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OCI FAQ
| Q.1 | Who is eligible to apply |
| Ans. | 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 any time 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. |
| Q.2 | What are the conditions for being considered eligible to become a Citizen of India on 26.01.1950 |
| Ans. | Any person born in India, or whose parents or grand-parents were born in India as defined in the Government of India Act, 1935 (as originally enacted), and who was ordinarily residing in any country outside India is considered eligible to have become citizen of India on 26.01.1950. |
| Q.3 | Can the spouse of an eligible person apply for OCI |
| Ans. | Yes. |
| Q.4 | Are Minor children eligible for OCI |
| Ans. | Yes, if either of the parents is eligible for OCI. |
| Q.5 | What form should be used to apply for an OCI registration and where are the forms available |
| Ans. | Link for online registration is given below:- https://ociservices.gov.in/ |
| Q.6 | How many copies of application have to be submitted |
| Ans. | Only one set of Application has to be submitted for each applicant with supporting documents |
| Q.7 | What documents have to be submitted with the application |
| Ans. | Documents required for OCI >>Proof of present citizenship, Evidence of self or parents or grand-parents, >>being eligible to become a citizen of India at the time of commencement of the Constitution; or >>belonging to a territory that became a part of India after 15th August, 1947; or >>being a citizen of India on or after 26th January, 1950 >>These could be copy of the passport or copy of the domicile certificate issued by the competent authority or any other proof such as school certificate, agricultural land ownership certificate, and birth certificate etc. by which eligibility may be reasonably ascertained. >>Evidence of relationship as parent/grand-parent, if their Indian origin is claimed as basis for grant of OCI. >>Proof of payment of fees >>PIO card holders should submit a copy of his/her PIO card. |
| Q.8 | With reference to part (ii)b of the answer to question 8 above, which territories became part of India after 15.08.1947 and from what date |
| Ans. | The territories which became part of India after 15.08.1947 are: >>Sikkim 26.04.1975 >>Pondicherry 16.08.1962 >>Dadra & Nagar Haveli 11.08.1961 >>Goa, Daman and Diu 20.12.1961 |
| Q.9 | Whether applicant(s) have to go in person to submit the application (s) |
| Ans. | Not necessarily, application(s) can also be sent by post or courrier, as felt convenient. |
| Q.10 | Can a person apply for the OCI registration from anywhere |
| Ans. | No, they should apply in the country where they are ordinarily resident. |
| Q.11 | What are the consequences of furnishing wrong information or suppressing material information |
| Ans. | All the applications are subject to pre or post enquiry. In case of furnishing of false information and suppressing the material facts by the applicant, the current application or 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. |
| Q.12 | What is the fee for application for an OCI |
| Ans. | 1. Fees for New OCI - 2357 SEK 2. Fees for conversion of PIO Card to OCI Card - 874 SEK 3. Reissuance of OCI Card - 238 SEK 4. Duplicate OCI in case of loss/Damage of OCI documents - 874 SEK 5. The fee should be deposited to Bank Giro 5816-4930 |
| Q.13 | If the registration as an OCI is not granted, will the fees be refunded |
| Ans. | If registration is refused, 10% of fees would be retained as the processing fee and 90% would be refunded. |
| Q.14 | What documents will be issued after registration as an OCI |
| Ans. | A registration certificate in the form of a booklet will be issued. |
| Q.15 | Will some type of passport be issued to an OCI |
| Ans. | No; as stated in the answer to question 14 above, OCIs would be issued a Registration Certificate in the form of a booklet which is not a passport. |
| Q.16 | If the OCI Certificate is lost, will a duplicate certificate of registration be issued |
| Ans. | Yes. For this purpose, an application has to be made to the Indian Mission/ Post with evidence/proof of 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 have to be made to the same Indian Mission/ Post which issued the certificate along with the fee. |
| Q.17 | Can a person registered as an OCI travel to protected area/restricted area without permission |
| Ans. | No. He/she will be required to seek Protected Area Permission/Restricted Area Permissionfor such visits. |
| Q.18 | Do the Indian civil/criminal laws apply to persons registered as OCI |
| Ans. | Yes, for his/her period of stay in India. |
| Q.19 | Can a person registered as an OCI be granted Indian citizenship |
| Ans. | 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. |
| Q.20 | Will foreign-born children of PIOs be eligible to become an OCI |
| Ans. | Yes, provided one of the parents is eligible to become an OCI. |
| Q.21 | What are the benefits of getting an OCI Certificate |
| Ans. | Following benefits will be allowed to an OCI: >>Multi-purpose, multiple entries, lifelong visa for visiting India. >>Exemption from registration with local police authority for any length of stay in India. >>Parity with NRIs in respect of economic, financial and education fields except in matters relating to the acquisition of agricultural/plantation properties. |
| Q.22 | Is the OCI entitled to voting rights in Elections in India |
| Ans. | No. |
| Q.23 | Is the OCI entitled to hold constitutional post in India |
| Ans. | No. |
| Q.24 | Is the OCI entitled to hold Government posts in India |
| Ans. | No, except for the posts specified by an order by the Central Government. |