BENEFITS TO OCI
- A multiple entry, multi-purpose life-long visa for visiting India.
- Exemption from registration with local police authority for any length of stay in India.
- Parity with Non-resident Indians (NRIs) in respect of economic, financial and educational fields, except in relation to acquisition of agricultural or plantation properties.
- OCI can be used as identity proof for application of PAN Card and driving licence as well as for opening a bank account if the OCI card holder is residing in India.
RIGHTS NOT GIVEN TO OCI
The OCI Card holder is NOT entitled:
- To vote,
- To be a member of a Legislative Assembly or of a Legislative Council or of the Parliament of India,
- To hold Indian constitutional posts such as that of the President, Vice President, Judge of the Supreme Court or High Court etc.
- He/she cannot normally hold employment in the Government.
PERSONS OF INDIAN ORIGIN (PIO) CARD
PIO Card was a form of identification issued to a individuals who held a passport in a country other than Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka and could prove their Indian origin up to three generations before.
As of 9 January 2015, the PIO card scheme has been discontinued and applicants are to apply for OCI only.
All currently held PIO cards are treated as OCI cards. PIO card holders will get a special stamp in their existing PIO card, saying “lifelong validity” thus making them equal to existing OCI cards.
PARLIAMENT PASSES CITIZENSHIP (AMENDMENT) ACT, 2015
