Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) of certain categories who migrated from India and acquired citizenship of a foreign country other than Pakistan and Bangladesh, are eligible for grant of Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) as long as their home countries allow dual citizenship in some form or the other under their local laws.
A foreign national, -
(i) who was a citizen of India at the time of, or at any time after 26th January, 1950; or
(ii) who was eligible to become a citizen of India on 26th January, 1950; or
(iii) who belonged to a territory that became part of India after 15th August, 1947; or
(iv) who is a child or a grandchild or a great grandchild of such a citizen; or
(v) who is a minor child of such persons mentioned above; or
(vi) who is a minor child and whose both parents are citizens of India or one of the parents is a citizen of India - is eligible for registration as OCI cardholder. Besides, spouse of foreign origin of a citizen of India or spouse of foreign origin of an Overseas Citizen of India Cardholder 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 is also eligible for registration as OCI cardholder.
However, 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.
Foreign nationals cannot apply for OCI in India while on Tourist Visa, Missionary Visa and Mountaineering Visa. Moreover, the foreigner has to be ordinarily resident of India to be eligible to apply for OCI registration in India.
Note: 'ordinarily resident' will mean a person staying in a particular country or in India for a continuous period of 6 months.
OCI status confers the following benefits:
n case of applications for registration as Overseas Citizen of India Cardholder in lieu of PIO card, only copies of the following documents to be attached:
In case of applications submitted to the Indian Mission/ Post abroad, OCI registration fee of US$ 275 (US$ 100 for conversion of PIO to OCI card) for each application or equivalent amount in local currency to be paid by way of Demand Draft (till online payment facility is introduced).
In case of applications submitted in India, a fee of Rs.15,000/- (Rs. 5500/- for conversion of PIO to OCI card) by way of Demand Draft drawn in favour of “Pay and Accounts Officer (Secretariat), Ministry of Home Affairs payable at New Delhi (till online payment facility is introduced).
The documents enclosed with the application should be self attested
The OCI service has been outsourced. You need to contact one of the offices of outsourcing agents, BLS International.
Follow the below steps to get OCI card in Canada.
Documents supporting your application have to be uploaded in PDF format at the end of Part-B.
Following are the dimensions required for OCI documents.
After filing of the online OCI application and uploading the supporting documents, signature and photograph online, applicants must submit the originals of the supporting documents (along with photocopies) to BLS International (outsourced agency of High Commission/Consulate General of India) for necessary verification.
If there is any discrepancy in the application or uploaded documents / photograph, BLS International shall inform the applicant by email, who will need to physically submit the required documents to BLS International, for necessary online modifications.
Once all documents are received and verified, the applicant will receive an automated email message that the application is under process.
No OCI application or service request will be accepted in the off line mode any longer.
The Processing time mentioned here is a normal processing time, however this processing time is dependent on various factors, such as city of application, place of previous issue of your old passport, your current visa status etc, and may vary from time to time. Processing time mentioned here, do not include delivery time taken by courier companies. Incomplete applications will lead to delay of processing time and applicants will need to comply with any changes in the procedure that may occur during this time.
You are requested to make your travel arrangements only after receiving relevant service. BLS/HCI/CGI will not be liable for any claims of inconvenience or penalties should applicant need to make changes to their travel plans owing to the delays and/or any inconvenience caused due to any rejections.
Ottawa Jurisdiction
Toronto Jurisdiction
Vancouver Jurisdiction
Note: Applications sent by post will take additional 4-5 working days for processing.
OCI doesn't provide dual citizenship.OCI is a legal status given to a person of Indian origin who has given up Indian citizenship.
OCI will not be entitled to apply for and obtain a normal Indian passport. Indian Passports are given only to an Indian citizen.
Since you are not a citizen, you cannot vote and you cannot run for a public office or contest an election.
You cannot buy agricultural land or plantations in India. However, you may continue to hold such property you had before giving up Indian citizenship and also inherit it
A person registered to OCI is eligible to apply for the grant of Indian citizenship if he/she is registered as OCI for five years and has been residing in India for one year out of five years before making the application.
You can work in India with an OCI card. The OCI card or Overseas Citizenships of India card is a lifelong visa to visit and reside in India, sparing them the need for permits. OCI holders are treated on par with NRIs for economic, financial, and educational matters and lack only political rights and rights to buy agricultural or plantation properties.
An OCI is entitled to life long visa with free travel to India. OCI is exempted from registration with Police authority for any length of stay in India.
No. Indian Passports are given only to Indian citizen.
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 the OCI ‘U’ visa sticker was pasted along with new passport for visiting India withoutseeking a new visa, as the visa is lifelong.
Yes. Passport is the primary travel document. OCI is only a life-long visa. Stay of a foreigners in India without a valid passport is illegal even if he or she is an OCI cardholder. Therefore, it is necessary that OCI cardholders staying in India should have a valid passport at all times of his/her stay in the country.
Well, we hope that you get a basic idea about converting PIO to OCI card in Canada.
Kindly let us know if you have any queries.
What are some common queries related to Citizenship?
You can find a list of common Citizenship queries and their answer in the link below.
Citizenship queries and its answers
Where can I get my queries related to Citizenship answered for free?
Tesz is a free-to-use platform for citizens to ask government-related queries. Questions are sent to a community of experts, departments and citizens to answer. You can ask the queries here.
Ask Question
Will the applicant lose his citizenship after registering as an 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 an OCI, losing foreign citizenship does not arise.
Can an OCI Card holder renounce his OCI status?
Yes, he/she has to declare their intention of renunciation in Form XXII to the Indian Mission/Post where OCI registration was granted. After receipt of the declaration, the Indian Mission/Post shall issue an acknowledgment in Form XXII A.
Will foreign-born children of PIOs be eligible to become an OCI?
Yes, provided one of the parents is eligible to become an OCI.
Will the PIO Cardholder be granted an OCI registration gratis?
No. PIO card will have to be surrendered to the Indian Mission/Post/MHA for grant of OCI registration certificate and an OCI ‘U’ visa sticker
I have recently acquired a new passport; do I need to re-issue my OCI card?
OCI Card renewal is only required once after acquiring a new passport after turning 20 years of age.
Are Minor children eligible for OCI Card?
Yes, minor children whose both parents are citizens of India or one of the parents is a citizen of India are eligible for OCI Card.
Are foreign military personnel of Indian origin eligible for OCI cards?
No, foreign military personnel either in service or retired are not entitled for grant of OCI. No person who has earlier served in a foreign military organization is eligible for an OCI card.
