OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) CARD

Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI)

Foreigners of Indian origin (except Pakistan and Bangladesh) whose present nationality is such that their country of nationality allows dual citizenship in some form or other, are eligible to apply under OCI scheme, if he/she possesses evidence of self or parents or grand parents:

1. Being eligible to become a citizen of India at the time of commencement of Indian Constitution i.e. 26.01.1950. OR
2. Belonging to a territory that became a part of India after 15.01.1947. OR
3. Being a citizen of India on or after 26.01.1950.

Authority to which application is to be made: -
Application for OCI Card is also available online on the Ministry of Home Affairs website i.e. www.mha.nic.in .
Application can be submitted to:
(A) Indian Mission in the country where the applicant is ordinarily resident, when such foreigner is resident outside India.

(B) OCI Cell, Citizenship section, the Ministry of Home Affairs, Jaisalmer House, 26 Man Singh Road, New Delhi when the foreigner is residing/ visiting India.

(C) Foreigners, residing in the following cities, can also submit their application to concerned FRROs:

(a) Delhi : Foreigners Regional Registration Officer,
Level-II, East Block-VIII, Sector-I, R.K. Puram,
New Delhi-110066

(b) Mumbai : Foreigners Regional Registration Officer,
3rd Floor, Special Branch Building,
Badruddin Tayabji Lane,
Behind St. Xaviers College,
Mumbai-400001

(c) Kolkata : Foreigners Regional Registration Officer,
237, Acharya Jagdish Chandra Bose Road,
Kolkata-700020

(d) Amritsar : Foreigners Regional Registration Officer,
123-D, Ranjeet Avenue,
Amritsar-143001

(e) Chennai : Foreigners Regional Registration Officer,
Shastri Bhavan, 26, Haddows Road,
Chennai-600006

Documents required to be enclosed at the time of submission of application for OCI:
1. Application of OCI Card can be downloaded from the website of the Ministry of Home Affairs i.e. www.mha.nic.in .Form XIX,Part A can be filled online and printout taken, while Form XIX ,Part B has to be filled by hand.
2. Photocopy of Passport and valid VISA.
3. Proof of Indian Origin –
(a) Previous Indian Passport OR
(b) Applicant’s birth certificate and parents Indian passport OR
(c) Any other documentary proof
(d) In case of PIO Card holder - Copy of PIO Card and Copy of previous Indian passport/Birth Certificate and parents Indian passport
4. Copy of Registration Certificate
Application with the self-attested documents to be submitted in duplicate along with the following:
Demand Draft of Rs. 12, 650/- (for non- PIO Card holders) and Rs. 1, 150/- (for PIO Card holders) in favour of ‘Pay & Accounts Officer (Secretariat) Ministry of Home Affairs and 4 recent passport size photos.

BENEFITS AVAILABLE TO A OCI CARD HOLDER
1. Grant of multiple entry, multi purpose life long VISA to visit India.
2. Exemption from registration with FRRO/FRO for any length of time.
3. Parity with NRI's in economic, financial and educational fields except in maters relating to acquisition of agricultural/plantation properties.
Note : In case of minor children ,OCI will be issued ,if either of the parents is a Foreigner.

Source: http://www.immigrationindia.nic.in/pio_card.htm