Q4. Who is an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) ?

Following categories of foreign nationals are eligible for registration as Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) Cardholder:-
  • Who was a citizen of India at the time of, or at any time after the commencement of the Constitution i.e. 26.01.1950; or
  • Who was eligible to become a citizen of India on 26.01.1950; or
  • Who belonged to a territory that became part of India after 15.08.1947; or
  • Who is a child or a grandchild or a great grandchild of such a citizen; or
  • Who is a minor child of such persons mentioned above; or
  • Who is a minor child and whose both parents are citizens of India or one of the parents is a citizen of India; or
  • Spouse of foreign origin of a citizen of India or spouse of foreign origin of an Overseas Citizen of India Cardholder registered under section 7A of the Citizenship Act, 1955 and whose marriage has been registered and subsisted for a continuous period of not less than two years immediately preceding the presentation of the application.
  • No person, who or either of whose parents or grandparents or great grandparents is or had been a citizen of Pakistan, Bangladesh or such other country as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify, shall be eligible for registration as an Overseas Citizen of India Cardholder.