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Applications
for Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) are accepted in the Embassy of
India, Caracas, only from residents of Venezuela and the Netherlands
Antilles and Aruba. Proof of residence (copy of driving licence or utility
bill or bank statement) should accompany the application.
1.
Who is eligible to apply?
A foreign
national, who was eligible to become a 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 grand-children, 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 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.
Who was eligible to become Citizen of India on 26.01.1950?
Any
person who or either of whose parents or any of whose grand-parents was
born in India as defined in the Government of India Act, 1935 (as
originally enacted), and who was ordinarily residing in any country
outside India was eligible to become citizen of India on 26.01.1950.
3.
Which territories became part of India after 15.08.1947 and from what
date?
The
territories, which became part of India after 15.08.1947 are:
(a)
Sikkim from 26.04.1975
(b)
Pondicherry from 16.08.1962
(c)
Dadra & Nagar Haveli from 11.08.1961
(d)
Goa, Daman and Diu from 20.12.1961
4.
Can the spouse of the eligible person apply for OCI?
Yes, if
he/she is eligible in his/her own capacity.
5.
Can children of parents, wherein one of the parents is eligible for OCI, apply for OCI?
Yes. They
are eligible.
6.
In what form should a person apply for OCI and where are they
available?
A family
of spouses and up to 2 minor children can apply (together) online.
Online
Registration Form:
HTTP://OCIINDIA.NIC.IN/OCIINDIA/ONLINEOCIREGISTRATIONG.JSP
7.
Can application form be filled and submitted online?
Yes,
registration is online. Once registered, application forms, along with
required documents, have to be submitted to the
Consular
Section, Embassy of India, Quinta Tagore, No.12, Avenida San Carlos, La
Floresta, Caracas, Venezuela.
8.
What documents have to be attached with the application?
The
following documents shall be enclosed with each application:
-
Application with Reference Number - two copies (1 original duly
signed in ink, and a copy thereof with all enclosures).
-
One
photo pasted on each form and two additional photos (2 inch X 2
inch).
-
Two
copies of foreign passport (identification pages only).
-
Two
copies of cancelled Indian passport (first 3 pages and page with
parents' names).
-
Evidence of relationship with parent/grand-parent (if their Indian
origin is claimed as basis for OCI). Documentary evidence of self or
parents or grand-parents for being eligible to become a citizen of
India at the time of commencement of the Constitution of India (on
26 January 1950; or belonging to a territory that became part of
India after 15 August 1947). Acceptable documents are: (i)
Self-attested copy of the Indian passport; or (ii) Copy of domicile
certificate, issued by the competent authority in India.
-
A
bank draft in favour of the EMBASSY OF INDIA for US $275 (Bs.F
1,375) for each application [US $145 (Bs.F 725) for each MINOR PIO
Card holder and US $25 (Bs.F 125) for each adult PIO Card holder].
Fee in Venezuelan Bolivar (Bs.F) may be deposited directly into the
Embassy of India account with Banco Provincial and the bank receipt
submitted with the application. No cash or personal cheques are
accepted.
-
Proof
of residence abroad (Utility bill/bank statement/Driver's Licence).
-
In
case of change of name, addition or deletion in a part of name (if
it differs in cancelled Indian passport and present foreign
passport), document proving name change from competent authorities.
-
Birth
certificate of foreign born children (should indicate the name of
both parents). This may be attested by either of the parents.
-
PIO
Card holders should submit a copy of their PIO Cards. OCI is a
separate process and even if the supporting documents were submitted
at the time of applying PIO Card, fresh set of above documents are
required when applying for OCI card.
-
Application should normally include copies of cancelled Indian
passport and legal status documents (Residence/Work Permit or Visa
status).
-
Return courier may be included for delivery of documents by mail.
9.
How many copies of application have to be submitted?
Application has to be submitted in duplicate with two sets of
enclosures.
10.
Whether applicant(s) have to go in person to submit the application(s)?
Applicants may mail or submit them personally.
11. Do
the applicant(s) have to take oath before the Consul of the Indian Mission
/Post?
No.
Earlier provision in this regard has been done away with.
12.
Where to submit the application?
Those who
reside within the jurisdiction of the Embassy of India, Caracas, can
submit their applications to the
Consular
Section, Embassy of India, Quinta Tagore, No.12, Avenida San Carlos, La
Floresta, Caracas, Venezuela.
If the
applicant is in India, to the FRRO Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata or Amritsar,
or to CHIO, Chennai, or to the Under Secretary, Citizenship section,
Foreigners Division, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Jaisalmer House,
26, Mansingh Road, New Delhi-110011.
13.
Can a person apply in the country where he is ordinarily residing?
Yes.
14.
What are the consequences of furnishing wrong information or suppressing
material information?
All
applications will be subject to pre or post inquiry, depending on
whether any information is available, pointing to false material is
provided. If the Government comes to know that any false information was
furnished or material information was suppressed, the registration as
OCI already granted shall be cancelled by an order under section 7D of
the Citizenship Act, 1955. The persons will also be blacklisted banning
his/her entry into India.
15.
What is the fee for application for registration as OCI?
The fee
of US $275 (Bs.F 1,375) for each application [US $145 (Bs.F 725) for
each Minor PIO Card holder and US $25 (Bs.F 125) for each adult PIO Card
holder] is payable by a bank draft in favour of the EMBASSY OF INDIA.
Fee in
Venezuelan Bolivar (Bs.F) may be deposited directly into the Embassy of
India account with Banco Provincial and the bank receipt submitted with
the application. No cash or personal cheques are accepted.
16.
What is the time taken for registration as OCI?
Within 60
days of the application, if there is no adverse information available
against the applicant. If any adverse information is available against
the applicant, the decision to grant or otherwise is taken within 3
months. Once the online status shows as granted and the OCI Card reaches
the Embassy, applicant will be required to present his/her original
foreign passport for the issue of the actual OCI Card and life-long visa
on the passport; applicant should not forget to send original foreign
passport and existing PIO Card. In some cases, even after granting, the
application is pending because of the improper photograph.
17. If
the registration as OCI is not granted, what amount will be refunded?
An amount
of US $250 or equivalent in local currency shall be refunded, if
registration is refused. US $25 is the processing fees, which is
non-refundable.
18. Can
a PIO Card holder apply?
Yes,
provided he/she is otherwise eligible for grant of OCI like any other
applicant.
19.
Will the PIO Cardholder be granted OCI registration gratis?
No.
He/she has to make a payment of US $145 for each Minor PIO Card holder
and US $25 for each adult PIO Card holder or equivalent in local
currency along with the application.
20.
Will the PIO card be honoured till the time they are valid even after
acquisition of OCI?
No. The
PIO Card will have to be surrendered to the Embassy/MHA for grant of OCI
registration certificate and OCI 'U' Visa sticker.
21.
What will be issued after registration as OCI?
A
registration certificate in prescribed format will be issued and a
multiple entry, multi-purpose OCI 'U' Visa sticker will be pasted on the
foreign passport of the applicant. For this purpose, the applicant has
to send the passport (in original form) to the Embassy after receipt of
the acceptance letter/OCI registration certificate.
22.
Will a separate OCI passport be issued?
No.
23.
Will a duplicate certificate of registration as OCI be issued?
Yes.
Applicants may see the procedure for OCI Miscellaneous Services.
24.
Will a new OCI visa sticker be issued on the new foreign passport after
the expiry of the old passport?
Yes.
Applicants may see the procedure for OCI Miscellaneous Services.
25.
Will the applicant lose his/her citizenship after registering as OCI?
No. Only
citizens of the country, which allows dual citizenship under the local
laws in some form or the other, are eligible for applying for
registration as OCI.
26. Can
a person holding OCI travel to Protected Area/Restricted Area without
permission?
No.
He/she will be required to seek Protected Area Permit (PAP) | Restricted
Area Permit (RAP) for such visits.
27.
Would the Indian civil/criminal laws be applicable to persons registered
as OCI?
Yes,
during the period that the OCI is living in India.
28. Can
a person registered as OCI be granted Indian citizenship?
Yes. As
per the provisions of section 5(1)(g) of the Citizenship Act, 1955, a
person who is registered as OCI for 5 years and is residing in India for
1 year out of the above 5 years, is eligible to apply for Indian
Citizenship.
29.
Will OCI be granted gratis to certain categories of people?
No.
30. Can
OCI be granted to foreign nationals who are not eligible for OCI, but
married to persons who are eligible for OCI?
No.
31.
Will foreign-born children of PIOs be eligible to become OCI?
Yes,
provided one of the parents is eligible to become OCI.
32.
What are the benefits of OCI?
Following
benefits will be allowed to OCI:
-
Multi-purpose, multiple entry, life-long visa for visiting India.
-
Exemption from registration with local police authority for any
length of stay.
-
Parity with NRIs in respect of economic, financial and education
fields, except in matters relating to the acquisition of
agricultural/plantation properties.
33.
Will any other benefit be granted to OCI?
Any other
benefits to OCI will be notified by the Ministry of Overseas Indian
Affairs (MOIA) under Section 7B(1) of the Citizenship Act, 1955.
34. Is
the OCI entitled to voting rights?
No.
35. Is
the OCI entitled to hold a constitutional post in India?
No.
36. Is
the OCI entitled to hold Government posts in India?
No,
except for the posts specified by an order by the Central Government.
37. If
a person is already holding more than one nationality, can he/she apply for
OCI?
Yes, as
long as the local laws of at least one of the countries allow dual
citizenship in some form or other.
38.
What are the advantages of OCI when compared to PIO cardholders?
-
An
OCI is entitled to life-long visa-free travel to India whereas for
PIO Card holder, the period of visa-free travel is 15 years.
-
A PIO
Card holder is required to register with local Police authority for
stay exceeding 180 days in India on any single visit, whereas an OCI
is exempted from registration with Police authority for any length
of stay in India.
39. Can
an OCI be entitled to apply for and obtain a normal Indian passport which is
given to a citizen of India?
No. An
Indian Passport is only given to an Indian citizen.
40. Are
nationals of Commonwealth countries eligible for OCI?
Yes, if
they fulfill the eligibility criteria.
41. Can
a person renounce OCI?
Yes.
He/she has to declare intention of renunciation to the Indian Embassy
where OCI registration was granted. After receipt of the declaration,
the Indian Embassy shall issue an acknowledgement in
Form XXIIA.
______________________________
Applicants may direct their queries in this regard to Consular Section:
CONS.CARACAS@MEA.GOV.IN
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