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                   Overseas Citizenship of India

(OCI) Scheme
Applications for the OCI Scheme will be received at
the Indian Embassy, Washington, DC and
Consulates General of India, USA with effect from
January 9, 2006. 

Highlights of the Scheme

The Constitution of India does not allow holding
Indian citizenship and citizenship of a foreign country
simultaneously. Based on the recommendation of the
High Level committee on Indian Diaspora, the
Government of India decided to grant Overseas
Citizenship of India (OCI) commonly
known as 'Dual Citizenship'. Persons of
Indian Origin (PIOs) of certain category, as has been
specified in the Brochure on overseas citizenship of
India who migrated from India and acquired
citizenship of a foreign country other than Pakistan
and Bangladesh, are eligible for grant of OCI as long
as their home countries allow dual citizenship in
some form or the other under their local laws.

2. Persons registered as OCI have not been given

any voting rights and are not eligible for election to
Lok Sabha/Rajya Sabha/Legislative
Assembly/Council or for holding Constitutional posts
such as President, Vice President, Judge of Supreme
Court/High Court etc. Registered OCIs shall be
entitled to following benefits:

(i) Multiple entry, multi-purpose life long visa to visit

India;

(ii) Exemption from reporting to Police authorities for

any length of stay in India; and

(iii) Parity with NRIs in financial, economic and

educational fields, except in the
acquisition of agricultural or plantation properties.

3. Any further benefits to OCIs will be notified by the

Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA) under
section 7B(1) of the Citizenship Act, 1955.
4. A person registered as OCI is eligible to apply for
grant of Indian citizenship under section 5(1)(g) of the
Citizenship Act, 1955 if he/she is registered as OCI
for five years and has been residing in India for one
year out of the five years before making the
application. 

5. The OCI Brochure, Frequently Asked Questions

(FAQs) and application form are appended. 

Implementation
Initially, applications are to be filled on line as per
procedure given below and mailed to the Consular
Wing, Embassy of India, Washington DC (in respect
of applicants resident in the Mission's jurisdiction - for
details see heading "jurisdiction"). Applicants who
wish to apply for OCI registration in person, should
send their brief particulars including their name,
passport details by e-mail to the following
address: ociwashington@indiagov.org. The mail
would be acknowledged and the date for a personal
appointment in the Consular Wing will be
communicated to them. 

Procedure for application as OCI

An applicant should follow the steps given below:-

Step 1

The applicant should access Ministry of Home Affairs'

website at www.mha.nic.in and the OCI link to our
website at www.indianembassy.org where details
about the OCI Scheme are available.

Step 2 

To fill up the application :- 

1.Visit http://www.mha.nic.in/oci/oci-main.htm

2.Click Online registration and complete the form

(Part A) online.

3.After Part A is filled out, click save. A print window

would appear. Click OK to print out the requisite
application form consisting of Part A (which has been
completed as online registration). The blank form of
Part-B will automatically print itself along with Part A.

4.The applicant must then fill-in Part B, which should

be preferably typed. Alternatively, it may be
handwritten in capital letters with Blue or Black Ink
only.

5.The completed application form (Part A & Part B)

must be submitted in duplicate by mail to the
Embassy. Besides affixing photographs on the
application forms, the applicant must submit three (3)
color photographs (size 35 mm X 35 mm), taken
against a white background. 

6. Enquiries/Assistance

Exclusive telephone number for OCI scheme

related enquires is   202-939-9860 (for

Washington, DC only). Telephone queries would
be answered between 0930 Hrs and 1800 Hrs
Monday through Friday except duly notified holidays.

Note

(i) Applicants should ensure that the application form

is complete in all respects and supported by required
documents and photographs which should be mailed
along with stipulated enclosures to Embassy of India,
Consular Wing, 2536 Massachusetts Ave NW,
Washington DC-20008. A checklist at the end of Part
B, gives the list of documents that must be submitted
along with the OCI application form. To avoid delays
in processing of the application it may be ensured
that the applicant submits photocopies of his/her
passport, PIO card (if held) and other supporting
documents along with the application.

(ii) The application fee for registration under the

OCI Scheme is US$ 275. An additional amount of
US$ 15 towards return mailing charges and a self
addressed envelope should also be sent with the
application. For PIO card holders, the fee for OCI is
US$ 25, this amount along with US$ 15/- for return
mailing charges should be sent along with the
application. Fee will be accepted in the form of
money order & cashiers cheque only drawn in favor
of Embassy of India, Washington, DC. Personal
Cheques will not be accepted.

Special Instructions for PIO Card-holders

(i) A copy of PIO Card should be attached along with

the application. 

(ii) The PIO Card will have to be surrendered at the

time of receipt of the OCI registration certificate.
Jurisdiction

Embassy of India, Washington, DC

(Consular Jurisdiction: Bermuda, Delaware, District
of Columbia, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina,
South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West
Virginia

Consulate General of India - New York

(Consular Jurisdiction: Connecticut, Maine,
Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New
York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode
Island, Vermont, Virgin Islands) 

Consulate General of India - San Francisco,California

(Consular Jurisdiction: Alaska, Arizona, California,
Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, New
Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington,
Wyoming) 

Consulate General of India - Chicago,Illinois

(Consular Jurisdiction: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa,
Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, South
Dakota, Wisconsin) 

Consulate General of India - Houston Texas

(Consular Jurisdiction: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida,
Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma,
Texas) 

If the applicant is in India, he/she can apply to the

Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (FRRO) at
Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata or Amritsar or Chief
Immigration Officer (CHIO) Chennai or to the Under
Secretary, Citizenship Section, Foreigners Division,
Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) at their respective
address given below. 

FRRO,New Delhi
Level 2 / East Block 8, Sector 1,
R.K. Puram, Behind Hyatt Regency
New Delhi - 110 066.

Tel:   0091-11-26711348 / 26711343

FRRO,Mumbai
Annexe - II, Third Floor
Badruddin Tayabji Marg
Behind St. Xavier College
Mumbai - 400 001, India

Te:   0091-22-22620446
Fax: 0091-22-22620721

FRRO,Kolkata
237, AJC Bose Road
Kolkata - 700 020

Tel (Direct):   0091-33-22470549

Tel (Switchboard): 0091-33-22473301/ 22473305

FRRO,Amritsar
123-D, Ranjit Avenue,
Amritsar-143001
Tel. 0183-2508250 (O)

Chief Immigration Officer (CHIO)

Shastri Bhawan Annexe
26 Haddow Road
Chennai

Tel:   0091-44-28240338

Under Secretary (Foreigners Division)

Ministry of Home Affairs, 
Jaisalmer House, 26 Man Singh Road, 
New Delhi-110 011

BROCHURE ON OVERSEAS CITIZENSHIP OF

INDIA (OCI)

1. Eligibility criteria:

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 anytime 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 registration.However, if the applicant
had ever been a citizen of Pakistan or Bangladesh,
he/she will not qualify for registration as OCI.

2. Application form and procedure:

A family consisting of spouses and upto two minor

children can apply in the same Form i.e. Form XIX.
The form can be downloaded from our website
www.indianembassy.org or www.mha.nic.in . The
following documents must be submitted with each
application:

(i) Three additional stamp size photographs

(ii) Proof of citizenship of applicant(s)

(iii) Evidence of self or parents or grandparents being

eligible to become a citizen of India at the time of
commencement of the Constitution (or)
belonging to a territory that became part of India after
15th August, 1947 (or)
being citizen of India on or after 26th January, 1950

Documentary evidence required in this

connection are:-

* Copy of the foreign passport (or)

* Copy of the domicile certificate issued by the
competent authority (or)
Any other proof by which an officer equivalent to the
level of under secretary to the Govt of India in the
Indian Mission/Post can
arrive at a decision whether the applicant his/her
parents or grand parents are eligible for grant of OCI.
(or)
* Legal Affidavit (or) 

(iv) Evidence of relationship as parent/grandparent, if

their Indian origin is claimed as basis for grant of
OCI.

(v) Proof of payment US$ 275 as fee for each

applicant or equivalent in local currency (US$ 25 or
equivalent in local currency for each PIO card
holder). Fee has to be paid in the form of
Cash/Money Order/Cashiers Cheque at the counter
or by Cashier's cheque/Money Order if application is
submitted by by post. 

(vi) PIO card holders must also submit a copy of their

PIO card. 

The application form completed in all respects along

with enclosures should be submitted in duplicate to
the Indian Mission/Post of the country of applicant's
citizenship or where he/she is not in the country of
citizenship to the Indian mission/post of the country in
which he/she is ordinarily resident. If the applicant is
in India, he/she can apply to the Foreigners Regional
Registration Officer (FRRO) at Delhi, Mumbai,
Kolkata or Amritsar or Chief Immigration Officer,
Chennai or to the Under Secretary, Citizenship
Section, Foreigners Division, Ministry of Home Affairs
(MHA), Jaisalmer House, 26 Mansingh Road, New
Delhi-110011. 
3. Procedure for granting registration:

Initially, the time taken for registration as OCI,at the

Indian Mission/Posts in USA will be a minimum of 42
working days (6 weeks) from the date of receipt in
the Embassy/Consulate General of India. 

After preliminary scrutiny, if there is any adverse

information against the applicant, prior approval of
Ministry of Home Affairs, New Delhi shall be required
before grant of registration. MHA may approve or
reject the grant of registration within 120 days from
the date of receipt of the application. If the grant of
registration as OCI is approved by MHA, the Indian
Mission/Post shall register the person as
OCI. During this period, the applicants are
requested to refrain from making
telephonic/written/email enquiries regarding the
status of their application.If the application is filed
in India, registration, if approved, will be granted by
MHA. 

After grant of registration, a registration certificate in

the prescribed format will be issued and a multiple
entry, multi-purpose life long OCI 'U' visa sticker will
be pasted on the foreign passport of the applicant. 

4. OCI registration for PIO card holder:

A PIO card holder who is eligible for registration as

OCI may also submit his/her application in Form
XIX . He/she will be considered for grant of
registration in the same manner as other eligible
applicants. A PIO card holder will, however, have to
pay a fee of US$ 25/- or equivalent in local currency
instead of US $ 275 for other applicants. APIO
cardholder will have to surrender his/her PIO card (In
original) immediately prior to Issue of OCI registration
certificate and visa.

5. OCI registration for persons who have applied

on the earlier prescribed application form:

All such applications will be considered for grant of

OCI on the same lines as in para 3 above without
seeking fresh application and fees.

6. Cancellation of OCI registration:

If it is found that registration as an OCI was obtained

by fraudulent means, false representation or
concealment of any material fact or the registered
OCI has shown disaffection towards the Constitution
of India or under any of the provisions of section 7D
of the Citizenship Act, the registration of such person
will not only be cancelled forthwith but he/she will
also be blacklisted for future visits to India.

7. Benefits to OCI:

A registered OCI shall avail the benefits of :

(i) A multiple entry, multi-purpose life long visa for

visiting India

(ii) Exemption from registration with local police

authority for any length of stay in India

(iii) Parity with Non-resident Indians (NRIs) in respect

of economic, financial and educational fields, except
in relation to acquisition of agricultural or plantation
properties.

Any other benefits extended to OCIs will be notified

by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA)
under Section 7B(1) of the Citizenship Act, 1955 from
time to time.

8. Benefits to which OCI is not entitled to:

The OCI is not entitled to vote, become a member of

Legislative Assembly or Legislative Council or
Parliament, hold constitutional posts such as
President, Vice President, Judge of the Supreme
Court or High Court etc. and he/she cannot normally
hold employment in the Government.

9. Help Desk

For any clarification/assistance in regard to the

scheme, please visit the
website www.mha.nic.in orwww.indianembassy.org o
r
contact the Indian Mission/Post nearest to your
location or Citizenship Section, Foreigners Division,
Ministry of Home Affairs, Jaisalmer House, 26
Mansingh Road, New Delhi-110011. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

On Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI)

1. Who is eligible to apply?

A foreign national, who was eligible to become citizen

of India on 26.01.1950 or was a citizen of India on or
at anytime 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:

(i) Sikkim from 26.04.1975

(ii) Pondicherry from 16.08.1962

(iii) Dadra & Nagar Haveli from 11.08.1961

(iv) 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. 

6. In what form should a person apply for OCI and

where are they available?

A family of spouses and upto 2 minor children can

apply in the same form i.e. Form XIX, which can be
downloaded from the
website www.indianembassy.org or www.mha.nic.in. 

7. Can application form be filled and submitted

on line?

For the present, application form has to be submitted

in person or by post to the Embassy/Consulate
General of India .

8. What documents have to be attached with the

application?

The following documents must be attached with each

application:

(1) Three additional stamp size photographs.

(2) Proof of citizenship of applicant(s)

(3) Evidence of self or parents or grand parents

being eligible to become a citizen of India at the time

of commencement of the Constitution; or

belonging to a territory that became part of India after

15th August, 1947; or

being citizen of India on or after 26th January, 1950, 

The Documents required are :-

(i) Copy of the passport (or)

(ii) Copy of the domicile certificate issued by the

Competent authority (or)

(iii) Any other proof (or)

(iv) Affidavit

(4) Evidence of relationship as parent/grand parent, if

their Indian origin is
claimed as basis for grant of OCI.

(5) Proof of fee payment US$ 275/- for each

applicant or equivalent in local currency (US$ 25/- or
equivalent in local currency for each PIO card
holder).

(6) PIO card holders must also submit a copy of their

PIO card.

9. What documents would qualify for "Any other

proof" for evidence of self or parents or grand
parents being eligible for grant of OCI?

Any documentary evidence by which the officer

equivalent to Under Secretary to the Government of
India in the Indian Mission/Post can diligently arrive
at the decision.

10. How many copies of application have to be

submitted?
Application has to be submitted in duplicate.

11. Whether applicant(s) have to go in person to

submit the application (s)?

No. Application(s) can be sent by post.

12. 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.

13. Where to submit the application?

To the Indian Mission/ Post of the country of

citizenship of the applicant. If the applicant is not in
the country of citizenship, to the Indian Mission/Post
of the country where he is ordinarily residing. If the
applicant is in India, to the FRRO Delhi, Mumbai,
Kolkota or Amritsar or to Chief Immigration Section,
Chennai or to the Under Secretary, Citizenship
section, Foreigners Division, Ministry of Home Affairs
(MHA), Jaisalmer House, 26, Mansingh Road, New
Delhi-110011.

14. Can a person apply in the country where he is

ordinarily residing?

Yes.

15. What are the consequences of furnishing

wrong information or suppressing material
information?

All the applications will be subject to pre or post

verification depending on whether any adverse
information is available or not. If the Government
comes to the knowledge 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.

16. What is the fee for application for registration

as OCI?

US$ 275/- or equivalent in local currency for each

applicant. In case of PIO card holder, US $ 25 or
equivalent in local currency for each applicant.

17. What is the time taken for registration as OCI?

Initially, the time taken for registration as OCI will be

a minimum of 42 working days (6 weeks) from the
date of receipt in the Embassy. If any adverse
information is available against the applicant, the
decision to grant or otherwise will be taken within 120
days. During this period, the applicants are requested
to refrain from making telephonic/written/email
enquiries regarding the status of the application. 

18. 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 fee, which is non-refundable.

19. Can a PIO cardholder apply?

Yes, provided he/she is otherwise eligible for grant of

OCI like any other applicant.

20. Will the PIO Cardholder be granted OCI

registration gratis?

No. He/she has to make a payment of US$ 25 or

equivalent in local currency alongwith the application.

21. Will the PIO card be honored till the time they
are valid even after acquisition of OCI?

No. The PIO card will have to be surrendered to

Indian Mission/MHA at the time of grant of OCI
registration certificate and OCI 'U' visa sticker.

22. 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 original passport to the Indian Mission/Post
after receipt of the acceptance letter/OCI registration
certificate. 

23. Will a separate OCI passport be issued?

No.

24. Will a duplicate certificate of registration as

OCI will be issued?

Yes. For this purpose, an application has to be made

to the Indian Mission/Post with evidence for loss of
certificate. In case of mutilated/damaged certificate
an application has to be made enclosing the same.
Applications in both the cases have to be made to
the same Indian Mission/ Post which issued the
certificate alongwith payment of fee of US$ 25/- or
equivalent in local currency.
25. Will a new OCI visa sticker be issued on the
new foreign passport after the expiry of the old
passport?

Yes. On payment of requisite fee, a new OCI 'U' visa

sticker will be issued. However, the applicant can
continue to carry the old passport wherein OCI 'U'
visa sticker was pasted alongwith new passport for
visiting India without seeking a new visa, as the visa
is valid lifelong.

26. Will the applicant lose his citizenship after

registering as OCI?

No. As 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,
losing foreign citizenship does not arise.

27. 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.

28. Would the Indian civil/criminal laws be

applicable to persons registered as OCI?

Yes, for the period OCI is living in India.

29. 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.

30. Will OCI be granted gratis to certain

categories of people?

No.

31. Can OCI be granted to foreign nationals who

are not eligible for OCI, but married to persons
who are eligible for OCI?

No.

32. Will foreign-born children of PIOs be eligible

to become OCI?

Yes, provided one of the parents is eligible to

become OCI.
33. What are the benefits of OCI?

A person registered as an OCI shall avail the

following benefits :

(a) Multi-purpose, multiple entry, lifelong visa for

visiting India.

(b) Exemption from registration with local police

authority for any length of stay in India. 

(c) Parity with NRIs in respect of economic, financial

and education fields, except
in matters relating to the acquisition of
agricultural/plantation properties.

34. Will any other benefit be granted to OCI?

Any other benefits extended to OCI will be notified by

the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA) under
Section 7B(1) of the Citizenship Act, 1955.

35. Whether the OCI is entitled to voting rights?

No.

36. Whether the OCI is entitled to hold a

constitutional post in India?

No.

37. Whether the OCI is entitled to hold

Government posts in India?

No, except for the posts specified by an order by the

Central Government.

38. 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.

39. What are the advantages of OCI when

compared to PIO cardholders?

(i) OCI is entitled to life long visa free travel to India

whereas for PIO cardholder, it is for 15 years.

(ii) PIO cardholder is required to register with local

Police authority for stay exceeding 180 days in India
on any single visit whereas OCI is exempted from
registration with Police authority for any length of stay
in India.
40. Whether an OCI be entitled to apply for and
obtain a normal Indian passport, which is given
to a citizen of India?

No. Indian Passport is given only to an Indian citizen.

41. Whether nationals of Commonwealth

countries are eligible for OCI?

Yes, if they fulfill the eligibility criteria.

42. Can a person renounce OCI?

Yes. He/she has to declare intention of renunciation

in Form XXII to the Indian Mission/Post where OCI
registration was granted. After receipt of the
declaration, the Indian Mission/Post shall issue an
acknowledgement in Form XXII A.

43. Do the applicants who have applied on the

earlier prescribed application form have to apply
again in the new form?

No. All such applications will be considered for

registration as OCI without seeking fresh application
and fee.

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