Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) is a Smart card given to Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) who immigrated from India and subsequently acquired citizenship of a foreign country. There are many benefits to having an OCI card besides convenience of travel and immigration to India and own property there.
While the Indian government was initially offering PIO cards, these have been rescinded in lieu of OCI cards.
Who Is Eligible For An OCI Card?
A foreign national, is eligible for registration as OCI cardholder, if and when
- He/she was a citizen of India at the time of, or at any time after 26th January 1950; or
- He/she was eligible to become a citizen of India on 26th January 1950; or
- He/she belonged to a territory that became part of India after 15th August 1947; or
- He/she is a child or a grandchild or a great grandchild of such a citizen; or
- He/she is a minor child of such persons mentioned above; or
- He/she is a minor child and whose both parents are citizens of India or one of the parents is a citizen of India or
- He/she is a spouse of foreign origin of a citizen of India.