OCI is not to be misconstrued as 'dual citizenship'. OCI does not confer political rights. The registered Overseas Citizens of India shall not be entitled to the rights conferred on a citizen of India under article 16 of the Constitution with regard to equality of opportunity in matters of public employment. Detailed instructions and procedures on the OCI Scheme are available on the MHA's website: www.mha.nic.in.
A registered Overseas Citizen of India is granted multiple entry, multi purpose, life-long visa for visiting India, he/she is exempted from registration with Foreign Regional Registration Officer or Foreign Registration Officer for any length of stay in India, and is entitled to general 'parity with Non-Resident Indians in respect of all facilities available to them in economic, financial and educational fields except in matters relating to the acquisition of Agricultural land or Farm house or Plantation properties. Specific benefits/parity is notified by the Ministry from time to time.
The Ministry has issued notifications granting registered OCIs further benefits as under:
As on-line OCI Miscellaneous service is now available for re-issuance/issuance of duplicate OCI document, where applicable, change of personal particulars, viz, nationality, name, change of address/occupation, ets. And loss/damage of OCI registration certificate/visa.The GoI, further relaxed the OCI guidelines by dispensing with mandatory requirement of re-issuance of an OCI card each time new passport is issued to a foreigner upto 20 years of age and once after completing 50 years of age. Now, OCI cardholder is required to get the OCI card re-issued only once when a new passport is issued after completing 20 years of age. However, OCI cardholder is required to upload Online a copy of the new passport and a latest photo each time a new passport is issued upto 20 years of age and once after completing 50 years of age. Considering the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Timeline for re-issuance of OCI cards. were necessary, has also been temporary extended until 31st December, 2022.As on 31st January, 202240.68 lakh OCI registration cards are issued.
An Extract from the Citizenship Act, 1955 is provided below to specify the rules related to Overseas Citizenship of India.(15 KB)
The Central Government may, subject to such conditions and restrictions as may be prescribed, on an application made in this behalf, register as an overseas citizen of India
The Central Government may, by order, cancel the registration granted under sub-section(1) of section 7A if it is satisfied that
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