Fequently Asked Questions
1. Can children of parents, where one of the parents is eligible for OCI, apply for OCI?
2. In what form should a person apply for OCI and where are they available?
3. What documents have to be attached with the application?
5. How many copies of application have to be submitted?
6. Whether applicant(s) have to go in person to submit the application (s)?
7. Where to submit the application if the applicant is not in the country of citizenship?
8. What are the consequences of furnishing wrong information or suppressing material information?
9. If the registration as OCI is not granted, what amount will be refunded?
10. Can a PIO cardholder apply?
11. Will the PIO card be honored till the time they are valid even after acquisition of OCI?
12. What will be issued after registration as OCI?
13. Will a separate OCI passport be issued?
16. Will the applicant lose his citizenship after registering as OCI?
17. Can a person holding OCI travel to protected area/restricted area without permission?
18. Would the Indian civil/criminal laws be applicable to persons registered as OCI?
19. Can a person registered as OCI be granted Indian citizenship?
21. Will any other benefit be granted to OCI?
22. Whether the OCI is entitled to voting rights?
23. Whether the OCI is entitled to hold constitutional post in India?
24. Whether the OCI is entitled to hold Government posts in India?
25. If a person is already holding more than one nationality, can he/she apply for OCI?
26. What are the advantages of OCI when compared to PIO card holders ?
28. What is the fee for OCI in the case of minor applicants?
Can children of parents, where one of the parents is eligible for OCI, apply for OCI?
Yes.
In what form should a person apply for OCI and where are they available?
A family consisting of spouses and upto two minor children can apply in the same form i.e. Form XIX, which can be downloaded from this website.
What documents have to be attached with the application?
The following documents shall be enclosed for each applicant:
1. Proof of present citizenship
2. Evidence of self or parents or grand parents,
(a) being eligible to become a citizen of India on 26.01.1950; or
(b) being citizen of India on or after 26.01.1950; or
(c) belonging to a territory that became part of India after 15.08.1947
These could be:
(i) Copy of the passport ;or
(ii) Copy of the domicile certificate issued by the Competent authority ;or
(iii) Any other proof.
3. Evidence of relationship as parent/grand parent, if their Indian origin is claimed as basis for grant of OCI. Latest Personbevis issued by Skattemyndegheten (Extract of Population Register issued by Swedish Tax Authority) giving the name of the child and his / her parents
4. Application fee of SEK 3,000/- for each applicant ; SEK 275 for each PIO card holder)
5. PIO card holder should also submit a copy of his/her PIO card.
What documents would qualify for Any other proof for evidence of self or parents or grand parents being eligible for grant of OCI?
Any documentary evidence by which the officer equivalent to Under Secretary to the Government of India in the Indian Mission / Post can diligently arrive at the decision.
How many copies of application have to be submitted?
Application has to be submitted in duplicate for each applicant.
Whether applicant(s) have to go in person to submit the application (s)?
No. Application(s) can also be sent by post.
Where to submit the application if the applicant is not in the country of citizenship?
If the applicant is not in the country of citizenship, to the Indian Mission/Post of the country where he is ordinarily residing. If the applicant is in India, to the FRRO Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkota or Amritsar or to CHIO, Chennai or to the Under Secretary, OCI Cell, Citizenship Section, Foreigners Division, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Jaisalmer House, 26, Mansingh Road, New Delhi-110011.
What are the consequences of furnishing wrong information or suppressing material information?
All the applications will be subject to pre or post enquiry depending on whether any adverse information is available or not. If the Government comes to the knowledge that any false information was furnished or material information was suppressed, the registration as OCI already granted shall be cancelled by an order under section 7D of the Citizenship Act, 1955. The persons will also be blacklisted banning his/her entry into India
If the registration as OCI is not granted, what amount will be refunded?
An amount of SEK 2725 shall be refunded, if registration is refused. SEK 275 is the processing fees, which is non-refundable.
Can a PIO cardholder apply?
Yes, provided he/she is otherwise eligible for grant of OCI like any other applicant.
Will the PIO card be honored till the time they are valid even after acquisition of OCI?
No. PIO card will have to be surrendered to Indian Mission / Post / MHA for grant of OCI registration certificate and OCI ‘U’ visa sticker.
What will be issued after registration as OCI?
A registration certificate in the form of a booklet will be issued and a multiple entry, multi-purpose OCI ‘U’ visa sticker will be pasted on the foreign passport of the applicant. For this purpose, the applicant has to send the original passport to the Embassy after registration as OCI.
Will a separate OCI passport be issued?
No.
If the OCI certificate is lost or damaged, will a duplicate certificate of registration as OCI will be issued?
Yes. For this purpose, an application has to be made to the Embassy with evidence for loss of certificate (police report). In case of mutilated/damaged certificate an application has to be made enclosing the same. In both the cases, a payment of fee of SEK 275 is to be made with the application.
Will a new OCI visa sticker be issued on the new foreign passport after the expiry of the old passport?
Yes. On payment of requisite fee, a new OCI ‘U’ visa sticker will be issued. However, the applicant can continue to carry the old passport wherein OCI ‘U’ visa sticker was pasted along with new passport for visiting India without seeking a new visa, as the visa is for lifelong.
Will the applicant lose his citizenship after registering as OCI?
No. As only citizen of the country which allows dual citizenship under the local laws in some form or the other are eligible for applying for registration as OCI, losing foreign citizenship does not arise.
Can a person holding OCI travel to protected area/restricted area without permission?
No. He/she will be required to seek PAP/RAP for such visits.
Would the Indian civil/criminal laws be applicable to persons registered as OCI?
Yes, for the period OCI is living in India.
Can a person registered as OCI be granted Indian citizenship?
Yes. As per the provisions of section 5(1) (g) of the Citizenship Act, 1955, a person who is registered as OCI for 5 years and is residing in India for 1 year out of the above 5 years, is eligible to apply for Indian Citizenship.
Can OCI be granted to foreign nationals who are not eligible for OCI, but married to persons who are eligible for OCI?
No.
Will any other benefit be granted to OCI?
Any other benefits to OCI will be notified by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA) under Section 7B(1) of the Citizenship Act, 1955.
Whether the OCI is entitled to voting rights?
No.
Whether the OCI is entitled to hold constitutional post in India?
No.
Whether the OCI is entitled to hold Government posts in India?
No, except for the posts specified by an order by the Central Government.
If a person is already holding more than one nationality, can he/she apply for OCI?
Yes, as long as the local laws of at least one of the countries allow dual citizenship in some form or other.
What are the advantages of OCI when compared to PIO card holders ?
i) OCI is entitled to life long visa free travel to India whereas for PIO cardholder, it is for 15 years.
(ii) PIO cardholder is required to register with local Police authority for stay exceeding 180 days in India on any single visit whereas OCI is exempted from registration with Police authority for any length of stay in India.
Whether an OCI be entitled to apply for and obtain a normal Indian passport which is given to a citizen of India?
No. Indian Passport is given only to Indian citizen.
What is the fee for OCI in the case of minor applicants?
Fee for OCI in the case of minor applicants is the same as that for adults (SEK 3000/-)
