OCI Scheme
Based on the recommendations of the High Level committee on Indian Diaspora, the Government of India decided to grant Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) commonly known as 'Dual Citizenship'.  Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) of certain category who migrated from India and acquired citizenship of a foreign country other than Pakistan and Bangladesh, are eligible for grant of OCI as long as their home countries allow dual citizenship in some form or the other under their local laws.

A person registered as OCI is eligible to apply for grant of Indian citizenship under section 5(1)(g) of the Citizenship Act, 1955 if he/she is registered as OCI for five years and has been residing in India for one year out of the five years before making the application.

Eligibility Criteria
A foreign national, who was eligible to become citizen of India on 26.01.1950 or was a citizen of India on or at any time after 26.01.1950 or belonged to a territory that became part of India after 15.08.1947 and his/her children and grandchildren, provided his/her country of citizenship allows dual citizenship in some form or other under the local laws, is eligible for registration as Overseas Citizen of India (OCI). Minor children of such person are also eligible for OCI. However, if the applicant had ever been a citizen of Pakistan or Bangladesh, he/she will not be eligible for OCI. If both parents hold Indian nationality, minor children are not eligible for OCI card.

Benefits of OCI
Following benefits will accrue to OCI:

• A multiple entry, multi-purpose lifelong visa for visiting India.
• Exemption from registration with local police authority for any length of stay in India.
• Parity with Non-resident Indians (NRIs) in respect of economic, financial and educational fields except in relation to acquisition of agricultural or plantation properties.

Any other benefits to OCIs will be notified by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA) under Section 7B (1) of the Citizenship Act, 1955.

The OCI is not entitled to vote, be a member of Legislative Assembly or Legislative Council or Parliament, cannot hold constitutional posts such as President, Vice President, Judge of Supreme Court or High Court etc. and he/she cannot normally hold employment in the Government.

Procedure  of OCI Registration
Applicant is required to fill an on-line registration form, 

1. Application Form: To fill up on-line registration form please visit MHA website  https://ociservices.gov.in/. Part A has to be filled up on -line for each applicant of the family and Part B is common to all applicants of the family upto a maximum of four. Separate applications required for any other additional members. After submission of Part A online, a copy of Part A with an online registration number will be printed along with Part B of application form. Details in Part B can be typed or hand written in BLOCK LETTERS. In case the space provided is not sufficient, additional sheets may be used for providing requisite details. No column is to be left unanswered. Two sets of application form complete in all respects along with relevant enclosures must be submitted.

2. Signature: Full signature in the box should be provided in case of major and thumb impression (left hand thumb for male and right hand thumb for female) or signature in case of minor (Under 18 years).

3. Photographs: Two photographs (35mm X 35mm) should be pasted at the place provided on the application and two additional photographs must be attached in small envelope separately. Photographs should be of light colour background (not white) with front pose, both shoulders and both ears visible.

4. List of enclosures: Enclosures should be 2 sets of photocopies of requisite documents and each page self-attested by the applicant. For minors the Parent must self-attest the photocopies. When signing on the photocopies of the documents please mention as "Self Attested" and sign with name & date.

• Photocopies of the photo page of valid Passport. If the applicant is holding any other foreign passport, photocopy of the first page, photo page, all observation pages of the passport and ID card are required.
• Photocopy of the first page, photo page, last page and other pages having any observations of valid/cancelled Indian passport, if any.
• Evidence of self or parents or grandparents, (a) being eligible to become a citizen of India at the time of commencement of the Constitution i.e. on 26th January, 1950; or (b) belonging to a territory that became part of India after 15th August, 1947; or (c) being citizen of India on or after 26th January, 1950.

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.

• Marriage certificate where required.
• Birth certificate.
• Fees: Pak Rs. 43,200 + 500 (service charges)
• Total fees for fresh OIC card: PKR 43700/-

If the supporting documents are not satisfactory applicant will be asked to provide more documentary evidence.

Cancellation of OCI Registration
If it has been found that the registration as an OCI was obtained by means of fraud, false representation or concealment of any material fact or the registered OCI has shown disaffection towards the Constitution of India or comes under any of the provisions of section 7D of the Citizenship Act, the registration of such person will not only be cancelled forthwith but he/she will also be blacklisted for visiting India.

PIO Card/Conversion of PIO to OCI

As of January 9, 2015, the PIO card scheme is no longer in effect and is now merged with the Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card scheme. Therefore, it is necessary upon PIO Card holders to obtain machine readable OCI cards in lieu of handwritten valid PIO Cards. The Indian Immigration Authorities will continue to consider valid PIO Cards for entry/exit into/from India till 31^st December, 2021 along with foreign passport.

Revised guidelines on Re-issuance of OCI cards due to Issuance of new foreign passports to OCI cardholders:

1. Mandatory requirement of re-issuance of an OCI card each time a new passport is issued to a foreigner upto20 years of age and once after completing 50 years age has been dispensed.
2. OCI cardholder is required to get the OCI card re-issued only once when a new passport is issued upon completing 20 years of age.
3. An OCI card holder may upload a copy of the new passport containing the photo of the passport holder and also a latest photo on the online system under OCI Miscellaneous Services each time a new passport is issued up to 20 years of age and once after completing 50 years of age. These documents may be uploaded by the OCI card holder within three months of receipt of the new passport. This service will be provided on gratis basis.
4. In the case of those who have been registered as OCI cardholder as spouse of foreign origin of a citizen of India or spouse of foreign origin of an OCI card holder under section 7A(1) (d) of The Citizenship Act,1955, the OCI cardholder shall upload a copy of the new passport containing the photo of the passport holder and also a latest photo on the online system under OCI Miscellaneous Services each time a new passport is issued. In such cases, the OCI card holder and his/her Indian spouse or OCI cardholder spouse will have to give a declaration that their marriage is still subsisting. Copy of the Indian passport of the Indian spouse/passport and OCI card of the OCI cardholders spouse shall also be uploaded in such cases. These documents may be uploaded by the OCI cardholder foreigner spouse within three months of receipt of his/her new passport. This service will be provided on gratis basis.
5. Immediately on uploading of the documents mentioned in (iii) and (iv) above, an email will be auto sent by the system to the OCI cardholder confirming that the documents have been successfully uploaded.
6. There will be no restriction on the OCI cardholder to travel to/ from India during the period from the date of issue of new passport till the date of final acknowledgement of his/ her documents in the online system.