Millions of Indians have been contributing in the financial growth of more than 200 countries spread over all the inhabited continents. It is not only for earning their livelihood, but the Skilled/Nonskilled, Businessmen and agriculturists also play a great role in the economic activities of these countries. Some of these are first generations who migrated from India and others maybe those who were born and brought up outside India by their parents or grandparents.
A sense of belongingness reverbrates in their blood arteries through the genes as every person of Indian origin nurtures a desire to keep India , the native land close to his heart. They have been exploring India by visiting places for tourism, religious or domestic ceremonies from time to time. We feel pride in watching a large number of India born young IT Professionals leading the top Multinational companies with their sheer hard work and competitive brilliance.
Though the Indian Government does not believe in extending dual citizenship for anyone holding overseas passports they have provided an alternative for all Indians who have surrendered their Indian passports for acquiring overseas citizenship. We are going to have an extensive view of how to apply for an OCI card, the privileges, and responsibilities identified with OCI cards now being issued to the Indian settled abroad.
NRI vs OCI: There is a distinct variance between NRI’s and OCI’s as by definition every NRI remains an Indian for all practical purposes like voting rights/getting Govt. employment in India /Buying or selling of property including agricultural land in India. All such privileges continue till they surrender their Indian Passports for becoming foreign nationals. On the other hand, OCI’s are foreign nationals who held Indian passports in the past or their parents/grandparents/ancestors were citizens of India.
Who is an OCI: Any foreign national who has migrated from India for permanent settlement abroad by surrendering an Indian passport to acquire overseas citizenship is termed as an OCI/PIO. This could be first-generation immigration or identified through their ancestors who were citizens of India as per the constitution 1950. OCI terminology appeared in 2005. However, those enjoying the status of PIO (Persons of Indian Origin) were merged into the OCI(Overseas Citizens of Inda) category in 2014. They were given the option to apply for the issuance of an OCI card free of cost.
Eligibility: (i) you must be an Indian born or citizen of India in terms of citizenship act 1950(ii) your parents or grandparents were citizens of India (iii) you are a foreign national spouse of an Indian citizen
Prescribed Fee; Applying from within India: $210 or Rs.15000/-; Applying from outside India: $275
How to Apply: Online; However after registering online by submitting pdf files of relevant documents and images of the applicant as well as signatures images, an application form with a specific number will be generated. You need to submit this duly completed and signed application form with documents and prescribed fee to the nearest Indian Mission/consulate for the necessary processing
Documents: Original surrender certificate issued in lieu of surrendering your Indian passport on acquiring overseas passport/citizenship. Proof of relationship to be produced by foreign nationals who are applying on the basis of their parents/grandparents being Indian citizens. Original foreign Passport with a minimum validity of six months at the time of application. Birth Certificate and certificate of naturalization in case of the USA nationals, Signatures, and two photos of the applicant.
Time Taken: Normally 60 days time is taken for issuance of OCI card to the applicants. Application received by the Indian consulate is sent to Indian authorities who in turn issue the card and send it to the Indian Consulate for delivery to the applicant.
Status of PIO card Holders: They have been given the option for converting to OCI card free of cost
Where to apply: ociservices.gov.in Foreign nationals can not apply for OCI cards in India if they are traveling on a tourist visa or any other type of temporary visa
Validity: Normally OCI card is issued for a lifetime and the holders can stay in India without bothering to reissue of visa. However, a person under the age of 20 years needs to get his/her OCI card renewed on every renewal of the passport. No such renewal is required for those in the age group of 21 to 50 years, However, those crossing age of 50 years need to get their OCI card and visa reissued only for one time.
Revoking: You have to be very careful in your conduct abiding by the Indian laws, as a small local altercation violating the law could prompt the authorities revoking this card
What you can do: (i) You can stay in India permanently (ii) you can do business in India(iii) You have been placed at par with NRI’s as far as financial privileges are concerned.
Privileges: Multiple entry, multiple purpose lifelong visa to visit India. No more requirement to report to Police for staying any number of years in India. OCI card can be used as an Identity proof for the purposes of Pan Card application or DL in India
What you can’t do: Neither, You can buy agricultural land, nor enter active politics in India. Though there is no bar on getting employment in the private sector, Government jobs are beyond the purview of OCI card holders.
PAN Card: Yes, PAN is required for conducting certain transactions like, purchase of a car, house, shares, mutual funds, etc. An OCI cardholder can apply for the issuance of a PAN card online using form 49AA and making payment of a prescribed fee of Rs..864(Eight Hundred and Sixty Four) plus GST only. Once the payment is accepted, the application should be downloaded and signed before sending it to the issuing office along with the required documents. The PAN card will be issued and sent to your overseas address. Link to the websites for application: (https://www.pan.utiitsl.com/PAN/index.jsp) and https://tin.tin.nsdl.com/pan/index.html)
Bank Accounts and Home Loans: The OCI cardholders are at par with the NRI’s and can open accounts with the Banks, remit funds to their friends/relatives, and avail home loans as per their eligibility and entitlement.
Exceptional countries: Foreign nationals belonging to Pakistan, Bangladesh, Iran, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan are not allowed to apply for OCI cards.
Grievance Redressal Cells: All Banks have an NRI cell for redressal of their complaints and providing support pertaining to the transactions in their accounts. Some of the states have dedicated special cells for registration of police complaints against fraudulent acts threatening their properties back home
Friends, I have tried to cover every aspect of features associated with OCI and their rights in comparison with the NRI’s in a precise and simple words but there is every likelihood having missed many relevant facts to be included in this post inadvertently. Your valued feedback will help in providing more researched knowledge in future posts.
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Great information..👍
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