The constitution of India does not allow holding Indian citizenship and citizenship of a foreign country simultaneously. However, based on the recommendation of the High Level Committee on Indian Diaspora, the Government of India has decided to grant Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) commonly known as ‘Dual Citizenship’. The Parliament of India approved the relevant bill in this connection in August, 2005. Persons of Indian origin(PIOs) of certain category 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 Overseas Citizen of India will not have the right of voting, election to Lok Sabha/Rajya Sabha/Legislative Assembly/Council, constitutional posts such as President, Vice-President, and Judge of Supreme Court/High Court etc. Registered OCI shall be entitled to the following benefits:
1. Multiple entry, multi-purpose lifelong visa to visit India;
2. Exemption from reporting to police authorities for any length of stay in India; and
3. Parity with NRIs in financial, economic and educational fields except in the acquisition of agricultural or plantation properties.
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 has been 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. For getting one registered under the OCI Scheme, one has to apply to the Indian Mission/Post in the country of citizenship of the applicant, on a form prescribed for the purpose.
6. Applications for OCI service can be made at the Embassy between 0900 hrs to 1230 hrs. on all working days. Applicants are advised to ensure that no column of the application is left unattended. Apart from affixing photographs and signatures at the designated places on the application, it may also be ensured that the requisite numbers of spare photographs (04 in all) of prescribed size are enclosed with the application. Photographs should be 35X35 mm in size with white background, front pose, both shoulders and both ears visible. Applicant’s signature/thumb impression should not touch outlines of the signature box. The existing foreign passport cancelled or expired Indian Passport if available and their photocopies also need to be enclosed along with the application.
Fee for OCI services will be as under:
| S.No. | Type of Service | Fee in US$ |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Fresh OCI Card | 275 |
| 2. | OCI Card in case of PIO card holder (Adult) | 25 |
| 3. | OCI Card in case of PIO card holder (Minor) | 145 |
| 4. | Re-issuance of OCI documents in case of issuance of new passport, change of personal particulars, wrong filing of particulars. | 25 |
| 5. | Duplicate OCI card in case of loss/damage of OCI document | 100 |
In addition to the above fee, an amount of US $ 3/- is also payable towards the ICWF fee
The following documents would be required for delivery of OCI card:
1. Foreign passport
2. Cancelled Indian Passport
3. P I O card, if applied on the basis of PIO card.
4. Original receipt.
The documents would be accepted in the morning on any working day between 0900-1230 hours and would be returned on the date of delivery given by the officer between 0900-1230 hours.
We expect the OCI cards to be ready for collection in approximately 4 to 6 weeks.
For more information on OCI and to apply online and download application,
please visit https://www.mha.gov.in/MHA1/OCI.html
