The Government of India has implemented a recent change concerning the Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) scheme.
A summary of the changes is provided below.
OCI cardholders:
- Do not need a visa to visit, live or work in India. However, they must now obtain a special permit to undertake: research related activities; missionary, journalistic, Tabligh or mountaineering activities; an internship in any foreign Diplomatic Mission or foreign Government organization in India or to take up employment in any foreign Diplomatic Missions in India; or to visit any area in India that is declared as protected, restricted or prohibited.
- Remain exempt from registration with the Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (FRRO) or Foreigners Registration Officer (FRO) for any length of stay in India. However, they must now inform the FRRO or FRO via email when there is a change of residential address or occupation.
- Will be considered as Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) for all India entrance examinations or tests for admission into institutes of higher education. They may also be considered for any supernumerary seat, but will not be eligible for seats reserved exclusively for Indian citizens.
- Will be treated on par with “foreign nationals” with respect to all other economic, financial and educational fields not specified in this new notification or in other notifications issued by the Reserve Bank of India under the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999. Earlier OCI cardholders were treated on par with NRIs rather than foreign nationals for the purposes of economic, financial and educational rights.
- OCI cardholders continue to remain on par with Indian nationals with regard to tariffs in airfares in domestic sectors, entry fees to visit national parks, national monuments and museums in India. OCI cardholders continue to remain on par with NRIs for the following:
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- Inter-country adoption of Indian children subject to the compliance of the procedures as laid down by the competent authority;
- Purchase of sale of immovable properties other than agricultural land or a farmhouse or plantation property; and
- Pursuing professions such as doctors, dentists, nurses and pharmacists; advocates; chartered accountants and architects in India as per applicable statutes.
The following restrictions remain unchanged:
- The OCI program is not for individuals who are from Pakistan or Bangladesh.
- OCI cardholders are not permitted to vote or eligible to run for public office or hold government jobs.
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