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Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) Scheme
Applications for the OCI Scheme will be received at the Indian Embassy,
Washington, DC and Consulates General of India, USA with effect from January 9,
2006.
Highlights of the Scheme
The Constitution of India does not allow holding Indian citizenship and
citizenship of a foreign country simultaneously. Based on the recommendation of
the High Level committee on Indian Diaspora, the Government of India decided to
grant Overseas Citizenship of
India (OCI) commonly known as ‘Dual Citizenship’. Persons of
Indian Origin (PIOs) of certain category, as has been specified in the Brochure
on overseas citizenship of India who migrated from India and acquired
citizenship of a foreign country other than Pakistan and Bangladesh, are
eligible for grant of OCI as long as their home countries allow dual citizenship
in some form or the other under their local laws.
2. Persons registered as OCI have not been given any voting rights and are not
eligible for election to Lok Sabha/Rajya Sabha/Legislative Assembly/Council or
for holding Constitutional posts such as President, Vice President, Judge of
Supreme Court/High Court etc. Registered OCIs shall be entitled to following
benefits:
(i) Multiple entry, multi-purpose life long visa to visit India;
(ii) Exemption from reporting to Police authorities for any length of stay in
India; and
(iii) Parity with NRIs in financial, economic and educational fields, except in
the
acquisition of agricultural or plantation properties.
3. Any further benefits to OCIs will be notified by the Ministry of Overseas
Indian Affairs (MOIA) under section 7B(1) of the Citizenship Act, 1955.
4. A person registered as OCI is eligible to apply for grant of Indian
citizenship under section 5(1)(g) of the Citizenship Act, 1955 if he/she is
registered as OCI for five years and has been residing in India for one year out
of the five years before making the application.
5. The OCI Brochure, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and application form are
appended.
Implementation
Initially, applications are to be filled on line as per procedure given below
and mailed to the Consular Wing, Embassy of India, Washington DC (in respect of
applicants resident in the Mission’s jurisdiction - for details see heading
“jurisdiction”). Applicants who wish to apply for OCI registration in
person, should send their brief particulars including their name, passport
details by e-mail to the following address: ociwashington@indiagov.org.
The mail would be acknowledged and the date for a personal appointment in the
Consular Wing will be communicated to them.
Procedure for application as OCI
An applicant should follow the steps given below:-
Step 1
The applicant should access Ministry of Home Affairs’ website at www.mha.nic.in
and the OCI link to our website at www.indianembassy.org
where details about the OCI Scheme are available.
Step 2
To fill up the application :-
1.Visit http://www.mha.nic.in/oci/oci-main.htm
2.Click Online registration and complete the form (Part A) online.
3.After Part A is filled out, click save. A print window would appear. Click OK
to print out the requisite application form consisting of Part A (which has been
completed as online registration). The blank form of Part-B will automatically
print itself along with Part A.
4.The applicant must then fill-in Part B, which should be preferably typed.
Alternatively, it may be handwritten in capital letters with Blue or Black Ink
only.
5.The completed application form (Part A & Part B) must be submitted in
duplicate by mail to the Embassy. Besides affixing photographs on the
application forms, the applicant must submit three (3) color photographs (size
35 mm X 35 mm), taken against a white background. (Signature or thumb impression
(incase of infant) should be affixed in the signature box).
6. Enquiries/Assistance
Exclusive telephone number for OCI scheme related enquires is 202-939-9860
(for Washington, DC only). Telephone queries would be answered between 0930
Hrs and 1800 Hrs Monday through Friday except duly notified holidays.
Note
(i) Applicants should ensure that the application form is complete in all
respects and supported by required documents and photographs which should be
mailed along with stipulated enclosures to Embassy of India, Consular Wing, 2536
Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington DC-20008. A checklist at the end of Part B,
gives the list of documents that must be submitted along with the OCI
application form. To avoid delays in processing of the application it may be
ensured that the applicant submits photocopies of his/her passport, PIO card (if
held) and other supporting documents along with the application.
(ii) The application fee for registration under the OCI Scheme is US$ 275. An
additional amount of US$ 15 towards return mailing charges and a self addressed
envelope should also be sent with the application. For PIO card holders, the
fee for OCI is US$ 25, this amount along with US$ 15/- for return mailing
charges should be sent along with the application. Fee will be accepted in the
form of money order & cashiers cheque only drawn in favor of Embassy of
India, Washington, DC. Personal Cheques will not be accepted.
Special Instructions for PIO Card-holders
(i) A copy of PIO Card should be attached along with the application.
(ii) The PIO Card will have to be surrendered at the time of receipt of the OCI
registration certificate.
Jurisdiction
Embassy of India, Washington, DC
(Consular Jurisdiction: Bermuda, Delaware, District of Columbia, Kentucky,
Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia
Consulate General of India - New York
(Consular Jurisdiction: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New
Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virgin
Islands)
Consulate General of India - San Francisco,California
(Consular Jurisdiction: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho,
Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming)
Consulate General of India – Chicago,Illinois
(Consular Jurisdiction: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri,
North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin)
Consulate General of India - Houston Texas
(Consular Jurisdiction: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana,
Mississippi, Oklahoma, Texas)
If the applicant is in India, he/she can apply to the Foreigners Regional
Registration Officer (FRRO) at Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata or Amritsar or Chief
Immigration Officer (CHIO) Chennai or to the Under Secretary, Citizenship
Section, Foreigners Division, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) at their respective
address given below.
FRRO,New Delhi
Level 2 / East Block 8, Sector 1,
R.K. Puram, Behind Hyatt Regency
New Delhi - 110 066.
Tel: 0091-11-26711348 / 26711343
FRRO,Mumbai
Annexe - II, Third Floor
Badruddin Tayabji Marg
Behind St. Xavier College
Mumbai - 400 001, India
Te: 0091-22-22620446
Fax: 0091-22-22620721
FRRO,Kolkata
237, AJC Bose Road
Kolkata - 700 020
Tel (Direct): 0091-33-22470549
Tel (Switchboard): 0091-33-22473301/ 22473305
FRRO,Amritsar
123-D, Ranjit Avenue,
Amritsar-143001
Tel. 0183-2508250 (O)
Chief Immigration Officer (CHIO)
Shastri Bhawan Annexe
26 Haddow Road
Chennai
Tel: 0091-44-28240338
Under Secretary (Foreigners Division)
Ministry of Home Affairs,
Jaisalmer House, 26 Man Singh Road,
New Delhi-110 011
BROCHURE ON OVERSEAS CITIZENSHIP OF INDIA (OCI)
1. Eligibility criteria:
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 26.01.1950 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
Overseas Citizen of India (OCI). Minor children of such person are also eligible
for OCI registration.However, if the applicant had ever been a citizen of
Pakistan or Bangladesh, he/she will not qualify for registration as OCI.
2. Application form and procedure:
A family consisting of spouses and upto two minor children can apply in the same
Form i.e. Form
XIX. The form can be downloaded from our website www.indianembassy.org or
www.mha.nic.in . The following documents must be submitted with each
application:
(i) Three additional stamp size photographs
(ii) Proof of citizenship of applicant(s)
(iii) Evidence of self or parents or grandparents being eligible to become a
citizen of India at the time of commencement of the Constitution (or)
belonging to a territory that became part of India after 15th August, 1947 (or)
being citizen of India on or after 26th January, 1950
Documentary evidence required in this connection are:-
* Copy of the foreign passport (or)
* Copy of the domicile certificate issued by the
competent authority (or)
Any other proof by which an officer equivalent to the level of under secretary
to the Govt of India in the Indian Mission/Post can
arrive at a decision whether the applicant his/her parents or grand parents are
eligible for grant of OCI. (or)
* Legal Affidavit (or)
(iv) Evidence of relationship as parent/grandparent, if their Indian origin is
claimed as basis for grant of OCI.
(v) Proof of payment US$ 275 as fee for each applicant or equivalent in local
currency (US$ 25 or equivalent in local currency for each PIO card holder). Fee
has to be paid in the form of Cash/Money Order/Cashiers Cheque at the counter or
by Cashier’s cheque/Money Order if application is submitted by by post.
(vi) PIO card holders must also submit a copy of their PIO card.
The application form completed in all respects along with enclosures should be
submitted in duplicate to the Indian Mission/Post of the country of
applicant’s citizenship or where he/she is not in the country of citizenship
to the Indian mission/post of the country in which he/she is ordinarily
resident. If the applicant is in India, he/she can apply to the Foreigners
Regional Registration Officer (FRRO) at Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata or Amritsar or
Chief Immigration Officer, Chennai or to the Under Secretary, Citizenship
Section, Foreigners Division, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Jaisalmer House,
26 Mansingh Road, New Delhi-110011.
3. Procedure for granting registration:
Initially, the time taken for registration as OCI,at the Indian Mission/Posts in
USA will be a minimum of 42 working days (6 weeks) from the date of receipt in
the Embassy/Consulate General of India.
After preliminary scrutiny, if there is any adverse information against the
applicant, prior approval of Ministry of Home Affairs, New Delhi shall be
required before grant of registration. MHA may approve or reject the grant of
registration within 120 days from the date of receipt of the application. If the
grant of registration as OCI is approved by MHA, the Indian Mission/Post shall
register the person as OCI. During this period, the applicants are requested
to refrain from making telephonic/written/email enquiries regarding the status
of their application.If the application is filed in India, registration, if
approved, will be granted by MHA.
After grant of registration, a registration certificate in the prescribed format
will be issued and a multiple entry, multi-purpose life long OCI ‘U’ visa
sticker will be pasted on the foreign passport of the applicant.
4. OCI registration for PIO card holder:
A PIO card holder who is eligible for registration as OCI may also submit
his/her application in Form
XIX . He/she will be considered for grant of registration in the same manner
as other eligible applicants. A PIO card holder will, however, have to pay a fee
of US$ 25/- or equivalent in local currency instead of US $ 275 for other
applicants. APIO cardholder will have to surrender his/her PIO card (In
original) immediately prior to Issue of OCI registration certificate and visa.
5. OCI registration for persons who have applied on the earlier prescribed
application form:
All such applications will be considered for grant of OCI on the same lines as
in para 3 above without seeking fresh application and fees.
6. Cancellation of OCI registration:
If it is found that registration as an OCI was obtained by fraudulent means,
false representation or concealment of any material fact or the registered OCI
has shown disaffection towards the Constitution of India or under any of the
provisions of section 7D of the Citizenship Act, the registration of such person
will not only be cancelled forthwith but he/she will also be blacklisted for
future visits to India.
7. Benefits to OCI:
A registered OCI shall avail the benefits of :
(i) A multiple entry, multi-purpose life long visa for visiting India
(ii) Exemption from registration with local police authority for any length of
stay in India
(iii) Parity with Non-resident Indians (NRIs) in respect of economic, financial
and educational fields, except in relation to acquisition of agricultural or
plantation properties.
Any other benefits extended to OCIs will be notified by the Ministry of Overseas
Indian Affairs (MOIA) under Section 7B(1) of the Citizenship Act, 1955 from time
to time.
8. Benefits to which OCI is not entitled to:
The OCI is not entitled to vote, become a member of Legislative Assembly or
Legislative Council or Parliament, hold constitutional posts such as President,
Vice President, Judge of the Supreme Court or High Court etc. and he/she cannot
normally hold employment in the Government.
9. Help Desk
For any clarification/assistance in regard to the scheme, please visit the
website www.mha.nic.in or www.indianembassy.org
or
contact the Indian Mission/Post nearest to your location or Citizenship Section,
Foreigners Division, Ministry of Home Affairs, Jaisalmer House, 26 Mansingh
Road, New Delhi-110011.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
On Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI)
1. Who is eligible to apply?
A foreign national, who was eligible to become citizen of India on 26.01.1950 or
was a citizen of India on or at anytime after 26.01.1950 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
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.
2. Who was eligible to become Citizen of India on 26.01.1950?
Any person who or either of whose parents or any of whose grand-parents was born
in India as defined in the Government of India Act, 1935 (as originally
enacted), and who was ordinarily residing in any country outside India was
eligible to become citizen of India on 26.01.1950.
3.Which territories became part of India after 15.08.1947 and from what date?
The territories, which became part of India after 15.08.1947 are:
(i) Sikkim from 26.04.1975
(ii) Pondicherry from 16.08.1962
(iii) Dadra & Nagar Haveli from 11.08.1961
(iv) Goa, Daman and Diu from 20.12.1961
4.Can the spouse of the eligible person apply for OCI?
Yes, if he/she is eligible in his/her own capacity.
5. Can children of parents, wherein one of the parents is eligible for OCI,
apply for OCI?
Yes.
6. In what form should a person apply for OCI and where are they available?
A family of spouses and upto 2 minor children can apply in the same form i.e. Form
XIX, which can be downloaded from the website www.indianembassy.org
or www.mha.nic.in.
7. Can application form be filled and submitted on line?
For the present, application form has to be submitted in person or by post to
the Embassy/Consulate General of India .
8. What documents have to be attached with the application?
The following documents must be attached with each application:
(1) Three additional stamp size photographs.
(2) Proof of citizenship of applicant(s)
(3) Evidence of self or parents or grand parents
being eligible to become a citizen of India at the time of commencement of the
Constitution; or
belonging to a territory that became part of India after 15th August, 1947; or
being citizen of India on or after 26th January, 1950,
The Documents required are :–
(i) Copy of the passport (or)
(ii) Copy of the domicile certificate issued by the Competent authority (or)
(iii) Any other proof (or)
(iv) Affidavit
(4) Evidence of relationship as parent/grand parent, if their Indian origin is
claimed as basis for grant of OCI.
(5) Proof of fee payment US$ 275/- for each applicant or equivalent in local
currency (US$ 25/- or equivalent in local currency for each PIO card holder).
(6) PIO card holders must also submit a copy of their PIO card.
9. What documents would qualify for “Any other proof” for evidence of
self or parents or grand parents being eligible for grant of OCI?
Any documentary evidence by which the officer equivalent to Under Secretary to
the Government of India in the Indian Mission/Post can diligently arrive at the
decision.
10. How many copies of application have to be submitted?
Application has to be submitted in duplicate.
11. Whether applicant(s) have to go in person to submit the application (s)?
No. Application(s) can be sent by post.
12. Do the applicant (s) have to take oath before the Consul of the Indian
Mission/Post?
No. Earlier provision in this regard has been done away with.
13. Where to submit the application?
To the Indian Mission/ Post of the country of citizenship of the applicant. If
the applicant is not in the country of citizenship, to the Indian Mission/Post
of the country where he is ordinarily residing. If the applicant is in India, to
the FRRO Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkota or Amritsar or to Chief Immigration Section,
Chennai or to the Under Secretary, Citizenship section, Foreigners Division,
Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Jaisalmer House, 26, Mansingh Road, New
Delhi-110011.
14. Can a person apply in the country where he is ordinarily residing?
Yes.
15. What are the consequences of furnishing wrong information or suppressing
material information?
All the applications will be subject to pre or post verification depending on
whether any adverse information is available or not. If the Government comes to
the knowledge that any false information was furnished or material information
was suppressed, the registration as OCI already granted shall be cancelled by an
order under section 7D of the Citizenship Act, 1955. The persons will also be
blacklisted banning his/her entry into India.
16. What is the fee for application for registration as OCI?
US$ 275/- or equivalent in local currency for each applicant. In case of PIO
card holder, US $ 25 or equivalent in local currency for each applicant.
17. What is the time taken for registration as OCI?
Initially, the time taken for registration as OCI will be a minimum of 42
working days (6 weeks) from the date of receipt in the Embassy. If any adverse
information is available against the applicant, the decision to grant or
otherwise will be taken within 120 days. During this period, the applicants are
requested to refrain from making telephonic/written/email enquiries regarding
the status of the application.
18. If the registration as OCI is not granted, what amount will be refunded?
An amount of US$ 250 or equivalent in local currency shall be refunded, if
registration is refused. US$ 25 is the processing fee, which is non-refundable.
19. Can a PIO cardholder apply?
Yes, provided he/she is otherwise eligible for grant of OCI like any other
applicant.
20. Will the PIO Cardholder be granted OCI registration gratis?
No. He/she has to make a payment of US$ 25 or equivalent in local currency
alongwith the application.
21. Will the PIO card be honored till the time they are valid even after
acquisition of OCI?
No. The PIO card will have to be surrendered to Indian Mission/MHA at the time
of grant of OCI registration certificate and OCI ‘U’ visa sticker.
22. What will be issued after registration as OCI?
A registration certificate in prescribed format will be issued and a multiple
entry, multi-purpose OCI ‘U’ visa sticker will be pasted on the foreign
passport of the applicant. For this purpose, the applicant has to send the
original passport to the Indian Mission/Post after receipt of the acceptance
letter/OCI registration certificate.
23. Will a separate OCI passport be issued?
No.
24. Will a duplicate certificate of registration as OCI will be issued?
Yes. For this purpose, an application has to be made to the Indian Mission/Post
with evidence for loss of certificate. In case of mutilated/damaged certificate
an application has to be made enclosing the same. Applications in both the cases
have to be made to the same Indian Mission/ Post which issued the certificate
alongwith payment of fee of US$ 25/- or equivalent in local currency.
25. Will a new OCI visa sticker be issued on the new foreign passport after
the expiry of the old passport?
Yes. On payment of requisite fee, a new OCI ‘U’ visa sticker will be issued.
However, the applicant can continue to carry the old passport wherein OCI
‘U’ visa sticker was pasted alongwith new passport for visiting India
without seeking a new visa, as the visa is valid lifelong.
26. Will the applicant lose his citizenship after registering as OCI?
No. As only citizens of the country which allows dual citizenship under the
local laws in some form or the other are eligible for applying for registration
as OCI, losing foreign citizenship does not arise.
27. Can a person holding OCI travel to protected area/restricted area without
permission?
No. He/she will be required to seek Protected Area Permit (PAP)/ Restricted Area
Permit (RAP) for such visits.
28. Would the Indian civil/criminal laws be applicable to persons registered
as OCI?
Yes, for the period OCI is living in India.
29. Can a person registered as OCI be granted Indian citizenship?
Yes. As per the provisions of section 5(1) (g) of the Citizenship Act, 1955, a
person who is registered as OCI for 5 years and is residing in India for 1 year
out of the above 5 years, is eligible to apply for Indian Citizenship.
30. Will OCI be granted gratis to certain categories of people?
No.
31. Can OCI be granted to foreign nationals who are not eligible for OCI, but
married to persons who are eligible for OCI?
No.
32. Will foreign-born children of PIOs be eligible to become OCI?
Yes, provided one of the parents is eligible to become OCI.
33. What are the benefits of OCI?
A person registered as an OCI shall avail the following benefits :
(a) Multi-purpose, multiple entry, lifelong visa for visiting India.
(b) Exemption from registration with local police authority for any length of
stay in India.
(c) Parity with NRIs in respect of economic, financial and education fields,
except
in matters relating to the acquisition of agricultural/plantation properties.
34. Will any other benefit be granted to OCI?
Any other benefits extended to OCI will be notified by the Ministry of Overseas
Indian Affairs (MOIA) under Section 7B(1) of the Citizenship Act, 1955.
35. Whether the OCI is entitled to voting rights?
No.
36. Whether the OCI is entitled to hold a constitutional post in India?
No.
37. Whether the OCI is entitled to hold Government posts in India?
No, except for the posts specified by an order by the Central Government.
38. If a person is already holding more than one nationality, can he / she
apply for OCI?
Yes, as long as the local laws of at least one of the countries allow dual
citizenship in some form or other.
39. What are the advantages of OCI when compared to PIO cardholders?
(i) OCI is entitled to life long visa free travel to India whereas for PIO
cardholder, it is for 15 years.
(ii) PIO cardholder is required to register with local Police authority for stay
exceeding 180 days in India on any single visit whereas OCI is exempted from
registration with Police authority for any length of stay in India.
40. Whether an OCI be entitled to apply for and obtain a normal Indian
passport, which is given to a citizen of India?
No. Indian Passport is given only to an Indian citizen.
41. Whether nationals of Commonwealth countries are eligible for OCI?
Yes, if they fulfill the eligibility criteria.
42. Can a person renounce OCI?
Yes. He/she has to declare intention of renunciation in Form XXII to the Indian
Mission/Post where OCI registration was granted. After receipt of the
declaration, the Indian Mission/Post shall issue an acknowledgement in Form XXII
A.
43. Do the applicants who have applied on the earlier prescribed application
form have to apply again in the new form?
No. All such applications will be considered for registration as OCI without
seeking fresh application and fee.
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