Eligibility for registration as OCI cardholder
As per section 7A of the Citizenship Act, 1955 (57 of 1955), following categories of foreign nationals are eligible for registration as Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) Cardholder:-
(a) Any person of full age and capacity:-
(i) who is a citizen of another country, but was a citizen of India at the time of, or at any time after the commencement of the Constitution i.e. 26.01.1950; or
(ii) who is a citizen of another country, but was eligible to become a citizen of India at the time of the commencement of the Constitution i.e. on 26.01.1950; or
(iii) who is a citizen of another country, but belonged to a territory that became part of India after 15.08.1947; or
(iv) who is a child or a grandchild or a great grandchild of such a citizen; or
(b) a person, who is a minor child of a person mentioned in (a) above; or
(c) a person, who is a minor child, and whose both parents are citizens of India or one of the parents is a citizen of India; or
(d) spouse of foreign origin of a citizen of India or spouse of foreign origin of an Overseas Citizen of India Cardholder registered under section 7A of the Citizenship Act, 1955 and whose marriage has been registered and subsisted for a continuous period of not less than two years immediately preceding the presentation of the application.
Note : No person, who or either of whose parents or grandparents or great grandparents 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, shall be eligible for registration as an Overseas Citizen of India Cardholder.
Documents to be submitted with the application
(1) Proof of present citizenship –
(a) Copy of present valid passport (applicable in all cases), with validity of minimum 6 months at the time of submission of application.
(b) Copy of the certificate of registration of citizenship/ Naturalization (as the case may be), for the present nationality of the applicant (applicable in all cases).
(c) Cancelled/ Surrendered Indian passport with Surrender Certificate (for those who have surrendered Indian passport in or after 2010).
(2) Evidence of address of the place of application
(i) Copy of the Electricity Bill/ Telephone Bill in own/ parents/ grandparents/ spouse name
(ii) If the above is in any other relative’s name, undertaking from the relative stating that the foreigner is residing with him/ her.
(4) Evidence of self or parents or grandparents or great grandparents [for cases covered by para 24.1.1 (a) above]
(a) Being a citizen of India at the time of, or at any time after the commencement of the Constitution i.e. 26.01.1950; or
(b) Being eligible to become a citizen of India at the time of commencement of the Constitution i.e. 26.01.1950; or
(c) Belonging to a territory that became part of India after 15th August, 1947. These could be:
(i) Copy of the Indian Passport; or
(ii) Copy of the Domicile Certificate issued by the Competent Authority; or
(iii) Copy of Nativity Certificate from the competent authority; or
(iv) PIO/ OCI card of parents/ spouse along with documents to prove Indian origin; or
(v) Any other proof substantiating the request. Usually applicants are able to submit a certificate of residence or place of birth of self/parents/grandparents from First Class Magistrate/District Magistrate (DM) of the concerned place.
(5) Evidence of relationship as parent/grandparent/ great grandparent, if their Indian origin is claimed as basis for registration as OCI Cardholder [cases covered by para 24.1.1(b) above]
(a) The document of relationship could be “Birth Certificate” issued from competent authority mentioning both parents’ name. In case the birth certificate is issued by a foreign authority, it is to be Apostled or endorsed by the concerned Indian Mission abroad/ concerned foreign Mission in India.
Note : If the parents are divorced, court order of dissolution of marriage, which specifically mentions that the legal custody of the child is with the parent, who is applying for the OCI card. If the court order is in any foreign language, translation in English or Hindi by authorized translator is to be enclosed.
(b) Birth certificate from Birth Registrar to be supported by (i) Education documents, if any and (ii) Documents of inherited landed property, if any.
(c) Marriage certificate of parents (If not available, reasons for same).
(6) In case of minor child whose both parents are citizens of India or one of the parents is a citizen of India [ cases covered by para 24.1.1(c) above]
(i) Copy of child’s birth certificate
(ii) Marriage certificate of parents (if no marriage certificate is available, reasons for same to be indicated)
(iii) Copy of Indian passport of the parents / one of the parents or copy of the Domicile Certificate or Nativity Certificate issued by the Competent Authority in respect of the parents/ one of the parents or
any other proof substantiating the status of the parents/ one of the parents as being Indian citizen(s).
(iv) If the parents are divorced, court order of dissolution of marriage, which specifically mentions that the legal custody of the child is with the parent who is applying for the OCI card. If the court order is in any foreign language, translation in English or Hindi by authorized translator is to be enclosed.
(7) Evidence as spouse of foreign origin of a citizen of India or spouse of foreign origin of an OCI Cardholder [cases covered by para 24.1.1(d) above]
(i) Registered marriage certificate; and
(ii) In the case of spouse of an Indian citizen - copy of the Indian Passport of the spouse or copy of the Domicile Certificate or Nativity Certificate issued by the Competent Authority in respect of the Indian spouse or any other proof substantiating the status of the spouse as being an Indian citizen.
(iii) In the case of spouse of an OCI Cardholder - Copy of the present valid Passport of the spouse and copy of the OCI Card of the spouse and copies of the documents upon which the OCI Card was issued to the spouse.
(iv) Declaration from the Indian/ OCI cardholder spouse stating that in case of divorce/ separation/ death of foreign spouse, it is his/ her responsibility to surrender the OCI card to the Government of India.
Note: In all cases where the marriage certificate is to be submitted, the following guidelines will be applicable:-
(i) If the marriage is solemnized in India, Marriage certificate issued by Marriage Registrar is required.
(ii) If the marriage is solemnized in foreign country, it should be apostled/ certified by the concerned Indian Mission/ Post.
(iii) If the marriage certificate is in any foreign language other than English, it should be translated in English by authorized translator.
How to Apply
To apply for an OCI card, please visit http://www.blsindia-canada.com/oci.php and take a quick look at the sample form, download the OCI Checklist before you start filling in your own information. You can then proceed to your OCI electronic application on the MHA website.
To apply for an OCI card, click onhttp://passport.gov.in/oci/OnlineOCIRegistrationG.jsp
The OCI service has been outsourced. You need to contact
one of the offices of our outsourcing agents, BLS International. Their office addresses, timings, phone numbers and e-mail address can be found by clicking here
Information for existing OCI card holders
Although the OCI Card is a life long visa card, the Card and the Life Long Visa sticker that comes with it must bereplacedeach timea new passport is issued up to the completion of 20 years of age andonceafter completing 50 years of age. This is required as both these documents contain photo of the Card holder which needs to be renewed. Read more about it by clicking here
For getting service of change of photograph or in case of loss of the OCI card, you will need to apply at https://passport.gov.in/oci/OnlineOCIMiscMain.jsp While filling in the details at this link, please ensure that you fill in the details of your existing OCI card EXACTLY as printed on your card. Even a slight variation in the spelling or entries will result in the computer responding "Record not Found" and you will not be able to proceed further. For example, if your place of birth is written as "OTTAWA CAN" on your OCI card, write it exactly as it is. Do not omit CAN and also do not expand it to CANADA.
Fees
The fee should be paid in Canadian Dollars by bank draft/money order in favor of "High Commission of India, Ottawa". The fee for various OCI services is as follows:
|
Sr. No
|
Subject
|
Fee in CAD including ICWF of CAD $4)
|
|
1.
|
OCI Card
|
421 + 4 = 425
|
|
2.
|
Re-issuance of OCI card (due to change of Personal particular/passport)
|
39 + 4 = 43
|
|
3.
|
Issue of duplicate OCI card in case of Loss/Damage of OCI documents
|
153 + 4 = 157
|
|
4.
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Fee for OCI in lieu of PIO cards
|
153 + 4 = 157
|
Benefits to an OCI cardholder
The following benefits will accrue to an OCI:
1. A multiple entry, multi-purpose lifelong visa for visiting India.
2. Exemption from registration with the local police authorities for any length of stay in India.
3. Parity with Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) in respect of economic, financial and educational fields, except in relation to acquisition of agricultural or plantation properties.
4. Parity with Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) in respect of -
a) entry fee to be charged for visiting the national monuments, historical sites and museums in India
b) pursuing the following professions in India, in pursuance of the provisions contained in the relevant Acts, namely, doctors, dentists, nurses and pharmacists; advocates, architects, chartered accountants,
c) 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.
d) 
subscription to National Pension Scheme has been approved by the Board of Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA)
5. OCI Card holders are eligible for appointment as teaching faculty in Indian Institute of Science, (IISc) Bangalore and the new All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) set up by Government of India under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana.
Any other benefits to OCIs will be notified by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA) under Section 7B (1) of the Citizenship Act, 1955.
OCI Non-Benefits
The OCI is not entitled
- to vote,
- to be a member of a Legislative Assembly or of a Legislative Council or of the Parliament of India,
- to hold Indian constitutional posts such as that of the President, Vice President, Judge of the Supreme Court or High Court etc.
- He/she cannot normally hold employment in the Government
