Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) is a scheme introduced by the Indian government to facilitate Indian-origin foreign nationals to live and work in India without the need for a visa. OCI cardholders enjoy many benefits, such as the right to work, study and own property in India, as well as the ability to travel visa-free to India. In this article, we will outline the steps involved in applying for Overseas Citizenship of India.

Eligibility Criteria: To be eligible for OCI, an applicant must meet the following criteria:

1. They must be a foreign national who was a citizen of India at the time of, or at any time after, the commencement of the Indian Constitution.

2. They must be a foreign national who is eligible to become a citizen of India on or after the commencement of the Indian Constitution.3. They must be a foreign national who is a spouse of a citizen of India or an OCI cardholder and has been married for at least two years before the date of application.4. They must not be a citizen of Pakistan, Bangladesh or any other country that may be specified by the Indian government.

Steps to apply for OCI:

Step 1: Visit the online portal for OCI registration at https://ociservices.gov.in/

Step 2: Fill out the OCI application form and upload supporting documents such as a passport-size photograph, proof of identity and address, and proof of Indian origin.

Step 3: Schedule an appointment at the nearest Indian consulate or embassy for submission of documents and biometric data. The appointment scheduling is done on the VFS website (https://visa.vfsglobal.com/ind/en/sgp/).

Once the appointment is scheduled, applicants need to pay the application fee on the VFS website.

Step 4: Attend the appointment and submit the original documents for verification.

Step 5: Wait for the application to be processed. This may take up to 8-10 weeks.

Step 6: Collect the OCI card from the Indian consulate or embassy where the application was submitted.

Renewal of OCI: OCI cardholders are required to renew their OCI card every ten years from the date of issue. The renewal process involves submitting an application form and supporting documents, paying the renewal fee, and scheduling an appointment at the Indian consulate or embassy for biometric data verification.

Conclusion: OCI is a beneficial scheme for Indian-origin foreign nationals looking to live and work in India. The application process is straightforward and can be completed online, although applicants must attend an appointment at the Indian consulate or embassy for biometric data verification. Once approved, OCI cardholders can enjoy many benefits in India, including the right to work, study and own property.

References:

Vfsglobal – Vfsglobal. Retrieved March 16, 2023, from https://visa.vfsglobal.com/ind/en/sgp/