Indian Overseas Citizenship OCI Card in detail www.deekpay.com

India offers Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI card) to foreign passport holders and PIO card holders. Any person, except Pakistani and Bangladeshi citizens, can obtain an OCI card on production of proof of Indian origin.

About OCI Card

The Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI card) is a permanent residency available to persons of Indian origin and their spouses, allowing them to live and work in India indefinitely. Despite the name, OCI is not recognised as a citizenship by the Republic of India and most countries in the world and does not confer the right to vote in Indian elections or hold public office. OCI status can be revoked by the Government of India under a variety of circumstances. In addition, the OCI card is only valid while holding a valid foreign passport. As of 2020, there are 6 million OCI cardholders in the Indian diaspora.

The OCI programme was introduced under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2005 in response to the demand for dual citizenship by the Indian diaspora. It provides overseas citizens with many of the rights enjoyed by resident citizens.

OCI status does not apply to any person who has been a citizen of Pakistan or Bangladesh, or to his or her children, grandchildren or great-grandchildren.

OCI Card Introduction

Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI Card) is a lifetime visa that allows the holder to enter India at any time! It is a multiple-entry, multi-purpose travel document that can be used to live or work in India. Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card holders enjoy all the privileges enjoyed by ordinary citizens of India.

All OCI cardholders are not required to report to the police authorities during their stay in the country. In addition, OCI cardholders are eligible to purchase plantation or agricultural property.

The following individuals are eligible to receive an OCI card:

Anyone with a certificate of Indian origin Land belonging to foreigners became Indian territory after independence Applicants eligible to become Indian citizens on 26 January 1950 Individuals holding Indian citizenship on or after 26 January 1950

Benefits of obtaining an OCI card

Multiple-entry, multi-purpose lifetime visas are available to visit India No need to report to police authorities for any period of stay in India Equal treatment with NRIs in the financial, economic and educational fields, except for acquisition of agricultural or plantation property

Documents required for OCI card application

To obtain an OCI card, applicants need to complete the OCI card application form and submit the required documents. You will need to provide originals and copies of the documents.

Below are some of the most important documents required for OCI to register as an OCI cardholder:

Mandatory documentation

All applicants, foreign passport holders and former Indian nationals are required to provide the following documents:

naturalisation certificate Foreign passport Two recent photographs OCI Application Form Documents for Indian-born applicants

If the applicant was born in India, he/she needs to submit:

Affidavit explaining how they travelled to the foreign country Proof of handover Certificate of relinquishment Indian passport Agricultural Land Documents School Leaving Certificates Birth Certificate Proof of residence Spouse/parent/grandparent based application documents

If the applicant wants to get an OCI card in the name of his/her spouse, parent or grandparent, they must have:

Parents' birth certificates Spouse's marriage certificate Grandparents' certificate of Indian origin Residence Indian Passport

An OCI card can also be issued to the spouse of an OCI cardholder who is of foreign origin or an Indian citizen!

Requirements for minor applicants

If a minor applicant wishes to obtain an OCI card, he/she will need to provide all of the above documents. In addition, the parents must self-certify these documents. If one of the parents of a minor child is not eligible for an OCI card, the minor will also not be able to obtain Indian citizenship!

OCI card processing time and fees

Once you have all the above mentioned documents, you can apply for an OCI card. There are many service providers who can assist you. You need to submit your application and pay the processing fee. Once approved, you will get the OCI card from the embassy.

On average, OCI cards can take between 7 and 11 weeks to process. This is because your card is from Delhi, India. The Indian Embassy in your country will then match the documents with the card, which may take an additional 1 week.

OCI card fees depend on the service provider you choose. You will need to pay the Indian Embassy fee ($275) and the ICWF fee (about $3). You may also need to pay a service fee, which may vary from service provider to service provider.

OCI Card Online Registration

Application for registration as an OCI can be made online. Instructions can be read carefully before completing the application form to avoid errors in submitting the application. Also, read carefully the details about the fees and the offices where the application has to be submitted.

To apply for OCI registration, please visit the official website atGovernment of India OCI Online Services.