OCI stands for Overseas Citizenship of India, and it’s a card that has multi-entry life-long visa for India, it doesn’t have any restrictions on the length of stay in India. OCI Card is also known as OCI Registration Certificate and Overseas Citizenship of India. Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) can be granted to Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) of certain categories who have migrated from India and acquired citizenship of a foreign country, other than Pakistan and Bangladesh, as long as their home countries allow dual citizenship. OCI status is not the same as regular Indian Citizenship.
Benefits of OCI Visa
As an OCI, you will be entitled to the following benefits:
- Life – long visa along with multiple visits and plenty of benefits.
- Exemption from police registration for any length of stay in India.
- Parity with NRIs, except in the acquisition of agricultural or plantation properties.
Employment:
- Allowed in all areas with exceptions made for certain types of government employment.
- OCI holders do not need to get an employment visa and are not required to register with FRRO for seeking employment.
- In case the OCI holder comes to India to work for a certain employer and later decides to leave that job they do not have to leave India.
- Parity with non-resident Indian with respect to:
- Entry fees charged for visiting national monuments, historical sites, national parks and museums in India.
- Pursuing professions in medicine, law, accountancy and architecture.
- Appearance for the All India Pre-Medical Test or such other tests for eligibility for admission in Indian Institutions.
- Inter-country adoption.
- Parity with Resident Indians in Domestic Airfares.
Parity with NRIs, except in the acquisition of agricultural or plantation properties.
What leads to OCI Visa Cancellation ?
If it is found that registration as an OCI was obtained by fraudulent means, false representation or concealment of any material fact, or that the registered OCI has shown dissatisfaction towards the Constitution of India or under any of the provisions of section 7D of the Citizenship Act, the registration of such applicants will not only be cancelled forthwith, but they will also be blacklisted for future visits to India.
When travelling on a OCI card please make note
Effective January 29, 2015, you do not need to show the passport containing their ‘U’ visa sticker while entering or exiting India and need only present the OCI card.
Even though OCI is a life-long visa, a new OCI is required every time a cardholder gets a new passport if they are under 21 years of age or over 50 years of age.