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The Overseas Citizenship of India Scheme has become operational with effect from 2nd December, 2005. The salient features of the scheme are given below:
ELIGIBILTY CRITERIA
A foreign national, who was eligible to become citizen of India on 26.01.1950 or was a citizen of India on or at any time after 26.01.1950 or belonged to a territory that became part of India after 15.08.1947 and his/her children and grandchildren, provided his/her country of citizenship allows dual citizenship in some form or other under the local laws, is eligible for registration as Overseas Citizen of India (OCI). Minor children of such person's up-to the age of 18 are not eligible for OCI. Moreover, if the applicant had ever been a citizen of Pakistan or Bangladesh, he/she will not be eligible for OCI.
APPLICATION FORM AND PROCEDURE
Applicants are required to fill up on line application through the website https://ociservices.gov.in/ and hard copy in duplicate is required to be submitted in the Embassy along with copies of the following documents:
The following documents shall be enclosed in respect of each applicant:
- Proof of present citizenship - a copy of passport / citizenship certificate.
- Evidence of self or parents or grandparents.
- Evidence of relationship as parent/grand-parent, of their Indian origin, if claimed as basis for grant of OCI.
- Four copies of applicant's latest passport size photograph
- If you are a PIO Card holder, should submit a copy of your PIO card.
- All the documents enclosed with the application should be self-attested.
- This form when completed should be submitted in duplicate (both sets must have original photograph and signature along with enclosures). The applicant will have to submit his/her application at the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi (if you are residing in Abu Dhabi or AlAin for the past one year) in person and sign a declaration in the presence of Consular Officer in the Mission.
- If you are in India, then submit the form to the Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (FRRO), Mumbai, Kolkata, Delhi, Amritsar or Chief Immigration Officer (CHIO), Chennai or Under Secretary, OCI Cell, Citizenship Section, Foreigners Division, Ministry of Home Affairs.
DETAILS
Full text of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2003 and the Citizenship (Second Amendment) Rules 2004 is available on the https://ociservices.gov.in/
FEES IN DIRHAM
- Registration Fee as OCI - 1020/-
- Registration Fee as OCI for PIO Card holders - 100/-
- Transfer of Universal Visa (from the old passport to the new one) - 20/-
- Duplicate Certificate of OCI (if the OCI card is lost/damaged) - 100/-
Service fee as prescribed in the Citizenship Rules 2009 for renunciation of Indian citizenship - Dh. 570/-(Dh. Five hundred seventy only)
Note: - In case the application for Registration as OCI is rejected for any reason, the fee will be refunded after deducting an amount of AED 100/- as processing fee.
PROCESSING TIME
The time for processing an application, from the date the application is received at the Embassy, complete in all respects, would be a maximum of 30 days.
PERIOD OF VALIDITY
The Registration Certificate will be valid for life unless renounced or cancelled.
FACILITIES
- An Overseas Citizen of India will enjoy all rights and privileges available to Non-resident Indians (NRIs) in financial, economic and educational fields except in the acquisition of agriculture and plantation properties.
- Multiple entries, multi-purpose lifelong visa to visit India.
- There would be no visa requirement for travel to India. The person would have to carry his/her existing foreign passport along with Registration Certificate.
- The person so traveling would not be required to register with the FRRO/Police authorities for any length of stay in India.
- All facilities as available to children of NRIs for getting admission to educational institutions in India including Medical and Engineering Colleges, Management Institutes etc. under the general category and membership of various housing scheme etc. will be open to holders of Certificate of Registration.
The Overseas Citizens, however, will not enjoy the following Rights:-
- Right to Vote;
- Right to hold Constitutional Offices (Member of Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, Legislative Assembly or Council, offices of President, Vice President, Judge of Supreme Court & High Court etc.);
- Appointment to Public Services (Govt. Services)
PERSONS WITH DUAL PASSPORT
Persons having the passport of the country concerned, (one of the sixteen countries listed) and that of a third country, can also apply for a Certificate of Registration.
OVERSEAS CITIZENSHIP IS NOT DUAL NATIONALITY
It may kindly be noted that Overseas Citizenship is not a full citizenship of India and, therefore, does not amount to dual citizenship or dual nationality.
