Overseas Citizens of India

E39763

Overseas Citizens of India are foreign nationals of Indian origin who hold a special immigration status granting them multiple long-term benefits and privileges in India without full citizenship rights.

Observed surface forms (1)

Surface form As subject As object
Persons of Indian Origin 0 1

Statements (64)

Predicate Object
instanceOf immigration status
legal category of persons
administeredBy Ministry of Home Affairs, India
surface form: Foreigners Division, Ministry of Home Affairs

Ministry of Home Affairs, India
surface form: Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India
canApplyFor conversion of PIO card to OCI card
citizenshipStatus does not confer Indian citizenship
country India
documentType OCI card
dualCitizenshipStatus not full dual citizenship
eligibility children and grandchildren of Indian citizens subject to conditions
former Indian citizens who acquired foreign citizenship
minor children of eligible persons for OCI
persons of Indian origin who are citizens of other countries except Pakistan and Bangladesh and other notified countries
hasRight exemption from registration with FRRO for any length of stay in India
lifelong visa to visit India
multiple entry visa to India
multiple purpose visa to India
parity with Non-Resident Indians in appearing for All India Pre-Medical tests and similar exams
parity with Non-Resident Indians in appearing for all-India entrance tests for professional and technical courses in India
parity with Non-Resident Indians in domestic air fares
parity with Non-Resident Indians in economic, financial and educational fields except where specifically excluded
parity with Non-Resident Indians in entry and fees for national monuments
parity with Non-Resident Indians in entry fees for monuments, historical sites and museums in India
parity with Non-Resident Indians in entry fees for national parks and wildlife sanctuaries in India
parity with Non-Resident Indians in housing and immovable property purchase except agricultural and plantation property
parity with Non-Resident Indians in inter-country adoption of Indian children
parity with Non-Resident Indians in practicing certain professions in India subject to regulatory requirements
parity with Non-Resident Indians in pursuing professions such as doctors, dentists, nurses, pharmacists, advocates, architects and chartered accountants in India subject to conditions
parity with Non-Resident Indians in pursuing studies in Indian universities and institutions
parity with Non-Resident Indians in tariffs in Indian hotels and guest houses
identificationDocument OCI card booklet
OCI card with lifelong visa sticker in passport (earlier format)
introducedInYear 2005
legalBasis Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2005
Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2005
surface form: Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2015

Citizenship Act, 1955 of India
legalStatus foreign national
processedBy FRRO offices in India
Indian missions and posts abroad
purpose to provide long-term visa and residency benefits to persons of Indian origin
replacedBy merged PIO and OCI schemes in 2015
residencyStatus not equivalent to permanent residency for all purposes
restriction cannot contest elections in India
cannot hold Indian diplomatic passport
cannot vote in Indian elections
no right to be a member of a State Legislature in India
no right to be a member of the Indian Parliament
no right to hold constitutional offices in India
no right to hold office of Chief Minister or Minister in India
no right to hold office of Governor of an Indian state
no right to hold office of Judge of High Court in India
no right to hold office of Judge of Supreme Court of India
no right to hold office of Vice President of India
no right to hold public office such as President of India
no right to purchase agricultural land in India
no right to purchase farm houses in India
no right to purchase plantation property in India
no right to vote in India
shortName OCI
subjectTo cancellation by Government of India under specified conditions
revocation for acts of terrorism or anti-national activities
revocation for fraud or concealment of material facts in application
revocation for violation of any local law
targetGroup Indian diaspora

Referenced by (2)

Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.

Padma awards eligibility Overseas Citizens of India
this entity surface form: Persons of Indian Origin
Padma awards eligibility Overseas Citizens of India