OVERSEAS CITIZENSHIP OF INDIA

             Government of India’s OCI Scheme is operational from 02.12.2005. The Constitution of India dos not allow holding Indian citizenship and citizenship of 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 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 local laws.

 2.      Following benefits will be available to registered OCIs     

1. Multiple entry, multi–purpose life long “U” visa to visit India
   
   
2. Exemption from registration with Foreigners Regional Registration Officer/Foreigners Registration Officer for any length of stay in India.
   
   
3. Parity with NRIs in respect of all facilities to the latter in financial, economic and educational fields except in matters relating to the acquisition of agricultural or plantation properties.
   
   
4. However, they shall not be entitled to rights with regard to equality of opportunity in matters of public employment and election to Constitutional Offices like President/Vice-President/Judges of Supreme Court or High Courts/Members of Parliament of Legislative Assembly/Council or right to vote under Representation of the People Act. 1950.
   

REQUIREMENTS

1. Application form Part A and Part B in Duplicate
2. 4 photos of 3.5 cm x 3.5 cm size and 3 pieces stamp size photograph
3. Proof of citizenship of applicant
4. Evidence of self or parents or grandparents:
1. Being eligible to become a citizen of India at the time of commencement of the Constitution; or
2. Belonging to a territory that became part of India after 15th August 1947 or
3. Being citizen of India on or after 26th January 1950

These are:

• Copy of passport or
• Copy of domicile certificate issued by the competent authority or
• Any other proof or
• Affidavit

1. Evidence of relationship as parents/grandparent, if their Indian origin is claimed as basis for grant of Overseas Citizenship of India
2. PIO Card holders must also submit a copy of their PIO Card

FEES

Click here to download the OCI Form

IMPORTANT NOTICE TO OCI CARD HOLDERS

OCI card holders traveling to India are advised to carry the passport containing U Visa sticker and OCI Card to avoid problems at Immigration check points in India . In case registered OCI has obtained a new passport, kindly ensure to carry the passport containing U Visa sticker, new passport and OCI document during all visits to India. ALTERNATIVELY Miscellaneous Services can be availed for transfer of U Visa to new passport. However, before applying for Misc Services kindly read the instructions posted under “OCI Misc. Service” particularly the processing period. Since applications are processed in order of their receipt in the Embassy , this service can not be expedited.

OCI MISCELLANEOUS SERVICES

The Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) Scheme was operationalized on 2nd December 2005 and formally launched by the Prime Minister during the Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas, 2006 at Hyderabad on 7th January 2006. The scheme has generated enthusiastic response and so far as on 1st January 2008, more than 1,99,500 OCI certificates have been issued.

2. Subsequent to the launch, suggestions/representations have been received from Indian Missions/Posts and registered OCIs regarding facilities/procedures for re-issuance of OCI registration certificate/visa in the following situations.

(i) In case of issuance of new passport.

(ii) In case of change of personal particulars viz. nationality etc.,

(iii) In case of loss/damage of OCI registration certificate/visa.

(iv) In case of filling of wrong personal particulars while submitting online applications viz. name, father’s name, date of birth etc.,

(v) In case of manually filled in applications (discontinued now) mistakes have been committed by the Indian Mission/Post/Office while entering the personal particulars.

(vi) In case of change of address/occupation

3. The suggestions and representations have been duly considered and an on-line supplemental service, namely the OCI Miscellaneous Services have been launched from today which can be availed by all registered OCIs. The OCI Miscellaneous Services have been made available on the Home Ministry’s website www.mha.nic.in/oci/oci-main.htm Salient features of the services are:

(i) Registered OCI shall make the application online selecting the requisite service(s).

(ii) Hard copy of application along with requisite enclosures to be submitted to the concerned Indian Mission/Post/Office.

(iii) Application can be submitted in Indian Mission/Post/Office in whose jurisdiction the applicant is ordinarily residing irrespective of the fact whether the same Mission/Post/Office has issued the original OCI documents or not.

(iv) Fee for re-issuance of OCI documents is Php 1400.00  and it is Php 5,500 for issuance of duplicate OCI documents. 

(v) Php 1400/- for reununciation of Overseas Citizen of India.

(vi) After receipt of application, Mission/Post/Office shall issue File (Acknowledgement) Number to the applicant by e-mail.

(vii) The status of the requisite service(s) can be checked by the applicant on Online Status Enquiry.

(viii) After grant of the requisite service(s), new OCI documents shall be issued after cancellation of the old documents.

4. It is expected that the launch of OCI Miscellaneous Services would address the problems faced by registered OCIs in obtaining new set of OCI documents.