By Staff Reporter
In response to persistent demands for “dual citizenship” particularly from the Diaspora in North America and other developed countries and keeping in view the Government’s deep commitment towards fulfilling the aspirations and expectations of Overseas Indians, the Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) Scheme was introduced by amending the Citizenship Act, 1955 in August 2005. The Scheme was launched during the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas convention 2006 at Hyderabad. The Scheme provides for registration as Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) of all Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) who were citizens of India on 26th January, 1950 or there after or were eligible to become citizens of India on 26th January, 1950 except who is or had been a citizen of Pakistan, Bangladesh or such other country as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify.
OCI is not to be misconstrued as ‘dual citizenship’. OCI does not confer political rights. The registered Overseas Citizens of India shall not be entitled to the rights conferred on a citizen of India under article 16 of the Constitution with regard to equality of opportunity in matters of public employment. Detailed instructions and procedures on the OCI Scheme are available on the MHA’s website: www.mha.nic.in.
A registered Overseas Citizen of India is granted multiple entry, multi purpose, life-long visa for visiting India, he/she is exempted from registration with Foreign Regional Registration Officer or Foreign Registration Officer for any length of stay in India, and is entitled to general ‘parity with Non-Resident Indians in respect of all facilities available to them in economic, financial and educational fields except in matters relating to the acquisition of Agricultural land or Farm house or Plantation properties. Specific benefits/parity is notified by the Ministry from time to time.
The Ministry has issued notifications granting registered OCIs further benefits as under:
- Parity with Non-Resident Indians in the matter of inter-country adoption of Indian children.
- Parity with resident Indian nationals in matters of tariffs in domestic air fares.
- Parity with domestic Indian visitors in respect of entry fee for visiting national parks and wildlife sanctuaries in India.
- Parity with non-resident Indians in respect of
- Entry fees for visiting the national monuments, historical sites and museums in India.
- Practicing the following professions in India, in pursuance of the provisions contained in the relevant Acts, namely:
- Doctors, dentists, nurses and pharmacists
- Advocates
- Architects and
- Chartered Accountants
- Entitlement to appear for the All India Pre-Medical Test or such other tests to make them eligible for admission in pursuance of the provisions contained in the relevant Acts.
As on-line OCI Miscellaneous service is now available for re-issuance/issuance of duplicate OCI document, where applicable, change of personal particulars, viz, nationality, name, change of address/occupation, ets. And loss/damage of OCI registration certificate/visa.
The GoI, further relaxed the OCI guidelines by dispensing with mandatory requirement of re-issuance of an OCI card each time new passport is issued to a foreigner upto 20 years of age and once after completing 50 years of age. Now, OCI cardholder is required to get the OCI card re-issued only once when a new passport is issued after completing 20 years of age. However, OCI cardholder is required to upload Online a copy of the new passport and a latest photo each time a new passport is issued upto 20 years of age and once after completing 50 years of age. Considering the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Timeline for re-issuance of OCI cards. were necessary, has also been temporary extended until 31st December, 2022.
As on 31st January, 2022 40.68 lakh OCI registration cards are issued.