Ever wonder what happens to your legal standing and rights as an Indian citizen when you live overseas for a while? Or if you marry and have a family with someone who isn’t Indian–do your children have to get a visa to visit the country? Here is your explainer on the different immigration statuses India offers.
Who is an OCI and what is the OCI card?
An Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) is a person who is technically a citizen of another country, but is granted several rights and freedoms enjoyed by Indians. An OCI card then, is a long-term visa available to such citizens of other countries who have familial links to India. It entitles them to a lot of the same benefits as NRIs and Indian citizens.
OCI vs NRI: what’s the difference?
An NRI, or Non-Resident Indian, is anyone who holds an Indian passport but lives and/or works overseas. NRIs enjoy all the benefits afforded to any citizen living in India. OCIs don’t have many of these rights.
• NRIs have full voting rights for all Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha and Legislative Assembly/Council elections. OCI holders cannot vote in any elections.
• NRIs can stand for public office. OCI holders cannot.
• NRIs can purchase agricultural land. OCI holders cannot.
• NRIs can conduct research work without any prior permission. OCI holders must get prior permission from the local Foreigners Regional Registration Officers (FRRO).
NRIs can pay the same rate as other resident Indians when they visit national parks and monuments and can renew their Indian passport at any Indian mission overseas or in India.
What is a Person of Indian Origin (PIO) card and how is it different to OCI?
PIO was another immigration status offered to foreigner with links to India. It was merged with OCI in 2015.
Is OCI the same as dual citizenship?
India does not allow dual citizenship. So OCI is the closest it comes to it. OCI is only available to citizens of countries that allow dual citizenship. Once you have had OCI status for five years, you can apply for Indian citizenship. But this would mean you would have to renounce any other citizenship you hold.
So what rights does an OCI card get you?
OCI is a lifelong visa to live and work in India as any other Indian citizen or NRI. But unlike visitors on other long-term visas (for example, work permits, student visas), OCI holders do not have to register with their local FRRO. OCI holders, just like NRIs, can open bank accounts and buy property in the country. They can adopt children in India and work in almost all professions including healthcare, law, architecture and finance. Your OCI card is also just as good as a piece of ID as an Indian passport.