the Central Government declares ‘ineligible’ shall be impermissible.

Who can apply for OCI Card 

It is a must to notice what the Section 7A of the Citizen Act states. It consists of the vital information that describes who is eligible for obtaining this card.

The foreigners who can register must be:

• Indian native at or onwards the time when its constitution (in 1950) was written.
• Eligible for procuring citizenship of India on 26^thJanuary 1950.
• Of the territory that was acquired by India after 1947.
• The minor child/ grandchild/great grandchild of the aforementioned person.
• The minor child whose both or either parent was Indian citizen.
• The spouse of the OCI card holder.
• The child/ grand-child/ great grandchild of the parents who were Indian citizen (as per provision of the Government of India Act (1935).

  Inapplicable are those who Belong to Pakistan, Bangladesh or any other country that shall be   

  specified by the Central Government.

How one can get an OCI?

The request for its issuance is now processed digitally. The government has sped up its processing by introduced its registration from its formal website. Sometimes, confusion confines the applicants. They don’t get the idea of selecting the appropriate application form. So, they must carefully select the Form XIX which is enough for a family consisting of spouses and two minor children.

Its part A and B are filled online. Subsequently, its hard-copy must be submitted to the Indian Mission with the following documents.

• Citizenship certificate
• Proof of self/ grandparents/ great grandparent (property papers/birth certificate/residential proof of 1950 or before)
• Passport
• Copy of domicile certificate
• Birth certificate/residential proofs attested by the first class Magistrate/ District Magistrate.
• Marriage certificate of spouses (of Indian origin)

Advantages of OCI card

It would be a great experience to travel across the country without any hassle and obstacles. The OCI card has number of advantages as listed below: –

• Multi-purpose visa for life long.
• No need to verify with police even though the stay exceeds 180 days’ limit.
• Parity with NRIs in respect to financial, economic, and educational benefits.
• Parity with NRIs when it comes to adopting an Indian child.
• Parity with NRIs in respect to tariffs for domestic flights.
• Parity with NRIs when it comes to paying entry-fee for touring wild-life sanctuaries and national parks in India.
• Parity with NRIs in respect to paying entry fee for visiting national monuments, heritage sites and museums in India.
• Parity with NRIs when it comes to take admission in All India Pre-Medical Test or any such test.
• Permitted to show an attested/notarized affidavit that specifies address (& email address) of the bearer in place of residential proof.

It is noteworthy that this card does not facilitate acquisition of agricultural or plantation land/property. Therefore, such persons cannot buy any farmhouse or farm/field under own name.