Overseas Citizen of India (OCI)

A lifelong, multiple-entry visa and registration for persons of Indian origin and certain spouses — NOT dual citizenship and not full Indian citizenship.

Who it is for

• Persons of Indian origin who are citizens of another country (with eligibility conditions)
• Foreign spouses of Indian citizens/OCI cardholders, subject to conditions

Key requirements

• Eligibility as defined for OCI registration (origin/descent or qualifying spouse)
• Not a citizen of (or whose ancestors were citizens of) certain excluded countries
• Registration as an OCI cardholder; the card confers specified rights but not voting/constitutional-office rights

Governing law

Citizenship Act, 1955 — Section 7A (registration of OCI cardholder), Section 7B (conferment of rights), Section 7D (cancellation).

• {'abbr': 'A1522', 'section_no': '7A', 'label': 'Citizenship Act §7A — OCI registration'}
• {'abbr': 'A1522', 'section_no': '7B', 'label': 'Citizenship Act §7B — rights of OCI'}
• {'abbr': 'A1522', 'section_no': '7D', 'label': 'Citizenship Act §7D — cancellation of OCI'}

OCI rights are statutory and can be varied by notification; an OCI card is not a substitute for citizenship.