OVERSEAS CITIZENSHIP OF INDIA


 

BENEFITS TO REGISTERED OVERSEAS CITIZENS OF INDIA

     
   
  1. Grant of multiple entry life-long visa for visiting and staying in India for any purpose.

  2. Exemption from registration with Foreigners Regional Registration Officer or Foreigners Registration Officer for any length of stay in India.

  3. Parity with Non-Resident Indians in the matter of inter-country adoption of Indian children. Details available at website: http://www.cara.nic.in

  4. Parity with Non-Resident Indians in the matter of tariffs in air fares in domestic sectors in India.

  5. Parity in entry fees with domestic Indian visitors to visit national parks and wildlife sanctuaries in India.

  6. 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 of India with regard to equality of opportunity in matters of public employment. No separate work visa is required for working in the private sector in India.

  7. Registered OCIs are allowed to work in educational institutions in India on a contractual basis.

  8. Parity with Non-Resident Indians in respect of:

    1. Entry fees for visiting the national monuments, historical sites and museums in India;

    2. Practising 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; and

    3. 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.

  9. As per the provisions of Section 5(1)(g) of the Citizenship Act, 1955, a person of full age and capacity who has been registered as an Overseas Citizen of India for 5 years, and who has been residing in India for one year shall be eligible to apply for Indian Citizenship.

  10. 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 acquisition of agricultural or plantation properties. Specific benefits would be notified by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA).

  11. There is no restriction on OCIs inheriting agricultural or plantation property. However, any transaction of such property has to be as per RBI notification dated 17 May 2000 (No.FEMA 21 /2000-RB dated 3 May 2000), as amended from time to time (available on website: http://www.rbi.org.in).

  12. Registered Overseas Citizens of India are not allowed to undertake activities such as mountaineering, missionary and research work in India.

  13. Specific permit is required for visit to areas covered under the Protected Area Permit | Restricted Area Permit which require specific permit. ░

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Applicants may direct their queries in this regard to Consular Section:

CONS.CARACAS@MEA.GOV.IN