What Is Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI)?

OCI stands for overseas citizenship of India. It is a form of permanent residency that allows people of Indian origin (PIO) to live and work in India. An OCI card is vital as it grants the holder a lifetime multiple entry in India along with several perks. In this blog, we will see what an OCI card is, its eligibility, benefits, and documents required for it.

Who Is an OCI?

The Overseas Citizenship of India is a full form of OCI. It is for persons of Indian origin residing abroad and wanting dual citizenship. The Indian government introduced the OCI in 2005 under the Citizenship Amendment Act. Since India does not allow dual citizenship, they launched the OCI Card. Before moving further let’s get to know about the eligibility criteria.

Eligibility Criteria for OCI UK

There are some eligibility criteria that an individual has to fulfill to get OCI status. The following are the requirements for OCI cards:

• People who got Indian citizenship before January 26, 1950, are eligible for OCI status.
• Former Indian citizens who renounced their Indian citizenship can also apply for it.
• OCI cardholders can apply if their marriage has been registered for a minimum of 2 years.
• Minor children of an Indian citizen can also apply, even if they hold a different nationality.

How to Check Your OCI Status?

To check your OCI status, you should look at the eligibility criteria given by the government. You can apply for OCI status if you meet any criteria based on ancestry, citizenship, or marital ties,

You can visit the official OCI website to check the status of your OCI application UK. To do the same, you need to enter your passport and file a reference number.

Types of OCI

The Government of India joined together the PIO card scheme with the OCI card scheme on January 9, 2015. There are no official types of OCI card holders.

PIO to OCI: People who get OCI status due to their Indian ancestry. They may also have held PIO cards, which have now become barriers.

NON-PIO-OCI: People who get OCI status by marrying an Indian citizen or an OCI cardholder.

Taxation Rules for OCI

This includes earning by working in India or providing service to India. The tax effects for OCI depend on their residential status and are governed by the Income Tax Act 1961.

OCI cardholders can benefit from a double tax avoidance agreement (DTAA) agreement between India and their country of residence to avoid double taxation.

Financial and Legal Implications of OCIs

OCI cardholders can operate bank accounts and invest in different asset classes. This includes the stock market, mutual funds, and real Estate. They can also enjoy several benefits such as multiple entry, and a multi-purpose visa to India. However, there are a few restrictions as well. An OCI cardholder is not allowed to vote. They cannot become a member of a Legislative Assembly or Council or a member of Parliament. Also, they cannot hold Indian parliamentary and judicial posts. Such as the President, Vice President, Judge of the Supreme Court or High Court, etc.

Top Benefits of OCI Card

A person with an OCI card can enjoy and avail of several benefits. Here are some benefits of obtaining an OCI card in the UK:

• Real estate cardholders can buy personal residential and commercial property in India.
• They are allowed to work in most sectors of India. However, there are some restrictions on government positions.
• The cardholder can apply at the same cost and benefits for domestic flights.
• They can get access to educational institutions just like an Indian citizen.
• OCI cardholders are qualified to buy insurance products in India.
• OCI holders can invest in fixed deposits in banks, post offices, and other places. Also, in government fields, corporate fields, infrastructure fields, and non-convertible debts.
• Life-long visa the card remains valid for a lifetime.
• Mutual fund investments can be the most beneficial choice for OCIs

  Essential Document Required for OCI

To prove your eligibility and provide evidence of your identity and Indian origin, you need to submit several documents. Below are the documents required to apply for an OCI card in the UK:

• Evidence of current citizenship.
• Filled out and signed the application form.
• A recent passport-sized photograph of the applicant.
• Thumb impression and signature of the applicant for biometric data.
• You need to submit proof as a spouse of foreign origin of an Indian citizen.
• Documents to prove self, parents, grandparents, great-grandparents Indian citizenship.
• If applying for an OCI card based on your parent's, or grandparent's Indian origin. You need to proof your relationship with them.
• Banking and Financial Management for OCIs

How to Apply for an OCI Card?

To apply for an OCI card, you must have all the required documents and meet the eligibility criteria. Follow the below-mentioned steps to apply for an OCI card and acquire all the Online OCI Services:

Step 1: Complete the online OCI APPLICATION UK form.

Step 2: Submit the required document.

Step 3: Make the payment.

Step 4: Submit biometric data.

Step 5: Application processing.

Conclusion

In this blog, we have talked about the Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI). It is a form of permanent residency that allows people of Indian origin to live and work in India. It allows the cardholder multiple entry and a lifelong visa to India. Also, there are some drawbacks to having an OCI card. Such as they are not allowed to vote, he/she cannot become a member of a Legislative Assembly or Council or a member of Parliament. Apart from this, we have also discussed the process of applying for an OCI card and the documents required for it.