OVERSEAS CITIZENSHIP OF INDIA

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

1.       A foreign national, eligible to become a citizen of India on 26 January 1950 or was a citizen of India on, or at any time after, 26 January 1950 or belonged to a territory that became part of India after 15 August 1947 and his/her children and grand-children, provided his/her country of citizenship allows dual citizenship under the local laws, is eligible for registration as Overseas Citizen of India. Minor children of such person 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.

2.       Therefore, the applicant must satisfy the following criteria in order to be eligible to apply for OCI Status:

• If the applicant or one of the applicant's parents or one of the applicant's grandparents was a citizen of India after 26 January 1950.

• If the applicant or one of the applicant's parents or one of the applicant's grandparents belonged to a former territory (Goa, Daman & Diu, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Sikkim and Pondicherry) that became part of India after 15 August 1947.

• If the applicant or one of the applicant's parents or one of the applicant's grand-parents was eligible to become a citizen of India at the time of commencement of the Constitution of India on 26 January 1950.

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

CONS.CARACAS@MEA.GOV.IN