OCI - General Information OCI - General Information

OCI - General Information

OCI - General Information

Please read carefully note below before filling online OCI application.

NOTE 1: For general information regarding OCI, benefits, eligibility requirements etc. please visit: https://ociservices.gov.in

NOTE 2: Submission of all OCI documents should be done at BLS offices. Please visit https://blsindia-canada.com/ for more information.

NOTE 3: Applicant must select Consulate General of India Vancouver. The consular jurisdiction of Consulate General of India Vancouver is: Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, Yukon Territory and Northwest Territories.

NOTE 4: All the personal particulars / data entries of the OCI application should match with the current Passport. The name of parents & spouse should match as mentioned in their Indian Passport. 

NOTE 5: After online submission of application form, no changes can be made manually / hand writing. In case of any error / changes, please fill a fresh new online application form and use that for further submission to BLS.

Click here to see the step wise process for filling up online OCI application.

Click here for Checklist and Information Booklet for OCI.

The Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) Scheme allows all Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) [who were citizens of India on 26th January, 1950 or thereafter 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] to register as Overseas Citizen of India (OCI). Upon successful registration the applicant receives an OCI card.

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 benefits of OCI are 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

(a) Entry fees for visiting the national monuments, historical sites, and museums in India.

(b) Practicing the following professions in India, in pursuance of the provisions contained in the relevant Acts, namely

(i) Doctors, dentists, nurses, and pharmacists

(ii) Advocates

(iii) Architects and

(iv) Chartered Accountants

(v) 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.

OCI Miscellaneous Service

(a) Online updation: The OCI cardholder is required to upload a copy of the new passport and a latest photo each time a new passport is issued up to 20 years of age & on attaining age of 50 years. These documents may be uploaded by the OCI cardholder within three months of receipt of the new passport. This service will be provided free of cost and no OCI card will be issued. It takes approx 35-40 days since receipt of acknowledgement of the OCI online Misc application to complete the process of online updation. An auto email is sent to the applicant informing that changes have been made in his/ her OCI records.  Applicant may check status of their applications online on https://ociservices.gov.in under the “Status Enquiry” section.

(b) Online updation of OCI issued on foreign spouse basis: In such cases, OCI Cardholder shall upload a copy of the new passport containing the photo of the passport holder each time a new passport is issued. The OCI Cardholder and his/ her Indian origin spouse will have to give a declaration that their marriage is still subsisting. Copy of the Indian passport of the Indian spouse / passport and OCI Card of the OCI Cardholder spouse shall also be uploaded in such cases. These documents may be uploaded by the OCI Cardholder foreigner spouse within three months of receipt of his/ her new passport. This service will be provided on Gratis basis.

(b) Re-issue of OCI Card: 

  1. 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.
  2. In case of change in personal particulars viz, nationality, name change, addition/deletion of spouse name, loss/damage of OCI card etc.

SPECIAL PERMISSION FOR OCI CARD HOLDERS FOR CERTAIN ACTIVITIES:

OCI Cardholders are required to obtain Special Permission from concerned authorities to undertake certain activities in India. You may apply for the permission of any one of the activities listed below: 

  1. to undertake research; 
  2. to undertake any Missionary or Tabligh or Mountaineering or Journalistic activities; 
  3. to undertake internship in any foreign Diplomatic Missions or foreign Government organisations in India or to take up employment in any foreign Diplomatic Missions in India; 
  4. to visit any place which falls within the Protected or Restricted or prohibited areas as notified by the Central Government or competent authority; 

In order to make it convenient to such OCI Cardholders, a separate sub-portal under the name “Apply for Special Permission (Only for OCI Cardholders)” has been created in the Online OCI webportal at – https://ociservices.gov.in/welcome. 

Cancellation of registration as overseas citizen of India

The Central Government may, by order, cancel the registration granted under sub-section (1) of section 7A if it is satisfied that.

(i) the registration as an overseas citizen of India was obtained by means of fraud, false representation, or the concealment of any material fact.

(ii) the overseas citizen of India has shown disaffection towards the Constitution of India as by law established.

(iii) the overseas citizen of India has, during any war in which India may be engaged, unlawfully traded, or communicated with an enemy or been engaged in, or associated with, any business or commercial activity that was to his knowledge carried on in such manner as to assist an enemy in that war.

(iv) the overseas citizen of India has, within five years after registration under sub-section (1) of section 7A has been sentenced to imprisonment for a term of not less than two years.

(v) it is necessary so to do in the interest of the sovereignty and integrity of India, the security of India, friendly relations of India with any foreign country, or in the interests of the general public.

More information about OCI can be seen at the following links:

https://ociservices.gov.in/

https://www.mha.gov.in/sites/default/files/OCIIntroduction_23072021.pdf

https://www.mha.gov.in/sites/default/files/OCIBrochure_23072021.pdf

https://www.mha.gov.in/sites/default/files/OCIMiscellaneousService_Introduction_16072021.pdf