All About OCI Cards: Eligibility, Benefits, and India’s Stance
In light of the India-Canada issue, India is cancelling the OCI cards of several individuals who were participating in pro-Khalistan activities. OCI provides eligible overseas Indians with visa-free travel and residency in India.
India is in the process of cancelling the OCI Cards for carrying out pro-Khalistan activities
Amid the ongoing India-Canada row, India is in the process of cancelling the registration of more than a dozen Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) card holders for carrying out pro-Khalistan activities and anti-India propaganda, two people aware of the development told Mint. This move comes against the backdrop of India suspending visa services in its Canadian missions and also directing to cut its diplomatic staff in India.
The Ministry of External Affairs website states that as of January 31, 2022, 4.06 million OCI registration cards had been issued.
The central government additionally has the power to cancel an OCI registration if “the overseas citizen of India has shown disaffection towards the Constitution of India as by law established,” and if “it is necessary to do so in the interest of the sovereignty and integrity of India, the security of India, friendly relations of India with any foreign country, or in the interests of the general public.”
What is OCI?
Indians living abroad obtain the title of Overseas Citizens of India (OCI). It enables long-term visa-free travel and residence in India and grants cardholders a variety of benefits often unavailable to visitors.
Eligibility for OCI?
A foreign national who was
(i) an Indian citizen at the time of, or at any time after, January 26, 1950;
(ii) eligible to become an Indian citizen on January 26, 1950;
(iii) a resident of a territory that joined India after August 15, 1947;
(iv) a child, grandchild, or great-grandchild of such a citizen;
(v) a minor child of such persons mentioned above; or
(vi) a minor child of such persons mentioned above; is eligible for registration as an OCI cardholder.
Additionally, spouses of foreign origin of Indian citizens or spouses of foreign origin of holders of Overseas Citizen of India cards who have been married for a continuous period of at least two years before the submission of the application are also eligible to register as OCI cardholders.
A person who, or either of whose parents, grandparents, or great grandparents, is or has been a citizen of Pakistan, Bangladesh, or such other country, is not eligible for registration as an Overseas Citizen of India Cardholder, according to the government’s official website for OCI services.
OCI card bearers receive a multiple entry, multipurpose visa good for a lifetime to visit India.
-Additional perks include equal access to financial, economic, and educational opportunities with NRIs, except for the purchase of agricultural or plantation holdings, and the exemption from reporting to police authorities for any duration of stay in India.
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