Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI)

OCI SERVICES:

About OCI: In keeping with Government of India’s commitment to fulfilling the aspirations and expectations of ‘Overseas Indians’, Overseas Citizenship of India Scheme was introduced by amending the Citizenship Act, 1955 in August 2005, granting certain privileges to the foreigners of Indian origin for travelling to and staying in India, acquiring property in India and in certain financial, economic and educational matters. It is however clarified that the Constitution of India does not allow for “dual citizenship” and OCI must not be mistaken as “dual citizenship of India”.
 
Benefits of OCI:

1. Multiple entry, multi-purpose life long visa to visit India.
2. Exemption from reporting to police authorities for any length of stay in India; and
3. Parity with NRIs in financial, economic and educational areas except in the acquisition of agricultural or plantation properties.

Eligibility: Any foreign national, except a national of Pakistan or Bangladesh, who was eligible to be citizen of India on or before 26.1.1950 or was a citizen of India at any time on or after 26.1.1950 or who belonged to a territory that became part of India after 15.8.1947 and her/his children or grandchildren or great grandchildren, provided his/her country of citizenship allows dual citizenship in some form or other under the local laws, is eligible for registration as Overseas Citizen of India. Minor children of such a person are also eligible for OCI. However, serving or retired defence personnel cannot be registerd as OCI, even if otherwise eligible.

Application for OCI: Applicant must complete online registration by filling up online application at the website https://ociservices.gov.in, upload his photograph and signature, along with all the mandatory documents. The photo must be uploaded in JPEG or JPG format with minimum resolution of 360X360 pixels. The maximum file size of documents to be uploaded must not exceed 200 kb. Duly filled application along with copies of all the documents, foreign passport in original and prescribed fee must be submitted at the Embassy of India, Tunis. For detailed information and step by step instructions, kindly visit https://ociservices.gov.in .   
 
Revised  OCI fees w.e.f.  01st April, 2026

TD 9/- towards ICWF Fund will also be charged from the applicants for each application