An OCI card (Overseas Citizenship of India) is a document issued by the Government of India to individuals of Indian origin who are not Indian citizens. It serves as a lifelong visa for the holder to enter, exit, and reside in India without the need to apply for a visa each time. The OCI card also grants certain other benefits such as the ability to participate in competitive examinations and hold constitutional offices, acquire property in India, open bank accounts and invest in India, and receive benefits of various schemes and concessions in India.
To apply for an OCI card, individuals need to fill out an online application form, upload required documents, pay a fee, and schedule an appointment for fingerprint and signature verification at the nearest Indian Visa Application Center (IVAC) or Indian Mission. Processing times may vary, but typically it takes around 8-12 weeks to process the application and receive the OCI card.
It’s important to note that OCI cardholders are not eligible to vote in Indian elections and are not eligible for certain jobs and positions that require Indian citizenship.
How to apply for OCI
To apply for an OCI card (Overseas Citizenship of India) you can follow these steps:
- Fill out the online OCI application form on the official Indian Government website for OCI registration.
- Upload the required documents, including a passport-size photograph and a copy of your passport.
- Pay the OCI application fee online.
- Submit the application form and pay the fee.
- Schedule an appointment for a fingerprint and signature verification at the nearest Indian Visa Application Center (IVAC) or Indian Mission.
- Attend the appointment and complete the fingerprint and signature verification process.
- After the verification process, your application will be processed and the OCI card will be sent to you by mail.
Please note that these steps and required documents may vary depending on the Embassy or Consulate where you are applying, so it is recommended to check with the Embassy/Consulate’s website or with the local OCI cell of the Indian mission for the most current and accurate information.
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Benegits of OCI
There are several benefits of having an OCI card, including:
- Lifetime visa-free travel to India: OCI cardholders do not need to apply for a visa to enter India and can stay there for an unlimited period of time.
- Exemption from registration with local police: OCI cardholders are not required to register with local police authorities during their stay in India.
- Eligibility to apply for an Indian driving license: OCI cardholders are eligible to apply for an Indian driving license if they meet the necessary criteria.
- Eligibility to participate in competitive examinations and hold constitutional offices: OCI cardholders are eligible to participate in competitive examinations conducted by the Public Service Commission of India, and also hold constitutional offices in India.
- Eligibility to acquire property in India: OCI cardholders are eligible to acquire property in India, subject to certain conditions.
- Eligibility to open bank accounts and invest in India: OCI cardholders are eligible to open bank accounts and invest in India, subject to certain conditions.
- Eligibility to receive benefits of various schemes and concessions in India: OCI cardholders are eligible to receive benefits of various schemes and concessions in India, subject to certain conditions.
Please note that OCI cardholders are not eligible to vote in Indian elections and are not eligible for certain jobs and positions that require Indian citizenship.
Click here if applying from Australia
Click here if applying from the USA
then next step is BLS if in Canada
