Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Who is eligible to apply?

A foreign national, who was eligible to become a citizen of India on

26.01.1950 or was a citizen of India on or at anytime after 26.01.1950 or
belonged to a territory that became part of India after 15.08.1947 and his/her
children and grand children, is eligible for registration as an Overseas
Citizen of India (OCI). Minor children of such person are also eligible for
OCI. However, if the applicant had ever been a citizen of Pakistan or
Bangladesh, he/she will not be eligible for OCI.

2. Who was eligible to become Citizen of India on 26.01.1950?

Any person who, or whose parents or grand-parents were born in

India as defined in the Government of India Act, 1935 (as originally
enacted), and who was ordinarily residing in any country outside India was
eligible to become citizen of India on 26.01.1950.

3. Which territories became part of India after 15.08.1947 and from

what date?

The territories which became part of India after 15.08.1947 are:

(i) Sikkim 26.04.1975

(ii) Pondicherry 16.08.1962
(iii) Dadra & Nagar Haveli 11.08.1961
(iv) Goa, Daman and Diu 20.12.1961

4. Can the spouse of the eligible person apply for OCI?

Yes, if he/she is eligible in his/her own capacity.

5. Can Minor children apply for OCI?

Yes, if either of the parents is eligible for OCI.

6. In what form should a person apply for an OCI and where are the
forms available?

A family consisting of spouses and upto two minor children can apply
in the same form i.e. Form XIX, which can be filed online or downloaded
from our website http://mha.nic.in/ForeigDiv/ForeigHome.html.

7. Can application form be filled and submitted on line?

Yes. Part A of the application form should be filed online. Part B

should be downloaded and printed on computer or by hand in Block letters.
Printed Part A and Part B of the application form has to be submitted to the
Indian Mission/Post/Office along with all requisite documents.

8. What documents have to be submitted with the application?

The following documents shall be enclosed for each applicant:

1. Proof of present citizenship

2. Evidence of self or parents or grand parents,

(a) being eligible to become a citizen of India at the time of

commencement of the Constitution; or
(b) belonging to a territory that became a part of India after
15 th August, 1947; or
(c) being a citizen of India on or after 26 th January, 1950

These could be:

(i) Copy of the passport :or

(ii) Copy of the domicile certificate issued by the Competent
authority ;or
(iii) Any other proof substantiating the request. Usually
applicants are able to submit a certificate of residence or
place of birth of self/parents/grand parents from First
Class Magistrate/District Magistrate (DM) of the
concerned place.
3. Evidence of relationship as parent/grand parent, if their Indian
origin is claimed as basis for grant of OCI such as birth certificate or
Educational Certificate etc.
 4. Application fee by way of Demand Draft (US $ 275 for each
applicant or equivalent in local currency; US $ 25 or equivalent
In local currency for each PIO card holder) in case of
application filled in India, fee Rs.15,000/- for general category,
for PIO card holders Rs.1,400/- and for minor PIO card holder
Rs.8,000/- to be paid by way of Demand Draft.

5. PIO card holders should submit a copy of his/her PIO card.

9. What documents would qualify for “Any other proof” for

evidence of self or parents or grand parents being eligible for
grant of an OCI?

Any documentary evidence like a school certificate, Agricultural land

ownership certificate, birth certificate etc. by which eligibility may be
reasonably ascertained.

10. How many copies of application have to be submitted?

Only one Set of Application has to be submitted for each applicant.

11. Whether applicant(s) have to go in person to submit the

application (s)?

No. Application(s) can be sent by post either by Speed post or

Registered post only and not through Courier.

12. Whether the applicant (s) have to take oath before the Counsel of
the Indian Mission/Post?

No. Earlier provision in this regard has been done away with.

13. Where to submit the application?

To the Indian Mission/ Post of the country of citizenship of the

applicant. If the applicant is not in the country of citizenship, to the Indian
Mission/Post of the country where he is ordinarily residing. If the applicant
is in India, to the FRRO Amritsar, Bangalore, Kozhikode, Chennai, Kochi,
Delhi, Goa, Hyderabad, Lucknow, Mumbai, Kolkota, and
Thiruvanathapuram as per specified Jurisdiction of the FRRO concerned.
 14. Can a person apply in the country where he is ordinarily
residing?

Yes.

15. What are the consequences of furnishing wrong information or

suppressing material information?

All the applications will be subject to pre or post enquiry depending

on whether any adverse information is voluntarily reported in the application
or not. If the Government comes to the know that any false information was
furnished or material information was suppressed, the registration as OCI
already granted shall be cancelled by an order under section 7D of the
Citizenship Act, 1955. The persons will also be blacklisted thereby banning
his/her entry into India.

16. What is the fee for application for registration as an OCI?

US $ 275 or equivalent in local currency for each applicant. In case of

PIO card holder, US $ 25 or equivalent in local currency for each applicant.
In case of application filled in India, fee Rs.15,000/- for general category, for
PIO card holders Rs.1,400/- and for minor PIO card holder Rs.8,000/- to be
paid by way of Demand Draft.

17. What is the time taken for registration as OCI?

Within 30 days of the application, if there is no adverse information

available against the applicant. If any adverse information is available
against the applicant, the decision to grant or otherwise is taken within 120
days.

18. If the registration as an OCI is not granted, what amount will be

refunded?

An amount of US $ 250 or equivalent in local currency shall be

refunded, if registration is refused. US $ 25 is the processing fees, which is
non-refundable. In case application filled in India, Rs.1,400/- will be non-
refundable being processing fees.
19. Can a PIO Cardholder apply?

Yes, provided he/she is otherwise eligible for grant of OCI like any
other applicant.

20. Will the PIO Cardholder be granted an OCI registration gratis?

No. He/she has to make a payment of US $ 25 or equivalent in local

currency along with the application & Rs.1,400/- in case of application is
filled in India.

21. Will the PIO card be honored till the time it is valid even after
acquisition of an OCI?

No. PIO card will have to be surrendered to the Indian

Mission/Post/FRROs before collection of OCI registration certificate and an
OCI ‘U’ visa sticker.

22. What will be issued after registration as an OCI?

A registration certificate in the form of a booklet will be issued and a

multiple entry, multi-purpose OCI ‘U’ visa sticker will be pasted on the
foreign passport of the applicant. For this purpose, the applicant has to
produce the original passport to the Indian Mission/Post/FRROs after
receipt of the acceptance letter/verifying the status of the application online.

23. Will a separate OCI passport be issued?

No.

24. Will a duplicate certificate of registration as an OCI will be

issued?

Yes. For this purpose, an application has to be made to the Indian

Mission/Post with evidence for loss of certificate. In the case of
mutilated/damaged certificate an application has to be made enclosing the
same. The applications in both the cases to be submitted to the concerned
Indian Mission/ Post/FRRO along with payment of a fee of US $ 100 or
equivalent in local currency & Rs.5,500/- in case of application is filled in
India.
25. Will a new OCI visa sticker be pasted on the new foreign passport
after the expiry of the old passport?

Yes. On payment of requisite fee, a new OCI ‘U’ visa sticker will be
issued. However, the applicant can continue to carry the old passport
wherein the OCI ‘U’ visa sticker was pasted along with new passport for
visiting India without seeking a new visa, as the visa is lifelong.

26. Will the applicant lose his citizenship after registering as an OCI?

No.

27. Can a person registered as an OCI travel to protected

area/restricted area without permission?

No. He/she will be required to seek PAP/RAP for such visits.

28. Would the Indian civil/criminal laws be applicable to persons

registered as OCI?

Yes, for the period OCI is living in India.

29. Can a person registered as an OCI be granted Indian citizenship?

Yes. As per the provisions of section 5(1) (g) of the Citizenship Act,
1955, a person who is registered as an OCI for 5 years and is residing in
India for 1 year out of the above 5 years, is eligible to apply for Indian
Citizenship.

30. Will an OCI be granted gratis to certain categories of people?

No.
 31. Can OCI be granted to foreign nationals who are not eligible for
OCI, but married to persons who are eligible for OCI?

No.

32. Will foreign-born children of PIOs be eligible to become an OCI?

Yes, provided one of the parents is eligible to become an OCI.

33. What are the benefits of an OCI?

Following benefits will be allowed to an OCI:

(i) Multiple entry, multi-purpose life long visa to visit India;

(ii) Exemption from reporting to Police authorities for any length of
stay in India; and
(iii) Parity with NRIs in financial, economic and educational fields
except in the acquisition of agricultural or plantation properties.
(iv) Registered Overseas Citizen of India shall be treated at par with Non-
Resident-Indian in the matter of inter-country adoption of Indian children.
(v) Registered Overseas Citizens of India shall be treated at par with resident
Indian nationals in the matter of tariffs in air fares in domestic sectors in
India.
(vi) Registered Overseas Citizens of India shall be charged the same entry fee as
domestic Indian visitors to visit national parks and wildlife sanctuaries in
India
(vii) Parity with Non-Resident Indian in respect of entry fees to be charged for
visiting the national monuments, historical sites and museums in India;
Pursuing the following professions in India, in pursuance of the provisions
contained in the relevant Acts, namely:-
(a) doctors, dentists, nurses and pharmacists;
(b) advocates;
(c) architects;
(d) chartered accountants;
(viii) Parity with Non-Resident Indian to appear for the All India Pre-medical Test
or such other tests to make them eligible for admission in pursuance of the
provisions contained in the relevant Acts.
(ix) “State Governments should ensure that the OCI registration booklets of
OCIs are treated as their identification for any services rendered to them. In
case proof of residence is required, Overseas Citizens of India may give an
 affidavit attested by a notary public stating that a particular/specific address
may be treated as their place of residence in India and may also in their
affidavit give their overseas residential address as well as e-mail address, if
any”

34. Will any other benefit be granted to an OCI?

Any other benefits to an OCI will be notified by the Ministry of

Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA) under Section 7B(1) of the Citizenship
Act, 1955.

35. Is the OCI entitled to voting rights?

No.

36. Is the OCI entitled to hold constitutional post in India?

No.

37. Is the OCI entitled to hold Government posts in India?

No, except for the posts specified by an order by the Central

Government.

38. If a person is already holding more than one nationality, can

he/she apply for OCI?
Yes.

39. What are the advantages of the OCI when compared to PIO
cardholders ?

(i) An OCI is entitled to life long visa with free travel to India
whereas for a PIO card holder, it is only valid for 15 years.
(ii) A PIO cardholder is required to register with local Police authority
for any stay exceeding 180 days in India on any single
visit whereas an OCI is exempted from registration with Police
authority for any length of stay in India.
(iii) An OCI gets a specific right to become an Indian Citizen as per Section
5(i) and (ii) of the Citizenship Act, 1955.
 whereas the PIO card holder does not have this.

40. Whether an OCI be entitled to apply for and obtain a normal

Indian passport which is given to a citizen of India?

No. Indian Passports are given only to Indian citizen.

41. Whether nationals of Commonwealth countries are eligible for the

OCI?

Yes, if they fulfill the eligibility criteria.

42. Can a person renounce OCI?

Yes. He/she has to declare intention of renunciation in Form XXII to the

Indian Mission/Post where OCI registration was granted. After receipt of the
declaration, the Indian Mission/Post/FRROs shall issue an acknowledgement in
Form XXII A.

43. Do the applicants who have applied on the earlier prescribed

application form have to apply again in the new form?

No. All such applications will be considered for registration as an OCI

without seeking fresh applications and fees.

44. Can an OCI holder undertake Research work in India?

Yes, after getting prior approval/special permission from MHA.

45. Whether foreign military personnel are eligible for grant of OCI?

NO, foreign military personnel either in service or retired are not entitled for
grant of OCI.

46. Whether civil Govt. servant working in Ministry of Defence as IT

engineers/civil contractors entitled for OCI?

NO.