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While the Indian government was initially offering PIO cards, these have been rescinded in lieu of OCI cards.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
- He was a citizen of India at the time of, or at any time after 26th January, 1950; or
- He was eligible to become a citizen of India on 26th January, 1950; or
- He belonged to a territory that became part of India after 15th August, 1947; or
- He is a child or a grandchild or a great grandchild of such a citizen; or
- He is a minor child of such persons mentioned above; or
- He is a minor child and whose both parents are citizens of India or one of the parents is a citizen of India or
- She is a spouse of foreign origin of a citizen of India.
