What is an OCI Card? What are the benefits?
OCI Card : Overseas Citizenship of India is a permanent residency granted to overseas Indians who attained another country’s Citizenship. It is not a dual citizenship status but a residency permit where people of Indian origin can reside in India indefinitely, provided that they are willing to renew the card according to the age. Under the OCI status, you cannot vote, hold public office, or purchase a agricultural land but enjoy all other benefits like the citizen of India.
As of 2020, there are more than 6 million OCI Card Holders of the Indian diaspora. It was made possible due to The Citizenship Amendment Act, 2005, to suffice the rising demand for Dual Citizenship for Indian Origin people who are settled abroad.
What are the advantages of an OCI Card?
- You have the right to live in India with a life-long residency permit
- You can travel to India as many times as you want
- Right to conduct business activities in India
- Access to government benefits and schemes
- Can open NRE, NRO, or FCNR account in Indian banks
- Can purchase residential and commercial properties but not agricultural land
- You can attain your Indian Passport back by surrendering your current Citizenship.
Understanding these Residency terminologies:
Citizenship – It is a legal status that an individual belongs to a particular country. By this, they are entitled to receive specific rights and benefits along with some obligations.
Passport – It is a document issued by the government to its citizens. And, it serves as proof of Citizenship and allows the citizens to travel internationally.
*Note – All passport holders must be citizens of their country; however, all citizens are not required to be passport holders. For example – Most Indians do not have a Passport, but they are still citizens of India. Indian Passport only allows visa-free travel to 60 countries, mainly Asian, African, and Caribbean countries.
Are you an Immigration aspirant? Do you wish to attain a Second Passport? Or do you want to become an OCI Card Holder? For immediate solutions – Call (+91) 859 533 8595 or mail at [email protected] today.
Do you know more about Immigration visit abhinav.com.
