Overseas Citizenship Of India (OCI) Scheme
Eligibility
A foreign national, who
- was eligible to become a citizen of India as on 26-01-1950
- was a citizen of India on or at any time after 26-01-1950
- belonged to territory that became part of India after 15-08-1947
And his/her children and grandchildren are eligible for registration as Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) provided his/her country of citizenship allows dual citizenship in some form or other under local laws. The minor children of such persons 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. The applicants will have to visit Ministry of Home affairs website(www.mha.nic.in) there on. after resgistration, they will have to these print outs in duplicates and submit the same to embassy along with copy of passport and 4 photographs. Original passport is required at the time of issuance of OCI Card.
FEE : 282,500 won for each applicant and 28,500 won for PIO card holders.
Benefits of OCI:
- A multiple entry, multi-purpose lifelong visa ('U'Visa) for visiting India
- No separate student/Employment/Business visa will be required for admission in colleges/institutions or taking up employment , business, etc in India
- Special counters for speedy immigration clearance at designated Immigration check posts
- Exemption from registration with the local police authorities for any length of stay in India
- Parity with Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) in respect of economic, financial and educational fields except acquisition of agricultural or plantation properties.
- OCI registration certificate can be used as identity proof for applying for a (I)PAN Card (II) Driving License (III) Opening of Bank account in India, if the OCI Card holder resides in India.
However, the OCI holder is not entitled
- to vote
- to be member of a Legislative Assembly or of a Legislative Council or of the Parliament of India
- to hold Indian constitutional posts such as that of the president, Vice-President, judge of the Supreme/High Courts etc.
He/She cannot normally hold employment in the Government. For any clarification/query on the scheme, please visit the website www.mha.nic.in or contact consular section of the Indian Embassy, Seoul
Processing Time: 30 Days
IMPORTANT NOTICE
The PIO/OCI card holders are not entitled to undertake any missionary work, mountaineering and research work without prior permission of the Government of India. The PIO/OCI cardholders would require special permission to undertake research work in India.