Introduction

The Constitution of India does not allow holding Indian citizenship and citizenship of a foreign country simultaneously. Based on the recommendation of the High Level committee on Indian Diaspora, the Government of India decided to grant Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) commonly known as "dual citizenship". Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) of certain category as has been specified in the column "eligibility criteria" who migrated from India and acquired citizenship of a foreign country other than Pakistan and Bangladesh, are eligible for grant of OCI as long as their home countries allow dual citizenship in some form or the other undertheir local laws.

Eligibility criteria

A foreign national, who was eligible to become citizen of India on 26.01.1950 or was a citizen of India on or at anytime after 26.01.1950 or belonged to a territory that became part of India after 15.08.1947 and his/her children and grand children, 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 (OCI). Minor children of such person are also eligible for OCI. However, if the applicant had ever been a citizen of Pakistan or Bangladesh, he/she will not be eligible for OCI.

What benefits accrue to an OCI card holder?

Registered OCIs shall be entitled to following benefits:

1. Multiple entry lifelong visa for visiting India for any purpose.
2. Exemption from registration with Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (FRRO) or Foreigners Registration Officer (FRO) for any length of stay in India.
3. Parity with Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) in respect of all facilities available to them in economic, financial, and educational fields except in matters relating to the acquisition of agricultural or plantation properties.
4. Registered Overseas Citizen of India Cardholder shall be treated at par with Non-Resident-Indians in the matter of inter-country adoption of Indian children.
5. Registered Overseas Citizen of India Cardholder shall be treated at par with resident Indian nationals in the matter of tariffs in air fares in domestic sectors in India.
6. Registered Overseas Citizen of India Cardholder shall be charged the same entry fee as domestic Indian visitors to visit national parks and wildlife sanctuaries in India.

Persons registered as OCI have not been given any voting rights, election to Lok Sabha/Rajya Sabha/Legislative Assembly/Council, holding Constitutional posts such as President, Vice President, Judge of Supreme Court/High Court etc. Any further benefits to OCIs will be notified by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA) under section 7B(1) of the Citizenship Act, 1955. A person registered as OCI is eligible to apply for grant of Indian citizenship under section 5(1)(g) of the Citizenship Act, 1955 if he/she is registered as OCI for five years and has been residing in India for one year out of the five years before making the application.

Where to apply for the OCI Card?

To the Indian Mission/Post in the country where the applicant is ordinarily resident. If the applicant is not living in the country of his/her citizenship, to the Indian Mission/Post having jurisdiction over the country of which the applicant is ordinarily resident. If in India on long term visa (more than one year), to the FRROs, or the Joint Secretary (Foreigners), Ministry of Home Affairs.

What is the validity of the OCI Card?

An OCI Card is a life time document. It allows multiple entry multi-purpose life long visa for visiting India.

Procedure for granting registration

The Indian Mission will register a person as OCI within 2 days of the receipt of application and the case shall be referred to the concerned authorities in India for preparation of OCI Card. The whole process takes six weeks approximately.

Cancellation of registration

If it has been found that the registration as an OCI was obtained by means of fraud, false representation or concealment of any material fact or the registered OCI has shown disaffection towards the Constitution of India or comes under any of the provisions of section 7D of the Citizenship Act, the registration of such person will not only be cancelled forthwith but he/she will also be blacklisted for visiting India.

Application Form

Fill the form online at the following link for a New OCI Card: ociservices.gov.in/submitAppDetails

Fill the form online at the following link for OCI Miscellaneous Services: https://ociservices.gov.in/welcome

OCI CARD - REQUIREMENTS BY EMBASSY

Application should fill up online application form at Online OCI Services

First step: click Here (https://ociservices.gov.in/welcome)

Second step: click on Online Registration(You have to choose ‘IRAN' among the options for place of submission of application)

Third step: Take two printouts of the duly filled application with IRAT number starting from (IR) e.g IRAT00000123.

List of Documents required for OCI Card:

1. Copy of current passport of the applicant.
2. Translated and apostled copy of Identity certificate (Sheneshnaame) by MoFA, Islamic Republic of Iran and further endorsed by Indian Embassy.
3. Evidence of Indian origin through parents, grandparents, or great -grandparents.
   1. 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
   2. Being eligible to become a citizen of India at the time of commencement of the Constitution i.e. 26.01.1950; or
   3. Belonging to a territory that became part of India after 15th August, 1947. These could be:
      1. Copy of the Indian Passport; or
      2. Copy of the Domicile Certificate issued by the Competent Authority; or
      3. Copy of Nativity Certificate from the competent authority; or
      4. OCI Card/ PIO card of parents/ spouse along with the base papers/ documents upon which the OCI/PIO card was issued;
      5. 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.
4. Evidence of relationship as parent/grandparent/ great grandparent, if their Indian origin is claimed as basis for registration as OCI Card holder: The document of relationship could be “Birth Certificate” issued from competent authority mentioning both parent’s 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.
5. An affidavit if there is any change in name of applicant or that of his/her parents (if required)
6. Documents to establish the basis on which parents have acquired OCI cards (if required)
7. Proof of Residence: Address-proof in India and local address proof (Local address proof has to be translated in English and apostled by MoFA, the Islamic Republic of Iran and further endorsed by Indian Embassy.)
8. The applicant’s present and previous job profile.

OCI FOR MINOR CHILDREN

• All the documents mentioned above.
• Photocopy of both Indian and Foreign passports of both parents along with the original passports.
• Application form should be signed by both parents and a joint letter of request should be given by both parents.
• Birth certificate in case of minor children, it should be authenticated by Ministry of External Affairs, Patiala House, Delhi, for the documents issued by Indian authorities or Apostled by Iranian Government if the document is issued by Iranian authorities.
• Left thumb impression for boys & Right thumb impression for girls.
• In case of separation or divorce, the court order for Legal custody.

For Foreign Spouse case:

• All the documents mentioned above.
• Copy of OCI/Indian Passport/Foreign Passport of the Spouse.
• Marital status proof: Marriage certificate (English translated copy Apostled by MoFA and endorsed by Indian Mission).
  • Married - Marriage certificate
  • Divorced - Divorce certificate
  • Widowed - Death certificate of spouse
• Documents to establish the basis on which spouse has acquired OCI cards (if required).

OCI Miscellaneous Services

These services can be availed for re-issuance / issuance of duplicate OCI documents in the following category of cases:

• In case of issuance of new passport.
• Mandatory requirement of re-issuance of an OCI card each time a new passport is issued to a foreigner up to 20 years of age and once after completing 50 years of age is dispensed with.
• In case of change of personal particulars viz. name, father's name, nationality, etc.
• In case of loss/damage of OCI registration certificate/visa.
• In case of manually filled-in applications (discontinued now) mistakes have been committed by the Indian Mission/Post/Office while entering the personal particulars.
• In case of change of address/occupation.

For name change:

These services can be availed for re-issuance / issuance of duplicate OCI documents in the following category of cases:

• Name Change Deed: An official document issued by the local court or a duly notarized affidavit that confirms name change. This is essential if the current legal name differs from the one on the previous Indian passport or birth certificate.
• Affidavit for Minor Discrepancies: If there are minor discrepancies in the spelling or arrangement of the name across different (e.g. variation in spelling or the order of middle and family names), an affidavit from a Notary Public explaining the differences and affirming that all documents pertain to the applicant has to be submitted.
• Updated Passport:A copy of current passport that reflects new legal name of the applicant. Specification of the photographs: Photograph (3nos) to be affixed on the application should be of square shape of size not less than 51x51mm (with 80% coverage of face) with light background (not white) with front of persons head and shoulders showing full face in middle of the photograph. Image details are as under:
  Applicant's image and Applicant's signature image (Max size 1MB).
  • The height and width of the Applicant Photo must be equal.
  • The minimum dimensions are 200 pixels (width) x 200 pixels (height).
  • The maximum dimensions are 3500 pixels (width) x 3500 pixels (height).
  • The height and width of the Signature Photo must have an aspect ratio of 1:3.
  • The minimum dimensions are 200 pixels (width) x 67 pixels (height).
  • The maximum dimensions are 3500 pixels (width) x 2500 pixels (height).

Applicants may forward their enquiries/complaints /grievances related to Consular/Visa matters on following e-mail addresses: Consular Officer:cons.tehran@mea.gov.