Republic of India · residence general · Leads to settlement
Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) Card
By Sam Parks · Last reviewed:
Lifelong multiple-entry status for foreign nationals of Indian origin and their eligible relatives.
- Processing time
- Indicative only. Apply online via the OCI services portal; confirm current timelines and interview requirements there.
- Government fees
- Indicative only. Fees are set by the OCI services portal and Indian missions; refer to the official portal.
- Typical duration
- Lifelong, subject to re-issue conditions for cards issued before age 20 and after age 50.
- Sponsorship required
- No
- Leads to permanent residency
- Yes
Overview
The Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) Cardholder scheme provides a lifelong visa and multiple-entry, multi-purpose status to eligible foreign nationals of Indian origin. It is not citizenship and does not confer voting rights or public office, but it allows the holder to live, study and work in India indefinitely without separate registration. Eligibility is based on past Indian citizenship or descent, with statutory exclusions for those connected to certain countries.
Eligibility
Typical criteria
- ✓Applicant was a citizen of India at or after 26 January 1950, or was eligible to become one on that date.Ministry of Home Affairs (India) ↗
- ✓Applicant belonged to a territory that became part of India after 15 August 1947.Ministry of Home Affairs (India) ↗
- ✓Applicant is a child, grandchild or great-grandchild of such a person.Ministry of Home Affairs (India) ↗
- ✓Applicant is the foreign spouse of an Indian citizen or OCI cardholder meeting the conditions.Ministry of Home Affairs (India) ↗
Common blockers
- !Applicant, or a parent, grandparent or great-grandparent, is or was a citizen of Pakistan or Bangladesh, or another notified country.Ministry of Home Affairs (India) ↗
- !Applicant has served in a foreign military, which can bar registration.Ministry of Home Affairs (India) ↗
- !Inability to evidence Indian origin or eligible relationship.Ministry of Home Affairs (India) ↗
Typical evidence
- ·Proof of present nationality (current passport).Ministry of Home Affairs (India) ↗
- ·Evidence of past Indian citizenship or Indian origin, such as an old Indian passport or a parent documents.Ministry of Home Affairs (India) ↗
- ·For spouses, marriage certificate and the spouse Indian or OCI status.Ministry of Home Affairs (India) ↗
Application pathway
Confirm eligibility
Check that you fall within an OCI-eligible category and are not subject to a statutory exclusion.
Apply online
Complete the OCI registration application on the official OCI services portal.
Attend interview and submit documents
Provide documents at the Indian mission or FRRO; a personal interview is mandatory for new registrations except children under 12.
Receive the OCI card
Collect the OCI card and use it as a lifelong multiple-entry document.
Official application links
Where to actually go next
These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.
- Official guidanceApplicantUse official Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) Card route page ↗
Use this official page to confirm requirements and follow the government filing route for Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) Card.
Ministry of Home Affairs (India) · verified
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Frequently asked questions
Is OCI the same as Indian citizenship?+
No. OCI is a lifelong visa and status for foreign nationals of Indian origin. It is not dual citizenship and does not grant voting rights, public office or constitutional rights reserved for citizens.
Who is excluded from OCI registration?+
A person is not eligible if they, or either of their parents, grandparents or great-grandparents, is or had been a citizen of Pakistan, Bangladesh, or another country notified by the Government of India.
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