Introduction
The Constitution of India does not allow holding Indian citizenship and citizenship of a foreign country simultaneously. Based on the recommendation of the High Level committee on Indian Diaspora, the Government of India decided to grant Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) commonly known as "dual citizenship". Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) of certain category as has been specified in the column "eligibility criteria" 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.
Eligibility criteria
A foreign national, who was eligible to become 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, provided his/her country of citizenship allows dual citizenship in some form or other under the local laws, is eligible for registration as 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.
What benefits accrue to an OCI card holder?
Registered OCIs shall be entitled to following benefits:
- Multiple entry, multi-purpose life long visa to visit India;
- Exemption from reporting to Police authorities for any length of stay in India; and
- Parity with NRIs in financial, economic and educational fields except in the acquisition of agricultural or plantation properties.
Persons registered as OCI have not been given any voting rights, election to Lok Sabha/Rajya Sabha/Legislative Assembly/Council, holding Constitutional posts such as President, Vice President, Judge of Supreme Court/High Court etc.
Any further benefits to OCIs will be notified by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA) under section 7B(1) of the Citizenship Act, 1955.
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 is registered as OCI for five years and has been residing in India for one year out of the five years before making the application.
Where to apply for the OCI Card?
To the Indian Mission/Post in the country where the applicant is ordinarily resident.
If the applicant is not living in the country of his/her citizenship, to the Indian Mission/Post having jurisdiction over the country of which the applicant is ordinarily resident.
If in India on long term visa (more than one year), to the FRRO, Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkatta, Amritsar, Chennai or the Joint Secretary (Foreigners), Ministry of Home Affairs.
What is the validity of the OCI Card?
An OCI Card is a life time document. It allows multiple entry multi-purpose life long visa for visiting India.
Procedure for granting registration
The Indian Mission will register a person as OCI within 2 days of the receipt of application and the case shall be referred to the concerned authorities in India for preparation of OCI Card. The whole process takes six weeks approximately.
What is the Fee for the OCI Card?
REVISED OCI FEE (From 01/04/2021)
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Type of OCI
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Revised fee in Euro
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Fresh OCI Card
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230 + 3(icwf)
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Misc. OCI card
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21 + 3 (icwf)
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Duplicate OCI card/ PIO to OCI
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84 + 3 (icwf)
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Cancellation of registration
If it has been found that the registration as an OCI was obtained by means of fraud, false representation or concealment of any material fact or the registered OCI has shown disaffection towards the Constitution of India or comes under any of the provisions of section 7D of the Citizenship Act, the registration of such person will not only be cancelled forthwith but he/she will also be blacklisted for visiting India.
Application Form
Fill the form online at the following link for a New OCI Card:
https://passport.gov.in/oci/OnlineOCIRegistrationG.jsp
Fill the form online at the following link for OCI Miscellaneous Services:
https://passport.gov.in/oci/OnlineOCIMiscMain.jsp
OCI CARD - REQUIREMENTS BY EMBASSY
Application should be filled on line at Foreigners Division - Ministry of Home Affairs - Government of India
First step: click HERE
Second step: click on Online Registration (You have to choose 'ITALY - ROME' among the options for place of submission of application)
Third step: Take two printouts of the filled application with itar number starting from (IT) e.g ITAR00000511.
- Copy of the Passport of the applicant along with original passport.
- Copy of the Cancelled Indian Passport, along with the original passport. (The passport must have a drill stamp that Indian citizenship has been surrendered)
- Proof of Residence.
- Original Citizenship certificate, showing the exact date of grant of foreign citizenship.
- The applicant's present and previous job profile.
- Background of the photos must not be white, but of a light color (e.g. blue, green, gray, brown etc.).
OCI FOR MINOR CHILDREN
- All the documents mentioned above.
- Photocopy of the both Indian and Foreign passports of the both parents along with the original passports.
- Application form should be signed by both parents and a joint letter of request should be given by both parents.
- Birth certificate in case of minor children, it should be authenticated by Ministry of External Affairs, Patiala House, Delhi, for the documents issued by Indian authorities or Apostle by Italian Government if the document is issued by Italian authorities.
- Left thumb impression for boys & Right thumb impression for girls.
Applicants may forward their complaints /grievances related to Consular/Visa matters on following e-mail addresses:
HOM:amb.rome@mea.gov.in
Supervisory Officer:dcmoffice.rome@mea.gov.in
Consular Officer:cons.rome@mea.gov.in
